Racing
Cup Day fields locked in on Friday
After less than a length separated the first four across the line in the recent Hobart Cup, the rematch in next Wednesday’s $250,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (2400m) can hardly arrive quickly enough.
17 nominations were received for the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup, and when the field is locked in on Friday morning, a similar number (13) to the Hobart Cup is expected.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott -trained Major Beel has made the trip across for Launceston and will carry the top weight of 60kg. As a 104-rater, his presence will result in a compressed weight scale for the race, given Taramansour (97) is the next highest rated.
Hobart Cup winner Blonde Star aims to become the first horse since Eastender in 2019 to win the Hobart and Launceston Cup double, while Distrustful Award is back to defend his 2025 Launceston Cup title.
In total, 169 nominations were received across the 10 races programmed for Cup Day, which is shaping to be a brilliant finale to the thoroughbred portion of the 25/26 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival.
Sanniya is poised to follow in the footsteps of Geegees Mistruth and complete the Mystic Journey/Vamos double as a three-year-old, and the Hellova Street Stakes (1600m) will see another clash between the Thomas Lyons quinella of Steparty and Durazzo.
Cup Day acceptances are expected to be released by 10:30 on Friday morning. The Launceston Cup barrier draw will take place after race 4 on Friday night in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar on course during the Tasmanian Oaks meeting.
