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Trainer Brendan McShane has outlined some ambitious plans for his 3YO Thanatos ($5.50 – $8.50) who scored an emphatic victory at just his third race start in the 1600m maiden in Launceston on Friday night.

Trainer Brendan Mcshane has outlined some ambitious plans for his 3YO Thanatos ($5.50 – $8.50) who scored an emphatic victory at just his third race start in the 1600m maiden in Launceston on Friday night.

"He goes to the ($125,000) Launceston Guineas (2100m), then the ($150,00 Tasmanian) Derby (2200m) if he can continue to take the steps in the right direction; that last 600m would be pretty impressive I think," Mcshane said.

Thonatus raced well back in the field from a wide barrier and travelled three wide with cover for most of the trip, but in the end, made the opposition look second-rate.

"I was pretty comfortable throughout the run; he settled well, just down the side. I had a few witches hats I had to negotiate around, but once he got to the outside straightening, he was always going to win," jockey Craig Newitt added.

Newitt made it a winning double for the night with a dashing ride aboard General Assembly ($12) in the 1400m BM68.

Newitt allowed the 4YO to bowl along in front and booted away with a winning break as they turned for home. The winning margin was 3.25 lengths. Zewinna ($7) and Just A Tribute ($5) ran on from the tail of the field to finish second and third.

After an eye-catching second placing in Hobart, Better Than Banksy went one better in Launceston, coming from last approaching the home turn to grab the lead in the shadows of the post for an impressive win in a BM60 (1200m).

The 4YO has been terrific this campaign, with two wins and a second from five starts.

Better Than Banksy (B.Muhcu) wins a BM60 in Launceston on 12 January.

"We've been really lucky with him; he's going to go the paddock for five days, give him a little freshen up; he's got pretty ordinary knees, we've been maintaining him, and he's rewarding us," trainer Gary White said.

Better Than Banksy was well supported ($4.60) and beat the Adam Trinder -trained pair, Gallant Warriors ($5.50) and Cherokee Dancer  ($5.00). Both placegetters should be winning soon.