The win by the John Blacker-trained Vino Novello in Launceston last Wednesday delivered the final toast to the biggest and best Ladbrokes Community Sports Series (LCSS) to date.
Over three years of the LCSS, Tasracing and Ladbrokes have awarded more than $215,000 in cash prizes to more than 120 sporting and community clubs across Tasmania. In 2026, over 200 clubs registered to be part of the LCSS, which incorporates the thoroughbred Cup Days in Devonport, Hobart and Launceston.
After the Penguin Cricket Club (Devonport) and the Beltana Bowls & Community Club (Hobart) secured the $10,000 grand prizes earlier in the summer, it was the Riverside Cricket Club that benefited most from the win of Vino Novello in the BM64 (2100m) on Launceston Cup Day.
“It’s mind-boggling for us, just a small cricket club, it’s a lot of chicken burgers to sell to make 10 grand,” joked Peter Scott on behalf of the Riverside Cricket Club crew.
“The money will make a huge difference to upgrading our facilities, it’s just a brilliant result.”
The sliding-scale prize money structure of the LCSS means that every club drawn receives at least $500. Each club also receives 10 tickets to Cup Day, along with dedicated reserved seating.
John Blacker had hoped to get to the Launceston Cup with his promising stayer, Vino Novello, but winning the Ladbrokes Community Sports Series BM64 was a welcome consolation.
“He’s only a baby, really, and he’s had nine starts for four wins. He’ll keep improving as he gets older. I thought he’d win this race and the plan is to run him over 2400m in the St Leger in three weeks’ time,” Blacker said.
The $50,000 Tasmanian St Leger will be run in Launceston on Friday, 13 March. The race was won in 2025 by Zulu Angel for Blacker, and he’ll likely head to that race to defend his title after his surprise second-place finish in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
