Matt Reid’s Friday best bets at Launceston (02/10)

By Matt Reid

The Launceston Night Racing season continues with an eight-event card at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre on Friday night.

Solid rainfall in Launceston leading into the meeting should ensure the track races worse than the 4-rated surface presented for the first two meetings of the 26/27 season.

The rail comes into the true position after being at +8m last Friday night.

See the best bets from Matt Reid, courtesy of Tasracing.com.au.

Best bet

Race 5 – 1. Fuel on the Fire

Fuel on the Fire raced last Friday night, finishing third at the track and distance. He was a month between runs there, and had to use some petrol early to get to the spot outside the lead after drawing 13/13. He draws 6/8 here, with only I’m A Machine as the other on pacer in the race. With the run under the belt and a softer run in transit, Fuel on the Fire should be hard to get past late.

Next best

Race 4 – 3. Thickskinned

Trainer Mark Ganderton prepared two impressive winners last Friday night, and in the fourth race this week, he has two very strong winning chances in a field of just four runners. Thickskinned chased home the smart stablemate Glory Mission first-up, with that horse subsequently winning again. Up to 1400m second-up suits, with Thickskinned mapping to follow the stablemate Bellsprout. The placement looks ideal here for Thickskinned to go one better.

Best value

Race 6 – 2. Night People

Night People is one of four horses resuming in the BM68 (1200m), and boasts two wins from five previous first-up runs. He’s trialled against some smart horses at Longford recently and gets in well here with the 3kg claim for Victorian apprentice Ruby Lamont. Generally a horse who makes his own luck up near the speed, I’ve marked Night People much shorter than the $10 being offered.