The fast approaching Group 2 Launceston Cup series will take further shape tonight with the running of the Buckle Up Wes At Stud Rising Stars Final over the 515 metres.
Two heats of tonight’s $2,050 to-the-winner finale were staged last Monday where setting the pace was the Ben Englund-trained Wynburn Dancer, defeating red hot favourite Raging Ralston by a neck in 29.88.
The other heat was won by Definite Signs for Anthony Bullock, the son of Spring Gun downing Wynburn Lethal by two lengths in 30 seconds even.
With the $40,000 to-the-winner Launceston Cup set to get underway on February 10, tonight’s Rising Stars finale will in all likelihood be the final hit-out for a number of trainer Ted Medhurst’s key cup hopefuls.
“As a rule, I like to give my dogs the week off leading into a big race,” Medhurst told.
Medhurst has qualified half the field for tonight’s Rising Stars Final, with Raging Ralston from box one joined by Connected (three), Havilah Kid (four) and Mr. Camacho (five).
Raging Ralston’s narrow second last Monday extended his Launceston record to four wins and three seconds from the eight starts but despite the glowing numbers, is nowhere near the force he is at Hobart.
The equation for the son of My Bro Fabio is pretty simple tonight; run up to the spectacular 29.49 he posted when scoring at the circuit on December 23 and he’ll take home the Rising Stars trophy with ease.
Race eight on tonight’s program, the Cheryl Sutton invitation over the 515 metres, will prove another strong form reference towards the upcoming Launceston Cup as well.
Prolific winner Nitro Sambar takes his place for trainer Paul Hili, pitted up against 2019 Launceston Cup runner-up Be Like Bill for trainer Blake Pursell.
Early markets have Nitro Sambar the red-hot $1.50 favourite from his box one draw ahead of Be Like Bill from box two at an attractive $3.80.
An eight-time Launceston winner, Be Like Bill showed he was on song for another Launceston Cup assault with a 29.92 victory at the circuit earlier this month, the 22nd win of his career.
Next week’s Launceston program will see the inaugural running of the ‘Showdown’ run and won over the 515 metres, the hand-picked field the final lead up to the cup series which gets underway on February 10.
Buckle in for a few big weeks of racing!