Top jockey Craig Newitt has advised punters not to jump off local stayer Eastender in Wednesday’s $250,000 Launceston Cup.
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Eastender was heavily backed to win the Hobart Cup 16 days ago but could finish only seventh in a race Newitt says was not run to suit.
He has been well-backed again to win the Launceston Cup, firming from $9 to $7 with some corporate bookmakers.
“The Hobart Cup was not a truly-run race,” Newitt said.
“The pace was OK early but turning into the back straight it got ridiculous.
“There’s a full field in the Launceston Cup including half a dozen horses that could go forward and inject a bit of speed into the race.
“If that happens and there’s a genuine tempo, Eastender will be strong late.”
Newitt said he believed the Barry Campbell-trained four-year-old was “a three-length better horse at Mowbray than he is at Elwick.
“I still think he’s the best local stayer in the race,” the jockey said.
Eastender, a winner of four of his seven starts in Launceston, has drawn favourably in barrier 5 and will carry the minimum weight of 54 kilograms.
Newitt won his only Launceston Cup in 2004 on the Peter Moody-trained Zacielo who had also won the Hobart Cup.
Darren Weir-trained stayer Andrea Mantegna has been the other well-backed Launceston Cup runner.
After opening at $6 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes, the Hobart Cup runner-up has firmed to $5 and is only $4.20 with rival firm Sportsbet.
The Launceston Cup is to be run in a later timeslot than normal at 6.14pm.
