Matt Reid’s best bets for Friday racing at Launceston (21/03)

The first of two Tasmanian thoroughbred meetings for the weekend is in Launceston on Friday night for an eight-race card.

The rail returns to true, last used in this position for the Oaks meeting on 21 February.

Fine weather is forecast, suggesting a good-rated surface.

Best bet

Race 8 – 2. Ozturk

It looks Ozturk’s race coming out of a deep BM64 on Launceston Cup Day won by Dantes, who has subsequently placed in last week’s $50,000 St Leger. The 2100m box was ticked in that race, and the stable are firing after a double at the previous Launceston meeting. Anything above even money for Ozturk seems very acceptable.

Next best

Race 4 – 6. Merlin Beach

Merlin Beach debuted in Tassie over 1150m 11 days ago, doing his best work late to finish second. He jumps quickly to 1650m, but his first-ever run was at that trip, so the stable clearly thinks the extra distance is what the 3YO is looking for. He strikes a very weak contest and looks like the horse that is on the rise.

Best value

Race 2 – 5. Diesel’s Sunshine

Diesel’s Sunshine only narrowly missed at the T&D on Cup Day, before going to Devonport and making a mess of his opposition. The lightly-raced 6YO mare has taken a while to come to hand, but the penny appears to have dropped and she strikes another very winnable contest. I’m hoping D.Pires can find the top and he should take some catching if that occurs.

Selections

Race 1: 7-3-11-12
Race 2: 5-1-15-2
Race 3: 5-1-2-11
Race 4: 6-3-1-4
Race 5: 7-4-6-2
Race 6: 1-2-6-5
Race 7: 6-4-8-2
Race 8: 2-4-1-5

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