Sorry Bill Out To End Launceston Drought

CHRISTMAS Gift winner Sorry Bill will be chasing six wins from his past seven appearances when he steps out over the 515m at Launceston tonight.

Trained by Lynden Nichols, the son of Barcia Bale and Irisize has been in blistering form in recent weeks, taking out last Tuesday's Christmas Gift at Devonport in stylish fashion, running 25.88.

"At Hobart and Devonport he wants wide boxes but you don't want any dog drawn out wide over the 500 at Launceston so box three is good for him tonight," Nichols said.

"I'd be surprised if he doesn't win or run second looking at the field; the race looks between him and the ($1.60) favourite (Connected)."

Sorry Bill goes into tonight's fifth race on the program with five previous Launceston performances under his belt, the well-bred chaser yet to register a place.

"Only two of those runs have been over 500 though so don't look too much into that. He ran fourth over the 500 a few weeks back and got checked a few times, it was quite a good run actually," Nichols explained.

"He's probably more a 600 dog I'd say – he's very strong. When he first came over here from Victoria he was flying in trials but he ran into the lure in a trial at Devonport and it set him back a few months with injuries. When he did return he was a little shy in fields so his early form wasn't flash. He's come right along now though."

Nichols ventures to Launceston tonight with two runners engaged, the second of those last start winner Decisions, set to exit box one in race nine over the 278-metre scamper.

"Last week was just her third win in 64 starts," said Nichols of the older half-sister to Sorry Bill.

"Box one is a plus for her tonight but with her record it's hard to be confident. She generally goes very quick for the first 30-40 metres and then it's a matter of whether she gets shuffled out of it or not. Last week she didn't and she got away with it but tonight is a stronger race."

Early favourite for tonight's ninth event at $2.20 is box three runner Got The Double for Sue Gittus while second in markets is the Rod Walker-trained Star For Me.

The son of Rewind returns to racing having been on the sidelines since August.