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Godolphin stayer Etymology has arrived in Tasmania fit and ready to extend his winning sequence in today’s $250,000 TAB Launceston Cup at Mowbray.
Etymology, a G1 placegetter who has won his last three starts in Sydney and Melbourne, dominates the Launceston Cup betting as a $2.50 favourite.
However his quest for the G3 event over 2400m was almost derailed due to delays in securing air transport from Melbourne.Etymology and fellow Launceston Cup entry Second Bullet, trained by Danny O’Brien, were grounded in Melbourne after their scheduled flight last Friday night was cancelled due to mechanical problems.
Space on an overnight cargo flight from Melbourne was not found for the two horses until Monday night with the pair landing in Launceston at 4am on Tuesday morning.Despite the travel hiccup the Godolphin stable reported that Etymology had arrived in first class condition.
"He travelled really well and looks great," reported Godolphin’s travelling foreman Necim Dilmi."The last time I saw him was when he won the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm a month ago and he looks the same now.
"He's lost no condition on the flight over and is really fit."Dilmi said Godolphin trainer James Cummings planned to continue the travels of Etymology after the Launceston Cup.
"He'll race here then go to the Adelaide Cup," he said.“The more he races the better he gets - we're really happy with him.”
Dilmi said Hobart Cup winner Eastender was the biggest threat to Etymology in the Launceston Cup.Dilmi has been in Tasmania for three weeks with the small Godolphin team and said he was impressed with what he saw from the Barry Campbell-trained Eastender in the Hobart Cup at Elwick on February 10.
"Eastender looks the hardest to beat,” Dilmi said.“He's tough and was impressive winning the Hobart Cup coming from so far back."
Damien Oliver’s mount Second Bullet arrives off a last start 2400m win at Caulfield and adds to the new rivalry for Eastender in the Launceston Cup along with the Sydney-trained front-runner Fabrizio from the Waterhouse/Bott stable.Fabrizio finished third behind Etymology in the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm two runs back and is better off in the weights this time.
He has since had a run in Melbourne where he placed in the Listed Torney Cup at Moonee Valley but he has not won for almost two years.CHRIS SCHOLTZ SELECTS: EASTENDER 1; Etymology 2; Second Bullet 3; Fabrizio 4.