Super Saturday: Scene Set For Launceston Cup Thriller

THE scene is set for a thrilling finale to the Group 2 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Final (515m) after seven outstanding heats of the $60,000-to-the-winner feature were run and won in Launceston on Monday night.

Racing action will be red-hot as the event will be the showpiece of the 10-race card this Saturday night.

Star chaser Wynburn Ruby is in the driver's seat for the epic decider coming up with box one in the final, after a stellar performance in her heat defeating Ailee Bale and Do It by 5-1/4 lengths running 29.34s for trainer Ben Englund.

The daughter of Fernando Bale and Wynburn Cutie notched up her 11th win for Ben Englund and the Wynburn Racing Syndicate, giving them yet another crack for a second victory in the cup after Wynburn Sheean in 2021.

Wynburn Ruby posted the fastest time of all seven heats and with box one in the feature will see her start favourite.

Group 3 Ladbrokes Chase winner Rojo Diamond did it in style, taking out his heat of the Launceston Cup when leading all-the-way, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths on the line over Dewana Milo and Nitro Harvey coming off box five.

Prepared by Robin Grubb at St. Leonards, Rojo Diamond recorded his victory in 29.80s claiming his 24th win.

Winning owners, the Gold Nugget Syndicate, will be chasing a major bonus if Rojo Diamond can take out the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup, with a $25,000 Triple Treat Connections Bonus on offer for winning two major events.

Quality youngster Fast Minardi, which jumped at $6.50, caused a minor boilover in toppling the major fancies Nail ‘Em Fencer and Fernando Mick taking out heat five of the Cup.

The Gold Collar winner flashed home in the shadows of the post scoring by a neck to qualify for the final, giving Loira trainer Paul Hili two runners in the decider with Sassy Galaxy triumphant in the first heat.

Hill prepares the highly talented son of Fernando Bale and Cheeky Vixen for owners Ross and Cheryl Freeman.

Elite Alex is one of two interstate runners to make it through to the 2023 Launceston Cup, with a very dominant front-running performance, holding out Hill Top Jack and Buckle Up Avery in 29.57s for trainer Mark Delbridge.

The nine-time winning son of Fernando Bale and Suffragette will take improvement from his first look at the track.

Ailee Bale, which finished second to Wynburn Ruby in the seventh heat, enters the field finishing as the fastest runner-up for Delbridge, giving the Balliang-based conditioner two strong chances to take home the trophy.

Nyah Nyah Flyer and Dewana Gem both won their heats respectively to qualify for the Launceston Cup Final.

2023 Group 2 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup Final Box Draw (including early market prediction)

Box 1 – Wynburn Ruby ($1.85 fav)

Box 2 – Dewana Gem ($17)

Box 3 – Sassy Galaxy ($17)

Box 4 – Nyah Nyah Flyer ($13)

Box 5 – Elite Alex ($3.75)

Box 6 – Rojo Diamond ($9)

Box 7 – Fast Minardi ($11)

Box 8 – Ailee Bale ($17)

Reserves

No. 9 – Hill Top Jack ($13)

No. 10 – Nail ‘Em Fencer ($7.50)