A talented and capacity field of stayers will step out in this evening’s Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m) in Tasmania and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective.
The bigger races in Tasmania tend to draw several quality mainland raiders and the 2018 Launceston Cup is no exception, with the likes of Berisha ($4.80), Pretty Punk ($5) and Bondeiger ($7) and all confirmed as starters.
Berisha has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far and appears to be extremely well placed in the Launceston Cup field.
Having raced and won amongst tougher company than this in seasons gone by, the Al Samer gelding will be having only his second start for Caulfield horseman John Sadler in the Launceston Cup, but flew home to finish a close second in the Colac Cup (2000m) and will be far better at a mile-and-a-half.
Pretty Punk is another horse who has performed well throughout her entire racing career and she would not look out of place in the Launceston Cup winner’s stall.
The daughter of Rebel Raider will be stepping out for her eighth start this time on Wednesday evening, but she has been absolutely flying recently and was last seen winning the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) by a head.
Bondeiger spent years out of the winner’s stall, but the six-year-old has recorded two in a row leading into the Launceston Cup and is worth consideration at each-way odds ahead of the feature race in the Apple Isle.
The War Pass entire presented beautifully at Moonee Valley on Australia Day and justified his condition with an emotional return to winning form, before leading from start to finish in a BM82 race over 2400m at Morphettville last time out on February 10th.
Bondeiger will relish a noticeable drop in weight in the Launceston Cup and will be ridden by in-form hoop Regan Bayliss from the ideal barrier 3.
Hobart Cup placegetters Andrea Mantegna ($4.20) and Fastnet Dragon ($9.50) have also accepted into the Launceston Cup field and are both towards the top of betting.
One horse that warrants consideration in Launceston Cup betting is The Mighty Jrod, who has definitely found career-best for as a six-year-old this time in.
The Pentire gelding was a BM55 horse at best throughout the early stages of his career, but he has displayed a keen hunger for racing this time and will carry winning form into the Launceston Cup after a tough on-pace victory over classy company at Flemington on February 17th.
Jockey Daniel Ganderton will need to cross the field to take up the running from barrier 11, but the horse has been charged with carrying only 54kgs and will give them something to chase.