Tasmanian Duo

Midweek feature racing heads to Tasmania with the running of the $225,000 Group Three Launceston Cup on Wednesday - and Ballymore looks forward to cheering on talented stayer Surpass (pictured).

Finishing off nicely when a close-up fourth in the Hobart Cup a couple of weeks ago, the Savabeel gelding has pleased us with his progress since.

"He ran a nice race at Hobart and he has trained on really well down there," Michael Moroney reported, noting that Jason Lyon was enthusiastic after a recent gallop.

"He said his work has been very good."

"He looks to be one of the four main chances in the race," Moroney continued, hoping for some rainfall before the race - "any amount of rain would help him."

To jump from barrier nine in the Launceston Cup, Surpass will be ridden by Craig Newitt.

Also remaining in Tasmania after running well in the Thomas Lyons Stakes - a close-up fourth - Bishops Castle takes his place in the Listed George Adams Plate.

To be ridden by Jason Lyon, the talented four-year-old is nicely primed for a rise in distance.

"The mile looks more suitable than the 1400m last time," said Moroney.

"It looks a tough race and The Cleaner will probaly string them out a bit but he is going really well."

On Thursday we take game mare Mrs Hadlee to Bendigo, hoping she can run a better race after a fair but below best fifth at Sandown last time out.

"She put in one of her very rare ordinary runs," Moroney said, "but we have put it down to the blinkers and they come off this time."

"She has drawn well (barrier one for Regan Bayliss) and hopefully she can bounce back quickly."