Colin McNiff's Friday racing preview at Launceston (02/10)

After accepting at both Launceston and Flemington, Jessie Bazan has decided to run her smart mare Silver Dagger at Flemington on Saturday.

“We are going to go over the water and head off to headquarters. We think she can stand up to the Melbourne horses over there, and we would like to have a crack on fresh legs,” an excited Bazan said.

It’s not the first time Bazan has travelled a horse, but it’s the first time she will have a runner at Flemington. Silver Dagger has drawn barrier nine in what should be a capacity field of 16.

Silver Dagger hasn’t raced since finishing midfield in the Vamos Stakes on Launceston Cup Day, that followed a placing in the Mystic Journey Stakes in Hobart. On Saturday, Silver Dagger will contest a BM78 (1200m) with Hall of Fame Legend Craig Newitt aboard.

“Hopefully he can get a little bit of cover with her, and she can flash at them late. He knows the track, and he has ridden her before, so we are really confident having him on.”

The 5yo mare has an impressive first-up record with two wins and a placing from four fresh runs. She has won five of her 16 starts and almost $200,000 in prize money. Silver Dagger trialled at Longford recently, finishing a solid second to Swift Force over 800m in the day’s fastest trial.

“Erica (Byrne Burke) rode her at Longford the other day and said she had plenty of horse left under her. We know how well she sprints fresh, so we thought we would take her over the water when she’s ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”

Prior to heading to Flemington, Bazan will take a small but competitive team to the Ladbrokes Racing Centre at Mowbray in Launceston on Friday night.

Despite a sticky draw, Bazan is confident Street Diva can run well in the BM60 (1100m). Street Diva has drawn the second outside barrier and will be ridden by stable apprentice Robyn Lynch.

“She’s been going really well, really happy with how she’s been trialling. It will be a little bit tricky for Robyn from the gate, but if she can get a little bit of luck she will be right in the finish, and it will be a good chance for Robyn to show us what she can do.”

Street Diva will be Lynch’s 10th race ride; so far she has had two placegetters, but Bazan is confident her first winner is just around the corner.

Olindah is third emergency for the 1100m maiden and unlikely to get a run. Bazan has two runners in the 1400m class 3, Cool Heart and Snow Eagle. Bazan is confident both will run well.

The eight-race card gets underway at 18:00. The meeting will be broadcast on both Tasracing Live and Racing.com.

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