Trainer John Keys has a major hand in the Open Hcp (1600m) in Launceston on Wednesday night with three of the eight acceptors including two that will be well in the market. 

In Hobart on 5 November over 1430m, Keys ran the quinella with Cartoon Graveyard winning from Sir Simon. Cartoon Graveyard coming from behind to run down Sir Simon late; the pair will resume their rivalry on Wednesday night 

"To his credit, when he went, he went real quick," Keys said of Cartoon Graveyard's finishing burst. 

The margin on that occasion was a neck, and in Launceston, Sir Simon meets Cartoon Graveyard on at least 3kg better terms. Sir Simon has seven wins at 1600m while Cartoon Graveyard has been placed at his only try over the distance. 

Cartoon Graveyard is the up-and-comer from the stable, while Sir Simon, at 11 years of age, is well and truly in the veteran category. 

"They've got to be competitive in whatever they are in. Rocky (Morimoto) will get a proper claim this time, but I do think Cartoon Graveyard is the more brilliant of the two; he's going forward, whereas the other one is a bit like me; he's coming to the end of it." 

The third member from the Keys camp is stayer Travelling Gigolo who has had just one start this campaign. 

"He's on a Cups campaign; I don't think he can beat the other two; he looks good, his work is good, we've just got to get him out over his correct ground, and he will be in it up to his ears." 

The stable is just starting to hit top gear after a virus, and Keys is optimistic they will be at full strength shortly. 

"We sent three truckloads to the track this morning, we've got a lot of young horses coming through, so its costing us a lot to get them up and going, but when we hit the ground we are going to be running I think, a lot of our better horses are now starting to get a bit of shine about them." 

Looking for a best bet on the program, Geegees City Boy looks well placed in the last of the night, resuming from a spell and coming off a solid trial at Longford recently while in the first of the night, Heart Of Paris could improve on her run last week when she got back from a wide alley and badly squeezed at the top of the straight. 

It's a nine-event card with an early start of 17.17. Duncan Dornauf will be trackside for Tasracing Live, and Jason Witham will be hosting the Sky Thoroughbred Central telecast.