While her form on paper doesn’t look that flash, 6YO mare Assaranca has the chance to get back into the winner’s circle when she contests the $50,000 Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian St Leger (2400m) in Launceston on Friday night.
Assaranca has won seven races in her 29-start career; six of those wins, including one at this distance, have been on the Launceston track.
That was in the St Leger 12 months ago, the last time the mare tasted victory.
Three starts back, Assaranca finished hard to run fourth in the WFA Summer Cup, (Hobart, 2200m) coming from last on the home turn; she was then outclassed finishing down the track in the Hobart and Launceston Cups.
“I think she will be hard to beat. I give her a really good chance.
“I don’t think there’s a lot between them, and she’s back in grade, and nothing has gone wrong with her,” Barry Campbell said.
“She does race well at Mowbray. She’s won five races under lights, so it seems to be her track.
“She ran in the Hobart and Launceston Cups and a 2200m race before them, so she has had plenty of runs over the trip. That won’t be a problem.”
Siggy Carr has her up-and-coming stayer Pennine engaged; the 4YO has won three of his past four starts, all over 2100m, and while it’s a big step up in class, Carr is quietly confident he will run well.
“He’s been coming through his runs really nicely and the 2400m won’t be an issue as he goes to sleep in his races allowing him to conserve energy.
“While I’m disappointed Craig Newitt is suspended as he has a nice record on the horse, I’m quietly happy as I get to jump back aboard,” Carr said.
Latrobe trainer Adam Trinder has a strong hand at the meeting with track specialist Bello Beau to be ridden by Jason Maskiell, the top weight in the 1200m Open Hcp.
Bello Beau has raced eight times in Launceston for six wins and a third. Four of those wins have been over 1200m.
Trinder also has smart mare Jaguar Stone (Erica Byrne Burke) in the same race. The 4YO wasn’t far away in either of the Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) in Hobart and Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) in Launceston.
Trinder also has a strong hand in the fillies and mares BM72 (1400m) with the stable represented by Vivilici and Cabaca, who had no luck when ninth in the Vamos at her most recent run.
The first of eight races on Friday night is at 18.00 and Peter Staples will be trackside for the TasracingTV coverage.
My best bets are Thespian Waters (who is way down in class) in race 2, and Durazzo in race 3. Just forget he went around from a wide barrier last start. This time, the 3YO should get the run of the race from the inside gate.
