3 minute read
Big fields are the order of the night for Friday night’s nine-race card in Launceston.
The rail moves back to the true after being +8m/+6m for the last program on 6 March, and the weather forecast is fine.
R1 Ladbroke It! Maiden, 1200m
Tough way to start the night. Geegeehailstorm (12), Mandate (4) and Captain Cam (1) finished in that order behind Ada Way to open Launceston Cup Day. That winner being a 12-start maiden and a bunched finish cast some strength on the form. Them's the Breaks (14) draws the car park but struggles out of the barriers anyway. She'll need luck getting a cart in at the right time but she may be the best horse in the race. Lontano (3) has trialled well, and has a soft barrier for his debut. Bloomtime (9) had good market support for an easier-looking maiden last Wednesday but missed a run as an emergency. Gee Gees Moonlite (7) had a soft transit on Hobart Cup Day. She's changed stables since then and draws off the track. Tulati (15) raced wide without cover first-up and now gets the blinkers on. Tough Impact (19) needs scratchings to gain a start but has won two trials by a space since joining the Longford stables of Alana Fulton.
R2 Good Friday Family Fun Day 29th March Maiden, 1400m
Carnelian Rock (6) has raced without a lot of luck this campaign. He went to the line without being fully tested last time, so it's a watch on how that form holds up in the opening race. You Better Run (14), Purple Moon (12) and Little Sal (9) also come via the same race, with little between them. Milton (2) was no match for Captain Taz last time but comfortably held the rest. He should enjoy a good run near the speed from a low draw. Mystic Hope (3) did enough first-up and looks suited rising in distance with the blinkers on. The same could be said for Let's Messaround (1), which closed strongly in Hobart. Pepparoni (11) is improving with race experience. She comes via a strongly run 1400m maiden that saw solid margins back through the field.
R3 Ladbrokes Sports Bar Maiden, 1400m
Elegantly Written (11) and May We All (2) both ended up wide on the track when finishing in the money behind Miss Davisand. That winner was a huge price, but the form received a push last week, with In the Ocean winning by a space. Trabzon (3) was poor last time in Hobart but has been given ample time to recover and resumes with the blinkers on. Miss Vivace (10) returns after 311 days. The market may provide a lead given her most recent trial was in late January. Goddess of Rock (12) draws to give a start away, as has been her usual racing pattern. Her two placings have been in maidens of similar depth.
R4 Tasbreeders Night 5th April Maiden/class 1, 1600m
Van Scotia (8) justified a short quote, leading throughout on Launceston Cup Day and running good time in the process. This looks like a nice progression point. Ada Way (1) was another Cup Day winner, making the jump from 1200m to a mile here. That win can be franked earlier in the program. Captain Taz (2) won with ease last start in Hobart and is another that can have the form pushed in the first few races. Opalson (4) was too strong late in a race set up for swoopers. He always needs luck from back in the field. Lycallegro (3) and Alpine Kate (6) filled the placings in behind there, but were some margin from the winner. Steele My Sunshine (7) gets to the mile quickly. She was entitled to feel the pinch late first-up, chasing a brutal lead pace.
R5 The Art Hotel Launceston Class 1 Handicap, 1400m
Both Asva (1) and Dayan Star (3) closed strongly from well off the pace at the T&D last start. The former has the opportunity to position much closer with the advantage of a low draw. Kiriena Marubrah (11) landed in the right spot but was much improved at the last meeting with blinkers going on. That was a class 2, so this represents a drop in class. Daiquri Diva (9) went back from a wide draw first-up, but caught the eye, savaging the line out wide. Her one win came at the distance equivalent in Devonport. Rohzhae (7) continues to race well; the leader gave nothing else a look in the last start.
R6 Battle Of The Bands Friday 22nd March Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1400m
Sweet Lucifer (2) chases three wins on the bounce, the previous two coming in Hobart. He was back and wide at his one previous Launceston start. The draw will require a good ride here. I'm Keefe (6) rolled along at a genuine tempo in front last time and was only collared late. He'll strip fitter third-up. Berserker (7) and Born A Winner (9) will find this easier than the $50k 4YO feature they raced in last start. Belluna (8) had the gap appear at the right time when winning last time, something that didn't happen when an unlucky fourth at his first run in the state. Stablemate Fighting Floyd (1) bombed the start, resuming off a long layoff, putting paid to his chances in a race dominated from the front. Bounty Bay (12) warrants consideration, as most of Lindsey Smith's team has held up well over here. Our Little Ted (4) was only narrowly beaten in this grade on Hobart Cup Day.
R7 Kevin Sharkie Class 2 Handicap, 1200m
Sandual (3) was caught wide for most of the race last time but was still too good, aided by a moderate lead tempo. A few of the market fancies that day are engaged earlier in the night. La Folie Douce (8) is on a winning hat-trick, all at the T&D. She's had Newitt in the saddle for the previous two wins, replaced here by stable apprentice Taylor Johnstone. Cherokee Dancer (6) went as well as she could at the previous Launceston meeting, unsuited settling in the back half in a race controlled from the front. Head'em (4) was scratched from a race on Launceston Cup Day. He's been short in the market for most of his recent Victorian appearances. Shim (10) continues to race without luck. Perhaps blinkers will bring a change in fortune. The consistent Mr Freeze (11) has changed stables and won a recent Longford trial. Myocardium (5) will likely benefit from a first-up run where he wasn't able to take up his preferred role near the front.
R8 Steve’s Liquor Benchmark 68 Handicap, 1600m
Zulu Angel (4) received a superb ride to win at the T&D last start. That race has since produced a Vic metro winner in General Assembly. Ole Ola (3) has been costly for punters this campaign, again well-supported, she weakened after leading to run third. She should be fine for a mile now, but jockey and barrier indicate she may be ridden a bit quieter. Square Donut (2) has form that ties in and continues to race well. Did You Decide (5) was doing his best work late and gets the winkers on. He appears to have come back in good order. John Keys stablemates Rich Clan (1) and Lordosis (8) are rarely far away. Saxon Mist (10) didn't see out 2100m on Cup Day and looks better placed here, particularly if she is able to find the front.
R9 Launceston’s Biggest Easter Egg Hunt Good Friday Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1100m
Good speed in this race on paper, but that's been the case in both of the recent wins for Etosha (2), who has been able to find the front and hold on against similar opposition. He was too strong late for Fear the Sting (6) last time, with that quinella putting a margin on the rest that included Champagne Cinders (5) and Fiancetto (9). Bine (3) led them up in a $100k 3YO race on Cup Day and was only grabbed late for a place. She's up in weight, but this look a nice race for her with a perfect trailing draw. Intisar (1) might find the 1100m a bit sharp but will be strong late if the leaders are paddling. Wheeling (10) is struggling mightily for win number two but did have excuses last time when the leaders declared war on each other, and he had heavy market support that night.
