Stellar Field For Shane Yates Memorial

TRAINER Pat Ryan says little separates the chances of littermates Handsome Prince and Ava Wine heading into Monday night's final of the inaugural Shane Yates Memorial (515m) at Launceston.

But while Ryan considers the exciting brothers to be on an even keel, betting tells a very different story, with Handsome Prince the firm $2.30 favourite while Ava Wine is rated a $7 chance.

"Ava Wine actually trialled quicker than Handsome Prince at Launceston in the lead up to the series," trainer Pat Ryan declared.

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"I can't believe Ava Wine is such big odds and I don't mind him drawn out in box eight either. I couldn't be happier with both dogs going into the race but it's a very good field. We will need luck."

Two heats of the $10,000 to-the-winner series, which remembers revered local broadcaster Shane Yates, were run and won last Monday.

The first heat resulted in a thrilling dead-heat between Handsome Prince and Fabulous Baroque in 29.92 while Wynburn Lethal posted 30.31 to land the second qualifier.

The win by Handsome Prince extended the son of Sh Avatar's record to five from 11 overall with his best time at the Launceston circuit a breathtaking 29.38 – a time recorded back on June 22.

"Being honest he should have used the red box better than he did last week," Ryan added.

"He has a lot of ability but his box manners are still letting him down. To go to the next level like we hope he will, he needs to improve early. But he and the rest of the litter are still young so they are open to improvement."

While Handsome Prince progressed to Monday night's final sharing victory with Fabulous Baroque, Ava Wine scraped through with a fourth placing behind the speedy Wynburn Lethal.

And while box eight at Launceston over the 515 metres is considered something of a "graveyard", Ryan says the wide draw could play into the Breeders' Classic winner's hands on Monday night.

"It looks like there could be a lot going on at the first corner," Ryan added.

"And if there is, being out wide might be the place to be. Ava Wine has the speed to be in the first few early so if he is and gets a nice run through then he's a great chance.

"The week before the heats I gave Handsome Prince and Ava Wine both a post-to-post – Handsome Prince went 24.38 and Ava Wine went 24.31 … I've never seen one go quicker than that. There's nothing between them."

More than happy with the preparations of his up and coming duo, Ryan has declared the Ben Englund-trained Wynburn Lethal as the one to beat from box five.

"If she begins and leads then it becomes her race to lose," Ryan added.

"She broke five for the first split when she won at Sandown and being realistic she can break five at Launceston as well. If she's out in front running those times it becomes almost impossible to beat her. Ben's a very good trainer and she's a very good bitch."

Monday night's Shane Yates Memorial will be a celebration of the broadcaster's life which sadly ended earlier this year following a battle with cancer.

The quality of the field that has come together for the inaugural Shane Yates Memorial is more than fitting to remember the much respected broadcaster.