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Despite a calendar change, Sunday’s nine-race card in Launceston will still have a distinct Magic Millions flavour.

The traditional Oaks program has previously included a pair of Magic Millions Classic races, but they were moved in 2024 and have been replaced with the Magic Millions 4YO Handicap (1600m), a $50,000 race for eligible horses.

The 4YO initiative has attracted an excellent field, headlined by Cartoon Graveyard, who won the 3YO & 4YO Magic Millions Classic (1400m) in Launceston on 5 February.

"I think he could be the real deal this fella," trainer John Keys boldly said.

A winner of four of his nine career starts, Cartoon Graveyard will need to carry top weight (59kg) and has the widest barrier (13) on Sunday, but his trainer thinks that both obstacles can be overcome.

"The handicapper clearly thinks he's pretty handy as well, because he got six points for winning the other day, but I guess he did beat the others by a fair margin.

"I really think he could be more effective at the 16 than the 14, and if he can jump well early, he should be able to find a good spot up near the speed," said Keys.

A $50,000 purchase at the 2021 Tasmanian Magic Millions Sale, the son of Turffontein and Star Hit has already doubled that investment with $128,550 in career prize money.

Sunday's race is full of Tasbred success stories, where the likes of Sharma's Last, Royal And Tough, Geegees Hisword and Swoop There It Is have all cleared the $100,000 prize money milestone.

John Keys will saddle up two runners in the Listed Little Giant Homes Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m), but the trainer and the betting market acknowledge it would be a big upset if Keys were to land the winner.

Unbeaten filly Geegees Mistruth ($1.40) dominates the market, ahead of the Patrick Payne-trained Flattered ($2.60), who was beaten 4.65 lengths in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude at her most recent outing.

Those two are well clear of the rest, including the Keys duo Sky Land and First Line, who are both at $81.

"What I find with these two-year-olds is that if you don't run them now, you're still chasing your tail when they become three-year-olds.

"Johnnie Pinch (Launceston Guineas placegetter) is an example as I took him through these same races last year, and he's benefited from it.

"First Line is probably the pick of the two, but they'll both be better next season."

The $150,000 Gold Sovereign is race 5 on the nine-event card, which will now commence at 12:18 after a slight time change for the first race.