Premiership-leading jockey Erica Byrne Burke continued her outstanding start to the season in Launceston on Friday night with a winning treble.

Erica Byrne Burke bookended the program with wins for Adam Trinder aboard Skelmorlie ($8.50) in a maiden/class 1 (1600m) and Red Sphere ($7) in a BM60 (1200m). She also partnered with Halen ($15) for Graeme Mcculloch in a maiden (1200m), and very nearly had four winners on the night, were it not for an upheld protest in the class 1 (1400m), where she was first past the post aboard Navarre River ($11) but the race went to It's Jagger Time ($3.10) in the stewards room.

Byrne Burke set the tone for the night in the opening race with a rails-hugging ride aboard Skelmorlie from back in the field.

The former Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained 5yo mare had earned minor prize money in all 10 previous starts for the Adam Trinder stable, and consistency was finally rewarded on Friday night.

"She's been quite difficult for us; she's been placing nearly every time she's stepped out here, but it's really great to get the win," said Byrne Burke.

"She stepped really slow today, so I thought the quickest way home would be good for her."

The treble has taken Byrne Burke's season tally to 16 wins from 72 rides at a very impressive 22.2% winning strike rate, and she's opened a four-win gap on Anthony Darmanin on the premiership table.

While Byrne Burke took riding honours on the night, arguably the ride of the evening was saved for her partner Daniel Ganderton aboard Night Invader ($6) in the BM60 (1400m).

Described as a 10/10 by trainer Barry Campbell, Ganderton weaved a passage from back in the field aboard the 4yo mare, in scenes reminiscent of the horse's first-up win over 1009m in Devonport on 17 August.

"Really, really good ride, he covered no ground, and the runs came for him when he wanted them," said Campbell.

"She would've run some phenomenal time late, and down the track she's probably a 2000m horse."

As he did at the first night meeting a fortnight ago, apprentice Jabez Johnstone booted home multiple winners. Johnstone scoring aboard the heavily-supported Mastretta ($1.85-$1.30) in a class 4 (1200m) and Only Old Once ($3.50) in a class 4 (1600m).

The Kelvin Hamilton-trained Fast Thinker ($7.50) notched a hat-trick of wins in the BM68 and made history in the process as the first winner over the 2000m starting point in Launceston.

Fast Thinker was taken to the front by apprentice Sam Kennedy, and despite being headed in the home straight by Chicane ($5) and Metaverse ($10), fought back doggedly to get the prize with only 0.7 lengths separating the first three across the line.

The 2000m distance will be used more regularly in both Hobart and Launceston, with Listed 3yo features, the Strutt Stakes and Launceston Guineas, reducing in distance from 2100m to 2000m for the 25/26 season.