And, Magra-based McKenzie also looks to have a strong chance with The Aussie, her only other runner at the eight-race meeting.

Laredo Torpedo has been beaten as an odds-on favourite at his only two starts since joining the stable but could make amends in the C1/C2 Pace.

The Aussie also started a red-hot favourite at his last run when he had to be pulled up with broken gear and he could bounce back in the C5/C6 Pace.

McKenzie has won the female trainers’ premiership six times in the past seven years.

Her 2017-18 tally of 33 winners was double her nearest female rival and saw her finish third behind the state’s two biggest trainers, Ben Yole and Todd Rattray, on the overall table.

The Aussie was sent out $1.35 fixed-odds favourite in Hobart last Sunday when he was retired in the early stages after a front hopple loop snapped.

At his previous start, the five-year-old had finished an eye-catching third behind smart horses Illegal Immigrant and Star Chamber at Mowbray.

This week’s race represents a slight drop in class.

Laredo Torpedo has won six races – two in New Zealand and four in Victoria – and ran third to Semowillrev and Harjeet in the 2017 Tasmanian Derby.

He galloped excessively and ran last in Hobart at his first start for 3-½ months then worked home nicely when fourth at the same track last week.

Tasmanian-owned stayer Quick Defence will have his last run in Sydney in Saturday’s $125,000 Fugen Handicap at Rosehill.

He will then join Longford trainer John Blacker to be set for the Hobart and Launceston cups.

Blacker bought Quick Defence early last month and syndicated him to a group of Tasmanian owners.

The gelding repaid his $50,000 purchase price only a few days later when he picked up a race worth $53,000 to the winner at Rosehill.

He earned another $23,000 for running second at Randwick three weeks ago.

He is a $9 chance with Sportsbet for Saturday’s race.

National wagering on Tasmanian racing rose by more than 12 per cent to $576 million in 2017-18.

Greyhound racing turnover increased by $34.6 million (or 17.1 per cent), thoroughbred turnover by $15.2 million (6.7 per cent) and harness turnover by $13.5 million (16.4 per cent).