Breeders Classic Heats Highlight Launceston Card

FREYA The Slayer is perfectly placed to continue the glowing start to her middle distance career when she steps out from box one at Launceston tonight over the 600 metres.

Last Monday, the Ted Medhurst-trained daughter of My Bro Fabio stepped out for her first middle distance outing, powering home to defeat Wynburn Gold by three-quarters of a length in a slick 35.05.

Loaded with ability, Medhurst has always earmarked Freya The Slayer as a potential star over the staying caper, with tonight's assignment another step towards what could be a flourishing career over the longer journeys.

The Launceston 600 metre track record stands with Medhurst's former star group winning chaser Bell Haven at 34.57, set way back in June of 2012.

With clear running early tonight from the gun draw, it will be interesting to see how close Freya The Slayer can get to that time-standard, given she ran a smart 35.05 last week when not having things her own way.

Early markets have Freya The Slayer, winner at nine of her 20 starts, the $1.40 favourite for tonight's event, with the only other runner given a chance in betting Twisted Reality from box seven.

Trained by Blake Pursell, the hugely talented son of Spring Gun – one of four chasers the  Brighton trainer has engaged in the race – finished fourth to Freya The Slayer in last week's contest, and is considered a $3.20 chance in betting to topple the favourite.

Tonight's 10 race card features four heats of the Launceston Veterinary Clinic Breeders Classic over the 515 metres.

With some very talented Tasmanian bred youngsters lining up in the series, the opening heat, race five of the night, sees the exciting Kintyre and Handsome Prince dominate betting.

The Debbie Cannan-trained Kintyre makes his Launceston debut after finishing midfield in the Hobart Maiden Thousand Final behind kennelmate Amy Cora in January, while Handsome Prince, trained by Pat Ryan, debuts at the track off a slick last start 25.52 Devonport win.

Both chasers were mighty impressive in their qualifying trial efforts at the track last Friday, Kintyre posting 29.85 while Handsome Prince recorded 29.89.

One of the better bets of the program looms in race eight, the final Breeders Classic heat, where Jenifer Alice takes her place from box one for Ted Medhurst.

Qualifying in 29.95, from her box one draw, the daughter of Leeroy Rocker looks poised to progress to next week's finale.