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Arguably the biggest day on the Tasmanian Racing calendar is headlined by Wednesday’s Launceston Cup.

The Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m) is all about one horse – Aurora's Symphony, who is looking for a record third win in a row having been successful two years running and coming into this year in arguably the best form of his life.

I say arguably, but by the Timeform ratings, he is actually in the best form of his career, coming off a last start peak rating of 112 to win the Hobart Cup in fine fashion with 59.5kg.

A repeat of that effort is likely to see him win on Wednesday. Only one winner in history has run up to that number to win the Hobart Cup- Geegees Blackflash in 2015.

That said, doing it while conceding 6.5kg to most of the field means he'll have to at least match his last start rating to be holding them out. I think he's certainly capable of doing that, especially given he draws for an identical run as he got at Hobart.

The horses that filled the placings, Wyclif and Grand Pierro, were well enough beaten that I don't think the weight will be enough to turn the tables. The interesting one out of the race is Alhambra Lad given he started favourite.

He destroyed the locals in the Summer Cup prior and did early work in the Hobart Cup with Jye Mcneil saying he pulled too hard, eventually dropping out to finish eighth. I'd expect he's ridden quieter here- whether that's a good thing I don't know but he can bounce back.

The only one really bringing different form is Excelleration, and he is interesting, coming off a dominant win in the Great Western Cup. That form is definitely a rung below these but he did run to 98 with Timeform, which at the weights, has him right up there.

He's never raced over further than 2000m and for a seven-year-old he's very lightly raced with 17 starts under the belt. I find it interesting that he has raced Aurora's Symphony before, in last year's Colac Cup where he started $1.70 and ran second by 0.5 lengths to Aurora's Symphony at $9.

He looks to be going as well as ever and I don't think 2400m will be any issue. That said, I find it hard to get away from Aurora's Symphony here. He looks to get an ideal run behind the speed and even with the big weight, I think he can get the job done. Excelleration and Alhambra Lad can round out the trifecta.

Ladbrokes Launceston Cup

Tip: #1 Aurora's Symphony at $3.40 with Ladbrokes*

*Odds correct at 10:30, 26/2/24