Stevenson heads local hopes on Launceston Cup day

With Wednesday’s Launceston Cup fast approaching, Wesley Vale trainer Glenn Stevenson is placing his faith in Asva and Ashy Boy to deliver strong performances in the Group 3 feature. The $250,000 contest will see local hopes go up against a formidable Victorian presence.

Asva secured his place in the field following a strong win in the Sydeston Cup, while Devonport Cup winner Ashy Boy looks to regain his best form after encountering some recent obstacles.

Standing in their way are Ciaron Maher’s Strawberry Rock and Promises Kept, last year’s runner-up Alhambra Lad, and Pure Grunt from the Ken and Kasey Keys stable.

“As we know, it’s going to be hard against the mainlanders, but both my horses are going well,” Stevenson said.

“Asva, he’s had that nice little gap between runs and I think the 2400 won’t be an issue.

“Ashy Boy, the target for him was the Devonport Cup and we got that done, but then we hit the fence in the Hobart Cup and we’ve had a few little issues, but I think we’ve got him back on track.”

“If we can run in the top four or five I’ll be rapt.”

Asva, currently priced at $13, is the shortest among the local contenders. While his sire Capitalist isn’t widely recognized for producing stayers, Stevenson remains confident after the horse’s impressive run over 2100m in the Sydeston Cup.

“I want to see if he can get the distance, I said to the owners I thought he would, and after he won the Sydeston Cup he pulled up really good from it, so we thought we’d have a shot,” Stevenson said.

Craig Newitt will once again be in the saddle for Asva, while Codi Jordan partners Ashy Boy, who is at $19 in the market.

Renowned jockeys Mark Zahra and Damian Lane will also be competing at the event. Zahra has been booked for Promises Kept in the Launceston Cup, while Lane will ride another of Stevenson’s runners in a key race.

Lane is set to ride First Accused in the $125,000 Listed Hellova Street Stakes (1600m), where he will go up against quality contenders like Munhamek, The Inevitable, and Durazzo.

“First Accused is First Accused, if he wants to put in, he’s a chance,” Stevenson said.

“The Inevitable has won a heap of money, he’s been all around Australia, Munhamek, you look at its record and shake your head, and we’ve got to overcome Durazzo, so I reckon it’s a good race.”

Stevenson will also have Stone Cold Stunner in the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m), where he will go head-to-head with Geegees Mistruth.