Friday Horse Racing Tips & Best Bets for October 2, 2026

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Launceston Betting Tips for October 2, 2026 - Fuel On The Fire Ready to Ignite

Martin Pennington

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Last updated: Thu. 01 Oct. 2026 05:56

Martin Pennington 01 Oct. 2026

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Launceston holds an eight-race Friday night meeting on October 2
Best bets: Thickskinned, Fuel On The Fire, Diamond Indaruf, and Gee Gees Me Boy
Soft 6 track, favourable draws, and proven recent form support selections

Expired

Friday night racing heads to Launceston for an eight-race program under lights. (Getty)

Launceston stages an eight-race Friday night card on October 2.

Launceston Tips October 2
ROCT Owners Race Night Benchmark 60 Handicap Tips (Race 2)
Congrats Denise Martin Class 3 Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Ladbrokes Supporting ROCT Class 1 Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Field Family Benchmark 68 Handicap Tips (Race 6)

The track is currently rated a Soft 6, with the rail in the true position.

For the latest odds on the major spring features, browse the Group 1 Futures Markets.

Launceston Tips October 2

ROCT Owners Race Night Benchmark 60 Handicap Tips (Race 2)

Launceston Value Bet - Race 2 No. 5 Diamond Indaruf

A strong return at Wangaratta at the end of July gives Diamond Indaruf plenty of appeal here, with the Matthew Brown-trained mare beaten less than half a length when finishing second over 1000m in Benchmark 56 company.

She began well on that occasion and handled the rain-affected ground comfortably, while a subsequent heavy defeat in stronger company at Sale can be forgiven.

Wide barriers worked against the daughter of Magnus in both runs this preparation, but she has fared much better with the draw this time and should enjoy a more economical passage.

The drop back in distance also looks suitable, while Ruby Lamont’s claim further helps her cause as she returns to Benchmark 60 company.

Cranbourne-based trainer Matthew Brown has enjoyed success sending runners to Tasmania, and Diamond Indaruf looks capable of producing the third victory of her career.

Congrats Denise Martin Class 3 Handicap Tips (Race 4)

Launceston Best Bet - Race 4 No. 3 Thickskinned

Thickskinned caught the eye on return at Devonport Synthetic last month, finishing second at big odds over 1150m in Class 3 company and going down by less than two lengths.

That form received an immediate boost at Launceston last week, with the winner going on to score in Benchmark 76 company and the third-place finisher also running second.

The rise in distance should suit after the gelding showed his effectiveness over further when winning at this circuit in January.

That previous Launceston success came on Soft ground, while his racing pattern should allow him to settle off the speed and build into the race.

Erica Byrne-Burke takes the ride after Thickskinned tuned up with a good second in an 800m Longford trial last week, giving him every chance to turn a promising return into a victory.

Ladbrokes Supporting ROCT Class 1 Handicap Tips (Race 5)

Launceston Next Best Bet - Race 5 No. 1 Fuel On The Fire

Four solid performances from as many starts this preparation have Fuel On The Fire knocking on the door, including a third on his first visit to Launceston last time.

The Stuart Gandy-trained gelding raced prominently from barrier 13 over 1420m and stuck on well for third in Class 1 company despite being forced to work from the wide draw.

His maiden victory at Hobart in June provides an especially strong form reference, with the second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh from that 1200m event all winning subsequently.

Barrier six gives him a much kinder setup this time and should allow him to take up another prominent position without doing anywhere near as much early work.

Still open to improvement and with Luke Dempsey taking the ride for the first time, the son of Tough Speed looks well placed to register career win number two.

Field Family Benchmark 68 Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Launceston Roughie - Race 6 No. 8 Gee Gees Me Boy

Two third-place finishes from as many runs this preparation have Gee Gees Me Boy ticking over nicely, with the latest coming over this course and distance last month.

Sent around at a big price in that Benchmark 64, the six-year-old raced prominently from barrier eight and battled on strongly to finish just over two lengths from the winner on Good ground.

The return to a rain-affected surface holds no fears given he owns two victories and several further placings on Soft tracks, providing another solid foundation for the rise in grade.

Carleen Hefel takes the ride and the inside draw should give her plenty of options with a gelding who has shown he can race handy.

The son of Wordsmith has performed well at this level previously and, despite stepping back into Benchmark 68 company, looks capable of giving the Stuart Gandy stable a result at big odds.

Verdict

Launceston - October 2

Our Launceston selections for Friday, October 2 are:

Thickskinned

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Fuel On The Fire

To Win

$3.20 - 3 Units

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Diamond Indaruf

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$6.50 - 2 Units

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Gee Gees Me Boy

Each Way

$16.00 - 1 Unit

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