3 minute read
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Runaway is the interesting entry in Wednesday’s $250,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup over 2400m.
In Brief
- Runaway looms as top winning chance in Launceston Cup.
- Toorak Affair's trainer upbeat about her chance in Cup.
- Captain Cook Stapes' best each-way cup chance.
The gelding won a Geelong Cup just prior to contesting the 2018 Melbourne Cup but subsequently went on to contest hurdle races last winter.
At his third run this time in he won last start over 2000m at Flemington, coming from last to win convincingly and as the rank outsider at $31 with Damian Oliver aboard.
"We believe Runaway has hit his straps at the right time and on his exposed form I believe he will be extremely competitive, and we have booked Sam Clipperton to ride him," Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott said from Sydney yesterday.
"We put him over the jumps last season because he showed a liking for it, but stayers often revert back to flat racing and this horse is one that is quite proficient on the flat.
"The horse is in good order and I would expect a very forward showing from him on Wednesday."
The connections of Hobart Cup winner Double You Tee are chasing a lucrative Cups Double bonus of $100,000.
The bonus is on offer for any horse that wins the Hobart-Launceston cup double in the same season with the bonus shared equally by the owner and trainer.
Double You Tee has been installed favourite at $3.20 with Hobart Cup minor placegetters Classic Weiwei ($8) and Barade ($4) well in the market and the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott-trained Runaway, which has returned to form last start with a win at Flemington, thrown into the mix at $5.
The Patrick Payne-trained gelding was seriously penalised by the handicapper for his Hobart Cup win and will carry 4.5kg more than he lugged to victory in Hobart, which makes him the top weight with 59kg.
"The extra weight is a concern, but it is probably relevant given what nominated for the race," Payne said.
"The horse is well, and he is no stranger to the Launceston track having raced in Tasmania as a younger horse and I know he goes into Wednesday's race in top order."
The Charlie Goggin and Luella Meaburn-trained Captain Cook was fourth in the Hobart Cup despite having to race no better than three-wide the trip but from barrier two, rider Brendon Mccoull should be able to secure safe passage.
"He had a strong gallop at Seven Mile Beach on Saturday morning and Brendon (McCoull) was very happy with him," Goggin said.
The former Chris Waller-trained gelding was backed as soon as markets went up forming from $26 to $18, so he looms as one of the best each-way bets in the race.
Last year's Hobart Cup winner Toorak Affair looked a tad disappointing in this year's Hobart 17 days ago, but the shifty track may have dented her chances and her trainer Michael Trinder is very upbeat about her chances to atone on Wednesday.
Adam Trinder's lightly raced stayer Supalopo has powered through the grades this preparation winning his past five on end, including a last-start victory in the Night Cup (2100m) in Launceston two weeks ago that gave him ballot-free entry into today's race.
"We may be getting to this race 12 months too early, but he has earned his chance and the horse goes into the race in top order," Trinder said.
Good money has already come for Barade, firming to $4 and Classic Weiwei ($8) is bound to have support closer to race starts time-based on his second to Double You Tee in Hobart as he meets the favourite four kilograms better at the weights.
