Matt Reid’s Wednesday best bets at Launceston (04/03)

By Matt Reid

Launceston night racing resumes with an eight-race card on Wednesday, the first meeting following the conclusion of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival.

The weather forecast is good, and the rail moves out to +9m 1200m-W/Post, +7m Remainder, after being at +3m for Cup Day a week ago.

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

Best bet

Race 7 – 3. Mastretta

Mastretta bounced back after a couple of average performances with a slashing second at the previous night meeting behind Flying Concello. For me, it was no coincidence that the effort coincided with a return to Launceston, where she clearly does her best racing, and that the blinkers were reapplied. Up to 1220m suits, and she’s drawn well with in-form apprentice Jabez Johnstone aboard. Hard to see her not featuring in the finish with even luck.

Next best

Race 2 – 3. Kion’s Kingdom

Punters have to wait an extra week for Kion’s Kingdom, who was scratched from the opening race on Cup Day when he drew wide. The 4yo debutant has clearly had a few issues getting to the track, but based on his recent trials, he may be worth the wait. If he jumps well and finds the front, I don’t think they’ll catch him, but his race may be decided early if he doesn’t settle after a slow getaway. Lizzie Annells sticks with him from the trials, and being a career 5% rider, it’s likely the reason Kion’s Kingdom isn’t much shorter in the market.

Best roughie

Race 6 – 10. Wholesome

Even though Wolf Junior is a short-priced favourite coming out of the Derby, I rate this the most open race of the night. Wholesome was unlucky here two starts ago, and then just ground away over the staying trip in Hobart, in what was a slowly run affair. With that run behind him, he should be ready to peak fourth-up, and the senior rider going aboard is a clear positive, particularly without giving any weight away. He started $6 in a similar race last time, and now we’re shopping around $20.