Racing
Launceston Nights: Race-by-race preview
Racing under lights at Launceston on Friday night and thanks to Tasracing, here's your race-by-race rundown.
You can catch all the racing action from Launceston and around Tasmania on demand right here from Tasracing.
RACE 1
Small field and it's impossible to go past Aristopolos (1) who will be a hot favourite. Sent out heavily bet on debut and after settling back, stormed home and ran away with an impressive win, beating the majority of these. Will stalk the speed and prove hard to hold out again. King Candy (2) finished runner-up behind him at his first outing, also coming home strongly to finish best of the rest. Has upside and can run into the finish again. Momentslikethese (4) was another from that race making debut and rolled forward in the run, boxing on well for third. Small field and low draw suits and expected to give a sight again. Too Poetic (7) sat back in the same race and did find the line strongly but could manage only fourth. Could sneak into the finish. OLINDAH (5) is a filly by Stratum Star making debut. Has been trialling okay and has the blinkers on. Worth keeping safe.
Suggested Bet: Stay with Aristopolos.
RACE 2
Unless the first starter is very good, this looks like the race for Bad Alibi (9). Three-start maiden who has charged home in the last two and looks bursting to win. Won't get a better chance in a race that drops right away very quickly. First starter VINRAAM (3) could well prove the danger. Gelding by I Am Invincible from the stakes-winner Rimraam on debut. Strong profile and should play a role in the finish. Colleen's Crown (5) is fitter for one run back and was solid when fourth. Blinkers added and appeals as a danger. Redair (10) was narrowly beaten before a spell and if she runs up to that rates a solid chance. Fitter for two trials and expecting a bright return. Vansittart (8) is also resuming and rates next best.
Suggested Bet: Bad Alibi should go close.
RACE 3
Going with French Soul (7) who looks to have a fair bit of upside. Well in the market on debut on the Synthetic at Devonport and after getting back found the line nicely for third. Shapes as though the extra ground will suit and may well appreciate the turf. Follow up. Surf Soul (5) is nearing a win, the latest racing on speed here over 1200m and boxing on for fourth. Keeps improving and should be in the finish. Vortistar (8) was well supported second-up and pushed forward from a wide gate before fading to finish seventh. Has the ability and best figures stack up but drawn even wider today so will need a good steer from the claimer. Favourite Deputy (6) was in the market and got home late on debut. With the claim and run under the belt should be in the finish. Nataldi (14) found the 1100m too sharp fresh but fitter again and the extra trip looks a big plus.
Suggested Bet: Siding with French Soul.
RACE 4
Even race but Sky Eagle (9) looks well placed to return to winning form. Hasn't been far away since a win five back, including a near miss at this track and trip two back. Deserves a win and gets her chance. Corsa Veloce (7) was knocking on the door with two subsequent seconds before a disappointing run over a little further on the synthetic at Devonport. Drawn for a soft run here and expected to give a sight. Tassie Power (6) looks the pace in the race and is another close to a win. Has the pace to lead and should give a sight again. Royal Dispatch (1) is fitter for two runs back and should be ready to fire. Has placed this course and distance in open class last campaign. Best figures stack up and aided by the big claim here. Willingly (13) is much better than last run off a wide gate. Low draw this time so gets a chance to atone.
Suggested Bet: Sky Eagle gets her chance.
RACE 5
Roundle Park (3) is a progressive type who looks well placed to find some winning form. Most of his limited starts so far have been on the synthetic but his only try on turf was here two back and just missed. Has the pace to be prominent and expected to go close. The Pirate Queen (7) is going much better than form suggests. Finished 10th here last time but only a couple of lengths from the winner and best form stacks right up. Can improve sharply. Last Tremble (6) wasn't far away last time and should be near his top now. Has a nice weight and should be winding up strongly. Geegees Downpour (2) was close-up when sixth fresh here and will come on from that. Expected to be charging late. Obviously Good (4) is fitter for one run in and draws for a soft run. Can improve this time.
Suggested Bet: Keen on Roundle Park
RACE 6
Bloomtime (2) settled back but wound up late to finish fourth when resuming over 1200m at Hobart. Has a solid second-up record and goes well here. Looks a top chance. Geegees Legacy (7) has paced at the last two, the latest racing on speed and going down narrowly. Should take catching again. Ethical Dilemma (3) got home late over 1400m at Longfords last time in a better run. Well weighted with the claim and should be winding up strongly. Capabelle (11) finished out of the money two starts back then she got a long way back and was beaten 10 lengths when seventh over 800m at Longford eight days ago. Better than last run and has a good record course and distance. I'm Keefe (9) is fitter and can do much better. Best form stacks up.
Suggested Bet: Follow up on Bloomtime.
RACE 7 - RACING AND SPORTS BEST BET
Small field but hot pace and high on quality. Hard to go past the run of Silver Dagger (6) when fresh in the Newmarket. Got back and closed hard finishing a close-up fourth behind Durazzo and will find this far easier. Won only start course and distance and will be the toughest to hold out. In The Ocean (1) was a winner fresh then was caught wide throughout in the Newmarket. Has a superb record this course and distance and fitter again looks the danger. Jaguar Stone (4) is fitter for two runs in, placing at both, and looks ready to win. Has placed 3/3 this course and distance and with good speed will take catching. Ms Tasmania (5) resumed in this class after a long spell and gave a sight but found one better. Strong record course and distance and will be in this for a long way. Stardarmus (2) hasn't been far away and will appreciate the strong early tempo. Will be doing his best work late.
Suggested Bet: With Silver Dagger
RACE 8
Just the five runners and all with a hope. Hububbajahn (6) was a fresh-up winner then was not far away latest when sixth. Fitter again and a senior rider goes on. Track and extra trip suits and looks ideally placed here to score. Whippin Piccadilly (2) ran well this course and distance two back then disappointed on the synthetic last time. Goes better on the turf here though and gets a chance to atone. Within Sight (5) wasn't too far away last time and did win only try course and distance. Should be winding up late. Baybougg (3) has been going well including a last start win at this trip at Longford. This is tougher but should be winding up late again. Sister Royal (1) is yet to fire in two runs fresh but was in sparkling form before a break, winning four on end. Aided by the claim and inside draw and would go close on best form.
Suggested Bet: Give Hububbajahn another chance.
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