Launch-eston Nights: Race-by-race preview in Tasmania
Launceston - Rail +6m / Soft 5
A bumper 10-race card at Launceston on Manikato Stakes night, and it looks a great betting card.
The rail moves to the +6m position, from +3m last meeting, and I’m expecting the track to suit on-pacers, particularly early on, and evening out as the night progresses.
If the 20mm rain predicted arrives, I anticipate the inside to chop out and runners to head towards the middle of the track
Race 1 - 1400 Maiden
Decent enough maiden to kick things off.
CHINCHERO is the current fave and I’m keen to be against him. He’s well tried thus far and looks to get a tricky map here, with an out of form jock booked.
Thought LONDIANI could improve here. He didn’t get a lot of luck in running last start. In a deep field he was caught wide for the most part, and if Tahlia Hope can gain a position from the friendlier draw this time, I think he’ll go close.
SIRENE’S LILLY is the other horse I’m interested in. She ran really well on resumption and comes out of the same race as LONDIANI. I think she is the map
horse here and will give a great sight up on speed.
Back LONDIANI for 0.5 units WIN @ $10.00
Back SIRENE’S LILLY for 0.5 units WIN @ $4.20
Race 2 - 1400m Maiden
Very keen, here.
Think OLE OLA was stiff last time in, she had the gate shut on her late, when opting to take a sit. Hoping Siggy Carr goes straight to the top and kicks for
home. Looks the good thing of the night.
Back OLE OLA for 2 units WIN at $2.50
Race 3 - 1200m Maiden
Keen again, here.
WARICA looks the obvious map/favourite on paper, but for a 10 start maiden who continues to find one or two better I’m keen to look around him at the $2.00
quote.
MILLA’S READY is the horse I think has been missed in early markets. Her last start run was full of merit, where she was coursed wide by a riderless horse and still had the audacity to hit the line. If she gets a good run in transit behind the speed, I think she’ll be flying home late.
Back MILLA’S READY for 0.5 units EW @ $7.00/2.00
Race 4 - 1600m Benchmark 60
Tough race and could be a complete lottery.
If the track is still playing slightly on-pace by R4, I’m keen to have SPIRITED TOFF on-side. He was unsuited last start, and if Dianne Parish can get him out of
the gates from the inside draw, he may get an economical run on speed and be a good chance to run in the money. Overs at the current price.
Back SPIRITED TOFF for 0.25 units WIN and 0.5 units PLACE at $15/3.5
R5 2100m Maiden/Class 1
Pass
Race 6 - 1100m Open Handicap
Tricky little race, and don’t think it’s as clear cut as the market suggests.
There’s a stack of speed on paper and I’m not sure that favourite MICHBAR gets an easy time of it. If the speed goes on, I’m looking for horses who will sit off the
speed and run a strong 1100, if not 1200.
SIRENE STRYKER looks the most suited here and am keen to have her on side, Gando suits this horses racing pattern, I think he’ll be smoking the pipe out back
and letting down late.
OUR LITTLE TED is the other horse of interest. Loved his trial, resuming off a trip to Melbourne where he faced some terrible conditions. If he gets a fast and fair track here, he’ll be rattling home. Think he may get out to a juicy price and will be worth a result.
Back SIRENE STRYKER for 1 unit WIN @ $3.40
Back OUR LITTLE TED for 0.5 units WIN @ SP
R7 1200m BM68
Raffle. Pass.
R8 1200m Class 1
QUEENBOROUGH FLYER looks the most likely winner, but I think the map is enough of a concern to not dive into the $2.00 on offer.
R9 1400m Class 1
Think there’s a few horses forgotten here, and can’t for the life of me figure out why PIIINK BEAUTY is so short in the market. Got the absolute PR to break its maiden, and now faces a tougher assignment. Keen to look elsewhere.
I thought MONTE BIANCO deserved favouritism. She went fantastic last start, and was beaten by track pattern. If Gando can find a position, I think this horse
will be the strongest late over 1400m, now 2nd up she should be ready to fire.
KING ISLAND was another runner I was happy to have on side. Think he’ll get a similar smother run up on speed to last start, and might give them a scare late
after a cheap run. Think he’s a touch of overs here.
HAS THE LOOK is another good chance here. Bit of a non-winner bosting 1 win and 8 minor placings from 22 starts, but if Chelsea Baker can time her run and
get a gap late, she might stick her head out and register a win.
Back MONTE BIANCO for 0.5 units WIN at $5.00
Back KING ISLAND for 0.5 units WIN at $10.00
Back HAS THE LOOK for 0.5 units WIN at $5.00
R10 1400m BM68
Tricky little race, but thought AZARA was quite short here as favourite. I can understand why she’s been backed, as she’ll give backers a great sight up on
speed, but in the small field I thought her dangers would be close enough and good enough to challenge her.
I actually had FIGHTING FLOYD favourite here off his last start performance that broke the clock, and at the $3.00 quote I could just about entertain a bet. I’ll be
looking for a slight drift to have something on.
Back FIGHTING FLOYD for 1 unit WIN @ $3.40