One of the initial casualties in the Hobart Cup, Asva drew zero backing into the Launceston Cup, dominated by interstate hopes Ziryab and Taramansour.

The favoured interstate duo were absent from the finish, as Asva brought home an all-local trifecta with Zulu Angel and Distrustful Award behind. Sixth-placed No Rumours topped the visitors.

“I knew I had a fair horse, I put a line through the last run,” winning trainer Glenn Stevenson said.

“If he can get put to sleep in his chance.

“He’s always shown the ability, it’s just been a matter of actually getting mature. It’s a maturity thing that’s been with him, and he’s finally grown into the horse he is.”

Back in the pack initially, Asva took the three-wide trail in the rear straight, with jockey Jett Stanley pushing early five out on the experienced six-year-old to hit the lead 400m out.

After the event, the trainer and rider recounted the journey in contrasting styles.

“To be honest, you sit, and you go ‘what’s happened here, what’s he doing? Oh my God’ He won though so it’s a great ride,” Stevenson said.

“Once we got into the side straight, there was a three wide moving line which I thought would take me where we needed to be,” winning jockey Jett Stanley said.

“From about the 700m, I was going too well. For 2400m horses, if you don’t know whether they can do it or not, there is only one way to test them – that’s just to let them go when they are travelling that well.

“He went around them so easily and effortlessly. From the 200m I was just trying to think of my salute.”

In further highlights, Sanniya for Barry Campbell and Star Thoroughbreds took the Vamos Stakes (1400m) commandingly, now unbeaten in five.

The 3YO Classic (1200m) quinella belonged to John Keys with Swift Force edging stablemate Zambezi Blonde, and Steparty secured two-from-two in Tasmania via the Hellova Street Stakes (1600m).

Discover top betting sites with attractive options on Launceston Cup runners next time out.