Tasracing

Anglea Brakey-trained six-year-old gelding White Hawk assured himself a place in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup field next start, with a strong win in the Armidale Stud Night Cup over 2150 metres in Launceston Wednesday.

Traditionally one of the final lead-up races to the Group 3 Cup in a fortnight, several of Wednesday night’s field were on trial to see whether a Cup berth would be warranted, and after finishing 10th of 10 in the 2019 version, White Hawk showed he is set to do much better this year.

Ridden by Bulent Muhcu who has been aboard the gelding for multiple wins in the past, White Hawk settled midfield but made his run well before the home turn, stealing a winning break over Settler’s Stone ($5.50) who landed at the tail of the field and finished with the fastest closing sectionals of the race.

The win was a relief for Brakey with her horse overcoming a few issues just to get to Wednesday night’s race.

“I didn’t know whether we’d make it this far or even to this race because he’s had quite a few issues with his feet in the last couple of months,” said Brakey about the son of Tough Speed who has raced with Concussion Plates at his last two starts.

The winning ride by Muhcu was an excellent one, timing his run perfectly down the side of the track to eventually hold a 0.4 length margin on the line.

“I was a little bit concerned because he was back further then he normally is, but Bulent knows him really well and he knows he’s got to go early, which he did,” explained the trainer.

Settler’s Stone was an eye-catching run to close into a clear second and he will head to the Launceston Cup next start which is likely to be the swan song for the eight-year-old’s racing career. Race favourite Mitrust ($3.30) ground into third, while the immediate racing future of Speed Force ($3.80) looks unclear after he raced well below his best to finish sixth.

Watch the replay of White Hawk winning ballot-free entry into the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup on Wednesday: