Today the latest feature of the 2011 Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival will take place at Launceston with a crack field of three-year-old fillies set to contest the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m).
Due to run as Launceston Race 8 this evening at 9:46pm (AEDST), the 2011 Tasmanian Oaks has attracted a capacity final field of 12 horses lead by two early favourites, #12 La Fantastique and #2 Exchanges.
La Fantastique is the narrow favourite in the Tasmanian Oaks betting at Luxbet paying $3.40 followed closely by $3.80 second elect Exchanges.
Drawn mid-field in barrier six, the Robert Smerdon-trained Victorian filly La Fantastique is heading to Tasmania for the first time to race in the Oaks.
Back at home the daughter of Fantastic Light enjoyed her maiden win at Ballarat over the mile storming home to win by an emphatic six lengths in the Commander Centre Maiden Plate on January 23.
Last start she could only manage to finish fourth in the Browns Sawdust Handicap at Moonee Valley.
Exchanges has drawn even better for the Tasmanian Oaks, Lee Freedman’s well-bred Domesday filly set to start from gate three with Ben Melham in the mount.
Fellow Victorian raider Exchanges is coming off the ideal lead-up here having run second to Le Bel Away in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at this track back on January 27 before being narrowly defeated in the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) at Hobart last start.
Today however it is Strutt Stakes’ winner Tough Chik that we have rated special to win the Tasmanian Oaks.
2011 Tasmanian Oaks Tips – Launceston Race 8 Betting
- Races.com.au Favourite: #4 Tough Chik – Bet now at Luxbet
- Best Place / Exotics: #2 Exchanges, #5 Le Bel Away and #7 Longway To The Top
Local Royston Carr-trained filly Tough Chik suffered a blow with a wide barrier 11 draw for the Oaks, however she has the talent and time over the 2100m to overcome this and score a good win at nice odds.
After running fourth in the Thousand Guineas, Tough Chik returned to form with a good victory in the Strutt Stakes last start from a wider draw.
Currently Luxbet are paying $4.80 for Tough Chik in their Tasmanian Oaks betting markets, so now is the time to back her before prices shorten.
Exchanges’ draw and form cannot be ignored and she will run a close second.
To finish off the winning Tasmanian Oaks Trifecta tonight we like Le Bel Away (barrier four), the Darren Weir-trained daughter of Bel Esprit impressive with her two length win in the Thousand Guineas here before finishing an unlucky third in the Strutt Stakes after striking interference early.
A nice roughie to add into your First Four wagers on the Oaks through Luxbet is $26 chance Longway To The Top, drawn ideally in barrier two and coming off a last start win here albeit against easier company.
To take advantage of our exclusive Tasmanian Oaks betting tips before tonight’s showdown, head to leading online bookmaker Luxbet now!
2011 Tasmanian Oaks Final Field & Barrier Draw
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight (kg) | H. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROSE OF SCOTLAND | Charlie Goggin | Justin Hamer | 10 | 55 | 73 |
| 2 | EXCHANGES | Lee Freedman | Ben Melham | 3 | 55 | 76 |
| 3 | MAGNETOSPHERE | Barry Campbell | Anthony Darmanin | 13 | 55 | 66 |
| 4 | TOUGH CHIK | Royston Carr | Kelvin Sanderson | 11 | 55 | 76 |
| 5 | LE BEL AWAY | Darren Weir | Brendon McCoull | 4 | 55 | 76 |
| 6 | SEEKING CHI | Charlie Goggin | David Pires | 7 | 55 | 65 |
| 7 | LONGWAY TO THE TOP | John Blacker | Dean Holland | 2 | 55 | 65 |
| 8 | GIGGLESWICK | Lee Freedman | Steven King | 14 | 55 | 64 |
| 9 | CLAN MCLEOD | John Keys | Lincoln Coffey | 8 | 55 | 64 |
| 10 | FABULOUSLY FAKE | Adam Trinder | Remi Tremsal | 9 | 55 | 59 |
| 11 | WINAY WAYNA | Gary White | Craig Newitt | 12 | 55 | 64 |
| 12 | LA FANTASTIQUE | Robert Smerdon | Jason Maskiell (a) | 6 | 55 | 65 |
| 13e | STELLA’S ROSE | Mark Riley | Michael Walker | 1 | 55 | 59 |
| 14e | DEMENTOR | Mark Everett | Shannon Brazil | 5 | 55 | 56 |
