Promising stayer Vino Novello is likely to have a break and aim at the 2026 Launceston Cup.
Promising stayer Vino Novello is likely to have a break and aim at the 2026 Launceston Cup after he runs in the 2000m BM68 in Launceston on Friday night.
The four-year-old has run only three times, all in Devonport, winning twice. Last start, he was super impressive, scoring over 1880m on the synthetic, storming home to win, running away.
“He hasn't gone backwards at all after Devonport, I think he will appreciate the turf, he’s got a massive big stride on him,” trainer John Blacker said.
“He’s only having his fourth start, but he’s a horse going forward. I think he can win on Friday night.
“He’s very clean winded, he likes to bowl along in his races and there's a lot of pace, so we have to be a bit mindful not to get too far off them. It's only a shortish straight at Mowbray, and he will want to be sitting at their backsides when they swing for home.
“We will give him a bit of a freshen up, then what we will do is count back from the Launceston Cup, so that will be his fourth run in, and then find a nice program for him.
“If he’s to win in the Launny Cup, then he will have to win one of the ballot-free lead-up races, so we will target one of those for him. If he doesn’t measure up, we will tip him back out.”
Blacker, however, remains bullish that Vino Novello will be a great chance to give him his second win in five years in the Cup after he scored with Glass Warrior in 2021.
The Longford-based trainer, who also has a satellite stable at Brighton, will have a busy night on Friday with 15 from his stables entered on the eight-race program.
He expects his lightly raced sprinter, Rubble ‘N’ Fudd, to improve on his first-up run when he finished last in a field of seven two weeks ago.
A winner of four of seven runs, Rubble ‘N’ Fudd was sent out the $2.45 favourite but after racing just off the speed weakened to finish last.
“He’s pulled up well. He went into that race not 100% fit, if he had of got beaten eight lengths I would have been disappointed. It was still disappointing that he ran last, but he only got beaten two lengths, and he’s improved since then. He’s found a winnable race in a Class 4, and if he’s right, he should win,” the trainer said.
Looking for some value, I think Toorak Treasure will improve stepping up to 1400m in race 3, and Only Old Once will appreciate the 1600m of the seventh event.
Jockey Codi Jordan, who is sidelined this week, will join Colin McNiff with all the action on Tasracing Live. The first race is set down for 17:58.
