3 minute read

Racing & Sports bring you race previews and betting tips for tonight's meeting at Launceston.

Race 1: Ladbroke It! Maiden Plate @ 5:00pm - 1200m

Geegeehailstorm (12) won a trial and resumed here much improved beaten a whisker over this distance. The gate is awkward but Pires goes on and the filly won't have to improve much to be winning. Mandate (4) came from the back to just miss in the same contest first up. The former Sydney galloper has been improved by the new yard and fitter he can lay down a challenge. Captain Cam (1) narrowly missed a place in that race and it was also a good effort. She gives away starts but can make the finish with average luck. Them's The Breaks (14) also has a cruel gate but was narrowly beaten at Hobart first-up and can build on that.

Race 2: Good Friday Family Fun Day 29th March Maiden @ 5:30pm - 1400m

Tough. Milton (2) races forward and after a solid debut effort finished second behind a dominant winner at Hobart. She will strip fitter and will use the low barrier. He will be hard to peg back. Carnelian Rock (6) has been around racing well here and peaks with a 3kg claimer aboard. Has the winkers applied again and is a chance. Mystic Hope (3) needed the run on resumption. He's placed 2/3 second-up and the blinkers go on. Has an awkward barrier but is suited over the longer sprint. Tideford (5) is a former Victorian resuming for the new stable. Placed at Kilmore his only fresh outing and has trialled well. Has an awkward barrier but has to be kept safe.

Race 3: Ladbrokes Sports Bar Maiden @ 6:00pm- 1400m

Elegantly Written (11) resumes improve beaten a whisker over a shorter sprint and impressed. Fitter now and should run it right out. The one to beat on what we've seen. May We All (2) just missed here first up when expected to need the outing. He will enjoy the extra metres and looks the map horse. Will have come on and should be right in the finish. Goddess Of Rock (12) peaks for a leading barn and should be ready to show more. Has a wide gate and a good ride is required. Miss Vivace (10) resumes and is also in good hands. She's been off the scene for 313 days but is good enough and the recent trial win over this distance suggests she will be presented on song. She's capable of racing forward and has to be kept safe.

Race 4: Tasbreeders Night 5th April Maiden/Class 1 @ 6:30pm - 1600m

Captain Taz (2) missed a nose at Hobart as favourite and then belted the Maidens there by 3L racing forward. He was backed off the map and is a promising sort who can go on with it over the longer trip. Van Scotia (8) led and won his Maiden here comfortably for the Victorian barn. Has just missed at Hamilton prior and will use the rail. The mile holds no fears and she's feared. Steele My Sunshine (7) went close here first-up in this grade. She has more to give and should see out the extra metres. Pushed forward from an awkward barrier her latest and is likely to do the same here. Ada Way (1) deserved the Maiden win here. Tackles the mile for the first time in 13 starts and maps for a soft run. In good hands and will get every chance to go back-to-back.

Race 5: The Art Hotel Launceston Class 1 Handicap @ 7:00pm - 1400m

Asva (1) switched from a top Sydney stable and impressed when beaten a nose here first-up as a short-priced favourite. Has placed 2/3 second up and draws an inside gate this evening. He rates the one to beat. Dayan Star  (3) is a Victorian who just missed a place behind the above. Went close the two prior and peaks for this. A chance. Geegees Down South (8) resumed in solid order in the same race. He has more up the sleeve and fitter can make the finish. Kireina Marubrah (11) made sharp improvement beaten a nose in a CL2 behind Navy Street. Maps for the run of the race and also deserves consideration.

Race 6: Battle of the Bands Friday 22nd March Benchmark 60 Handicap @ 7:30pm - 1400m

Belluna (8) brought strong form from Victoria and delivered a CL2 at his second run for the new barn. He just missed the one prior and despite the weight lift can repeat the dose. I'm Keefe (6) led and missed a whisker behind Navy Street over this distance. Fitter again and is sure to give a sight. Bounty Bay (12) presents for an in-form Victorian yard and was last seen three weeks ago placing distantly over a mile at Terang. Finally draws a low barrier and Kersley stays aboard. Has to be kept very safe. Sweet Lucifer (2) went back-to-back this grade at Hobart and will race at peak fitness. The 3kg claim brings him into it.

Race 7: Kevin Sharkie Class 2 Handicap @ 8:00pm - 1200m

Sandual (3) needed the run after switching from a Victorian stable and then made sharp improvement winning a CL1 here over 1400m. It was a game effort and tipping the shorter sprint won't bother. A senior hoop takes over from the apprentice. Head'Em (4) resumed at Colac as the favourite and was disappointing. Arrives here freshened and the provincial form at the back of his last campaign is strong. The Lindsay Smith yard is flying and sharp improvement is anticipated. Cherokee Dancer (6) has been knocking on the door. Dug deep in a 68 her latest and maps for the run of the race. La Folie Douce (8) has gone back-to-back her last two over this distance and keeps improving. Gives away starts but hits the line hard.

Race 8: Steves Liquor Benchmark 68 Handicap @ 8:30pm - 1600m

Rich Clan (1) races forward and is busting to win. Draws to advantage and receives a 1.5kg claim. Always puts in and deserves another chance. Ole Ola (3) has also been knocking on the door. Was caught late from the speed last time over 1420m following a narrow miss. She has a sharp record at the mile and is on a 9-day backup. Lordosis (8) won the Hobart CL1 as expected and then came here and did a good job just beaten from a wide gate heavily bet. The gate is awkward again but Pires stays aboard and the gelding keeps improving. Zulu Angel (4) ran his best race winning an Open 4 over this distance. Maps for the run of the race and is ultra-consistent. The Victorian Dalton Dancer (9) has to be kept safe.

Race 9: Launcestons Biggest Easter Egg Hunt Good Friday Benchmark 60 Handicap​​​​​​​ @ 9:00pm - 1100m

Fear The Sting (6) trialled sharply but needed the first up outing following a switch from the Brunton yard. She improved sharply after beaten a whisker in a 60 at Hobart. Carr goes on to replace the apprentice and she has the gate speed to position forward from the awkward barrier. Fitter and can go one better. Bine (3) led here when just nudged out in an Open 3. That was a much-improved effort and she will get every chance running along from the rails barrier. Intisar (1) peaks and placed in stringer last time. Gets in well with the 3kg claim and is in the mix. Champagne Cinders (5) was plain at Hobart but raced well here prior and maps for a soft run. She also deserves consideration.