Symon Wilde’s dual defending champion Aurora’s Symphony is out to make history with a third consecutive victory in the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 2024 in Tasmania this Wednesday.
Excelleration is one of the key challengers in the 2024 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup field this Wednesday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
This year’s Group 3 $300,000 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup (2400m) field features 10 smart, summer stayers dominated by Aurora’s Symphony chasing an historic three-peat from a favourable barrier two draw.
Wilde’s talented Glass Harmonium seven-year-old is out to be the first three-time Launceston Cup champion since St. Andrews (2000, 2002, 2003).
The gun gelding is still showing a terrific zest for racing having won his two latest lead-ups including a dominant 2.75 length romp home in this month’s Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) with 59.5kg.
He had the same barrier (2) and jockey (Jordan Childs) as he does in the Launceston Cup field this week, but goes up in weight again allocated a hefty 61.5kg.
Despite the big weight Aurora’s Symphony remains favourite in Launceston Cup betting at a current quote of $3.40 at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.
The danger occupying the second line of betting and the early Launceston Cup market mover backed in from $6.50 to $3.90 is the Richard Cully-trained Excelleration in gate four with Harry Coffey aboard.
This seven-year-old from Ballarat has his first start at the Launceston track and chases his first victory over further than 2000m.
The 2400m may be a query, but Excelleration was excellent last time out taking out the Great Western Cup with 59.5kg by 4.25 lengths.
He drops back to just 54kg as he goes up in grade and distance for the Launceston Cup and has to handle the challenge.
In an open market a further three runners are also at single-figure Launceston Cup odds with Ciaron Maher’s Hobart Cup runner-up Wyclif ($8.50), third place-getter out of the same key lead-up Grand Pierro ($4.60) to be ridden by Craig Williams, and the Patrick Payne-trained Alhambra Lad ($5).
The Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 2024 is scheduled as Race 8 at 4:54pm (AEDT) on Wednesday’s 10-race card with full markets available from Ladbrokes.com.au by clicking here.
2024 Launceston Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11280×7011 | AURORA’S SYMPHONY | Symon Wilde | Jordan Childs | 2 | 61.5kg | 107 | |
| 2 | 1122×76218 | ALHAMBRA LAD (NZ) | Patrick Payne | Jye McNeil | 6 | 55.5kg | 95 | |
| 3 | x013952852 | WYCLIF (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ms Carleen Hefel | 9 | 54kg | 90 | |
| 4 | x462146433 | GRAND PIERRO | Jason Warren | Craig Williams | 5 | 54kg | 89 | |
| 5 | 635×121124 | ASHY BOY | Glenn Stevenson | Craig Newitt | 3 | 54kg | 88 | |
| 6 | 141x22x551 | EXCELLERATION | Richard Cully | Harry Coffey | 4 | 54kg | 86 | |
| 7 | 61x6x05747 | ASSARANCA | Barry Campbell | Anthony Darmanin | 10 | 54kg | 80 | |
| 8 | 5×68750776 | RISING LIGHT | Gaetan Delon | Ms Codi Jordan (late alt) | 1 | 54kg | 79 | |
| 9 | 3689361301 | I’M SO COOL | John Keys | David Pires | 8 | 54kg | 70 | |
| 10 | 3112P73243 | VINTAGE DIESEL (NZ) | John Blacker | Ms Sigrid Carr | 7 | 54kg | 65 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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