3 minute read
Racing under lights at Launceston with eight events. Here's the RAS team's thoughts in your free race-by-race preview.
Fields and form for the full card can be found right here.
Race 1 - Ladbrokes Racing Club Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
KAKIA (2) presented fitter and was narrowly beaten at Hobart over this distance. Missed a whisker there her only third-up outing and is sure to take beating. GLORY MISSION (1) resumes with a nose defeat. He is proven second-up and won't have to improve much to threaten. SWINGING IT (10) just missed first-up behind Wheeling and then didn't finish it off on a dry track. Mixes the form but maps well and has been kept on the fresh side. Good enough at best., GEEGEESCHASER (8) is third-up with more to give. She's in the mix. BUNKER BOB (4) keeps the 2kg claim and will enjoy the run of the race. Needs to find a bit more but is sure to give a sight.
Race 2 - Ladbrokes Form Genius 3YO & Upwards Maiden (1200m)
A tough form assignment. CELTIC ROSE (10) rates the one to beat. Has to manage a wide gate but brings three narrow defeats here and deserves to break through. Harder sorting the rest. ENSIGN EAGLE (1) resumes and owns a Hobart trial win. Maps for a soft run and has a handy 2kg claim. Has his first start on the turf and looks set to run well. MOORLANDS MISS (12) resumes and has also trialled well. The gate is against but he showed enough on debut to consider. PUZZLE MISS (9) peaks and would be a hope at best.
Race 3 - Myles Baker Electrical 3YO & Upwards Maiden (1400m)
Tough. GEEGEEHAILSTORM (11) has laid a solid foundation and didn't have the best of it last time. he maps well and the longer sprint will suit. Gets her chance. AUTUMN GLORY (5) had good support at Hobart first-up but was cruelled by a wide barrier. He's trialled well and maps well today. Quick improvement is likely. SCARLETTI (4) has to manage a wide barrier but went close here last time. Is still shy of his best and can feature with average luck. MISS PRIVATE (12) has been within range here last four and Pires sticking aboard is a positive. Has had plenty of chances but this isn't overly hard.
Race 4 - Win A Brand New Car On Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Day Maiden/Class 1 (1600m)
Tricky. DON'T GIVE UP (14) looked good at the trials and then was beaten a whisker here on debut. He races forward and fitter rates to go one better. CAPTAIN TAZ (1) is third-up and raced a short-priced favourite here last time. He will relish the step-up to the mile and will get every chance from an inside barrier. DISTRUSTFUL AWARD (2) peaks and would be right in the finish at best. The former West Australian gives away starts but wasn't far away last time and will be around the mark with average luck. SIR JAG (3) improved when beaten a nose at Hobart behind Dios but was just okay here following. Keeps the 2kg claim and tackles the mile for the first time. It may suit now.
Race 5 - Ladbrokes Country Cup Marquee Longford Cup Day Benchmark 60 Handicap (2100m)
ALWAYS A WINNER (1) has been busting to win over a mile and has won x2 over this distance. Maps well and has a handy 2kg claim. He can go one better. MONTE FLEUR (2) also steps up from a mile and has been around the mark without winning. She is on the quick backup and has claims. IRISH STORM (5) spiked his figures winning a CL1 at Hobart appreciating the longer distance. Has an awkward barrier but Pires is a positive jockey engagement and he's a chance to go on. VINTAGE DIESEL (4) had been going okay before the latest. Has a strong record at this course and distance and has to be considered.
Race 6 - Book Into The Kreglinger Corporate Marquee Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m)
GOLDEN MEADOW (4) has improved further this preparation. She was beaten 1L here 7 days ago over 1100m and all three wins have been over 1200m. She's third up now and maps for the run of the race. Has a handy 2kg claim. WITHIN SIGHT (9) spiked his figures again winning a CL1 over 1400m. Comes back to 1200m following a brief freshen. Has a 2kg claim and can keep improving. NGAPALI BEACH (10) missed 1L second-up behind Street Diva in a 62. She jumps from an inside gate and will get every chance. STREET DIVA (5) will be fitter and she seeks the hat trick off the narrow win. She draws awkwardly today but the 4kg claim brings her into it.
Race 7 - Cressy Chaff Cutters Longford Cup New Years Day Class 3 Handicap (1400m)
MANDATE (5) was on speed and lifted his figures narrowly beaten here this grade/trip. He was disappointing at Hobart following over a mile well supported and may have had excuses. She will ride the speed from the inside barrier and coming back in trip he's a strong chance to bounce. DIOS (4) will have plenty of admirers building on the CL1 win at Hobart. The former Godolphin-trained galloper is still well shy of his peaks and the longer sprint won't bother. Draws the widest and that's a slight niggle. CHARTWELL HOUSE (1) switched from the premier Victorian barn and was beaten 2L here in a 74 when expected to win. He will improve off that and deserves consideration. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (2) brings a narrow loss in a 60 and winning rider Pires replaces the 2kg apprentice. Maps well and he's in the mix.
Race 8 - Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Wednesday 26th February Benchmark 76 Handicap (1100m)
A good little contest. The promising DURAZZO (1) won three on the trot easily heavily-bet and then tackled a Quality handicap narrowly beaten. Improved his figures again and 3x winning rider Sanderson is reunited. Easier and a bounce is likely. ARUMA (5) resumes and is up to this. She is proven fresh and will carry just 53kg with the claim. GEEGEE JET BY (2) is third-up seeking the hat trick and has weight relief in this grade. Keeps Pires and will get every chance to progress. LOVIN' BEV (6) resumes owning a Hobart trial win. She has good ability but usually needs a few outings. May be more forward and deserves consideration in what's likely to be a tactical affair.