Ciaron Maher provided the quinella in the first of Tasmania’s two big summer Cups and the champion Victorian trainer is confident he can claim the second leg, Wednesday’s Launceston Cup.
Strawberry Rock and Promises Kept, who fought out the $250,000 Group 3 Hobart Cup on February 9, head the field for the 2400-metre event.
Just a head separated the Maher pair at Hobart, where Strawberry Rock came out victorious, and Maher said Tasmanian life is agreeing with his pair.
“They’re thriving,” Maher, who is chasing his maiden Launceston Cup win, said.
“I’ve got a girl down there looking after them and they’re both absolutely thriving.”
Promises Kept enjoys a 2kg weight swing on Strawberry Rock from their meeting at Hobart with the Maher pair joint 59kg topweights.
Promises Kept has the services of two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra, who is also chasing his maiden Launceston Cup win.
Strawberry Rock will be ridden by Declan Bates, who was also aboard at Hobart.
Promises Kept, who won the $100,000 Summer Cup (2200m) at Hobart prior to the Hobart Cup, is favoured to turn the tables on Strawberry Rock at Launceston with the Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Alhambra Lad, last year’s runner-up, the third elect.
The Ken and Kasey Keys -trained Pure Grunt is the only other runner at a single-figure quote in early betting with the Glenn Stevenson-trained Asva, last-start winner of the Sydeston Cup (2100m), considered the leading local chance.
The Launceston Cup is one of three Black Type races on Wednesday’s program, accompanied by the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m), headlined by Geegees Mistruth, and the $125,000 Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m), featuring The Inevitable and Munhamek.
