Matt Reid’s Friday best bets at Launceston (25/09)

The second meeting of the Launceston Night Season is on Friday night, with a nine-race card broadcast on free-to-air television on Racing.com.

The rail moves to +8m for the Entire 1200-WP, and +7m for the Remainder, from the +5m position for the return meeting nine days ago. A 4-5 rated surface is expected.

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

Best bet

Race 2 – 2. Red Winter

The 4yo debuted on the program last week, where he was hard-ridden to lead despite being moderately away. He fought doggedly in the straight, but ultimately the tickets he spent early in the race told late. He will likely be much better for that experience, and with the rail only moving out further from last week, I’m again expecting on-pace to be the place to be.

Best value

Race 3 – 4. Sorell Eagles

Sorell Eagles gets the right platform to run an improved race after having excuses in recent starts. Two starts back in Hobart, he hit the line without being fully tested in a race that has proven a strong form reference, and last week he settled back and wide in a slowly run affair controlled from the front. He was 1100m-1400m last week with a month between runs, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue this week, and he has a soft draw (3). He’s a horse I’ve tried to catch a few times with no luck. Hopefully this is the week.

Best roughie

Race 7 – 10. Mastretta

The BM76 (1120m) is a beauty with several horses likely carrying Newmarket aspirations and a stack of speed on paper. The likely pressure could suit Mastretta, who draws wide but has a sharp turn of foot if given a cart into the race. She’s trialled up well, has an excellent Launceston record, and looks like a forgotten horse at $20+ in early markets.

Selections

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

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