Race 5 at Launceston tonight is the Vamos Stakes, a Group 3 race for mares run at 8:40pm AEDT, under lights – and it looks like we can find a winner.
From what I can ascertain there have been only eight previous editions as the Vamos, and this year it looks to be a race in three.
Taking a look at the recent history for a guide:
Previous winners include Rebel Bride in 2014, and Lady Lynette three times.
The three main contenders appear to be 1. LADY LAKSHMI, 4. GOODFUN GIRL and 7. MISS MIDDLETON.
Miss Middleton is one of interest – I would certainly go with her based on her last run, but the wide barrier and apprentice aboard have me a bit wary. She has won twice at this track though from wide barriers, once at this distance. She has no option but to go back in the race which is her normal pattern, and that isn’t the right scenario for this race. It seems a bit unlikely they would ride her any other way.
Lady Lakshmi and Goodfun Girl have met twice before and the Lady has defeated her comfortably on both occasions, once in the wet which is preferable for her. Dry conditions should prevail tomorrow.
Lady Lakshmi has drawn the ideal sort of barrier though, whereas Goodfun Girl has drawn barrier 1.
Lady Lakshmi is also Group 3 placed, and that means she is well weighted here at the set weights conditions of the race. She has won third up at 2 of her last 3 preparations, and her trainer did state in a recent article that the first up run with a big weight was really only a trial.
Her last run was solid without being an eye catcher, but this is her distance, she can race near the pace, and this was always going to be her grand final according to the stable. Although she isn’t a Tasmanian mare (the only historical flaw), at least she has had the run here and that is another reason I favour her over Goodfun Girl.
The rest have big questions marks on the grounds of distance and/or class suitability. Having said that this may be the weakest edition of this race for some time.
That provides some small hope for At The Weekend, with a strong 4/4 record at the distance, and with a good first up record. She can race forward but historically fresh and coming from a wide barrier aren’t plusses.
Looking forward to this one and the distinct possibility of a first mainland winner.
1. Lady Lakshmi
2. Miss Middleton
3. Goodfun Girl
4. AT The Weekend
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
