This is always a tricky program for punters who need to line-up Devonport synthetic form against those who enter the meeting off a break.

The rail is true as it was for the corresponding meeting last year which produced a very fair racing surface on a night where there was a bit of rain around. The weather forecast is fine this year which points towards a good rated surface.

R1 Friday Night Racing 21st October Maiden, 1200m

PIIINK BEAUTY (14) was restrained from a wide gate off a freshen and hit the line well despite never looking like the winner. I'd expect her to race more forward here from a low draw. BELPINE MISS (5) put in a huge effort in the Devonport maiden won by Gallant Warriors where stewards deemed she was denied a fair start. I'm sure she went into many black books after that but barrier 15 is far from ideal. Mitch Freedman brings across LONDIANI (2) along with jockey Tahlia Hope for a crack at a Tasbred maiden. He hasn't had a lot of luck in two career runs on wet tracks and a recent synthetic jump out was good. PRINCESS MATOAKA (8) is ready to win after some good carpet performances, the latest when receiving strong market support. GRANDE AQUILA (12) has impressed in recent trials so a market watch might be important for his debut. SWINGAPINGA (4) is exposed as an honest on speed trier. He crossed the line just ahead of LADY SARAH (7) in a trial last week. SIRENE’S LILLY (10) was only fair in her debut campaign but is a potential improver. STATUE OF DREAMS (11) has an awful career record but drops back from a class 1 where she covered a heap of ground.

Staking Strategy: This looks clearly the stronger of the two Tasbred maidens to open the day. I'd have about half a dozen horses from this as favourite in the second heat. I have Piiink Beauty as favourite but in a race that's $5 the field so I'll be around her at the top of the market. From the second nominations were released Londiani stood out being Victorian trained and Tasbred eligible. A $10 into $5 move suggests he isn't here to visit Josef Chromy. Acknowledging the awful map, I just have to have something on Belpine Miss at double figures who was enormous when deemed a late scratching last time out. 1 unit to win on Londiani (2) and Belpine Miss (5)

R2 Ladbrokes Maiden, 1200m

HER THOUGHTS (6) is having start 11 for the campaign and may appreciate a return to turf given she was a touch plain in Devonport. NIGHT MISSILE (2) ran a good race resuming despite going around a big price. Darmanin sticks with him, and he did trial well going into that first-up run. SLIPSLOPSLAP (3) had good market support at his Tassie debut but did little for those involved. He may be worth another chance. OLE OLA (9) debuts as a 4YO after having her first public trial almost 12 months ago. Her most recent official hit out was against horses far better than this grade. PINANDI (14) also chased home a handy one in Devonport and has a nice low draw for her first race start. MILLA’S READY (8) is well-travelled and looked to have a bit more to offer in her trial. BE KINDER (15) was never a hope resuming but that run was better than it reads. BORN A WINNER (11) may appreciate being drawn out slightly as his two worst runs have come from barriers one and two.

Staking Strategy: Her Thoughts is another favourite I'm taking on. She's very exposed and while she can win, it would be a case of the others simply not being much good if that occurs. I have a small share in Ole Ola who has ability but also had issues, hence the late debut. In a weak race she looks the wrong price and Be Kinder has an awful career record but I think he's better than that, and the first-up run over the Devonport scamper wasn't bad at all. 1 unit to win on Ole Ola (9) and 1 unit each-way on Be Kinder (15)

R3 Steve's Liquor Maiden, 1400m

AHZEEZAH (9) was backed at a price last time and came from worse than midfield off a slow tempo to just miss. She led at the previous start but may take a sit again given the improved result. Stablemate NO ACCESS (5) is another that will be back and running on. He finished ahead of subsequent winner Tennessee Beach last time. ST.REGIS (12) was better at his second career start when rolling forward and this looks a race lacking speed. EAGLE STREET (2) has been given a lot of market respect in his short career. He was shuffled back through the field in Devonport first-up but hit the line well when the race was over. KING ISLAND (3) acquitted himself well in class 1 company on Tassie debut and now drops back to maiden grade. DUNCANNON (1) was looked after late second-up and he wasn't beaten far here on debut.

Staking Strategy: I expect a lot of Scott Brunton-trained horses to improve going back to the turf and one of those is Eagle Street. He's a half to Hellova Street, and like the old champion, he seems to take a bit of riding. I think he's an improver off his first-up run in a race where we know what we're getting from most of the opposition. 3 units to win on Eagle Street (2)

R4 Show Day Thursday 0 - 62, 1400m

Brendon McCoull returns from a knee injury here on NEEDS TOASTING (3) who comes off a pair of seconds behind respective John Blacker horses racing in good form. He's the horse on the up in a 0-62 where most of these are quite exposed. This looks a race with good speed through THE BEEKEEPER (9), BERRUTI (6) and SPIRITED TOFF (4). The Beekeeper was better last time when bowling in front, while Berruti went very hard when he resumed, and was a spent force on the home corner. IVORYMAN (2) draws for the smother that he likes and will be hoping a gap appears at the right time. BETHPAGE (11) has been a great earner for Glenn Stevenson without winning. She's up in trip returning to the grass. GEE GEE CAN WIN (7) went back from a wide draw last time and was best of the rest behind the flying Multisanti. STARION (5) won what looks a very weak class 1 and needs to prove there is more depth to that victory. STELLADONI (10) can race forward or back, with Georgie Catania another hoop making a return from injury.

Staking Strategy: Great to have Brendon McCoull back in the saddle and he's a big chance to return with a bang on Needs Toasting. We saw last start when he had every conceivable that he's no star, but deserves favouritism even though he's well found at $2.80. I have The Beekeeper much shorter than the double figures being offered. How he was ridden in Devonport last time is the way to ride him, and if that occurs again, it's rarely a disadvantage on a dry Launceston track. 2 units to win on Needs Toasting (3) and 1 unit to win on The Beekeeper (9)

R5 Phil Hughes Office Solutions Bm68 Hcp, 1400m

AZARA (5) was at the head of the market when she returned, running third behind ALPINE BLAST (6) who has since run well again. Returning to the grass won't be a negative for Azara but she'll need a heady ride from Codi Jordan from barrier 10/10. Alpine Blast has been back and hitting the line in Devonport and may be looking for a mile now deep into the campaign. He finished alongside SCHAUFFELE (9) last time who has a 4kg swing against him from that meeting with Bulent Muhcu taking the ride. JEREMIAH (3) has run on well from impossible positions at his last two but can perhaps settle closer here from the pole draw. FREELANCER (1) is down in class and up in weight. The market has despised HERO OF ROMANI (10) at his past two runs but he did win the last time he raced in Launceston.

Staking Strategy: There were many punters declaring Azara a first-up moral, and while she was a beaten favourite, I thought the effort was fine in what was a truly run 1350m. She'll need Codi Jordan to show why she was last season's premiership winner given the draw, but I think with luck she's the one to beat. 2 units to win on Azara (5)

R6 Book Your Xmas Function Now Bm68 Hcp, 1100m

Huge amount of speed in this one on paper. VETLANDA (8) was an easing favourite resuming in Devonport and settled further back than usual. She hit the line fairly but may appreciate getting back to the track where both her wins have come. She draws wide as does MICHBAR (1) who was also a beaten favourite first-up. Winkers go on the top weight and the betting that day suggested he may benefit from the run. GEEGEELUCKYSTAR (6) caught the eye running on and may be one that can be strong late if the on pacers are fading. LUCKY BUCKY (3) went off the boil towards the end of last prep but was kept under a firm grip in his trial. SPARKLING ONE (7) was in the right spot in a very fast run race last time. The wide draw and pressure in this race will make it hard for her to go back-to-back. HANNAH’S SONG (9) and COPPER CHARM (10) are also speed runners who draw opposite sides of the track. Hannah's Song is 0/9 first-up and hasn't won since Longford Cup Day 2021, while Copper Charm acquitted herself well from the front at her first start for Team Wells.

Staking Strategy: The pressure in this race on paper suggests it may be a swoopers race but that is often easier said than done over the 1100m. I've always been a Lucky Bucky fan and I thought he trialled every bit as good in Devonport as the toppy and race favourite Michbar. Happy to spec him in a hard race but the late market is always a good guide to his chances. 1 unit to win on Lucky Bucky (3)

R7 Jackson Security 0 - 62, 1200m

NEV’S BOY (3) missed the recent stretch of Devonport racing but was flying prior to that break. He'll need an ability for runners to make ground and that should be established by this stage of the night. FIGHTING FLOYD (1) is another that will be back and running on as he did in Devonport over an unsuitable 1150m. SHAKE YOUR TOOSHY (7) brained them at the T&D first-up and wasn't bad in a subsequent synthetic run. LORD WHITEGATE (6) may appreciate a race where he can get a softer time of it on speed. GEE GEE ALS PRINCE (2) bombed the start badly in Devonport and put in a big performance from there. He will need luck and a good ride from the draw but arguably may be the most talented horse in the race. GEE GEE ROYBOY (8) has been going around at big prices but running much better than market expectation. OFF PEAK (11) won at the T&D in late June, beating a field that contained a few rivals she faces again here.

Staking Strategy: Track pattern important here given several market fancies are get back run on horses. I think Gee Gee Royboy has been going sneakily well on the carpet at big prices and again the market has shown him little love. Hopefully Taylor Johnstone can find a forward spot and I can see him filling a hole at odds. 1 unit to win and 2 units to place on Gee Gee Royboy (8)

R8 Melbourne Cup Luncheon @ Sporties Hotel Class 1 Hcp, 1200m

Last start winner LASTAR (1) brings a strong SP profile across Bass Strait for trainer Patrick Kearney who is no stranger to Tassie racing. The two that finished behind him at Mildura have since won and he placed at his only previous second-up run. MONTE BIANCO (4) is a promising filly who may need further but should've won at the track and distance on debut. The market will likely tell a story there. FEISTY LION (2) is an honest on pacer who will look to cross from the wide gate and will box on. TWEE (5) raced wide without cover when a beaten favourite here back in August. She gets the blinkers on and is a recent trial winner. REDOLLIX (3) was poor last time in Devonport but had good market support that day. MAGIC TYPHOON (9) has been doing her best work late in two runs back off a long break. SHAMZOU (8) was good at a big price when she last raced and may be one to show up at a price.

Staking Strategy: Best til last for me with the toppy Lastar who has done nothing but shorten since $4 was posted about him. This horse has a similar profile to King Aviator who the stable won with in Hobart in late July. This isn't a progressive looking class 1 and I think if Darma has any luck from a potentially awkward alley, then Lastar will be winning. 5 units to win on Lastar (1)