Former Tasmanian Derby winner Bold Soul will be aimed at the major cups during the 2026 Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival.

The now five-year-old is prepared in Victoria by Patrick and Michelle Payne and will kick off his campaign in the Werribee Cup over 1600 metres at Werribee on Sunday.

"Bold Soul had a short let-up after two terrific efforts at Flemington and Moonee Valley in August and the Hobart and Launceston cups look ideal targets for him" Patrick Payne said.

After winning the 2024 Tasmanian Derby and Listed Launceston Guineas, Bold Soul went on to win the Group 3 Chairman's Handicap at Morphettville in South Australia before finishing eighth in the SA Derby which ended his three-year-old campaign.

Hr struggled to win during his next preparation but regained form towards the end of last season with three quality handicap wins and a game second to Goldenstatewarrior in the Banjo Patterson at Flemington in July.

The gelded son of Embellish has had three jump-outs leading up to Sunday's outing at Werribee.

Payne is no stranger to Tasmania, having enjoyed success in multiple feature races during the state's summer carnival over the years.

"We've had a lot of success in Tassie, and we are looking forward to coming back this season."

The stable also plans to bring The Open to tackle the weight-for-age Thomas Lyons and Hellova Street Stakes, and both horses will be stabled with John Keys at Seven Mile Beach.

The Open, winner of seven from 20 starts, won two in succession last season, both in benchmark 84 grade over 1400 metres.

"The weight-for-age races during the Tassie carnival look ideal for The Open, and being trained on the beach at Seven Mile Beach is an ideal environment for him.

"He is best suited on softer tracks, and that's another reason why Tassie is a good target for him."

The Open won his maiden at Wangaratta in January 2024, but the gelding signalled he could be an open-class galloper by winning three in succession at his next preparation and ended that campaign with four wins and three seconds from eight outings.

"The Open showed us great potential early on, and I believe his best is yet to come," Payne said.

Patrick said the joint training partnership with his sister Michelle has worked out well.

"We couldn't be happier with how the partnership has progressed."

The Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival commenced with the Newmarket Handicap on 21 November, and leading up to the major cups, Tasracing will keep festival fans up to date with stories about the horses that are making the trip across Bass Strait to tackle the feature races.