Maher pair to do battle again in the Launceston Cup

After a dominant showing in the Hobart Cup, trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to complete Tasmania’s summer Cup double when he saddles up two top contenders in the Launceston Cup on Wednesday.

Maher’s talented stayers Strawberry Rock and Promises Kept finished first and second in the Hobart Cup, with just a head separating them at the finish. The pair now head to Launceston for another showdown over 2400m, and Maher believes both horses are in prime condition.

“They’re absolutely thriving down there,” Maher said. “I’ve got a great team taking care of them, and they couldn’t be in better shape.”

Promises Kept, who previously won the $100,000 Summer Cup (2200m) before his Hobart Cup second-place finish, gets a 2kg weight advantage over his stablemate this time. However, both runners will carry 59kg as joint topweights. Mark Zahra will partner Promises Kept, while Declan Bates sticks with Strawberry Rock.

Among the challengers is last year’s Launceston Cup runner-up Alhambra Lad, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, who is looking to go one better this time. The Ken and Kasey Keys-trained Pure Grunt has also been well-supported in early markets, while local contender Asva, fresh off a win in the Sydeston Cup (2100m), is considered a top hope.

Wednesday’s race day at Launceston will also feature two other Black Type events: the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m), which will see Geegees Mistruth as a top contender, and the $125,000 Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m), with The Inevitable and Munhamek among the key runners.