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The last Wednesday night meeting until early March will be held in Launceston with nine races scheduled.
The rail is in the +1.5m position for the entire circuit and there is a bit of rain forecast late Tuesday, leading into Wednesday, which will force a watch on what the track is posted as ahead of the first race.
R1 Ladbrokes Same Day Multi 2yo Maiden, 1100m
Kicking off the night with a field of largely unraced 2YO's. THE SPIRIT OF ZERO (3) has race experience albeit against opposition of just three. He was the best closer in that event and will no doubt have taken some benefit. LA VIRAGO (5) has led and won both of her trials and has winkers on for her debut. Her winning time at Longford was around three lengths quicker than POSITIVE PRESS (6) and RICH 'N' POWERFUL (7) matched motors with her that day. The Hobart trial of La Virago was very slow for the day which casts some concern for the chances of GEE GEES BROTHER (1) and GEE GEES RUN OUT (4).
R2 Ladbrokes Easy Form Maiden, 1100m
PRINCESS MATOAKA (11) was scratched from Devonport last Wednesday and must sweat on a scratching for a start. She was narrowly beaten by MISSTULA (6) in a recent trial but was asked for much less effort. Misstula returns from injury and was firmly in the market on debut. SLIPSLOPSLAP (2) is another that didn't run up to market expectation at his only local appearance. He resumes without a public appearance. NO ACCESS (1) raced without a lot of luck last preparation but may find 1100m a bit sharp, particularly if he jumps as he did in his trial at Longford. MISS VIVACE (10) is first-up with a winning trial behind her in much slower time than other rivals in this race on the same day. TRABZON (3) has pinged to the front in both trials but looked a little dour in the run to the line. GEE GEES DESERT (8) raced wide in her most recent trial but savaged the line. SWOOPING EAGLE (7) finished last in her trial but it was a bunched finish and wasn't far off Lycallegro who won in Devonport last Wednesday.
R3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 22nd February Bm62 Hcp, 1100m
There looks a stack of speed in this race on paper with the likes of HEAVEN’S MIRACLE (10), WHEELING (6) and TIDAL (9) all likely to be big prices but are generally ridden for speed. OUR SHINKANSEN (2) is one horse who could benefit from the leaders folding up. He was run off his legs in a 730m trial at Longford and will be giving a start away here. ISAFJORDUR (4) is another runner resuming via the 4 January trials where his form there can receive a push in the prior race. He was scratched last Wednesday from his home track to run here. GEE GEE TRUE STORY (1) broke a winning drought last time courtesy of a great ride from Chloe Wells. He stays in the same class and rises 1.5kg. TITLE SHOT (3) hasn't fired at all in two runs this campaign and is completely on trust now. GEE GEE SOX (7) returns from a 285-day absence and was too quick for them in a Hobart trial. Like a few in this race it would be worth keeping an eye on the market with her.
R4 Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas 27th January Maiden, 1400m
GEEGEES MISTY (9) appears ready for the rise to 1400m after a pair of fast finishing seconds in 1100m races where they've run good time. Along with GEEGEES HISWORD (6) in the same colours, they'll likely need a bit of luck from back in the field. I’M KEEFE (7) is another that looks suited out in trip and gets the winkers for the first time. He was chopped out of a run at a key stage in Hobart and would've finished closer had that not occurred. VANITY STAR (4) and SCANDALOUS AFFAIR (2) are newcomers to the state, the former seemingly bringing the superior form of that pair. BLONDE SUSPECT (1) raced last Wednesday where he closed well in a race that did strongly favour the swoopers.
R5 Jack Chambers Memorial Bm70 Hcp, 1600m
GEEGEELUCKYSTAR (2) enjoyed the run of the race for a dominant win last time out at Longford. He's consistent and will likely enjoy a good transit again with Siggy Carr taking the ride from a decent alley. ASSARANCA (4) has found herself out the back in her last two which is against her usual pattern. She's savaged the line from there in leader dominated contests. MISS CHARLIE BROWN (3) comes via the same Hobart race where she was first-up and will likely improve given they ran track record time. WELDBOROUGH (9) is now 12 starts without a win but has picked up plenty of cheques in that time. He'll be hitting the line as will WILLBY RULES (1) who found himself miles off the speed last start in Devonport. LION'S TOOTH (7) was fourth in the same race and gets a senior rider on. BREW HORSE (8) and CLIFTON DANSEUR (5) appear the two speed runners, both coming via the same Hobart race where the latter was very disappointing. Worth noting that was a postponed meeting and he may have made the trip south twice in three days.
R6 Fairmont Furniture Gold Sovereign 5th February Mdn/cl1, 2100m
THREE'S A CROWD (6) was too good in a similar race last Wednesday in Devonport after a heady ride from Codi Jordan from a wide gate. She rises 4kg with Daniel Ganderton taking the steer but she looks the only logical speed in the race. GOOD LUCK BOB (1) made an early move there and was a sitting shot late while A WEE NIP (7) made very good ground weaving a passage late. LAUNNIE NIGHTS (2) had no luck here a week ago from an inside barrier and will be hoping for better fortune. A senior rider goes on and he has won at this distance. JUST FOR CURIOSITY (5) was plain in Hobart but likely unsuited dropping from 2100m back to a mile. She draws to be giving a start away as is her usual racing pattern. FALCULA (8) and FIGHTING GRACE (9) chased home Banca Glee at Longford and she subsequently ran a decent race against several rivals here last week.
R7 Book Now For Fashions For Fillies Class 3 Hcp, 1200m
THELMA (4) has had a month since her last run, perhaps important given all three of her career wins have been either first or second-up. She enjoyed a lovely run last time in Hobart but will need a similarly good ride from barrier 7/7 given speed from UNDER HIS EYE (6) and GEE GEES BUZZ (5) draw immediately inside. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (2) just missed in a swoopers race last Wednesday and will meet O'REILLY MCLUKE (1) 2.5kg better for beating him home in that race. The toppy went to the line untested there and gets winkers on. MR FREEZE (3) took inside runs for an eye catching third in Hobart and ran a good race here at his first Tassie start. MERV DECIDES (7) resumes for the Alana Fulton stable who have been getting tried horses from around the state to run well in recent times.
R8 Whiskey & Wine Cup Eve Luncheon Bm62 Hcp, 1400m
GEE GEES JENNIA (6) had heavy market support in Hobart and was the best of the closers in a race run only to suit the two leaders. That racing pattern often works against her and she draws to give a start away again. THE MASTER SPEED (1) delivered a sentimental win on Longford Cup Day and is proving at the ripe old age of 10 he has plenty left to offer in this grade. SILVER PERSUASION (8) has placed in three of five Launceston starts and will likely improve from her Hobart run given the gap between runs leading in. RAVAGE (3) is never far away in this type of race. MASCHERATA (2) was smashed in betting last Wednesday and was particularly poor given she landed in the gun spot. It may be worth forgiving that run given her prior form and Darmanin sticks with her after riding half the card a week ago. NEV'S BOY (7) looked the winner last time after being plunged from a big price and that form can be franked earlier. SWING KING (9) brought hurdle form into the same race but was a very good run after racing wide on speed.
R9 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks 19th February Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
DOMINATOR'S GIRL (5) hasn't had much go right in three runs this campaign, particularly evident two starts ago here when she was badly held up for a run at a key stage. She's been slow out at her past couple and if that occurs again it may not be as costly in the small field. GEE GEE MISS QUITA (6) has returned with two good Hobart runs where she's hit the line strongly from back in the field. CHOSEN EAGLE (2) finished behind her in Hobart and may land in a forward position from a low draw here without much pressure. I'M KRUPT (3) is consistent without often winning and has his chance here for win number two. Same can be said for BELMISTA (1) who won his maiden 11 starts ago. MADETOBEBROKEN (4) stepped a shade slow in Devonport and did a good job from there considering the leader completely controlled the race.
