There is more black type racing scheduled in the Apple Isle this week, and the Group 3 Launceston Cup headlines an exciting midweek program!
There are ten winners to be found, and I have done all the heavy lifting for you below in my 2022 Launceston Cup Day Tips & Preview.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Concept Logistics Interstate Transport Maiden (1200m) – 1:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 The Poodle
The Poodle hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but he showed promise during his debut prep, and he can break his maiden first-up on Launceston Cup Day.
The Magnus gelding showed promise at the trials prior to debuting, and he kept his best work for late when third here at Launceston in October.
He was kept up the mark with a trial between starts and only just missed behind the promising Fivefingerdiscount at Traralgon last time.
His recent trial suggested that he is ready to strike.
Elite Racing Solutions Maiden (1400m) – 1:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Quindi Pensi
Quindi Pensi has improved for two starts back this time, and I think that he can break his maiden at Launceston this week.
The So You Think gelding ran home well into sixth at Moe when resuming, and he only just missed behind Bell Ringer Boy here last time.
Fitter third-up and at the 1400m, this looks his chance.
Shedcorptas Class 1 Handicap (1400m) – 2:14pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Bell Ringer Boy
Bell Ringer Boy broke his maiden here last time out, and he looks well placed to begin his rise through the grades on Launceston Cup Day.
The four-year-old son of Clangalang has missed placing only once in his six appearances at the races so far, and he was rewarded for his improving condition with an eye-catching win last time.
This is harder, but he has options from the rails draw and will get some relief in the weights under a claiming apprentice.
Transmo Tasmania BM66 Handicap (2100m) – 2:49pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Encosta Fiorente
This is a drop in class for Encosta Fiorente, and she rates as a key winning chance.
The Fiorente mare returned plenty of impressive performances earlier in her prep, winning here at Launceston.
She was worthy of a throw at the stumps in the Group 3 Hobart Cup last week, but it did prove to be a bridge too far, and she’ll relish the drop in class this week.
PFD Food Services 3YO Classic (1200m) – 3:24pm AEDT
Tip: Same Race Multi
Turk Warrior bounced back from his first career defeat on Hobart Cup Day, and he can win again on Launceston Cup Day.
The Outreach gelding won each of his first eight career starts in style, including a couple at black type level, and finally suffered his first career defeat at the hands of Alpine Wolf in the Tasmanian Guineas.
He was far too good for his rivals last time out, and he’ll only be better this week.
There isn’t any value left in his win quote, so I am going to pump up my odds with this Same Race Multi:
- 1 Turk Warrior (Win)
- 7 Emily (Top 2)
- 3 Epic Song (Top 4)
Kevin Sharkie Royal Rambo Quality (1200m) – 3:59pm AEDT
Tip: No. 9 Galenus
Galenus is ready to strike third-up on Launceston Cup Day.
The Scott Brunton-trained galloper returned a nice effort to finish fourth, beaten three lengths at Flemington when resuming, and he looked to suffer from a little second-up syndrome last time out.
Fitter third-up and under Siggy Carr, I think that this looks the perfect race for him.
Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) – 4:34pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Yes Baby Yes
This is a strong edition of the Vamos Stakes, with some leading locals set to be joined by a smart contingent of interstate raiders.
Yes Baby Yes has returned some bold efforts and recorded some strong wins throughout her career, and I’m going to have something on her first-up this week.
The Dissident mare went to a new level for the Corstens’ last year, and won the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield most notably.
With even luck, I’m confident that her class edge will take her a long way towards winning.
Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (2400m) – 5:10pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Ho Ho Khan
Ho Ho Khan was far too good for most of these horses in the Hobart Cup last week, and he looms as the one to beat again in the Launceston Cup.
The Mitch Freedman-trained galloper has found career best form this time in, and he filled the minors in the Wodonga Cup when resuming, before a luckless run behind Parry Sound in the Group 3 Summer Cup.
He bounced back with an impressive win over some handy gallopers at Caulfield, and his performance following a freshen up here last time was the best of his career.
Any improvement on that effort and he’ll be winning again.
Listed Mowbray Stakes (1600m) – 5:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Shot Of Irish
The Mowbray Stakes has also drawn a talented and open field of milers, and a horse like Shot Of Irish looks to be a winning chance at a lovely price ($9 at publish).
Shot Of Irish hasn’t won for some time, but he has still managed to return some competitive efforts amongst above-average company.
He returned from a freshen-up to finish fifth, beaten only a length and a half in the Thomas Lyons last time out, the rise in trip this week suits, and any improvement would see him into the finish.
City Of Launceston BM62 Handicap (1200m) – 6:20pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Fivefingerdiscount
Fiverfingerdiscount returned to winning form on Hobart Cup Day, and I think that he will win the last on Launceston Cup Day as well.
The Joel Flannery-trained gelding has recorded two wins and two second placings from his four career starts to date, and he was far too good for them in the Apple Isle last time.
He too will enjoy improvement this week, and he will relish a drop in the weights under Erica Byrne Burke.