But he will encounter some tough opposition in the conditioned handicap race which replaces the old City Of Launceston Cup.

Harjeet has drawn the second of Sunday night’s two heats where he will clash with Scooterwillrev, Riverboat Jasper and Illegal Immigrant.

The first heat is not as strong but the return from Victoria of Offthetopofmyhead, a winner of seven of his past 11 Tasmanian starts, adds interest.

Under the conditions of the race, horses start off a set mark depending on their metropolitan assessment – M0 off the front, M1 off 10m and M2 off 20m.

Harjeet, an M1 horse, won eight races in a row at one stage last season including the $75,000 Easter Cup and $40,000 Raider Stakes.

He hasn’t raced since failing in a heat of the Vicbred Super Series at Ballarat in June when sent out $1.80 favourite.

Trainer Todd Rattray reported that the gelding was out of sorts on the night.

“He was off his head before the race,” Rattray said.

“He played up a bit and that’s not like him.”

Rattray took it as a sign that Harjeet was in need of a spell and brought him straight home.

Despite his great record, the  now five-year-old will need to be close to his best to challenge the in-form Scooterwillrev who gets a 10m head start.

Scooterwillrev has drawn the pole and is normally a brilliant beginner from a stand. He won the Danbury Park Cup off 30m at his last start and neets runner-up Riverboat Jasper on 20m better terms.