Racing
Summer hopefuls put to the test
Open Handicap a Devonport Cup rehearsal.
Devonport Cup hopeful Earendel will face his toughest test so far when he tackles the $45,000 Open Handicap (1600m) in Launceston on Wednesday.
The race provides the winner with ballot-free entry into next month's Ladbrokes Devonport Cup and has attracted a strong field of horses likely heading to the race.
A winner of five from only seven starts, Earendel made an impressive return to racing, coming from a seemingly impossible position to score a last stride victory in a 1400m class 4 on 12 November.
The lightly raced 5yo has now won his past four race starts, and his trainer Barry Campbell has a high opinion of the son of Needs Further.
"Last year he ran a course record at his fourth or fifth start in what was really his first prep," Campbell said after that first-up win.
The trainer also expects plenty of improvement from that performance. Earendel has twice raced at 1600m and is unbeaten at the trip.
Earendel has drawn the outside in the field of 11, but, as he showed last run, he can settle back and come home with a withering burst. Apprentice Chloe Wells has formed a winning association with Earendel and will once again have the mount.
Former star juvenile Ms Tasmania will race for the first time as a four-year-old when she takes on a small field in the opening race.
Ms Tasmania has drawn barrier 3 in the class 6 (1100m). She will be ridden by her regular jockey,Troy Baker.
A winner of five of her eight starts and $250,000 in prize money, Ms Tasmania hasn't raced since finishing second in the 3yo classic last February.
She did trial impressively in Hobart last week over 1000m, dashing home her last 600m in 34.96 seconds, and looking like she had plenty in reserve.
"I'm really pleased with how Ms Tas trialled, one of her better trials to date. If she runs well on Wednesday, we will aim for the Winzenberg and then possibly the feature mares' races, taking it one step at a time," trainer Siggy Carr said.
"She has been off the scene after picking up a virus when originally mapped to head to Melbourne in June, but she's come back in great order.
"She pre-trained between preps with top-class equestrian Elsie Richards, including some dressage work, which has really helped her strengthen and develop."
As it stands, Ms Tasmania will only have three opponents on Wednesday night with the early scratchings of Alpine Thunder and Make A Decision.
All the action will be on Tasracing Live and Sky Thoroughbred Central, with the first event set down for 17:29.
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