Launceston racing preview & quaddie | Friday, January 27
| What | Launceston Races |
| Where | Tasmanian Turf Club – Jellico St, Mowbray TAS 7248 |
| When | Friday, January 27, 2023 |
| First Race | 6pm AEDT |
Racing heads to the Tasmanian Turf Club on Friday night for a nine-race program where the Listed Launceston Guineas takes centre stage. Despite the rail being out 4.5m the entire circuit and the track coming up a Soft 5 for racing, we expect every runner to get their chance if good enough, with the track to play fairly throughout as it has been in recent times.
The big night of racing in the ‘Apple Isle’ kicks off at 6pm AEDT.
Launceston Guineas: Dunkel
It does not take a genius to put Dunkel on top in the Listed Launceston Guineas. Patrick Payne’s three-year-old gelding has essentially been perfect in his four-start career, winning on three occasions and despite the plenty going wrong for him at his second start, he had the audacity to still finish second. This bloke should essentially be 4/4 and a win in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas beckons barring any bad luck. His win at Flemington on January 14 was breathtaking and considering he gave Soul Choice, who he meets again on Friday night, a start and a smacking, he should prove too good for his rivals once again. He gave Soul Choice 6.5kg’s last start and only has to give her 2kg this time around. In the small field of six, only bad luck gets Dunkel beaten in Friday night’s feature.
Launceston Guineas
Race 5 – 
#1 Dunkel (5)
3yo Gelding | T: Patrick Payne | J: Harry Coffey (57kg)
Best Bet at Launceston: Bello Beau
Despite this being Bello Beau’s first start against older horses, the Adam Trinder-trained three-year-old gains our best bet tag on Friday night. The Brazen Beau gelding comfortably accounted for all but the smart Russian Roni in the Tasmanian Guineas last time out and looks well placed to go one better in this on Friday. Harry Coffey jumps on the back of the progressive youngster for the first time and considering he has won six from nine and finished second on two other occasions, this guys just oozes class. Look for Coffey to use his early speed to negate barrier 11 and take up the running. Under a well-rated steer, we expect Bello beau to pack too many punches late on in the piece.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#12 Bello Beau (11)
3yo Gelding | T: Adam Trinder | J: Harry Coffey (55kg)
Next Best at Launceston: Elmajay
Stuart Gandy sends his three-year-old filly Elmajay to the Launceston 1200m following a couple of decent performances to begin this campaign. She has placed at her both of her runs this time in and has been given a sight out in front. From barrier two, Troy Baker will have this girl in the lead not long after the barriers open and with a few of her main market rivals drawn out, we’re hoping the tactical advantage from the low barrier draw will prove to be the difference. The Wordsmith filly was only picked off in the shadows of the winning post on the Devonport Synthetic last time out and considering she is third-up from a spell, Elmajay should prove too hard to run down with race fitness on her side.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#12 Elmajay (2)
3yo Filly | T: Stuart Gandy | J: Troy Baker (55kg)
Best Value at Launceston: Alpine Affair
With a bit of luck, we can bow out in style on Friday night when the John Blacker-trained Alpine Affair steps out over 1400m in the last. The four-year-old gelding has managed to win three of his seven starts this campaign and with Jordan Childs hopping on board, we’re hoping he can bring up a fourth victory this time in. He needs the race to be run at a genuine tempo considering he is a backmarker and with Diamond Bay a known leader and being drawn out wide, he should gain just what he wants. His turn of foot is arguably one of the best in the race and if he is within striking distance with 300m to go, Alpine Affair looks too hard to hold out.
Best Value
Race 9 – 
#2 Alpine Affair (4)
4yo Gelding | T: John Blacker | J: Jordan Childs (58.5kg)
Friday quaddie tips for Launceston races
Launceston quadrella selections
Friday, January 27, 2023
- 3-5-7-10
- 2-12
- 2-8-9
- 2-3-8-9
Investment: $96 for 100%