2015 Group 2 Launceston Cup heat tips & betting preview
SIX heats of the Group 2 Launceston Cup will be run and won in Tasmania tonight with the local chasers taking on some tough interstate competition.
The first four greyhounds from each heat will progress through to next Monday's semi-finals before the $40,000-to-the-winner final on February 16.
Lets get into the preview for tonight's qualifiers…
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat One
Her Highness has been quite disappointing in her four runs since winning a heat of the Devonport Cup, however tonight she returns to a track where she has won five of nine and I can see her leading throughout in this event. She is armed with devastating early speed and this race doesn't appear to have a lot of speed in it, so if she can get away cleanly she should get all the breaks.
Lillycette is absolutely flying and last time out she ran the hands off the clock when posting a breathtaking 25.81 Hobart win. If she reproduces that effort she will obviously win but my concern with her is that she can miss away and she may get too far back early.
Rory Mac has recorded two handy placings here of late and if he pings away he should run a big race again.
Quick Advance rounds out the chances, he should follow Her Highness across early and he should be in the mix throughout.
Top Four: 3 – 2 – 8 – 4
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat Two
Ride The Rails is an absolute beast and from the pink draw he should be able to cross and lead and if he finds the bunny early he will be running some serious time. Last time out he was placed in the Group Two Warragul Cup final and on that occasion he was desperately unlucky, tonight he is drawn to get the breaks and if you can find a $1.60 that is massive overs.
Roxy Rhythm can be hard to follow but she has the good draw and she does have a great record here. She generally steps well and she does possess a good turn of foot, so that should allow her to settle in the top two or three early.
Bain's Lane is all class and if he can step on terms he should put himself into contention. He can bomb the start at times so that's a big concern but he has the speed to go with the pink if he steps with the rest of the field.
Wynburn Rush has strong place claims, she has a slick 29.89 PB and she returned to form with a dazzling 33.25 Devonport win last time.
Top Four: 8 – 1 – 4 – 3
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat Three
Quality lineup set to do battle but Secret Spell is likely to go around at short odds and she should give Kelly Bravo another semi-finalist. She looks ideally drawn in the red and she comes here after scoring at the Meadows in a scintillating 29.77. She is having her first look at the track, so that's a small concern but if she holds them out at the first bend it should be a matter of times and margins.
Brad Hill Billy is an exciting local and he had everyone talking when he recently posted a blistering 29.64 victory. That is the fastest time recorded over this trip for quite some time so he must be respected in this.
Yeah Right continues to improve with every run and he looked super impressive when winning here last time in 29.76, he is going to need some luck in the early stages but if he gets it he should be able to make an impact.
Sing The Song appears to be the only other hope, she is suited to the pink draw and she has been solidly placed in her past six starts.
Top Four: 1 – 2 – 5 – 8
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat Four
Breaker's Tip continues to impress and he has scored two powerful sub 30 second wins here in recent weeks. The box draw hasn't done him any favours tonight but he does possess a wonderful turn of foot so if he is given galloping room in the first 50m he should be able to push through and lead at the first bend.
Lovely Banks should follow Breaker's Tip across in the first 50m and she is flying at present. Last time out she reeled off a blistering second section in her 29.78 victory, if she reproduces that effort she will make the favourite work hard for victory.
Nooee's Lad is a lid pinger and he has won 10 of 39 over this journey, he isn't overly strong but he can find a fair bit when he finds the lure early.
Outside of those three I can't see anything else really contending, maybe Mental As Ben could threaten for a place if he got away cleanly.
Top Four: 4 – 5 – 2 – 7
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat Five
Senor Slamma isn't the strongest of chasers but he is armed with ridiculous early and mid-race speed. If he pings away tonight he should be able to find the early lead and I'm expecting him to break them up mid-race, the last 40m is a concern but he should have built up a big enough lead to hold on.
One Dee is a classy Victorian and two starts back she showed explosive speed when scoring at The Meadows in 29.96. She is having her first look at the track so she will need some luck at the first bend but she is quite strong and if she can settle in the top three she will be right in the mix.
Bruny Venture is a gun sprinter and he has won here previously in a sizzling 29.84, he should be able to follow Senor Slamma across in the early stages and if he avoids trouble he will definitely put the pressure on him as they turn for home.
Mandy Charm can be hard to follow but she has enormous talent, if she goes around at silly odds she could be worth an investment as there is no doubting her ability.
Top Four: 7 – 2 – 8 – 5
1st: $1,655 2nd: $470 3rd: $235.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Heat Six
Waymore Blues is a class act and he should give the Bravo team a fourth semi-finalist. He has done most of his recent racing over the 600m journey and that has allowed him to regain a lot of confidence and he is beginning a lot better than normal. The draw is a big disadvantage but he has a slow beginner on his outside so he should get every chance to drive through in the first 50 or 60m.
Black Sienna has the speed to lead and she should give a nice sight, she does get a little tired in the run home but she is an improving type and if they shuffle up behind her she might just steal the prize.
Hankos is better than his recent form reads and he has won here previously in a smart 29.90. He should settle in the top three early and he should be strong in the run home.
Cosmic Fire rounds out the chances, he returned to form with a brilliant 599m Hobart win and if he can get out into some open space early he will definitely make an impact.
Top Four: 5 – 7 – 3 – 4