Racing
Staking Strategy: Launceston - Friday, 20th February 2026
The penultimate thoroughbred meeting of the 25/26 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival is in Launceston on Friday night.
The eight-race card contains a pair of Listed events, the Gold Sovereign for 2yos and the Tasmanian Oaks for 3yo fillies.
The rail is in the true position with fine weather forecast.
R1 Ladbrokes Maiden, 1100m
Strato Ken (3) improved sharply third-up when narrowly beaten at big odds and the winner has come out and won again. Rushonova (10) has been placed at both starts and while she was given every chance last time, it looks a strong form race going forward. AWESOME ORPHAN (7) resumes and showed enough in her first preparation to be competitive here. Her 3.5 length defeat behind Price of Khatun reads well. Cardiosphere (1) goes in first 4's while new arrival TEAM HEIST (6) resumes and will need further. Check the betting with the unraced – 4 of the 5 come through a Longford trial run in very slow time, and it was no guide at all.
R2 Roy & Dora Coghlan Memorial Class 1 Hcp, 1200m
Ilovethistown (2) was a strong maiden winner here second up then sat close to a hot pace last time and was entitled to drop off. Accusaient (5) had blinkers added second up and won her maiden with a fair bit of authority. Was always travelling like the winner. Bad Alibi (7) knocked off the maiden last start and still has plenty of improvement to come. Rawabi (1) is worth forgiving first-up after working hard on the speed. Was well beaten but strips fitter now and maps for a softer run from barrier one. Roundle Park (3) next best ahead of Novalargo (4).
R3 Harvey Norman/smeg Benchmark 60 Hcp, 1600m
This is a raffle. Sky Eagle (14) has been up for a while but is holding her form. Covered too much ground last start and battled on well all things considered. Scarletti (8) showed nice improvement second-up. Can mix her form but best is competitive. Kiss My Rock (3) had the right run at Hobart and finished over the top of his rivals in a slightly easier race than this. Stays at same trip but cops an extra 2kg. Gee Gee Can Win (11) comes out of a good form race and now fifth‑up looks ready for the rise to 1600m. Montezulu (4) deserved the narrow win last outing. He's had a very consistent preparation. Corsa Veloce (13) maps for every chance and her run 2 starts back in a similar race keeps her in the mix. Snow Eagle (9) needs to find a length or two and the addition of blinkers for the first time might sharpen her up. Alpine Blast (7) has drawn poorly but is racing well.
R4 Mccormack Wines Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
The Pirate Queen (9) drops in grade after recent runs in stronger company. Tough effort last start after covering ground. Perfectly drawn and only win came at this track. Last Tremble (8) improved third-up when rising to a more suitable distance. He gets in well again and maps for a similar run. Silver Grange (2) produced a turn of foot to win his maiden then not everything went to plan last Sunday and is worth another look. Them's The Breaks (6) has been hitting the line strongly in recent outings and is close to another win. French Soul (1) was well supported at Hobart but was never in contention, pulling up with a slow recovery. His maiden win prior had merit, so is worth another chance. Bellsprout (4) bowled along in the front at Hobart last Sunday and gave a big sight at odds in a comparable race.
R5 The Agency, Katrina Garwood & Ian Mccallum Gold Sovereign Stakes, 1200m
The big question with the unbeaten Aristopolos (1) is what price will he start at. He was sent out at $1.14 at Hobart last time and won brilliantly by more than eight lengths, extending his unbeaten record to four wins. There is greater depth to this contest though with Momentslikethese (5) engaged, having finished just 1.25 lengths behind Aristopolos when they met 26 days ago. The unraced Victorian filly WOOSH (8) also adds some intrigue to the race. She did everything right winning her Caulfield jump-out and was mostly under minimal riding. RAMIRO (3) couldn't get warm on debut and now blinkers get added. OLINDAH (6) appeals as a solid top-four hope.
R6 Art Hotel 3yo/4yo Hcp, 1400m
MAGNAPRIME (1) has won 3 of his past 4 and brings the strongest form. Blinkers being reapplied two starts ago has proven to be a real positive. WHIPPIN PICCADILLY (4) made it back‑to‑back wins last start. Been kept fresh for this dropping back to the 1400m. Go Jeanie (2) returned in good style for the new stable then was out of her depth last run, maps perfectly here, can bounce back. The Trine (7) drifted back to the rear from an awkward draw at Hobart and was forced to make a wide run from the 600m. Another tricky gate here. Last start winner Cripps (5) jumps sharply in grade but is lightly raced and has scope for further improvement. Baybougg (8) has been consistent all preparation in easier races, first 4 hope.
R7 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks, 2100m
The locals are well represented in this year's Oaks but as always, the interstate horses command plenty of respect. They've won the past five, and eight of the last ten overall. Crack The Shutters (1) brings strong credentials. She was the pick of the locals in the Launceston Guineas behind Dad And Dave, who franked the form by going on to win the Derby. Our Pierro (9) came from worse than midfield to win her maiden at Kyneton. While the opposition may not have been strong, the manner of her victory was impressive, can measure up here. Kazaru (4) broke through for her maiden win at Sale over 1717m last start in a race that has already produced subsequent winners. Will only improve stepping out in trip. DAYTONA DIVA (2) proved too strong for Aurora Rise (5) in the Strutt Stakes over 2020m, traditionally a key lead-up to this race. Fierce 'N Fabulous (7) was unable to quicken on the soft ground behind Daytona Diva. Prior form was good and stays under notice. Zuleika (11) won her maiden decisively at Ararat and although this represents a clear rise in class she can't be entirely ruled out.
R8 Shane Yates Memorial Class 4, 1100m
Lady Galadriel (7) returned to her best last start coming off a 46 day freshen. Tricky draw the only negative. Mastretta (1) was well beaten by Lady Galadriel at Hobart but has a much better record at this venue. Can mix her form, genuine danger if produces her best. Fluffy's Girl (5) has had a consistent campaign. Finished just outside the placings last start after winkers were removed. They go back on here. She has the early speed to offset the wide gate. Hard to see either Belpine Miss (4) or Star Walkin' (9) winning but are contenders for first 4's. Flying Concello (6) and SEVILLANA (8) are new to the state and have trialled soundly but nothing in their profiles suggests they're capable of winning here first-up.
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