Thoroughbred racing returns to the Ladbrokes Racing Centre Mowbray in Launceston on Friday night for an eight-race program.
The rail moves out to +3m after being in true for the meeting seven days ago.
Fine weather is forecast for Launceston, which should have the track in the 4-5 range.
TIMELY NEEDS (5) trialled on the Tuesday before her first-up third here a fortnight ago. The leader dictated that race, and she’s placed in three of four at the track. SHINES DISCREETLY (3) had some excuses in the same race, forced to make a run from back and wide. SMITHY (4) was much improved back on the grass last time, and as a relation to the 2024 St Leger winner, Pennine, the extra trip should suit. SOUNDS OF PEACE (9) debuts as a 5yo off the back of a decent Longford trial. Conversely, AWESOME ORPHAN (7) is a 4yo with 17 starts, but she’s been solid since joining Michael Trinder. The Brendan McShane-pair TIMMIE LAD (6) and CHEEKY TILLY (8) both resume and have shown flashes of ability.
WOUNDED EAGLE (5) ran his best race on debut and draws soft for his resumption. He was looked after in a recent Longford trial. Bookmakers had OLINDAH (13) as favourite for the 1100m maiden last week, but she missed a run as an emergency. Her trials have been good leading into this. MISS STRAT (9) was slow out resuming, and had clear excuses in an on-pace-dominated affair. THE RED SHE DEVIL (11) was fourth in that race, and I think both her runs have been better than market expectations. KION’S KINGDOM (3) disappointed off the back of a Longford trial win last prep, but has trialled well again, beating a subsequent winner. The wide gate is the obvious knock. VABUIAGI (12) has also drawn wide but brings decent exposed form into the race, having placed in three of her five career starts.
THICKSKINNED (2) was heavily supported last Friday night, where he didn’t have the race run to suit. He goes up 1.5kg for the drop to Class 2 company and rises from 1400m to 1600m. SNOWDONIA (8) has been well-ridden by Baker at her past couple and appears to have regained some confidence. REGAL HUNTER (1) will likely make his own luck on speed from the wide draw, and was a sitting shot last time. STOLLAWAY NED (4) is a progressive type, up in grade after narrowly missing in Class 1 company last week. There was plenty of merit in the first-up win of CAVARETTA (7) despite starting $31. Second in that race won last week, and up to a mile should suit off that performance. RIPPINGTON (3) draws for an economical run but lacks a turn of foot if cluttered up. SKY EAGLE (10) is a query at the end of a mile, but has grown a leg since racing returned to Launceston.
ALFARINO (1) chases a winning hat-trick, all over 1100m. He draws well again but will give weight to the field. JUST PLAIN NUTS (2) is hard fit now, but draws out after having low marbles at both of his recent starts at the track & distance. NOVALARGO (6) trialled between Prince of Khatun and Fighting For Gold, both of whom won first-up. LAWRENNY BOYS (9) has a good 1100m record and draws for the right run. Look for a market lead on JENNI THE CAT (8), who resumes without a trial but has EBB booked. The scalp of Beneficiary early last campaign reads well before she chased 3yo riches up in distance. COURSE OF ACTION (4) caught the eye at his Tassie debut for Siggy Carr, and GEEGEES DOWNPOUR (11) and WHO’S IN DEV (14) are winning hopes if they make the field.
Three different stables double up here in the small field. WHO’S IN DEV (4) weakened after absorbing pressure in the lead first-up, and now Glenn Stevenson chooses to come back in trip. Stablemate WILD DANCER (1) was no match in a better race last time, and is well weighted with the 4kg claim. STREET DIVA (2) and ZUNI (7) both went back from wide draws last Friday night. Zuni again draws wide, while Street Diva should settle much closer. Good to see David Pires back in the saddle, having not raced since late May. He has a winning chance aboard STREET DIVA (3), who was beaten a nostril last time he raced. Blinkers go on GEEGEES DOWNPOUR (5) for his resumption, assuming he’s here and not in the 1100m. Both his wins have come over 1200m, and he won a recent trial. Stablemate MATERIAL MADAM (6) has had excuses in both runs off a spell and can improve here with the rails draw.
SIMPLY DEEP (1) hasn’t missed the top three in 10 straight starts. He’ll settle in the first couple and get every chance again. STONE COLD STUNNER (2) was Group 3 placed at the track and distance in February but has disappointed in three runs since. The tactics she adopts here could have a big say in the race. SEVILLANA (4) had no market support fresh but ran well a week ago. All three runs in the state have been good, but this will be the first past 1200m. CHICANE (3) was on the right end of a close one last time. He’s only won one of 13 here, but maps for a good run. WITHIN SIGHT (6) looks ready to peak; it’s just a question whether she’s up to this class. FIORENTE DE LEGEND (5) trialled on Tuesday and may need this run for fitness.
Five of the six raced each other last start, with BAILED (5) the exception. He comes out of a maiden/class 1 and is weighted similarly to horses that have won a handful of races. NATIVE CLAN (4) finished with the strongest closing sectionals of the meeting to win at 2150m. Not sure back in distance suits, but the same can be said for most of her opposition. MERLIN BEACH (2) controlled that race until the heat came into it from the 800m. HAPPY CLAN (1) looked like the winner in the straight but peaked on her run. She’s the weight horse from that race with Robyn Lynch going aboard. JOHNNIE PINCH (3) disappointed as favourite there without seemingly too many excuses. SUGOI LEGEND (6) was a couple of lengths away but can’t be totally ruled out.
ALPINE FURY (2) was brilliantly ridden by Ganderton to beat just three rivals last week. The step up to a mile appears ideal third -up. Stablemate EAGLEFURTHER (3) is also chasing a winning hat-trick and won on the same program where she didn’t go around a horse. All five of her wins have been at 1600m, and she gets some weight relief. TUSKEGEE (1) traditionally hasn’t brought his best to Launceston, and that was the case when he raced here to open the night season. SIR JAG (5) drops 4.5kg from last start, but the absence of a genuine tempo in the small field may work against him.
