Medhurst Sees Red At Launceston

SUPPORTERS of the Ted Medhurst kennel look set to cash in at Launceston tonight with the Hall of Fame trainer lining up a number of key chances on the 10-event card.

And with the heats of the Launceston Cup now just three weeks away, Medhurst is hopeful of a successful night as the countdown to the group 2 series continues.

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"We've got some nice box draws tonight which is more important at Launceston than any other track," explained Medhurst.

"When the fields come out for Launceston I look at the box draws rather than the opposition. It shouldn't be that way but it is; if you draw wide there you're almost out of play straight away."

Medhurst ventures to Launceston tonight with the eight runners, the two-hour car trip made all the more easy with four box one draws.

"But the rest have seven and eight so that evens it out," Medhurst added. "But some inside draws is definitely a help, I'm not complaining."

Three heats of the Buckle Up Wes at Stud (515m) highlights tonight's program, the series for greyhounds no older than 2 ½ years of age.

"I nominated them for the series mainly to make sure they got a run," Medhurst explained.

Heat one sees Medhurst line-up race favourite Blue Bentley from box one, while in heat two, Connected will go around as an odds-on favourite for the Mangalore trainer from box eight.

In the third and final heat, powerhouse galloper Raging Ralston will start all-the-rage from box one.

"He's (Raging Ralston) not overly comfortable at Launceston; he's run 29.49 there and I'd say that's the best he'll time go," Medhurst added.

"The plan at the moment is to take him to Wentworth Park after the Launceston Cup. But his form will have to warrant the trip.

"(In the second heat) Connected is racing with a lot of confidence now. He's won his past two at Launceston off the red but he has won there off the pink in good time too. He's a dog that can run quick sections and make his own luck."

While front and centre in each of the Buckle Up Wes At Stud heats, Medhurst looks to play a leading hand in races seven and eight as well.

In race seven, Oaks winner Chilled Out takes her place from box one, while in race eight, Pretty Fab and My Desiree take their places from boxes one and seven respectively.

"I'd say Chilled Out is our best chance of the night," Medhurst said of the $1.60 favourite.

"The two bitches in race eight are boxed upside down. Pretty Fab likes to use a bit of the track and I'd rather My Desiree closer to the fence.

"My Desiree is racing very well, it just depends if she can get into the race from the wide draw or not."