Wynburn Lethal Leads Illingworth Classic Charge

WYNBURN Lethal begins her quest for back-to-back feature victories when she steps out as a short-priced favourite in the second heat of the Ladbrokes Illingworth Classic (515m) at Launceston on Monday night.

Last Monday the daughter of Dyna Double One was a determined winner of the inaugural Shane Yates Memorial Cup (515m) in 30.20, the 13th win of her 27 start career.

And while the winning time was a far cry from her personal best at the circuit of 29.69, an ideal box two draw on Monday night is expected to go a long way to seeing the fawn flyer, blessed with searing early speed, victorious.

A firm second favourite for heat two on Monday night is Pat Ryan's powerhouse galloper Handsome Prince, the son of Sh Avatar finishing fifth to Wynburn Lethal in last Monday's Shane Yates Memorial Cup.

Loaded with ability, as indicated by his 29.38 personal best time, Handsome Prince exits box four on Monday night where he'll need luck in transit early to stay within earshot of likely leader Wynburn Lethal.

Another creating plenty of interest in the second qualifier is David Crosswell's Vintage Fame, the highly promising son of Aston Dee Bee making his Launceston debut from box eight.

A slashing 25.46 Devonport winner last Tuesday, the exciting juvenile is loaded with early dash and is expected to make a real race of things on Monday night.

The opening qualifier sees the Pat Ryan-trained Ava Wine take his place as a firm $2 favourite from box three.

Never out of bother in last week's Shane Yates Cup off box eight, Ava Wine looks poised to return to the winner's list on Monday night under far more suitable conditions.

Away from the favourite, betting for Monday night's opening heat is wide open, including Highland Wonder which finished an impressive close up second to Siberia at his Launceston 515m debut last Monday.

Another from the exciting Aston Dee Bee x She's All Class litter, Highland Wonder is $6.50 in early markets, as is the Butch Deverell-trained Inner Circle, the son of Barcia Bale sizing up Monday's race fresh off a slick 25.57 Devonport win.

Ten races are programmed at Launceston on Monday night with the first due to get away at 7.30pm AESTD.