Australia: First Accused poised to win Tasmanian Guineas

Well regarded since a win in his debut in July, the 3-year-old First Accused will have his stakes debut in Friday’s $76,500 Tasmanian Guineas at Launceston Racecourse with an excellent chance to win for the fourth time in his fifth start.

First Accused won his first two starts, in July and October, before finishing third in a handicap at Hobart Racecourse on Nov. 29. Trained by Scott Brunton, First Accused rebounded to win at Launceston in a seven-furlong handicap on Dec. 16, closing from fourth in a field of seven.

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The Tasmanian Guineas, which is run at a mile, drew a field of 11. First Accused will start at the distance for the first time and is likely to have a stalking trip.

The race was scheduled for Dec. 30 at Elwick Racecourse in Hobart, but was postponed and transferred because of poor track conditions.

First Accused will start from post 9 and will have a leading rival to his inside in Warrior Prince, who drew post 7. Warrior Prince and First Accused have not meet in their brief careers at Tasmanian tracks. Warrior Prince has won 2 of 5 starts, but lost his last two starts – a second and third at Launceston since late November.

On Dec. 9, Warrior Prince was third in a seven-furlong prep race for the Tasmanian Guineas – the Steve’s Liquor 3-year-old Trophy - behind Vivilci and Freelancer who are part of the Tasmanian Guineas field. Vivilci is the only filly in the Tasmanian Guineas field and has won her last two starts, beginning with a maiden race at Launceston on Nov. 21.

The 10-race program at Launceston begins at 9:22 p.m., Eastern, or 6:22 p.m., Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering and viewing is available through DRFBets.com.

In the race following the Tasmanian Guineas, Mandela Effect will be a strong favorite in the Tasmanian Stakes at a mile. Mandela Effect, trained by Brunton, was third beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Toorak Affair in the Conquering Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 16, closing from eighth of 10.

A winner of 12 of 28 starts, Mandela Effect won the 2020 Tasmanian Stakes.