Once one of the most forgettable black type races on the Australian racing calendar, the resurgence of interstate raiders accepting into the Launceston Cup field has restored some of the glory that was lost when horses like Up Cups were winning.
The 2019 Launceston Cup will be run and won in the Apple Isle on Wednesday afternoon and there is every chance that Godolphin will continue their outstanding start to 2019 after James Cummings accepted with Etymology. It’s also unsurprising to see the multiple Group 1 placegetter as a pretty firm favourite in the market.
Wednesday is always a terrific day of racing and you can bolster your preparation by checking out our 2019 Launceston Cup tips below.
I have been a fanboy of Godolphin since James Cummings liberated the Australian arm of the group and I am more than happy to follow Etymology into another very winnable race on Wednesday. He’s been a pretty strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career, but really does look to have returned in career-best form this time and is seeking a fourth-consecutive win when he takes his place in the Launceston Cup field. I backed this bloke to win both the Victoria and South Australian Derbies, and this win would take me another small step closer to realising my own Group 1 potential.
I do love a Gai Waterhouse horse on an interstate mission and it would not surprise to see Fabrizio fighting out the finish of the Launceston Cup. He’s continued to find as Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have stepped him out in trip this time and has finished third in three Listed races, including the Torney Night Cup (2500m) in the lead-up to this. I’m expecting him to go straight to the lead from barrier 2 and he’ll give them something to chase in the straight.
I suppose it is only fair to throw in a local and there isn’t a better one this year than Eastender. The five-year-old son of Tickets has recorded nine wins and four minors through his twenty career starts so far and has been an impressive winner of his last three, including the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) a little over a fortnight ago. Froggy Newitt knows him like the back of his hand, trainer Barry Campbell knows how to have his horses peaking at the perfect moment and this bloke is rock-hard fit.
I also love a Danny O’Brien horse that is piloted by champion hoop Damien Oliver, and Second Bullet has a big old tick in both boxes. The winner of two of his three most-recent starts, Second Bullet took a position off the pace in a mile-and-a-half race at Caulfield last time out and mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to swallow up his rivals late in the picture. This is obviously a step up in class, but he has the runs on the board and is worthy of his chance.