Matt Reid’s best bets for Sunday racing at Launceston (18/08)

Thoroughbred racing returns to Launceston on Sunday afternoon, the first meeting at the track since mid-April.

The “one off” meeting has expectedly been well-supported with big fields throughout the eight-event program.

The rail is +8m 1200m-W/Post; +6m Remainder, and there’s rain forecast in Launceston on the weekend, which may affect how the track plays.

See the best bets from Matt Reid, courtesy of Tasracing.com.au.

Best bet

Race 1 – 15. Sky Eagle

I thought this was a tough card to find standouts, and I’ve landed on Sky Eagle as my best in the opener. The filly placed in both her runs as a 2YO, the most recent in a handicap where she chased home the hot pot with a huge margin back to third. The time of that maiden stacked up well against other 1200m races on the day, and she draws well with last year’s champion rider Anthony Darmanin retaining the ride.

Next best

Race 8, No.3 - Furneaux

Scratched last Sunday in the race won by the smart Rubble ‘N’ Fudd, hopefully, the wait for Furneaux will be worth the while. His three runs this time in have been excellent, beginning with a first-up victory before being posted from wide draws in two subsequent runs. He’ll be up near the speed, and his ability to handle all track conditions could be important. Handy 2kg claim for visiting apprentice Lachlan Overall, who has three of his four rides on the program for the John Keys stable.

Next best

Race 5, No.6 - Bloomtime

I’m a big wrap for the 4YO mare Bloomtime, and she’ll need to be somewhere near her top to win a deep class 1 to kick off the quaddie. It took her a while to win a maiden last campaign, but with any luck she should’ve won well before then, and her second placings to Bine and Durazzo read well. She had the better of her handy stablemate D’oro Star in a recent trial and looks placed to run a forward race if the gaps appear at the right times from a low draw.

Best value

Race 3, No.9 - Elegantly Written

Elegantly Written has a wide barrier to overcome in race 3, but I assume that’ll be factored into her price. She broke her maiden at the T&D before being spelled and resumed in a 3YO Handicap, where she failed to beat a runner home but was wide without cover and boxed on solidly. Back in grade, I think she’ll be hard to beat if Codi Jordan gets any luck from the gate.

Selections

Race 1: 11-12-10-2
Race 2: 14-10-13-8
Race 3: 9-4-3-1
Race 4: 13-2-3-1
Race 5: 6-1-7-8
Race 6: 4-11-2-3
Race 7: 1-7-8-6
Race 8: 3-10-6-13

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