The rail moves back to the true position with fine weather forecast.
R1 Kerry Leighton Maiden, 1200m
Difficult race to begin proceedings tonight with many chances. Shooting North (5) caught the eye last time out when a nice second behind Devil Sun when resuming. Senior jockey replaces apprentice Codi Jordan with Codi recently going on loan in Victoria. Drawn well, and I have him on top.
Starnote (13) was backed heavily on Launceston Cup Day but was disappointing when running fifth. My mum always told me if you got a tip always follow it up the next start. Despite the wide gate here Brendon McCoull sticks with the filly and is worth another chance.
Second up for Barry Campbell Myocardium (2) gets the services of Kelvin "The Iceman" Sanderson, having his first race ride in over 7 years. From gate 3 the 4YO should get an easier time tonight to find the lead and the one to run down. Good luck Kelvin!
Michael Poy travels down for the meeting and has picked up the ride on Cheeky Word (6) for Team Hanson. Only boasts one place out of five starts but she did improve last time out, gets another wide gate here tonight but with the rail in the true should be able to settle midfield with not much issue. Cheeky (pun intended) place chance.
Not one of mine but you can't fault the consistency of Elmajay (12). Found it very hard to win one in her 11 starts but has placed on four occasions. Stu Gandy's team is on fire and David Pires takes the reigns which is always a positive. A 1×3 chance for mine and not to be left out of any multiples.
Staking Strategy: Very difficult race to start the evening and one with many chances. I've got Shooting North on top as I really liked his run last start and will prove fitter here. 1 unit to win on Shooting North (5)
R2 Natalie Waters Bm62 Hcp, 1200m
A good return by Gallant Warriors (6) last start despite finishing 7th out of 11, however, beaten less than 1.5L. Brendon McCoull takes the sit for the first time and he gets another chance over the 1200m. Market will be the best guide but I feel he's going into this race well after his first up run.
I tipped Upset (10) last start as a roughie but doubt we will get the price this week. The short backup is no concern as he performed well like this in the past.
Another Stu Gandy runner that is going well is Geegee Lucky Jess (2). I thought she was very good on Launceston Cup Day just missing the bob behind Sparkling One then only managed a fourth last start over the further trip. Drops back down to the six furlongs tonight with strong jockey David Pires in the saddle. Wide draw but she gets back anyway so shouldn't be an issue. Really like her tonight.
Winners keep on winning and Steel Mist (3) will try and add to his picket fence again. Fresh off a win last week over this track and distance the 5YO is in career-best form. A 1.5kg claim for Lizzie Annells who piloted him last start is another tick.
Staking Strategy: Struggling to split Gallant Warriors and Geegee Lucky Jess. I have Gallant Warriors on top due to the barrier draw however price dependant will be the way I play. Happy to have something on them both regardless. 1 unit on both Gallant Warriors (6) and Geegee Lucky Jess (2)
R3 Scott Whiteman Maiden, 1400m
Senior rider Siggy Carr gets the call-up for No Access (3) after the 4YO has been mainly been ridden by apprentices in recent times. The trainer/jockey combination was quite successful over the recent summer carnival and I think they can notch up another win together here. With the other fancied runners drawn wider in this, she gets the advantage of jumping from a middle gate and should get a midfield position quite easily.
Almighty Virtue (1) caught the eye last start rattling home for fourth after getting checked quite severely in the early stages of his race. Drawn a tricky gate for the King of King Island, Tommy Doyle, which makes it even harder from the 1400m, had he drawn a little better here I would have him on top.
Miss Vivace (14) has been a hard horse to follow. Always showed she has ability but hasn't quite lived up to it yet. Has placed twice out of her six starts and this looks like a winnable race. Barrier 1 and B McCoull are both positives in a very tricky race.
Trainer Yassy Nishitani thought enough of Clara Karen (9) to take her to Flemington early in her career, hasn't shown much since, however last start she ran second to Move On Over who has since won again. My concern here is jumping from 1100m straight to 1400m where she hasn't been overly successful in the past. Each way chance and a win wouldn't surprise me.
Staking Strategy: Thought the barriers played a big factor here and on that, I have No Access on top. Think he maps well and should get a nice economical run in behind the speed. 2 units to win on No Access (3)
R4 Robert Biffin Class 1 Hcp, 1400m
After a strong maiden victory in Hobart on Cup Day, Geegees Misty (9) followed it up with a nice fifth in a Class 1 at Launceston. Not beaten very far the filly is going great this preparation and I think she will be very hard to beat again tonight. David Pires takes over from Craig Newitt, draws well in 3 and for mine clearly on top.
Chosen Eagle (3) has been going well this time in and gets his chance to record his second win tonight. He has been running over the 1200m and was only narrowly beaten a fortnight ago so does have to step up to 1400m tonight. Interesting to note both tries at the trip were at the end of his preparations so may have excuses as to why he has duck eggs next to that distance.
Always in the market, however hard to have Sally Sunshine (11) from the wide barrier. The likely leader but may have to work too hard to get across and with a bit of speed drawn inside her, she may get caught a bit deep or settle back further than expected. A first four chance for me but more the place than the win.
Monte Bianco (12) showed she was back last start with a very close second on this track and trip. Had she drawn closer to the rail I would have her on top but as mentioned before it takes a very good horse to draw wide at the Launceston 1400m and manage to win. Michael Poy takes over from the injured Daniel Ganderton and won't give the mare a sore back. Big chance if she can overcome the draw.
Staking Strategy: Very keen on Geegees Misty. Loved the way she acquitted herself after her maiden victory and think she is the one to beat again. 4 units to win on Geegees Misty (9)
R5 Bruno Calabro Mdn/cl1, 2100m
I've been with Coup De Spry (1) his last three starts and see no reason to jump off tonight. A genuine stayer who will just grind home, Tommy Doyle knows the gelding well and hopefully, tonight is the night he gets the chocolates.
An interesting runner here is the Jim Taylor-trained Lily Luella (12). First start in the state and coming off a midfield finish at Kyneton. Has form over the longer distances and despite Jim possibly getting this horse to run on King Island, this isn't an overly strong Mdn/Cl1. Respect the market.
Midnight Kisses (6) does have the King Island form already on the board and despite winning 4 races, is still eligible for a Mdn/Cl1 as those wins all came on the Island. No doubt has gained confidence from those wins and her last start 6th on the "mainland" was full of merit. Beaten just over 3L to Sunset Gun, note that mare goes around in the feature St Leger later this evening.
In a stronger race last start, Aussie Warrior (5) improved over the mile. Steps again to 2100m which may be the key to this bloke. Drawn well for stable jockey Georgie Catania, market the best guide but possibly one at a price that could cause an upset.
Waning Weasel (11) might have found her niche at the longer journeys when running into third position last start and if that's the case could be worth an each-way ticket tonight. Launnie Nights (2) again always has market support, another chance at a 1×3 play if you like him.
Staking Strategy: Can't find a reason to jump off Coup De Spry as he is a horse I have been following. Stays all day, is drawn well and gets another chance tonight. Think Aussie Warrior may be over the odds and stepping up to 2100m looks to suit, I'm prepared to have a play each way. 2 units to win on Coup De Spry (1) and 1 unit each-way Aussie Warrior (5)
R6 Ladbrokes Open Hcp, 1200m
Great little race with many chances. Thought we saw Julius (2) back to his best on Launnie Cup Day when second behind Liffeybeau. Goes up one kg on that run but draws well for Darma and should get his preferred position up on the speed from that gate.
Algernon (3) was perhaps a shade disappointing last start on Hobart Cup Day. Was coming off a set back though and lugged the large weight so there were excuses. Comes into this 5.5kgs less than that run and a month in between runs. He is one horse that goes best when fresh so that's definitely not a negative. He is a better horse at Hobart than Launceston but maps well to run just off speed from the inside draw, and gets the services of top jockey Brendon McCoull.
Although her second-up form is still good it's not perfect like her first-up form, however, trainer Adam Trinder believes he has worked out this mare. Majestic Diamond (8) was back in the winners' circle last start and although comes into this second up her record there cant be dismissed with a win and a third from two starts. Matured now and has form around some of the state's best horses. Should run very well.
The Dylan Clark trained Peace Be Upon Him (7) is a very honest horse and always around the mark. Dylan tried his charge in some of the stronger races over the carnival and whilst not successful he was far from disappointing. Gets in well at the weights and has stable rider Hayley McCarthy on board, could get a nice each-way price and a win would not surprise.
Staking Strategy: A very competitive sprint race to start the quaddie. I've settled on Majestic Diamond, I really liked her first-up win and I think she has matured as a horse. 1 unit to win on Majestic Diamond (8)
R7 Sporties Hotel Tasmanian St Leger, 2400m
The feature race of the evening is the Ladbrokes Tasmanian St Leger over 2400m. Assaranca (2) was untried at the trip when connections threw her in the deep end and competed in this year's Launceston Cup. Far from disgraced, she showed she can stay finishing 6th behind Aurora's Symphony who was runner-up in Monday's Adelaide Cup. Will settle back but with the rail back in the true and over the long journey I do not see that as a disadvantage.
Miss Charlie Brown (5) looked like the winner of the Launceston Cup rounding the home bend however was run-down but she did stick it out well for a well-earned fifth. Big chance in this down in grade but hasn't won since her victory in the Strutt Stakes over a year ago, clearly prefers the longer trips and can't be dismissed over the 2400m here tonight.
Not a horse I can usually catch but you can't fault Sunset Guns (6) recent form. Going for a hat-trick of wins, the mare races best when rock-hard fit and we find her that tonight. Chelsea Baker retains the ride despite it being a non-claiming race but she gets on well with her steering her a few times and scoring a victory last start.
You cant say American Jewel (8) doesn't stay, in fact, she has never raced in a trip less than a mile in her 18 start career. A winner of only one race but we know she is fit and we know she will stay. Drawn the inside marble will push forward and try to dictate.
I'm So Cool (4) found the Hobart Cup a bit much last start but prior to that, his last three starts were very very good. Looks the likely leader and if D. Pires can get an easy time in front, he could prove hard to run down. Wouldn't dismiss.
Staking Strategy: I'm a big Assaranca fan and although I think she will be a much better horse in 12 months' time this race tonight is not beyond her. She showed us in the Launceston Cup she can match it with the big boys and girls and that she can stay the trip. Should get a nice run-in transit mid-to-back and can see her flying down the outside late. 2 units to win on Assaranca (2)
R8 Peter Scott Benchmark 76 Hcp, 1400m
Skilendra (7) really caught the eye against the pattern last start and first up for eight months. If she can replicate that performance second up tonight she is a massive chance. Gets in very well with the claim for Chelsea Baker and with the rail out should get a more economical run. My only concern is being second up from a long break despite only missing the place one in four second-up performances.
The John Luttrell-trained Romary (4) really showed she is back to her best with a dominant win last start. Drops back to 1400m which is not something I personally like however this mare oozes class and I'm not overly concerned.
You can never afford to leave Coronation Keith (3) out. Takes 3kgs off her back with Chloe Wells claim and can see him rolling to the front and being hard to run down. Loves the track and trip and despite drawing a bit wide should have the speed to cart across easily enough.
And Beyond (1) hasn't found the winner's stall in well over a year now but was so promising early in his career. Comes into this race fresh and gets Brendon McCoull in the saddle which is never a disadvantage. Ideally drawn in barrier 9 as he is not a horse that is comfortable with other horses around him. If McCoull can get him to relax he is right in this and can notch up win number eight for connections.
Staking Strategy: I have Romary on top despite the drop in distance. I think she is back to her best and if Lizzie can work with the mare and let her bowl along I think we will see her salute again. 2 units to win on Romary (4)
R9 Easter Good Friday Racing 7th April Bm62 Hcp, 1600m
Exciting race as we see Afridi (7) for the first time on mainland Tassie. I'm sure many are aware this is the horse that won the inaugural Miners Rest/Magic Millions Cup on King Island. Randy Tan takes over from Tommy Doyle and we see the 4YO step back up to the mile.
Southern Wind (4) could not have been closer if he tried when missing out on the photo last week. Gets his chance to redeem himself here in similar conditions.
Incriminate (2) was beaten favourite last start but was only beaten less than a length. Erica Byrne Burke takes over from Brendon McCoull tonight and gives the gelding the benefit of a 2kg claim which could be the difference. Track and distance suit and drawn well has a lot in his favour and should also find the lead easily enough.
I thought Blushed (1) improved last week in a stronger grade. Wasn't beaten far by the promising Romary and stays at her ideal distance – the mile. Could see her back in the winner's box tonight and definitely wouldn't be leaving her out of the quaddie.
Staking Strategy: I like Incriminate here, I really like Adam choosing to take the claim and put Erica in the saddle. Gets conditions to suit and is drawn well enough to get an easy lead. I thought Blushed improved last time in a stronger grade and might be back to some of her best form. 1 unit to win on both Incriminate (2) and Blushed (1)
