3 minute read
Good Friday thoroughbred racing is in Launceston for a nine-race card featuring a pair of $50,000 Tasbred races.
After being a long way out for the two previous Good Friday meetings, the rail is in the true for what will be the final meeting at the track for over three months.
Rain is forecast for Friday which will require a watch on how that may impact the racing surface.
R1 Welcome To Good Friday Family Fun Day Maiden, 1200m
Start of a mammoth nine-race card for Good Friday. The first race is a tricky maiden affair over 1200m. I'm sticking with No Access (2) for John Blacker and Hayley McCarthy. Beaten favourite last start but wasn't beaten overly far. Will push forward from a wide gate and if Hayley can cross easily enough will be able to dictate and hopefully kick for home on the turn.
Geegees Royal Duke (4) is one of two Gee Gees for Team Wells and I assume Chloe got the choice of the two. Put away after a midfield finish on debut and coming into this off a good trial win in Hobart, confidence will be high and with natural progression, we will see a more mature horse. Each-way chance for mine but a market watch.
The second of the gee gee runners is Gee Gees Choris (7) who is always around the mark. In a more suitable race today gets her chance to earn another cheque. Boasting only one second out of nine starts has finished midfield in his last four. A roughie with the claim and drawn well in barrier 2.
Hasn't shown a great deal since arriving in the state but Surangani (9) finally showed something when finishing third last start behind the well-backed Starnote. He was beaten nearly six lengths on that occasion but that is the case with most of his rivals in this.
Staking Strategy: This looks No Access race to lose. I can't see anything else beating him here. I think he will push forward and if Hayley can cross easily enough, he should be able to dictate and kick for home. 2 units to win on No Access (2)
R2 Deloraine Community Cup Day Sunday 23rd July Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
I think Coronation Veronic (2) is going really well. I liked the way she hit the line last start when being beaten by the barest of margins. This race is no harder and the boss takes over the reins for tonight's assignment.
Starnote (3) finally got the chocolates breaking the maiden status last time out. Again, not a fan of tipping horses having their first try at a Class 1 after getting their maiden win but you can't leave her out of the leading contenders. Track and distance suit the filly and gets the services of top jockey Brendon McCoull again. Big hope.
She was getting a reputation of being the state's unluckiest horse but Belpine Miss (1) finally got some luck go her way when she won her first race on Launceston Cup Day. A slight hiccup saw her scratched from a Hobart race recently so she comes into this fresh. The barrier is a small concern but gets stable apprentice Chelsea Baker in the saddle claiming 3kgs off her back.
Bynance (5) is another horse that is always around the money. Comes off a last-start fourth in Hobart and a senior rider replaces the claiming apprentice this afternoon. Drawn nicely in two should get a nice run midfield. The Mark Ganderton team is flying at the moment and it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see her win this.
Staking Strategy: Tricky race to assess this, I really liked the run of Coronation Veronic last start and on that performance, I have her on top this afternoon. 1 unit to win on Coronation Veronic (2)
R3 Ladbrokes Hub Maiden, 1400m
Hewie (4) was very disappointing when resuming but thankfully found better form second up with a nice fourth behind Golden Prophet, who has since won again. B McCoull in the saddle, drawn barrier 4, back to the 1400m however a month between runs so that doesn't concern me, trainer's in form, ticks a lot of boxes and should prove hard to beat.
Been improving every start, May We All (5) gets a chance to go one better today. Settled back last start which may have proved the key and a repeat of that performance has her a big chance here. Might get a bit of a price and is worth an each-way ticket.
Another horse that put the writing on the wall last start was Mira Flores (10). Second behind Almighty Virtue at Hobart last time and that horse has also won again. A repeat performance puts her right in this. Drawn a tricky gate over the trip but will get back regardless.
Didn't mind the run of Savannah Slew (11) last time out, caught wide and raced very ungenerously throughout. Despite all that, only got beaten three lengths. Banking on natural improvement from the inexperienced horse and a senior rider going on board should help with that, one at odds.
Staking Strategy: Tricky race but if we can forget about Hewie's first up run, he looks right in this. Think there were excuses last time for Savannah Slew and despite those she battled to the line well. Imagine we will get a price about her so happy to play each-way. 2 units to win on Hewie (4) and 1 unit each way Savannah Slew (11)
R4 Tasbred 2yo, 1200m
Tiny race for the 2 year olds, with two first starters and two proven gallopers. Geegees Down South (1) finished third on debut in a six-horse field in Hobart. I actually marked this colt pick of the yard on that occasion and he raced very well. With the race experience under his belt now he should improve but does have to travel away from home for the first time. Has ability.
She may be proving frustrating for connections but Hilarity (2) is certainly paying her way. Barry Campbell has opted to put blinkers on the All Too Hard filly for the first time and hopefully, this gear change can be the difference between winning and placing. Four starts for three seconds and a third, surely a win is not far away.
John Blacker has a very well-bred filly in his care with Perola (3). By Needs Further out of Genuine Blonde, she is a half-sister to some very handy gallopers, for example – Sunset Gun, Jeremiah, Genuine Lad and more. Boasting a trial where she was second of five, wasn't asked for too much in the straight and hit the line well.
Yassy Nishitani saddles up Miss Pasha (4). Bit slow out in the trial but hit the line nicely, was well beaten however was having her first trial and was up against more seasoned gallopers. Has a bit to learn and will benefit from this experience.
Staking Strategy: Pretty sure I have tipped Hilarity in every one of her starts and she has also started as favourite in three of those four. Hard to back with confidence but with the addition of blinkers, she looks like the one to beat again. 1 unit to win on Hilarity (2)
R5 Tasmanian Bloodstock Class 1 Hcp, 1600m
I'm really excited to see Swoop There It Is (7) run this afternoon. I, like most people, missed her maiden win after a lacklustre performance first up, then last start she grew wings flying home for fourth. She had drawn wide over the 1400m trip which isn't an easy task and she got beaten less than two lengths. I believe had that race been a mile she would have been in the winner's circle again. Steps up the mile today, I have her on top and am very keen to invest.
Full sister to Swoop There It Is, Swooping Eagle (8) is looking to go back-to-back. Drawn a tricky gate in 11 but will get back and look to swoop down the outside. Last start was fantastic, she was green and caught three deep at best during the trip. In a repeat performance, we might see the sisters fight out the finish.
Glenn Hodges mightn't have too many horses in work but the one he does have goes alright. Sushi Express (1) won his maiden then followed up with a close second in a Class 1. Since those races in early March, he has had two trials leading into this. He seems to carry weight with no issue so the 59kg top weight shouldn't hurt his chances too much. Another chance this afternoon.
Boasting a place percentage of 44% Belmista (2) is always around the money. Not totally convinced the mile is his best distance but a genuine top-four chance for mine. Stable jockey Chelsea Baker takes the reigns for her dad Barry which also gives the gelding a 3kg weight pull.
Staking Strategy: A race I'm keen to get involved with here. I really like the full sisters, both Swoop There It Is and Swooping Eagle. Have the former on top mainly due to the better gate and senior rider however I give both the Swooper girls a big chance. 3 units to win on Swoop There It Is (7) and 1 unit to win on Swooping Eagle (8)
R6 Tasbred 3yo, 1200m
Muscle Up (1) is a star of the future already boasting two wins and five seconds from only the seven starts. Was narrowly defeated by his stablemate Jaguar Stone in the $100k 3YO Classic on Launceston Cup Day, that form alone is good enough to win here.
His manners aren't ideal but Geegees Gemstone (2) definitely has the ability. Already winning the two races from four starts he is doing that on raw ability alone. He doesn't give Siggy an easy time but she knows the gelding well and when he eventually learns his craft, he will be very exciting.
Turk Boy (4) has to race on the grass for the first time in his career. Interesting to note he did defeat Muscle Up in his maiden in Devonport late last year. Given plenty of time to mature he comes into this first-up since early December. With no public trials to see I would be slightly concerned with his fitness in this quality field.
Gallant Warriors (3) returned to the winner's circle when second-up in a benchmark 62 race last start. This is much harder but he deserves his chance on what he has shown thus far. Troy Baker takes over from Brendon McCoull, who takes the sit on the stablemate, drawing a good barrier in 4, a genuine top three chance but hard to see him finishing in front of his stablemate Muscle Up.
Staking Strategy: Think Muscle Up is clearly the one to beat again. A horse I have a lot of time for and is building quite the resume. Bob of the head was the only thing that beat him in the 3YO race last time out and on that form, he should be winning here. 4 units to win on Muscle Up (1)
R7 E (ted) Cox Memorial Bm66 Hcp, 1400m
I like the bottom weight Geegee Lucky Jess (9). I like that David Pires is sticking with her after finishing third on her last time out. Stepping up to the 1400m seems to suit her better than the six furlongs and she can fly home late from a midfield position. Gets in well at the weights and I have her on top
New to the training ranks, clerk of the course Luke Hamilton saddles up Need To Be Unique (2). After a promising third placing last week, he steps up to the 1400m today where he has previously been successful. Drawn perfectly in barrier 1 he should be able to either lead or sit just off them before kicking for home as they straighten. A winner of four from 13, gets his chance to give Luke his first win as a trainer.
Summer Fire (3) was well-backed last start but could only manage a third in a five-horse field. I don't really think the small field suited her last week and she drops significantly in grade today. Gets in well at the weights with Erica's 2kg claim but she just doesn't seem to be the same horse she was early in her career. I do note she has the blinkers on for the first time which could sharpen her up but I would prefer to see her show a bit more before investing in her for a win.
Another horse that seems to have lost his way is Jeremiah (7). He's too talented to leave out of my selections but is proving costly. Has the ability on his day but hasn't won in quite some time. Kelvin Sanderson takes over today and a jockey change could spark the old boy up. Ticks all the boxes – track, distance, good gate, I just question his will to win these days
Staking Strategy: Geegee Lucky Jess is ultra-consistent and super honest. Love her stepping back up to the 1400m here and David Pires keeping the ride. Maps to get a nice run midfield and I can see her flashing down the outside late. 1 unit to win on Geegee Lucky Jess (9)
R8 Beat The Shark 0 - 62, 1400m
Having a second crack at a 0 – 62 Chosen Eagle (1) is out to go one better than last week. Goes up half a kg on that run and Brendon McCoull rides again. The 1400m is ideal and he has drawn an inside gate. He continues to impress each time he steps out and this looks no harder than previous events. His form is excellent and I can see another win on the board here.
Apprentice Chloe Wells seems to have a good affiliation with Gee Gee Rhythm (7) and the pair line up again this afternoon. Coming off a win and placing her form this time in has been very good and her best races seem to come over this distance. In my opinion, this isn't any harder than who she met last time out where she was defeated just over half a length. Maps well to get a nice run on speed.
Hot Wired (2) drops in grade and a repeat performance from his last start third behind Hellova Night brings him right into contention. Naturally goes up in weight on that race but is rock-hard fit and placed his only time this trip. Each-way play at odds.
Had he not drawn the car park, I would have Noble Exception (8) a lot shorter than I do. All three races since joining the Alana Fulton yard have been very good and he seems to be improving each time. Barrier 10 from the 1400m mark in Launceston is poison though so on that alone, I can't have him to win.
Staking Strategy: Chosen Eagle looks the standout here. In an almost identical race to last week, he gets a chance to go one better. Honest gelding drawn well, he ticks a lot of boxes and looks the one to beat for mine. 2 units to win on Chosen Eagle (1)
R9 Thank You John Mckenna Bm62 Hcp, 1100m
Excellent 1100m race to finish the afternoon off. Some exciting horses looking to continue building their picket fences. Fake Magic (1) might have been the forgotten horse last start but certainly turned heads when he beat the $1.30 favourite by nearly three lengths. Has to carry the good horse's weight but does get a 3kg allowance for talented apprentice Chelsea Baker. Won on the track, won at the trip, and looks hard to beat.
Winners keep on winning and that's what the John Luttrell-trained Move On Over (3) is doing. Going for her fourth win on the trot the four-year mare has loved the move to Tassie and clearly has the will to win. Goes up to the 1100m which won't be an issue and Chloe Wells takes off 3kg bringing her into a respectable weight. Drawn the inside marble will look to lead and if she gets an easy enough time in front will prove hard to run down again.
Sharma Rama (2) resumes here after not being seen at the races for over eight months. Perhaps she's getting ready to run on the carpet but has won on this surface before and comes into this from two trials. Even with the claim for EBB she carries a decent weight for a first-up assignment and although I have her in my top four will be more confident after a run under her belt.
Thought the run of Magic Typhoon (9) was ok last start over the shorter distance. Was doing her best work late and will relish the extra 100m here. Move On Over clearly had her measure that day and I think today will be no different but if there was an upset, I can see her grinding to the line from a midfield position.
Staking Strategy: Hard to split the two in-form gallopers, Fake Magic and Move On Over. I really liked the dominance of Fake Magic last start and for that reason, I have him on top. Can't fault Move On Over at all but Fake Magic really took my eye the way he won in Hobart. Magic Typhoon was doing his best work late last time out and I feel we will get a decent price today, can't really have him beating the well-fancied runners but a place play at odds will do. 1 unit to win on Fake Magic (1) and 1 unit to win and 3 units to place Magic Typhoon (9)
