SMART open class pacer Moto Crusader would only need to reproduce his recent Tasmanian Cup-winning form two weeks ago to emerge triumphant in the Lees Orchard free-for-all that is the feature race on the mammoth 11-race card at the TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston on Sunday night.
Moto Crusader made it two Tasmania Cups in succession when he powered home to win the $40,000 race in Hobart two weeks ago.
On Sunday night he lines up against less credentialed opposition but he will still need to bring his A-game to emerge triumphant with ace reinsman Gareth Rattray in the cart.
The Zeke Slater-trained gelding is owned by Merv and Meg Butterworth who are two of the most prominent harness owners in Australia with their horses placed all around the country.
Last start Moto Crusader powered home to edge out the heavily backed odds-on favourite Im Corzin Terror from the powerful Dean Braun stable in Victoria.
While the balance of the opposition in that race was as not quite first grade it was the way the gelded son of Courage Under Fire went about his business that impressed most.
Victorian invader Amadmancomesundone looms as a possible threat.
Amadmancomesundone finished fourth in a Hobart Pacing Cup heat in Hobart last Sunday night after leading for most of the race so he should have taken benefit from that outing.
Quastor Centurion is having his third start back from a spell and he should appreciate being back in a mobile start event having galloped in a standing start event in Hobart two weeks ago.
The first two-year-old race of the season, the Keith Stanley Debutante, also features on the program and it is thanks to Victorian trainer Karlene Tindale that the race remained on the program.
Tindale and her husband Graeme transported a team of seven to Tasmania by sea last night (Thursday) of which four are two-year-olds and they all will go around in The Debutante against only three locally-owned and trained youngsters.
The trainer said Bongiorno Boys is the best of the quartet of two-year-olds having won at his only start at Albury on December 7.
Tindale also has her two three-year-olds, Mister Bigshot and Not Another De Jay engaged in race 10.
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