Hurdy Gurdy Man to Chase Tasmanian Cups Double

Hobart Cup winner Hurdy Gurdy Man will chase his second Tasmanian feature race on Wednesday after trainer Darren Weir chose to make a return trip to Australia’s southern most state for the Group 3 $225,000 Launceston Cup (2400m).

The five-year-old bolted home to win by more than a length when favourite in the Hobart Cup on February 10 but faces a tougher test this weekend.

Hurdy Gurdy Man was at his peak at Hobart where he carried 54kg to defeat local hopes The Cleaner and Geegees Blackflash.

That weight rises to 56kg and he will have to have maintained his condition.

“He was at his top for the Hobart Cup, I just hope he can hold that level,” Weir told AAP.

The son of Street Cry is eligible for a $100,000 bonus on top of the $135,000 winner’s cheque, which will see $50,000 go to Weir and $50,000 to his owners if he can claim the Tasmanian feature double.

The ultra-consistent entire has won six times and recorded 11 minor placings from 21 career starts.

Hurdy Gurdy Man has drawn favourably in barrier seven in a 14-horse Launceston Cup field.

Last year’s Hobart Cup winner Geegees Blackflash heads the weights with 59.5kg and will be aiming to claim an elusive Launceston Cup title after finishing third in 2011 and runner-up last year.

Also drawing well is Hobart Cup runner-up The Cleaner who will carry 57.5kg from barrier five.

Other notable Launceston Cup contenders include 2012 Mornington Cup winner Norsqui, Devonport Cup winner Fieldmaster and four-year-old mare Unoaked who faces a step up in class but is chasing a fifth consecutive win.

About The Author