While racing is regularly dominated by the “old guard”, Tasmanian racing’s future will be on display in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Hobart Cup on Sunday when the next generation vie for the $250,000 event.

Apprentices Jabez Johnstone, Jackson Radley (now based interstate) and Chloe Wells will be having their first rides in the Cup, while rookie trainer, 24-year-old Ashley Meaburn, will saddle up Ashfall in the 2400m classic, just her eighth starter since gaining her licence this season.

Meaburn has already tasted success when Royal Dispatch won for her in Launceston last month.

Ashfall is a $61 chance; he hasn't won since May last year, but he has not had much luck in recent lead-up races and did win on Hobart Cup Day last year.

“On paper, they may not look flash, but the horse has been very well in himself. We’ve been really happy with him all the way through, he’s fit, and he gets the distance, and I’m really happy with the jockey (Liam Riordan), and I’m sure he will run well,” the young trainer said.

Riordan has had just one ride on Ashfall, but he was successful in Launceston last March.

Meaburn comes from solid racing stockR: her grandfather, Charlie Goggin, is in the Tasmanian racing Hall of Fame, and her mother, Luella, also trained for a short time.

Goggin twice won the Cup with Russian Rogue in 1992 and Brorama Star in 2001.

Wells, whose family is also steeped in the Tasmanian racing industry (her father, grandfather and uncle are all trainers), will ride last year’s Launceston Cup winner Distrustful Award in the Cup. The apprentice rode the 6yo when a luckless third in the Sydeston Cup (2150m) in Launceston last Friday.

“He felt great, he was just warming up that last little bit, and I came back, and I said watch out when we get to 2400m,” Wells said.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity, and I’m very grateful to ’Scruffy’ (trainer Peter Luttrell) for allowing me to retain the ride.

“On his day, he’s a real competitor, he’s probably nearing peak fitness now, and he’s ready to put in a big performance.”

Distrustful Award has drawn barrier one, not an ideal gate for him, and is rated a $26 chance in early markets.

Wells won at her first race ride in May 2021. She is closing in on 100 career wins, and she sits in 10th spot on the jockeys’ premiership after returning home from a riding stint in Queensland.

It’s a huge 10 race card on Sunday, one of the best days on the calendar with a strong support program including a cracking field in the WFA $150,000 Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) and the $150,000 WFA Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) for fillies and mares.