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The best could be saved until the last in Australia today with first up winner Siorca looking tough to beat in the final event at Launceston this evening.
The Barry Campbell-trained gelding was impressive first up when saluting over 1400m at this course a fortnight ago.
He was settled worse than midfield and powered home late for a 1.5 length success.
The son of Sharkbite a fortnight later rises to a mile in the Tas Hotel/Club Supplies Benchmark 72 Handicap at Launceston on Wednesday evening.
It looks a nice progression for Siorca who will be fitter for his first up outing and possesses an excellent record at this course with four wins and two placings from eight starts.
The 1.5kg claim of Raquel Clark is again used to good effect who is flying so far this season, presently second in the Tasmania Jockey Premiership with 19 wins at a strike rate of 17%.
Usually one to settle back in his races, Siorca won’t have to settle far back in a small field of seven.
He’ll be winding up strongly in the straight and will be hard to hold out over the final stages.
Zipped Up shapes as the logical danger with the mare having held her form well since arriving in the Apple Isle.
She wasn’t far off claiming three straight wins when a long neck second at this course and distance a fortnight ago.
The mare rises in grade on that outing however in exchange for the rise she drops 4.5kg at the weights.
Scratchings of Wanaea and Strathalbyn thin the final event of the day at Launceston out somewhat.
Ocean Star could be one of the main beneficiaries of this.
The mare showed substantial improvement on her first up outing at this course over 1200m when taking out a 1400m Class 2 here a fortnight ago.
John Blacker’s mare no doubt needed the first up run after more than a year off the scene.
She will be fitter again third up, is expected to appreciate rising to a mile and also carries nothing on her back after the 3kg claim of Nathan Punch.
The old boy Speckie looks the best of the rest.
Speckie ran fifth last start behind Siorca, beaten three lengths.
It’s hard to imagine the son of Aussie Rules turning the tables on Siorca however his prior form this campaign was strong.
Siorca should have his rivals covered in the final event at Launceston this evening to kick off his campaign with consecutive wins.