Today Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania hosts the 2017 Launceston Cup, betting tips and the latest odds on the staying showdown found below.

Due to run as Launceston Race 8 at 4:17pm (AEDT), this summer’s $200,000 Listed Launceston Cup (2400m) field is down to 14 runners after the early scratching of Milson (7).

Heading the updated Launceston Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying a short $2.20 and firming is the Darren Weir-trained Victorian visitor Big Duke.

Coming off four straight top two runs, the in-form Raven’s Pass five-year-old is out to atone for his last start loss as the beaten favourite in the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) on February 5.

Brenton Avdulla – aboard Hartnell on Saturday for his sixth clash with superstar mare Winx in the 2017 Chipping Norton Stakes – rode the galloper for his second to Count Da Vinci in his maiden Tasmanian run in the Hobart Cup, but apprentice Ben Allen is aboard for the Launceston Cup run this afternoon.

Big Duke has work to do from a wide barrier (13 into 12) and also rises 1.5kg from his Hobart Cup weight to 55.5kg, but still shapes up as the one to beat looking at the markets.

His biggest danger again is last start conqueror, the local Scott Brunton-trained Hobart Cup winner Count Da Vinci.

A six-year-old son of Faltaat, Count Da Vinci is also up in the weights from 54kg to 57.5kg with the outside draw in the Launceston Cup field, but pays $4 to go back-to-back.

So will punters see a repeat of the Hobart Cup quinella in the Launceston Cup results, or is there value tipping an upset from another runner such as Weir’s class mare Unfurl ($6.50) up in distance or even the roughie hope Up Cups ($41) defending his title?

1^st

#5 Gladstone ($19)

Going for the value in the Launceston Cup odds for 2017 and have Brunton’s outsider as the one to beat looking at the weight scale. Launceston isn’t this seven-year-old’s preferred track, but his third in the Hobart Cup trifecta was brave when beaten under two lengths. Looks well-weighted here getting in on the 54kg minimum once again and can score the upset as his two last start conquerors give the weight away in the rematch.

2^nd

#2 Count Da Vinci ($4)

Count Da Vinci was brave scoring the upset in the Hobart Cup and even up in weights from the wide barrier today, looks a livewire chance. He returns to Launceston for the first time since November and is undefeated at the track to date (3-3-0-0). That’s a plus against others who are yet to see the course and he is also proven over the distance after the 1.5 length win last time out. Just needs to handle that notable rise in kilos to be in the finish again.

3^rd

#4 Big Duke ($2.20)

Jumped at similar odds to go down in the Hobart Cup, but he’s had a Tassie run now and can’t be discounted. The Weir stable is on fire and the money is coming for this horse. Don’t fancy him for the win at the price, but is a must include in all exotics.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our exclusive Launceston Cup 2017 tips, make sure you have access to the best summer racing odds and offers online at Ladbrokes.com.au.