3 minute read
Wednesday night racing at Launceston sees eight events on the card and highlighted by the Tasmanian Newmarket.
Here are the Racing and Sports team's thoughts and you can catch all racing on Tasracing's dedicated livestream here.
RACE 1 - Congratulations Gary White Legend Status Hall Of Fame Benchmark 60 Handicap (1600m)
It's an even contest. LI'L HAIL MARY (4) disappointed second-up (vet cleared) and has trialled since. She missed narrowly prior also in a CL3. She draws awkwardly but the 3kg claim brings her into it. KABOOM KABOOM (9) resumed with a solid run and is suited out to the mile. She's good enough and is back in grade with a 2kg claim. NIGHT ACTION (3) has been threatening in CL3s. He maps well and will race forward. The 3kg claim is handy. NIGHT ACTION (3) is fit and was beaten 1L here two back. Come back in grade with a 3kg claimer engaged and the yard has scratched a fancied stablemate.
RACE 2 -Sporties Hotel Maiden/Class 1 (1600m)
THONATUS (5) peaks off three near misses here and was a heavily backed favourite last time. Newitt stays aboard and he rates to go one better. CORSA VELOCE (9) is an improver from the Trinder stable and Luke Currie links aboard. The step up to the mile will suit and she maps for the run of the race. Stablemate KICKPASS (2) is third-up and building nicely. Races forward and keeps the handy 3kg claim. RALPH THE ROCKET (4) is proving hard to catch but his lip defeat two-back would see him in the finish. DISTRUSTFUL AWARD (1) is a former WA galloper who would win at best. He just missed a place first up but did a few things wrong last time. Fitter now and has a senior jockey aboard this evening. Could surprise.
RACE 3 - Bridport Bay Inn Maiden (1400m)
MISS TANZANITE (11) is busting to win and will be fitter for two narrow defeats this preparation. Maps for a soft run and is on a 7-day return. The longer sprint suits. MATEUS (2) resumed over this distance at Hobart and was lipped out as a $3 favourite. He has more to offer and has a handy 3kg claim. He gives away starts but hits the line. ELLA MAY (14) is speed-bred and 33 days ago was only beaten 1.5L on debut over 1200m. She has trialled well since and Newitt is a key jockey switch. She will keep improving. OCEAN EYES (12) has been around the mark and she has her first try over this distance. Will need a good ride but the 4kg claim brings her into it.
RACE 4 - Kelvin Lucas Memorial (1400m)
A good race. JUST A NEEDS (2) resumes and goes fresh. Was narrowly beaten in Open grade all three runs last preparation and likes the track and trip. A bold run is on the cards. FREAK ON A LEAD (3) led and was beaten a nose at Hobart first-up. Fitter and maps well. Keeps the handy 4kg claim and will get every chance to go one better. BETTER THAN BANKSY (4) won this grade and then missed by a nose in a 74. Will give away a start but finds easier and Pires is a key jockey switch. NICCO THE GREEK (1) tumbles in grade and the 3kg claim brings him into it.
RACE 5 - Jacksons Security Tasmanian Newmarket (1200m)
A terrific race. THE INEVITABLE (1) resumes from a Queensland campaign where he raced well in much stronger than this. The veteran flies fresh and has won 2/3 at this grade/distance. He's won a Hobart trial and may sit closer today. Newitt stays aboard and a bold run is likely. GEEGEES GEMSTONE (7) went close first-up from a wide gate and won the $50,000 Royal Rambo prior. He's proven second up and the well-performed galloper will go close with average luck in the run. THESPIAN WATERS (10) won that contest first-up making it five wins on the trot. He will settle back again and hit the line hard. Group-placed ALVARINHO (11) just missed first up in the same race and has more to give. She's up to this but the gate is tricky.
RACE 6 - McB Developments 3YO Cup (1200m)
MS TASMANIA (4) started even money and was much too good first-up in a CL3. She's won two trials and made it a hat-trick. Draws awkwardly but is well-placed to go on with the job. AZONTO (10) just missed in a CL1 as favourite and is ready to win. Maps well and has the first-time blinkers applied. Lightly-raced and is sure to keep improving. MAGNAPRIME (1) runs along and made it back-to-back wins in a CL1. He's been freshened and also has upside. Luke Currie rides today. ANGEL SPHERE (6) resumed further improved winning this grade at Hobart. Maps well and fitter is in the mix.
RACE 7 - Ladbrokes Own Spring Maiden (1100m)
SILVER DAGGER (9) raced a short-priced favourite at Hobart on debut beaten 1.5L. She resumes owning a comfortable trial win and maps for the run of the race. She will be naturally improved and sets a decent standard. LEGAL ISSUES (8) debuts and owns a Hobart trial win. Jumps from an inside barrier and carries just 53kg with the claim. A bold run is likely. TRANSOM (10) debuts and has also trialled well. She has a handy 2kg claim and should go well. DYNAMIC THEORY (1) debuts and profiles well. Keep onside as well. HIGHLAND DUEL (4) debuts. May need it but Newitt's booking interests.
RACE 8 - Phil Hughes Office Solutions Class 3 Handicap (1100m)
Competitive. PEROLA (3) resumes and has placed 2/3 fresh. She's trialled okay and x2 winning rider Newitt is reunited. She's right up to this and will get every chance from an inside barrier. GOLDEN MEADOW (5) resumed with a solid effort when expected to need the outing. She is proven second-up and has more to offer. Maps for a soft run and should go close. IN THE OCEAN (1) raced in much stronger seeking a hat-trick beaten 1.9L. Has an awkward barrier but the 4kg claim brings him right into it. STARDARMUS (2) is a first-up winner who brings a solid trial. He's up to this at best and the 3kg claim is handy. Has to be considered.