Tasmania’s Summer stakes racing commences on Wednesday evening with the Listed Newmarket Handicap at Launceston.
A capacity field of 14 will contest the $100,000 event on Wednesday evening.
The Barry Campbell-trained Admiral makes his return to Apple Isle racing and presently holds favouritism for the event.
It’s the ultra consistent Geegees Doublejay though who profiles as an excellent each way play.
The gelding was strong on resuming over 1100m at Hobart, settling back and finding the line well for a long neck third in the Goodwood Quality.
He was beaten on that occasion by rivals he faces here in Hellova Street and Gee Gee Red Prince.
Close in pursuit also was another rival in Tshahitsi who finished fourth.
Other Newmarket runners tonight in Gee Gees Top Notch and Up Cups were also rans in the event.
A fortnight later, Geegees Doublejay now enjoys a weight swing on each of them, varying from 1kg up to 5kg.
The son of Wordsmith meets Hellova Street 2.5kg better at the weights, runner up Gee Gee Red Prince 4kg better while getting an impressive 5kg weight swing off Tshahitsi and Gee Gees Top Notch.
Such impressive weight swings auger well of Geegees Doublejay’s chances of success on Wednesday evening.
Additionally, he will be fitter second up and is the definition of consistency having finished out of the money only twice in 28 career starts.
Furthermore he is versatile, adept on all racing surfaces and capable of being ridden both positively and quietly to good effect.
Expect the five-year-old to settle somewhere midfield behind a solid early tempo, likely set up by stablemate Gee Gee Red Prince.
Admiral returns to Tasmania after lining up in stakes company at Caulfield last month where he produced a midfield sixth at Caulfield.
He finds an easier race here and boasts a superb record at the course with eight wins from 11 visits to Launceston.
There is a query over his fitness however with the gelding likely being prepared for weight for age racing over the summer commencing next month.
A wide draw is also of concern.
Sticking with the class horses at the top of the weights shapes as the way to go.
Hellova Street profiles as an each way player off his first up win in the Goodwood.
The win came after an autumn campaign on the mainland where he was largely outclassed.
A first up effort behind the Group 1 performed Sheidel reads well in this field however.
He is another who must contend with a wide draw however should have the class to overcome it.
Lord Da Vinci was a first up winner in a small field at Hobart last month.
This is a noticeably tougher assignment and the gelding does sit outside of the handicap with Geegees Blackflash responsible for compressing the weights.
That is worth noting however he is unbeaten since arriving at the Brunton stable from mainland Victoria.
Again though, he is a runner in the market who must overcome a wide draw.
The same applies to the resuming Jerilderie Letter who resumes after a winter campaign on the mainland where he produced three solid runs from as many starts.
He has won first up in the past however will be better over slightly further.
Geegees Doublejay shapes as an excellent each way play in tonight’s feature at Launceston, the Listed $100,000 Wordsmith Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
