3 minute read
After a month off, night racing returns to Launceston on Friday for an eight-race program.
Despite this being the second meeting in three days, the fields have held up well and it looks a competitive card.
The rail is in the +5m position and a warm day of 29 degrees is forecast.
R1 Ladbroke It! 2yo Maiden, 1100m
Geegees Legacy (1) has been a marked improver since the tongue tie was applied. Provided he can cope with the quick back-up from a week ago he's the one they have to beat. MS TASMANIA (7) was strongly fancied on debut and after leading them into the straight on that occasion she was no match over the concluding stages. A big watch on her second time around coming off a seven-week break. IT'S JAGGER TIME (3) and GO JEANIE (6) look the best of the un-raced from the trials.
Staking Strategy: Geegees Legacy is the one to beat on exposed form. First starter It's Jagger Time was good late in her trial and the time they ran was decent. 2 units to win GEEGEES LEGACY (1). 1 unit to win IT'S JAGGER TIME (3)
R2 Ladbrokes Odds Surge Maiden, 1200m
Rockierro (4) had no peace in front last time out in Hobart and battled on bravely behind Creek Lodge who had a much better run in transit. LA FOLIE DOUCE (9) bounced back to some form last start in the same race after having issues in the previous two runs. ESPUR (8) will give a sight out in front but still searching for that maiden win. ROHZHAE (5) is racing consistently and has first four claims again. CARNELIAN ROCK (6) didn't have a lot of luck on debut but has a very tough gate to overcome. BOHO STYLE (12) trialled soundly at Longford and could show up.
Staking Strategy: Rockierro is bursting to break through. He copped too much pressure last start. La Folie Douce maps to be in the finish. 3 units to win ROCKIERRO (4). 1 unit to win LA FOLIE DOUCE (9)
R3 Ladbrokes Sports Bar Maiden, 1600m
Thonatus (8) found trouble at the top of the straight last start before finding the line soundly late, stepping out to the mile a definite plus. SHAKEEDA (12) presents first-up over the 1600m exactly as he did last prep. He failed to figure in the finish on that occasion after having to do too much work in the early stages, the run wasn't as bad as it looks. GEEGEES ROYAL DUKE (3) was only narrowly denied at Longford on New Years Day. He'll make his own luck rolling forward but he's had plenty of opportunities. Stablemates MISS DARKSIDE (10) and OUTERTHISWORLD (13) are on the improve and both are in contention. OPALSON (4) was good fresh at his first local run but possibly needs even further than this.
Staking Strategy: Thonatus should've finished closer last start, the 1600m suits. Shakeeda can give a sight at odds. 2 units to win THONATUS (8). 1 unit to win SHAKEEDA (12)
R4 Happy Birthday Andrew Rigby Benchmark 68 Handicap, 2100m
Swoop There It Is (5) and MONTE FLEUR (8) bring the best form into this race having finished within three lengths of the Brighton Cup and subsequent Devonport Cup winner Ashby Boy. Despite not having won previously beyond 1400m AFRIDI (13) knuckled down really strongly over the mile in Hobart last time suggesting he's ready for this trip. METAVERSE (1) is super consistent and hasn't finished out of the top three at his past nine starts. VINTAGE DIESEL (4) is finding form again after an issue three starts back. IMAGINE HOWE (2) and REWARD FOR ROSIE (11) can make their own luck up on the speed.
Staking Strategy: Swoop There It Is wasn't far away in the Brighton Cup and that was her first try at the 2100m. Afridi looks like he'll appreciate this trip now. 2 units to win SWOOP THERE IT IS (5). 1 unit to win AFRIDI (13)
R5 Pfd Food Services Class 2 Handicap, 1600m
Born A Winner (4) failed two starts back ago here on a rain affected track before winning comfortably at Devonport over the 1880m in easier grade. This isn't much tougher opposition. CONUMDRUM (1) ran okay behind Londiani off a month between runs, so likely to be fitter for this. AGNETE (3) is racing well for her new stable and must include again. NEEDS REMEMBERING (7) went around in a strong Class 2 race in Hobart last Friday, and after blowing the start badly (again), he did enough over the final stages.
Staking Strategy: Born A Winner bolted in last start on the synthetic, back on to the grass the query. 2 units each way BORN A WINNER (4)
R6 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 28th February Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1200m
Last start winner Ngapali Beach (5) was well-backed and duly saluted in good style. Arguably could've won by more than the 2l with a clearer passage. CHEROKEE DANCER (8) had excuses last time, a complete forgive, can bounce back. POSSUM BORN (10) is going okay since landing in the state, a must include. BETTER THAN BANKSY (3) is never far off and usually rattling home but that's what he does. Can't dismiss him but he needs plenty to go right. Prefer the stablemate over GALLANT WARRIORS (2) but he's capable fresh and can show up provided he's ready to go after almost nine months off the scene?
Staking Strategy: Cherokee Dancer ran well first-up before a forgivable effort last start, blinkers go on. 2 units to win CHEROKEE DANCER (8)
R7 Kevin Sharkie Class 2 Handicap, 1100m
Red Sphere (3) and PHILOSOPHERS STONE (1) went head-to head just over a month ago at Devonport over the 1009m and there was barely a margin separating them. It's virtually the toss of a coin again, perhaps a slight leaning to Red Sphere given he's a proven performer around here. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (2) flew home behind the in-form sprinter Extreme Gem when resuming back in November but hasn't been seen since. He's a chance if they overdo it in front but he maps to be buried somewhere near the rear so will be needing some luck. PERIWINKLE (5) is fresh out of class 1 grade but is racing consistently and drawn to get all the favours in running. FEAR THE STING (6) and WHEELING (9) are speedy but both have look to have tasks drawn wide.
Staking Strategy: Have a slight preference for Red Sphere over his main rival Philosophers Stone. Rubbleonthedouble has a turn of foot, watch for him late. 1 unit to win RED SPHERE (3) and RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (2)
R8 Carlton & United Breweries Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1400m
Royal And Tough (2) is creeping up in the weights but he gives his all and is always hard to beat. Can forgive WARDELL's (3) last effort when resuming. He excels this track/trip and expect him to go much better. ETHICAL DILEMMA (4) had every hope in the Longford Cup but the 1800m doesn't suit him and he's far better placed here. Like his stablemate, CHOSEN EAGLE (7) could improve sharply without surprising despite running last at both runs this time around. JUST A TRIBUTE (1) arrived late from well back to score in Hobart and sure to be set a similar task here, now has to carry 62kg. Last start winner CHEEKY WORD (8) will find this a bit harder than his Longford BM60 win but is very well in after the claim.
Staking Strategy: Going to bet around the obvious in this race and speculate on a few at decent prices that had legitimate excuses at their latest runs. 1 unit to win WARDELL (3), ETHICAL DILEMMA (4) and CHOSEN EAGLE (7)
