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Feature racing continues in the Apple Isle on Wednesday for the 2024 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The time-honoured staying race always produces a quality contest, and there's plenty of storylines to look forward to this week.
Aurora's Symphony is chasing a third-consecutive win in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup, and after blowing them away in the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup last time out, he has enjoyed a seamless preparation for it.
Topweight and some classy rivals stand in his way, but Aurora's Symphony has opened favourite in 2024 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup betting.
2024 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Betting Strategy
► 3 Units Aurora's Symphony (Win)
► 1 Unit Grand Pierro (Win)
1 – Aurora's Symphony (2)
Talented Tasmanian specialist chasing a third-consecutive win in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
Always showed ability, but just goes to another level in the Apple Isle and after winning a BM100 at Flemington in January, returned to the Apple Isle to record a dominant win in the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.
He has been charged with carrying 61.5kgs, but he's hard fit and with the $100,000 Hobart Cup/Launceston Cup double bonus on the line, he'll be right in the finish again.
2 – Alhambra Lad (6)
Beaten Ladbrokes Hobart Cup favourite that is looking to bounce back.
Alhambra Lad's form prior to his last-start flop was good, and after running second to Group 1 winner Regal Power back in December, he gave them a galloper lesson over 2200m at Hobart; the reason for his clear favouritism last time out.
He's hard fit and drawn to receive every chance, and he rates as a genuine danger to the early favourite on Wednesday, particularly in taking 6kgs from that galloper.
3 – Wyclif (9)
Ciaron Maher has sent Wyclif to Launceston for this year's Cup, and he could prove to be the value in betting ($7.50 at publish).
The Archipenko gelding hasn't won a race since September, but he turned in some competitive performances throughout the Spring Carnival, and he was an eye-catching second behind Aurora's Symphony in the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.
He's another that strikes this race in peak order and Carleen Hefel has retained the ride.
4 – Grand Pierro (5)
Jason Warren's stable is flying, and Grand Pierro has attracted plenty of early interest in Ladbrokes Launceston Cup betting.
Grand Pierro was freshened after filling the minors in the Listed Bagot Handicap on New Year's Day and returned to action for the same result behind Aurora's Symphony.
He has plenty of upside and is drawn to receive an ideal run under Craig Williams.
5 – Ashy Boy (3)
Ashy Boy looks to be the leading contender of those locally trainer in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup field, particularly if the market is to be believed.
Ashy Boy recorded consecutive wins at Hobart and Devonport back in December and January respectively, and after running three and a half lengths second to Alhambra Lad, he was last seen finishing fourth, beaten just under five lengths in the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.
Whether or not he's good enough to turn around the margin on a couple of his key rivals this week we're obviously yet to find out, but he isn't open to as much improvement, and he rates an each way contender at the double-figures.
6 – Excelleration (4)
Great Western Cup winner Excelleration will make his Tasmania debut in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
Excelleration has proven to be the stable star for Ballarat-based horseman, Richard Cully, for a couple of seasons now, and after stripping fitter for a couple of fair efforts first and second up this time, he was utterly dominant at his latest.
This is a reasonably large rise in class, but he has drawn ideally under recent Group 1 winning jockey Harry Coffey, and he is the early market mover at Ladbrokes ($6.50 into $5).
7 – Assaranca (10)
Assraranca hasn't show n a lot in five runs back from a spell and has gone up at Ladbrokes Launceston Cup odds of $31.
He's hard fit but will need luck in running from the outside barrier and plenty of improvement on his recent efforts to figure in the finish.
8 – Rising Light (1)
Rising Light hasn't won a race for well over a year and has been up and racing for a long time.
She went up at long Ladbrokes Launceston Cup odds and has continued to drift since then.
9 – I'm So Cool (8)
I'm So Cool faces a big rise in class into the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup field, but he has been racing in good and consistent form at a weaker grade recently and is deserving of his position.
Of those at long odds on Ladbrokes Launceston Cup betting, he does look one capable of fighting into the finish three or four, and carrying only 54kgs helps that cause.
10 – Vintage Diesel (7)
At publish, Vintage Diesel is up at Ladbrokes Launceston Cup odds on $71 and is therefore the rank outsider in the market.
His form at a weaker grade recently has only been fair, and another short of a career-best performance would be required for him to compete.
