The feature race of the day is the running of the Ipswich Cup. Unlike last year’s race where we had only ten runners taking part, a full field sixteen plus four emergencies are prepared to have a crack at the $200,000.00 race this year. Early favourite is the top weight Voila Ici, who is dropping back from Group 1 races at $3.50.
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1. VOILA ICI – G Colless (19)
Front-running 8yo who last start, ran third behind the in-form Quintessential in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) under WFA conditions. That was his fourth and by far, his best effort this preparation and this will be the first time he’s competed outside of Group company since arriving in Australia last year. Will have to do some work from the wide gate but on last start, has to be rated a chance.
2. GINGA DUDE – G Cooksley (14)
He was allocated 60kgs in this race last year (58.5kgs this year) when, as 3/1 favourite he ran fifth behind Shenzhou Steeds. As he was then, he is fourth up from a spell but his last start, a weakening twelfth of sixteen in the Premier’s Cup, wasn’t what his backers would have wanted to see. On that run, he’ll need to lift.
3. ZABEELIONAIRE – (6)
4yo who hasn’t been suited by the WFA conditions at his last two starts where he finished last in both the G1 Doomben Cup and G2 Eagle Farm Cup. Better suited back to this grade and, the only time he has raced outside of Group Company since winning the G1 SA Derby last year, resulted in a third behind Whisper Downs under 59.5kgs. Drops to 57kgs here and did run fifth (beaten 2.1 lengths) in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes when, like he is here today, fifth up from a spell, last prep.
4. RIAYLA – J Byrne (12)
Winner of the SA Cup last year but in eight runs since, hasn’t been able to fill a place for trainer Lloyd Kennewell. Third up from a spell, led the field and stuck on reasonably well for a seventh (beaten 2 ½ lengths) behind Precedence in the Premier’s Cup. Finds a suitable race here and stable is going well.
5. TOPPING – L Cassidy (13)
Very good effort three starts back when leading and beating home all bar the in-form Transporter in the Member’s Quality (1600m) before another tough effort on a heavy track when fourth behind Quintessential in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap. Last start he was taken to Toowoomba but under the steadier of 59kgs and being his first run in three weeks, could only manage fourth behind Bang On. Will roll forward and back to 54kgs here, capable of offering some cheek.
6. BANG ON – (20)
No luck three starts back when fourth in the Listed Tails Stakes before coming out and winning both of his next two starts, the most recent of which was a head win in an Open Handicap at Toowoomba, defeating Dodging Eddie. Relatively new to the staying caper but showing some good promise at it.
7. HIGH KIN – L Innes (16)
New Zealander visitor who brings with her a record of four wins from fourteen starts, including victory in the Listed Taumarunui Cup (2100m) on a slow track. Her last start was close to a month ago now and she ran second, at her second run back from a spell, in a Terapa Open (2100m) in heavy conditions. It’ll be a neat training feat and betting the best guide.
8. MUIRFIELD – E Wilkinson (9)
5yo trained by Mike Moroney who most recent efforts include a second in the Listed Warrnambool Cup behind Banco Mo on his preferred soft track and before settling at the tail and never figuring in the G3 Queens Cup at Morphettville. That was his latest start and was over a month ago now. Would only concede him a chance on a slow or heavy track.
9. WARRIOR WITHIN – (17)
Highlight of his last preparation was a third placing in the Grafton Cup however, in five starts since resuming from a spell in April, he’s been well beaten on each occasion. His last start was a long last in a BM 90 race and couldn’t see him winning here.
10. GOLD CAPE – (7)
New Zealander galloper trained by John Wheeler whose first run in Australia was a well beaten eleventh in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap behind Quintessential. A better effort followed on the better surface when eighth (beaten 2.6 lengths) in the G3 Premier’s Cup where he closed steadily from the tail of the field. Would need a dry track to produce his best but even then, that might not be enough.
11. ZA MAGIC – R Wiggins (8)
His last win was twelve starts and over a year ago now with his last start, the best of seven this preparation. He led and gave eventual winner Planetarium something to chase when a head second in a BM 90 race at Eagle Farm last start. That was his best run for some time and drops from 57 to 54kgs here. Four of his five career wins have come on slow or heavy going.
12. SECRET GARDEN – M Cahill (15)
Made steady ground two starts back when sixth (beaten 4.4 lengths) behind Less Is More in a BM 85 (1600m) before again making ground late when fourth behind Planetarium in a BM 90 (1818m) last start. Another who will welcome a wet track and the step up in distance but will give too many too much start from a poor draw.
13. MASTER AVATAR – T Bell (2)
4yo by Elvstroem who has worked his way through the grades in good style and recorded six wins from ten starts since November last year. A solid ¾ win in a BM 85 on the Sunshine Coast (1800m) was followed by a poor second to last on the Toowoomba Cushion track as a 3/1 chance behind Bang On last start. Forgive on the Cushion track, expect better here and from a good draw.
14. PLANETARIUM – B Avdulla (1)
Honest galloper who, at his second start this prep, chased hard to record a head win over Za Magic in a BM 90 on a slow track at Eagle Farm. He’ll be fitter again for that run and fourth up last prep, defeated Pipette and Honourable Aussie over 1900m. Capable of producing a big run from the inside draw with a touch of luck.
15. DAZZLE US – (10)
After winning a BM 75 and BM 90 in consecutive races three and four starts back, the son of Red Dazzler has had a crack at some of the better staying races on the calendar. He finished fifth behind Margins in the Tails Stakes, fifth again in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap and despite finishing tenth of sixteen was only 3.7 lengths behind Precedence in the Premier’s Cup. On that effort, in a race of little depth, he’d have to be considered a place chance.
16. ANAGOLD – (3)
Bryan Guy trained mare who has struggled to produce her best at any of her four runs back this prep. She finished midfield behind Quintessential in the Chairman’s Hcp before an average effort when eighth of thirteen behind Planetarium in a BM 90 last start. Step back up to 2100m a positive and a drier track would also be favourable.
17. I GOTTA FEELING – (5) (EM)
Yet another New Zealand runner here but judging by his three Australian starts over the last month, the latest of which was a third of six runners on the Sunshine Coast Cushion track, he won’t be able to worry the leading chances here.
18. TUSKEGEE HAWK – (18) (EM)
Winner of the Sunshine Coast Guineas last prep but in seven runs since, the daughter of Black Hawk has failed to make an impression in races of much lesser quality than this. Should she get a run, would expect her to struggle.
19. DODGING EDDIE – (11) (EM)
Consistent galloper who is competitive around the Class 6, BM 80-85 company but who also finds it extremely hard to win. Only three wins from thirty-two starts and aiming too high here.
20. BUFFETT – (4) (EM)
Front running mare whose last win was closing in on two years ago now and would be surprised if, should she get a run, she could fill a place in the top half of the field.
OVERVIEW
Good size field with plenty who like to roll along in front so pace should be genuine. Sticking with the class runners here and going with Zabeelionaire. It’s been a long time since he was entered for a race like this and if could reproduce the Caulfield Cup or Mackinnon Stakes run from his Spring prep (both on good ground) he’ll be too good for them here. He’ll get a nice run midfield (at worse you would hope) from six and be strong at the end. Not sure what to make of Voila Ici – who finds the right race for the first time in Australia but has drawn poorly and could have to work too hard for the lead early and, needed to see more from Ginga Dude than we did last start. Will include Planetarium who from barrier one, won’t have to do much but hope for a bit of luck from the 800m and we’ll trust Avdulla to find it. He has more upside to most.
