Hobart Cup winner Geegees Blackflash will have to cope with a wide barrier and a modern-day weight-carrying record of 60kg if he is to win next Wednesday’s $225,000 Launceston Cup.
The John Luttrell-trained gelding drew barrier nine of 12 runners on Friday for the 2400m feature.
The Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained Sea Galleon, to be ridden by Ben Melham, was best served of the visitors coming up with the coveted one gate.
The gelding, who won the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on December 19 and was third in the Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 15, is regarded as the main danger to race favourite Geegees Blackflash.
Hobart Cup (2200m) runner-up Viking Hero, prepared by Mike Moroney and to be ridden by Glen Boss, drew barrier eight.
Craig Newitt’s mount Dream Flyer, who ran third in the Hobart Cup, will jump from barrier six.
The Patrick Payne-trained Fieldmaster, who was an unlucky fifth at Hobart, drew four while Kiwi galloper Roi D’Jeu, sixth at Hobart, drew five.