The 2019 Launceston Cup has developed into a hotly contested event with several well performed stayers from the mainland taking on the locals at Mowbray Racecourse in Tasmania on Wednesday in the $250,000 Group 3 feature over the 2400m.
Etymology will carry the famous Godolphin royal blue colours and the James Cummings trained six year old has been installed as the clear cut favourite ahead of the Barry Campbell trained Eastender who is the best hope for the locals.
Other well fancied contenders to cross the Bass Strait are the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fabrizio, Lamborghini from the Patrick Payne stable and Danny O’Brien’s last start Caulfield winner Second Bullet
We have analysed the entire field and our complete 2019 Launceston Cup tips can be found below.
Fabrizio
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fabrizio is yet to win beyond 1800m but has been placed over a staying distance at his last two starts. Fabrizo set the pace at both his latest outings when third over 2400m in the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm and then ran a similar race when third over 2500m in the Listed Torney Night Cup at The Valley. Looks the likely leader again and will be hard to run down.
Etymology
Etymology is racing in outstanding form with wins at his last three starts over a staying journey which includes his last start win in the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm over the same distance as the Launceston Cup. Fit and solid and will be strong at the finish again and a great chance to make it four wins on the trot.
Eastender
Eastender is set to fly the flag for the locals after producing a hat trick of wins from his last three starts, his latest in the 2400m Hobart Cup. The Barry Campbell trained Eastender is a winner over the Launceston Cup course and distance and has a great chance to take out the Hobart Cup – Launceston Cup double.
Second Bullett
The Danny O’Brien trained Second Bullet is the winner of two of his last three starts at Flemington and Caulfield and will have no trouble running out a strong 2400m in the Launceston Cup after scoring over that journey last start at Caulfield. Damien Oliver knows the eight year old very well and takes the ride again after being aboard for his last three runs and will give him a lovely run just off the speed and has high hopes.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini lived up to his name when he powered past his opposition to win a 2000m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield two starts back and heads to the Launceston Cup on the back of a second to Eastender in the 2400m Hobart Cup. Is one of the main chances again.
Snoano
Snoano was a well beaten fifth behind Eastender in the 2400m Hobart Cup and trainer Aaron Purcell has put the blinkers on the gelding hoping for an improved performance in the Launceston Cup against similar opposition.
Appmat
Appmat made it a hat trick of wins with his all the way win in a Quality Handicap at Hobart over 2100m and has each way claims again on his last start third to Eastenders in the Hobart Cup (2400m).
Speed Force
Speed Force has overall solid form with two wins and three placings from his last five starts, his latest outing a win over 2100m in an Open Handicap at Launceston. Is yet to win beyond 2100m.
Settler’s Stone
Settler’s Cove have been listed as one of the outsiders of the Launceston Cup field and looks tested on his last start sixth in the Hobart Cup (2400m).
White Hawk
White Hawk was a winner two starts back at Launceston in restricted class over 2100m but was then beaten a long way at $101 when ninth in the Hobart Cup (2400m). Will probably go out at triple figure odds again.