Launceston hosts an exciting midweek race meeting with the Group 3 Launceston Cup being the highlight. In addition to the Cup, the Group 3 Vamos Stakes and Listed Hellova Street Stakes will also be run. The rail is out 3m for the entire circuit and the track is currently a Soft 5 with light rain expected on race day. The first race jumps at 12:45pm AEDT and the Launceston Cup is set for 5:29pm AEDT.
Trent Orwin has done the form to bring you his best bets for day from Launceston. Why not back him in at Palmerbet?
Launceston Racing Tips: Wednesday, February 25th 2026
Race 7: Hellova Street Stakes 1600m – 4:19pm (AEDT)
(1) Steparty is set to clash with Durazzo again following a narrow win to the Paul Preusker-trained gelding Steparty who stalked Durazzo at Hobart last start in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m). He ran past his main rival in the home straight and the small field of just six runners will suit. John Allen retains the ride on the son of Artie Schiller who was previously second at Flemington in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1400m) before the Hobart win. Looks hard to beat again.
(3) Durazzo was game in defeat as his three-race winning streak narrowly came to an end against Steparty. Easily good enough to turn the tables and this should be a thrilling edition of the Hellova Street Stakes.
(5) Just Cruisin’ was fifth in the Thomas Lyons Stakes and he has been chasing home Durazzo start-after-start. He is rarely beaten far so has minor upset claims in the race.
(1) Steparty WIN
$2.60 (2 Units)
Race 8: Country Club Tasmania Vamos Stakes 1400m – 4:54pm (AEDT)
(12) Sanniya looks to have this race at her mercy with six wins from seven starts. She has won her last four straight for trainer Barry Campbell and there’s no doubt that Craig ‘Froggy’ Newitt is going to take the three-year-old filly to the lead. It will be her first crack at 1400m and if they can get a mid-race breather, she should run out a strong race.
(3) Grid Girl brings a different form line into the race with the Victorian five-year-old mare representing Team Hayes. She was eighth in the Group 3 Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last month. The distance won’ be an issue for her but her last couple have been below her best. Could be a good chance to bounce back to form.
(7) Perola competed against Steparty and Durazzo in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m), finishing sixth, beaten 2.9 lengths. It was a nice effort and she could bob up into the placings at odds.
(12) Sanniya WIN
$1.55 (3 Units)
Race 9: Ladbrokes Launceston Cup 2400m – 5:29pm (AEDT)
(6) Distrustful Award looks to replicate Aurora’s Symphony as the most recent back-to-back winner of the Launceston Cup. The Peter Luttrell-trained six-year-old gelding was a brilliant run in the Group 3 Hobart Cup, finishing third when narrowly beaten by Blonde Star and Ziryab. Jockey Chloe Wells weaved a passage in the straight, eventually getting inside the placegetters and charging through the line to just miss. Will need luck again as they will be well back but can finish strongly.
(4) Blonde Star captured the Hobart Cup and carries 54kg again which looks great. Draws the identical barrier from that race and the five-year-old mare deserves a lot of respect for trainer Imogen Miller. Looks a good price, just like Distrustful Award, so happy to back both in the race.
(2) Taramansour was fourth in the Hobart Cup, beaten a half-length. Drops from 60kg back to 56.5kg thanks to Major Beel being in the race. This could prove a huge difference over the trip and he looks a key contender in the race.
Also backing: (4) Blonde Star WIN $9.00 (1 Unit)
(6) Distrustful Award WIN
$8.50 (1 Unit)
