The Launceston Pacing Club stages its premier night of racing on Saturday night with the running of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Easter Cup, and punters can try to celebrate with a $20,000 Quaddie Jackpot with a projected pool of $75,000 on the local tote.
The final field was made of heats on Sunday, won by Star Major, the favourite in early markets, and Melanion, who sits on the second line of betting.
This week also sees harness racing in Hobart on Good Friday night, with the meeting combined with an eight-race greyhound program.
The Stars
Star Major – stamped himself as the one to beat in Saturday night’s Easter Cup after a dominant heat win. The James Rattray-trained pacer started off a 10m handicap and led up the one-wide line. Driver Gareth Rattray never had the pacer out of second gear as he cruised to the line for a nine-metre win.
Melanion – the Bettors Delight gelding, was having his first start since joining the Dean Braun stable. He stamped himself as an Easter Cup contender when sprinting home best from last to win the second heat of the race, with Rodney Ashwood in the sulky. Braun has had six starters in the state this season, and all have won.
Letsgobro won his second race for the season and extended his career record to 10 wins and eight placings when leading all the way to win a 70 to 79 event for the Geoff Smith and Kayleb Williams combination.
Wayne Yole – returned to the training ranks a few months ago and continued his good run with doubles at both the Hobart and Launceston meetings.
Feats of the meet
Hobart, 22 March
Tammy Langley – driving double,
Ben Yole – training double
Wayne Yole – training double,
Olivia Weidenbach – driving double.
Launceston, 24 March
Wayne Yole – training double.
Calculated Sectional Standouts
Hobart, 22 March
Madame Annie 57.50s, Captain Dan 57.54s, Mister Finnigan 57.70s, Coveffe Hustler 57.76s and Cool Scooter 57.84s.
Launceston, 24 March
Melanion 56.34s, Star Major 56.42s, All By Myself 56.45s, Jimmy The Irishman 56.80s and Kuzma 56.83s.
Tasracing Official Price
Hobart, 22 March
Hit’s: Rocks Roy $5.50 into $4.20 and Isolation $8.50 into $5.50.
Defied The Drift: Our Señorita $4.40 out to $6.00, Ranieri $2.35 out to $3.60, Shaun To The Max $9 out to $12, Madame Annie $18 out to $26 and Mister Finnigan $4.80 out to $6.00.
Missed: Remember Me Now $3.50 into $2.25, Sportszilk $4.80 into $3.30, Blackjack Jim $4.20 into $1.70, Lou Lous Allgold $4.40 into $3.10, Moneys No Issue $3.80 into $2.00, Kiavino Stride $4.40 into $3.30 and Sharmey $4.00 into $2.90.
Launceston, 24 March
Hit’s: Lets Go Bro $6.00 into $4.00, Star Major $1.95 into $1.60, Yareckon Im Sweet $19 into $13, Agouda Ruler $26 into $9.50, Hes Apples $1.90 into $1.70.
Defied The Drift: Do Not Surrender $6.50 out to $11, Nivekalon Punta $1.30 out to $1.55 and Melanion $3.60 out to $5.00.
Missed: Juniper $7.00 into $4.80, Jilliby Mendoza $6.00 into $3.90, Lil Ripper $3.30 into $2.70 and Millies Creation $3.50 into $3.00.
Week Ahead
Thursday: Interstate at Penrith, Tasmanian-owned Max Delight lines up in the $50,000 Renshaw Cup.
Friday: Harness racing in Hobart. Start times will be advised when fields are released on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting is combined with the Greyhounds, and their fields were released on Monday with a start time for that code of 17:47.
Saturday: 10 races in Launceston featuring the Group 3 Easter Cup, Keith Stanley Debutante, Allen Williams Memorial, Sinbad Bay Final and Jane Ellen Final. The meeting will be live hosted on TasracingTV and commences at 18:11.
Interstate at Melton, Tasmanian-owned and bred Kosimo lines up in race six.
Monday: Trials to be held at Carrick from 17:30, the Carrick Park trials will revert to Saturday mornings after this session.
*Overseas fields unavailable at the time of publication for Bridwood Bella, Ignatius and Lip Reader.
