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Trainer John Luttrell is confident a 1.5kg weight increase will not stop Tasmanian star Geegees Blackflash completing the Hobart- Launceston Cup double at Mowbray next Wednesday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Geegees Blackflash faces his biggest test in the $225,000 AAMI Launceston Cup (2400m) after receiving the topweight of 60kg.
Luttrell's star is unbeaten in five starts this preparation with his great run of form earning him the highest weight in the Launceston Cup over New Zealand stayer Titch, the winner of last year's Group One Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.
Luttrell said going up 1.5kg on the weight Geegees Blackflash carried to win the Hobart Cup (2200m) at Elwick on February 12 should not trouble his stayer.
"He's earned the weight and I can't see him having a problem with 60kg," Luttrell said.
"It's no drama really. He's carried that type of weight before."Geegees Blackflash ran third in last year's Launceston Cup carrying the limit weight of 53kg as a 100/1 chance but will start close to favourite this year.
"He was beaten half a length last year, but he's had a better preparation this time around," Luttrell said.
"I reckon he goes better at Mowbray than Elwick. His form there is impeccable.
"When he travels away from home, he seems to relax better in his races.'
"He's in perfect condition and the 2400 metres won't bother him. Now all we need is to draw a good barrier."
If Geegees Blackflash wins the Launceston Cup he will be the first Tasmanian-trained winner in nine years and the 19th stayer to complete the big double.
Mainland trained horses have won the last eight Launceston Cups since local trainer George Blacker won with St Andrews in 2002-03.
The last winner of the Hobart Cup and Launceston Cup in the same year was the Peter Moody-trained Zacielo in 2004.
Peter Mertens retains the ride on Geegees Blackflash, giving him the chance to become the tenth jockey to win the Hobart Cup and I Launceston Cup double in the same year.
The Launceston Cup field will be declared on Friday.
LAUNCESTON CUP WEIGHTS
Geegees Blackflash 60kg; Titch, Dream Pedlar 58.5kg; Sea Galleon 56kg; Roi D'Jeu 55kg; Viking Hero, Fieldmaster 54.5kg, Apprehend, Montgomery 54.5kg; Prevailing, Dream Flyer, Placement, Heez Born Lucky, Keep Control, Brave Mukky, Sidecar, Mr Isaac, Uboa, Tanah Lot, The Night's Hot, The Southern, Bouggie Danzer, Debecca, Colonial Gold, Fugitive Lass, Alberts Son, Lamenting 54kg.
