Australian Racing: Kapakiri can blossom at Rosehill

There’s a big day of racing in Tasmania with Launceston set to play host to two Group 3 contests.

Race 7 Launceston

Alvarinho @ 9.00

Race 8 Launceston

Alhambra Lad @ 5.50

Race 6 Rosehill

Kapakiri @ 5.50

Alvarinho for Vamos glory

The first of the Launceston Group 3 events is the seventh race of the day, the Vamos Stakes over 1400m.

Geegees Mistruth is expected to start a short-priced favourite for the race, with the three-year-old having registered some good efforts in Victoria earlier this season.

Those efforts include a third-place finish in the 1400m Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield in October.

This youngster raced on a soft 7 track that day but has gone well on a sound surface in the past, including when runner-up in Group 3 company at the same venue in August.

The daughter of Wordsmith returned to Tasmania with a two-length success in the Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes over 1200m at Hobart last month.

While Stuart Gandy’s filly looks a worthy favourite, Mystic Journey fourth ALVARINHO takes the eye at bigger odds.

The five-year-old raced from off the pace prior to being beaten just under three lengths in the previously mentioned Group 3 Mystic Journey Stakes.

Imogen Miller’s representative had previously placed in two of her three starts this season, including when third in the Listed Tasmanian Newmarket over 1200m here in November.

Alvarinho raced on wet tracks in each of those efforts, however, she has gone well on good going in the past including when placing third in this race 12 months ago.

The booking of Mark Zahra takes the eye in this contest and, jumping from barrier six, his mount may prove up to recording her first win since January last year.

Lad to record Cup win

The following race on the Launceston card is the 2400m Group 3 Launceston Cup.

Ciaron Maher looks to hold a strong hand in this race, with both Promises Kept and Strawberry Rock set to represent the handler.

Promises Kept has won once and placed second once from his two starts in Tasmania in 2025, while Strawberry Rock’s record is the same with his win coming in the Group 3 Hobart Cup last time.

The veteran registered a narrow victory over his stablemate when racing on a soft 5 track earlier this month and the pair are closely matched here.

A length back in third at Hobart was ALHAMBRA LAD who has registered two good efforts in defeat so far this year.

The seven-year-old finished runner-up in this race 12 months ago and he boasts a good barrier six from the rail with Jacob Noonan, on board last time out, booked to steer.

Trained by Patrick & Michelle Payne, the gelding was beaten five lengths when fourth in the 2200m Summer Cup held on a soft 5 track at Hobart on his penultimate start.

The blinkers worn for his last two starts are retained for this contest, while the switch to a sound surface is no issue, having performed well on the forecast good 4 going in the past.

This son of Proisir shaped as if he were building towards a win when placed last time out and he is selected to break through for his first win of the year.

Kapakiri to score at Rosehill

Globetrotting jockey James McDonald is in action at Rosehill, with his mount in the penultimate race on the card KAPAKIRI looking capable of recording a win.

The race in question is a 2400m Benchmark 78 handicap set to take place on a good 4 surface.

Kapakiri demonstrated good form over this distance last year, including when saluting by a narrow margin in a similar race to this over track and trip in July.

While unable to win since, the five-year-old has recorded some good efforts in defeat, including when runner-up over 1500m here first up this prep.

Chris Waller’s representative has finished seventh and eighth over 2000m on both subsequent starts, including when beaten just over five-and-a-half-lengths at Flemington recently.

The extra distance he tackles here is a positive, with the gelding looking capable of recording his fifth career win.