Launceston Night Racing ramps up on Friday with a quality eight-race card.
The rail moves out to +6m from +3m last week, and I’d expect a good surface with fine weather forecast.
SHINES DISCREETLY (7) has been around the mark in three Tassie starts. He didn’t have the ping of those who finished in front of him over 1400m last week. SMITHY (8) was also in that race, settling well back in a contest dominated from the front half. SYMPHONY QUEEN (12) has done her best work late in all three starts this campaign but has given away big starts. She comes through the same race as JOCK ROCK (14), who has been making his own luck near the speed. WHITE MOON (13) was a $60k purchase at the 2024 Tassie sales and debuts as a 4yo. Her dam placed second in a Launceston Cup, and she’s had two 1400m trials to kick off her career at a mile. CALLED THROUGH (2) returns off a long campaign where a deserved maiden win alluded him. His trial was now over a month ago.
Staking Strategy: A strong card of racing starts with two very open maidens. I have Shines Discreetly as favourite, and she’s on the third line at the time of writing. Also keen to send the first starter, White Moon, as a winner. Connections have been patient, and I suspect she’ll be there to put in a big run on debut. 1 unit to win on Shines Discreetly (7) and White Moon (13)
MISS STRAT (9) didn’t have a lot of luck at key stages last week, and this doesn’t appear any harder. AWESOME ORPHAN (6) also raced last week, and her beaten margin is unfair given she suffered severe interference in the home straight. Neither NINE CHOIRS (10) nor WARRIOR SON (5) had any market support on debut, but both caught the eye with how they hit the line. The extra 100m should suit. ROLAND VIEW (11) was softened up on speed there but does need to prove she can run out 1200m. SH’BOURNE RISING (13) returned with a solid third placing, and that winner may be smart. NOBLE (3) will strip fitter after a first-up run where the leaders went very hard. He has the advantage of the rails draw. MAP THE MOMENT (1), REMIS AWARD (4) and MIDNIGHT WANDERER (2) all debut and come through the same Longford trial.
Staking Strategy: I thought Noble had a bit in its favour to improve. Caught in a speed battle first-up, blinkers now go on, and it has the rails draw. Should settle in the first few and have its chance to get into the finish, particularly with the rail +6. 1 unit each-way on Noble (3)
JOHN OF JANE (1) made a big impression with how he won on debut in July. He’s sure to have plenty of supporters. WARRIOR SMILE (2) trialled alongside him at Longford last week, with little between them. He has his first Tassie start, as does TIME FOR SNOW (5), who has a pair of AFL coaches in the ownership. Glenn Stevenson’s wizardry with tried horses is well-established. GENUINE LADY (7) ran up to her trial form with a solid second first-up. She draws for the run of the race with Byrne Burke taking the ride. UNFILTERED (4) had things made to order when he won from the front last time, but third there won last week. Look for GEEGEES ACE (6) and NIKOLSKY (8) to be running on if the track races as it did seven days ago.
Staking Strategy: Keen to watch this race, but I struggle to find a betting angle, with all the key chances well-found. Money for Time For Snow suggests it’s going to run well, as most tried horses invariably do at their first run, for Glenn Stevenson. 1 unit to win on Time For Snow (5)
DEER POWER (1) was heavily backed on debut but got a bit keen when driven to find the front. Byrne Burke goes aboard for his second start. COPPER REIGN (11) went back from a wide draw on her first start as a 3yo and didn’t make an impression. She now has the rails draw, and winkers applied. SPIRIT OF COCO (10) is a relation to former Gold Sovereign winner, The Spirit of Zero, and won a recent Longford trial with a bit in hand. OFFICE AWARD (3) ran on well on debut with that form tested in the prior race. MANAMANA (2) had one run as a 2yo and could easily improve at three. BEWICKED (6) knocked up chasing a hot speed fresh and should strip fitter, though she draws the widest gate, which is particularly tough from this starting point.
Staking Strategy: Keen to be with the top and bottom saddlecloths here. I liked Deer Power on debut, and I’m forgiving of that performance. I’m expecting a different level of intent from Copper Reign, who like many 3yos will be keen to put in a performance to suggest they should be thinking about the 3yo Cup next month. 3 units to win on Copper Reign (11) and 2 units to win on Deer Power (1)
FIGHTING FOR GOLD (8) was heavily backed and couldn’t have been more impressive with how she won first-up off a long break. She’ll be giving them a start from the draw. FLYING BILLIE (5) is the likely leader and ran really well last time over an unsuitable trip. 1400m is generally his sweet spot. GO JEANIE (6) didn’t have the race shape in her favour when she returned but maps to settle much closer. Stablemate HURRICANE KETUT (7) has a brilliant record at the track but hasn’t been seen publicly since June. Look for a market lead. NIGHT PEOPLE (4) raced wide without cover, fresh, and did trial well leading into that. The return to grass shouldn’t hold any fears for SHY GUY (3). WINEGLASS BAY (1) does have three 1400m wins but may find these to nippy on a firm Launceston track.
Staking Strategy: I’m with the market in that Fighting For Gold and Go Jeanie are clearly the two key players. Track pattern is critical. If it races like last week where horses can make ground from back and wide, Fighting For Gold is the one, but a fence kind of night plays into the hands of Go Jeanie. 1 unit to win on Fighting For Gold (8)
OZONICA (1) led everywhere bar the post last time. That winner races earlier in the night, and he had a good margin back to BENEFITSOFMINE (2) in third, who was a touch plain given the market support that night. ALFARINO (3) was scratched from an 1100m race last week. He runs here chasing a winning hat-trick over 100m further than last week and carries a lighter weight, as a class 2 running in class 3. BRAVE JET (10) won impressively last time, weaving through the field to grab DIAMOND INDARUF (6) and FLUFFY’S GIRL (7), who raced nearer the speed. Diamond Indaruf was a big run there after racing wide throughout. ZUNI (9) was scratched last week after drawing wide and has 11/11 again. She’s racing well. ARTILLERY FIRE (4) and SOUTHERN AURORAS (5) are better than they showed last start.
Staking Strategy: Ozonica is short (again) but was huge in defeat last time, and that winner was particularly impressive. Brave Jet looks the overs, drawn alongside the favourite, he’s shown some tactical versatility with recent performances. 2 units to win on Ozonica (1) and 1 unit to win on Brave Jet (10)
GLORY MISSION (6) and ZANY GIRL (4) were the two horses that punters wanted when they met a fortnight ago, and they duly fought out the finish. Zany Girl gets a kg swing in her favour for a half-length margin, and I suspect they’ll both be well found again. IN THE OCEAN (1) has a brilliant track and distance record, and hasn’t missed the top three in five previous first-up runs. PRINCE OF KHATUN (3) received a peach from Phanthura to win at his first ride. Byrne Burke goes aboard and gets in 2.5kg lighter. It looks the likely leader in the race. MASTRETTA (8) wasn’t far off key hopes last time but has weights against her. GEORGARONI (5) and THESPIAN WATERS (2) both have good ability, but this isn’t their preferred distance.
Staking Strategy: Super race. I think Glory Mission can continue his winning ways. He’s the map horse from the perfect draw and has a turn of foot that will make him hard to catch. 3 units to win on Glory Mission (6)
AGADOO (9) wasn’t far off some of the state’s best 3yos last season and returns from a Qld campaign. She’s still a class 1, and does tend to give a start away, so the pattern will be important by the last race of the night. KAKIA (1) wasn’t far off in a similar race last start and is very consistent. The same can be said for CHICANE (2), though he struggles to win at this track. GEE GEES ME BOY (4) also falls into that category. He was solid in a better race last time but drew the rails there and is wide here. Not sure THISISMYTURF (8) sees out the mile, so a drop to 1400m may suit. HALEN (10) only got warm late last week over 1100m and has finished in the quinella in two of three at the track and distance. Ange Brakey has her team racing well, so it may be worth keeping HOLD THE DOOR (5) safe, who is an ex-Waterhouse-Bott runner. SIR JAG (7) and I’M CHEV (11) are usually around the mark in these races.
Staking Strategy: I really like Agadoo as a horse but $1.90 isn’t for me given her racing pattern. Out to 1400m suits Halen, who was one of the best sectional closers of the meeting last start. He’s worth a flyer at big odds. 1 unit to win and 2 units to place on Halen (10)
