Australia: Top three from Hobart Cup rematched in Launceston Cup

Ho Ho Khan, In a Twinkling and White Hawk were the first three finishers in the Grade 3 Hobart Cup at Hobart Racecourse on Feb. 13.

They meet again as part of a field of 10 in Wednesday’s Group 3 Launceston Cup at Launceston Racecourse, with a predictable change in weight assignments for the handicap.

Ho Ho Khan’s assignment has been increased from 130 pounds to 134.4. In a Twinkling remains at 125.6 pounds, while White Hawk drops slightly from 123 to 122.3.

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Ho Ho Khan will be ridden by apprentice Tahlia Hope, who was aboard for the Hobart Cup win at 1 1/2 miles. Hope is not allowed to claim her apprentice weight break in the $179,700 Launceston Cup, which is also run at 1 1/2 miles.

As of Monday, Ho Ho Khan was the 2-1 favorite, a slight choice over The Risk Factor (3-1) and In a Twinkling (7-2).

The Risk Factor, a winner of 7 of 17 starts, will carry 119 pounds in his graded stakes debut. The Risk Factor is improving, having won his last start in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Launceston on Feb. 6. A 5-year-old gelding, The Risk Factor has won 7 of his last 10 starts.

Ho Ho Khan, a closer, finished four lengths clear of In a Twinkling in the Hobart Cup. In a Twinkling led in the stretch, but could not hold off his rival. White Hawk closed from off the pace to lose by 5 1/2 lengths.

The Launceston Cup is the eighth race on a 10-race program that begins at 9:05 p.m. Eastern or 6:05 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

In the race prior to the Launceston Cup, Ayahuasca will be a strong favorite to win her stakes debut in the Grade 3 Vamos Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

Ayahuasca was second in a seven-furlong handicap at Caulfield Racecourse on Jan. 22 in her first start since September. The $107,800 Vamos Stakes drew a field of 13, including Yes Baby Yes who won a Group 2 last February.