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On Friday night, The Tasmanian Turf Club hosts an eight-race card in Launceston featuring three $50,000 races for Tasbred horses.
The rail moves out to +6m after being in the +4m for the program on Good Friday.
R1 Armidale Stud Class 1 Handicap, 1400m
Kireina Marubrah (12) had the blinkers applied two starts back and almost pulled off a big upset in class 2 company before finishing close-up again at her latest in a strong Class 1 race. Shouldn't have any trouble finding the lead and will take a power of beating. VAN SCOTIA (5) was just found wanting late stepping out to the mile last start. Was a winner this venue and trip the start prior. BLONDE STAR (7) beat questionable opposition in Hobart winning her maiden but won with authority and may go with it. MANDATE (2) will get every chance from an ideal draw and should relish getting out to this trip. LIKA MOSH's (15) ran okay at her first local start. VANITY STAR (9) won first-up last preparation and isn't the roughest.
R2 Motree Thoroughbreds Maiden, 1100m
Tough Impact (2) was backed if unbeatable second-up and gave a great sight out in front but was just out-bobbed on the line. This isn't any harder. ESPUR (4) has had a stack of chances but is always thereabouts. GIE IT LALDY (5) and WE ALL DECIDE (7) resume and have far fewer convictions than most of these. Both ran well first start in their first prep. No recent trials for either of them. LOVE NEST (6) wasn't far away last time but is a 22-start maiden and likely goes around under the odds with Newitt booked to ride.
R3 Tasbred 2yo, 1200m
Gems Eagle (1) was all the rage on debut and had his chance but bumped into one that looks pretty smart and has since won again. SKY LAND (4) looks the main threat. She's finished alongside Gems Eagle at her latest and is coming along nicely in her first prep. NATIVE CLAN (5) showed improvement at start-two and Newitt sticks with her. LADY FERN (6) and GARCON D'ESPOIR (2) next best. I couldn't recommend the newcomer GEEGEES DOWNPOUR (3) off his trial effort.
R4 Grenville Stud Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1200m
Grey Whisper (4) hasn't been far away of late and the form around her reads well for this. Stablemate POWER MAGNUM (6) is racing consistently and strikes a very winnable race. RUE DE PALAIS (2) was taken on in Hobart last start and not surprisingly didn't finish the race off. He won here the start prior leading all the way in Class 1 grade. WHEELING (7) is on the quick turnaround from last week when led on the worst ground and weakened. Some hope if able to dictate terms.
R5 Tasbred 3yo, 1200m
An interesting race with many angles to it. Bine (6) has been up for sometime but continues to race well, has the best overall form and one of the leading chances. GLORY MISSION (3) got his maiden out of the way on debut against moderate opposition on the back of a big trial win. He clearly has plenty of upside and has to be rated highly. THEM'S THE BREAKS (7) gave his rivals a galloping lesson this time last week in maiden grade over 1400m. Back in trip a clear concern but she won so emphatically she can't be taken lightly. BLOOMTIME (8) was no match last time for the spruik horse Durazzo but she did put a massive margin on the rest of them. This is harder though. SIR JAG (2) returns off a five week break and wasn't far away in a strong Class 1 race last outing, wouldn't shock to see him figure in the finish. Place claims only for LOYALTY BLUES (1).
R6 Tasbreeders Benchmark 60 Handicap, 1600m
Dantes (1) is striving to keep his unblemished top three record intact. He's sure to be well found again dropping back to BM60 level. The form around him is excellent. Last start winner SAXON MIST (12) chased a hot tempo last time and was seemingly vulnerable at the 200m but found plenty late and fended off all challengers. She has a significant weight pull over the favourite and looks a genuine threat. Nothing went right for ADACHI (4) in Hobart in the same race. LORD WHITEGATE's (5) form ties in closely with the favourite. OUR LITTLE TED (6) , KINGS ON QUEENS (10) and MONTE BIANCO (7) next best .
R7 Tasbred 4yo, 1400m
Cartoon Graveyard (2) presents off a 40-day let-up since his narrow defeat behind Zulu Angel at the end of February. He looks very well-placed in this and clearly goes on top. MUSCLE UP (1) was a big drifter last start over the 1200m and ran accordingly. The start prior he faded late after leading at a very good tempo over this trip for the first time. His best goes close. As for the rest, not much separates ZULU ANGEL (3), RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE(4) and LI'L HAIL MARY (8) but doubtful they can knock off the top-pair. Always wary of the stable but the form around STEELE MY SUNSHINE (9) doesn't look good enough.
R8 Ladbrokes Benchmark 76 Handicap, 2100m
Travelling Gigolo (1) looked stiff not to win the St Leger at this venue a fortnight back when held-up a touch on the turn. CLIFTON DANSEUR (6) gave a great sight leading in that race and refused to lie down after being headed on the turn. Back to 2100m won't harm his chances and is rock hard fit. SWOOP THERE IT IS (4) is a proven performer this trip and excels around here. DALTON DANCER (3) is airborne since arriving in the state, deserves huge respect again.
