Despite strong nominations for the program, field sizes have dropped away and small numbers are a theme for the night.
The rail moves out to the +5m position after being in the +2m seven days ago.
R1 Book Now For Easter Good Friday Lunch Maiden, 1600m
Always A Winner (1) was restrained to be ridden with a sit last time, tactics that didn't really seem to work despite a narrow-beaten margin. The stable has a made a few gear changes as they chase their first winner since early December. Hellot (2) went forward in a small field last time and ran into the money. He was good in this grade two starts back on Hobart Cup Day. Speed Rock (4) led the field up last time and second in that race was Saxon Mist who won last Wednesday. Noble Hero (8) was a closer from well back in the same race. He gets the winkers on, but the barrier draw makes it tough and may even dictate a change in tactics. Just For Curiosity (3) goes from 1200m to a mile but has been racing like the extra distance will suit. Miss Sleuth (11) only has a pair of minor placings to show for her past 25 starts but hasn't been far away in similar races of late. Strike Impact (5) was wide without cover in Hobart so that run had merit, particularly being first-up. Your Shuffle (13) resumes at a mile. She hit the line very well at her one previous start in conditions that were far more testing than the Good 4 in the form guide indicates.
R2 Live Outside Entertainment Good Friday Maiden, 1100m
Blitzem Tycoon (5) brings only moderate form from NSW but in turn finds a weak looking maiden to start her career with Rowan Hamer. She was a recent trial winner over Our Sonny Boy (1) and Mystical Vixen (8) where she easily rounded them up from last. The Adam Trinder-trained filly ran into some nice horses last campaign, and there certainly doesn't appear to be any Alpine Wolf's or Miss Charlie Brown's in this field. Title Shot (9) has a strong SP profile but seldom ran up to the market for the previous stable. Look for a market lead having her first start for Glenn Stevenson. Soulita (6) tends to give a start but in the smallish field may be able to settle a bit closer. URUGUAY (2) is a 5YO on debut who hasn't trialled publicly since 2020. He is another where the market may provide a better guide than what has been exposed.
R3 Good Friday Family Fun Day Class 1 Hcp, 1100m
VETLANDA (2) ran up to heavy market support first-up with an all the way win. From barrier one it's reasonable to assume that repeat tactics will be the objective but she does rise 5.5kg, meeting GEE GEE SNOWFLAKE (5) 2.5kg worse who was second that night. She's since won in Hobart where she was wide for the trip. COPPER CHARM (3) won one of her three starts for Cameron Thompson but is now in the care of Joel Flannery at Seven Mile Beach. She recently won a back straight Hobart trial in what was clearly the best time for the day. UPSET (1) is well exposed at this stage of his campaign/career. He's honest and will be on speed but the query is whether a few others have more upside. GEEGEE LUCKY JESS (4) has been freshened since contesting some 3YO features over the carnival. Her only previous win came first-up. SWEETSOP (7) was scratched last week. She'll be back and hoping swoopers get their chance.
R4 Peter Rabbit 2 On The Big Screen Good Friday Class 3 Hcp, 1200m
FIVEFINGERDISCOUNT (1) is unbeaten in two previous Tasmanian starts, the most recent to close out Launceston Cup Day. He drops 3kg from that all the way win but will give at least 4.5kg to the field. He wasn't asked for a lot in a recent trial and punters may take a lead from Adam Trinder's apprentice retaining the ride rather than taking a sit on BORDER PROTECTION (2). He is a good fresh horse but tends to place far more often than he wins. PEACE BE UPON HIM (3) got the best of a photo at the T&D last start. That was class 1 company and as a result he drops 4.5kg heading to a class 3. MERV DECIDES (6) hugged the paint last time and thankfully for him the gaps came when they needed to. He maps to do the same again. GEE GEE GOLDENLASS (5) was very good resuming in Hobart. She has tended to be better at the Tassie tracks away from Launceston though. She's yet to finish in the top three in nine previous Launceston starts.
R5 Thanks Jane Howlett Mlc Bm62 Hcp, 1200m
ENSNARE (4) won here last week. Both of his victories have come when he's found the front and rail but that might be tough here from a wide gate even in the small field. OUR SHINKANSEN (6) has been freshened after going off the boil a little to finish last campaign. He can be a bit slow out which could be a problem given the draw. GEE GEE SOX (7) is a speedy customer who has been given a long break. Any on pace/rail pattern will favour her, particularly given she's generally struggled past 1100m. BERRUTI (3) played up in the gates at the last Hobart meeting and was scratched. His Tasmanian debut has produced some decent form. HERO OF ROMANI (2) trialled alongside stablemate Border Protection on a pair of occasions so it will be worth monitoring how he went in the previous race. GEE GEE PLANE (1) was a late scratching last Wednesday. All his best performances have been on the carpet, but he's only been tried on grass twice.
R6 Ladbrokes Easy Form Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
It's been over a month since DREAMING TORONADO (3) won at her first Tasmanian appearance. Not a lot of retrospective form has come from that race, and she rises in distance with that gap between runs. FINXY (2) puts himself on speed and that pattern has seen him finish in the money consistently this campaign. BELMISTA (1), EIGHTY EIGHT DAYS (7) and KRUPT CANDY (9) settled near the rear last time but all three finished off well. The 1400m looks suitable for that trio. HERMAN'S BELLS (4) seems to find ways to avoid saluting the judge first but deserves another win. He'll give a sight if he can find the front in a race lacking a lot of noted speed runners.
R7 Free Gate Good Friday Racing 0-62, 1400m
INCRIMINATE (2) hasn't raced for nearly three months but resumes here without a trial. He mixed his form last campaign, but his best would have him right in the mix. Newly acquired stablemate IMAGINE HOWE (7) has the services of Brendon McCoull for his Tassie debut. He didn't have a lot of clear air at his most recent start and that winner has since won again. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (1) raced wide without cover last Wednesday and has the widest draw to avoid a repeat. GEEGEES ROCK OPERA (6) hasn't been pushed out in a pair of recent trials. She'll likely be off the pace and hitting the line so the ability to make ground will be important. Conversely STELLADONI (8) is the likely leader. SILVER ROAD (4) drops in distance on the quick back-up which must be some concern well into the campaign. GEE GEES PUNTER (5) was in a blanket for the minor money last start and has an each-way chance again.
R8 Free Kids Goody Bag Good Friday Bm68 Hcp, 1400m
ASSARANCA (2) feasted on small fields at this track earlier in the season and she resumes here looking to do the same. She's been brought up to the mark with a pair of recent trials but has to carry 60kg which is 3.5kg more than she has in a race previously. DATE NIGHT (1) gave a reminder last time of how dangerous he can be if they leave him alone in front. BARJEEL (3) ran in the final race a week ago which was over a mile. He rises in weight for the drop in grade. CORONATION GLADE (4) hasn't shown his best for a while but has generally been a Launceston horse. GREGORIAN CHANT (5) is a quirky customer who also comes into the race first-up. Tactics will be interesting on her with an awkward draw in the small field. PHENOMENAL DANCER (6) is no star but is holding form well and has a big swing on those at the top of the weights.
