It’s been close to three years since his last win but Ironstein heads the market for the running of this year’s Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) with his Jockey Jason Taylor, looking for a second victory in the race after Mowerman took out the 2003 edition. He holds the call at $5.00 but has a host of challengers including Victorian pair Garud ($7.00) and Angola ($8.00) along with local hope Brave Ali ($7.00). If successful, Garud will give trainer Mike Moroney his third win in the race after Shenzhou Steeds (2012) and He’s Back On Track (1997) and surprisingly, give leading Brisbane hoop Michael Cahill his first Ipswich Cup.
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1. FULL OF SPIRIT – SCRATCHED
2. IRONSTEIN – J Taylor 58kgs (6)
Grand old campaigner, the 8yo will be contesting his first Ipswich Cup and comes into this race fourth up from a spell. Not surprisingly, he needed to the first couple of runs back but stepping up to 1800m last start, an Open Handicap at Rosehill a fortnight ago, he closed steadily from just worse than mid-field to run fourth (1.3 lengths) behind Transonic with Full Of Spirit third. Meets Full Of Spirit 2kgs better here, drawn to get a nice run and fourth up last prep ran fifth (1.9 lengths) to Moriarty in the WFA G2 Hill Stakes (2000m). Rates a strong chance.
3. BRAVE ALI – T Harrison 56.5kgs (7)
Both horse and jockey have formed a formidable combination of late, having won three of their last four including the Listed JRA Tails Stakes (2128m) at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan trained galloper’s only run since that victory has been an strong third (2 ½ lengths) Pretty Pins in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) just over a month ago. Form out of that race isn’t particularly strong in better quality of races but the 7yo is well placed here. Likes to roll along in front and Ipswich should suit. Will give them something to run down.
4. GREY ASSIGNMENT – L Cassidy 56.5kgs (4)
Was scratched at the barriers from the Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) meaning his only start since running sixth (4.7 lengths) in the G2 Hollindale Stakes behind Streama back in the first weekend of May, has been Listed Spear Chief Stakes (1500m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. He settled further back in the field than he regularly does and from well back in the field, only held his ground in the run home to finish tenth (4.9 lengths) behind Aldini. Not the ideal prep for this but last run will see him strip fitter and the step up to this trip is a bonus, as his draw which will see him settle closer to the speed. Two wins a place from three starts here and record of this trip is good enough to suggest he is capable of sneaking a place.
5. ANGOLA – A Butler 55kgs (12)
Won two and ran a close up sixth (0.9 lengths) in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) before heading to Sydney were the 5yo gelding contested the G1 BMW and Sydney Cup. Not surprisingly, he was well beaten in both finishing second to last in the BMW and tenth in the Cup, over a dozen lengths from the winner The Offer. Only start in Queensland has been in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) where he held is ground in the run home, finishing eighth (6.6 lengths) behind Angel Of Mercy carrying 59kgs. Drops nicely in weight here and whilst the step up in distance helps, it is still probably short of his best and rates a place chance at best.
6. BRAYROAN – C Munce (11)
Not suited by the WFA condition of the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup and under 59kgs, couldn’t make up any ground in the run home when ninth (6.7 lengths) behind Angel Of Mercy. The Zabeel 7yo then appreciated the drop in weight and class, to finish strongly from near last on the turn to claim fifth (1.5 lengths) behind Southerly in a BM 90 over 1800m. Has tried this level a few times in the past at different stages in his career and always found a couple to handy. Might be the same again here as he’ll be given them a start on the tight Ipswich track. Any rain would assist his chances.
7. CARN – L Cheshire 55kgs (3)
He won the seventh race of his career when defeating four rivals by a neck in a BM 90 (2000m) at Toowoomba two starts back before having his chance in the run before finding handy New Zealander galloper Military Move, a long neck too good in the Toowoomba Cup (2150m) a fortnight ago. Will push forward from the inside gate, an advantage here at Ipswich and any rain would be welcomed by his connections but hard to see him holding some of the later challengers.
8. CATALONIA – 55kgs (15)
Flying Spur mare whose two runs on good tracks from three starts this preparation, have been very good. First up she was last and widest before flashing home to run third in a Fillies and Mares Open (1350m) before failing on the heavy track on the Sunshine Coast. Her most recent start saw here again make up significant ground from the tail of the field to run a long neck second to Shotover River with Southerly third. Going only nicely but this is a step up again and her strike rate, two wins from twenty-seven starts an obvious worry, as is her racing pattern on a track that generally favours those closer to the speed.
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9. DIENKES – J Jones 55kgs (1)
Trainer Bryan Guy will be hoping this 7yo can deliver him successive Ipswich Cups but like last year’s winner Anagold. He comes into this race with three runs under his belt after a nine week freshen up, and has closed well in each of them suggesting the distance of this trip will suit. He finished third to Aldini two starts – who subsequently won the Listed Spear Chief, and was finishing hard when out-bobbed on the line by Southerly in a BM 90 (1800m) a fortnight back. Going well but the inside gate might pose a problem if he is to get as far back as he has in recent starts. We could see him push forward a little closer here and capable of running a bold race with a touch of luck.
10. GARUD – M Cahill 55kgs (13)
Keep waiting for this Mike Moroney galloper to win a good race but the fact remains, his last victory was in a BM78 (2400m) at Geelong, the best part of two years ago. He got a long way back at his most recent start, his third up from a spell, but warmed up nicely late to finish third (4.8 lengths) to Zumaroc. Has been G3 placed and run a close up fourth in the Listed Werribee Cup within in the last ten months so can’t dismiss but at the same time, hard to take with any great confidence either.
11. HIGH AIMS – D Dunn (2)
Fantastic effort to win a Tatura Open (1600m) under 57kgs, first up off a eight month spell and backed that up with another strong performance, running third (long neck) to Crucial in Fillies and Mares Open class race (1600m). That was five six weeks ago now so it’s a very unorthodox preparation for a race such as this but the trainer, David Brideoake does know how to get the best out of this mare given she’s won five or her seventeen starts with a further four placings. The fact that they’ve made the trip from Victoria, and that Dwayne Dunn, who has ridden the mare on six occasions for three wins and a third, as followed, means she’s best treated with respect.
12. HIGH KIN – E Wilkinson (16)
This 6yo mare by High Chaparral ran second in this race last year but will have a job in front of her from the wide gate to match that effort. She ran a good fifth (1.2 lengths) second up off a long break behind Typhoon Red before being injured and dropping tailing off when last of nine behind Brave Ali in a Open class (2030m) race. She had seven weeks off after that run and returned to racing last fortnight when under 59kgs and on a heavy track, she finished fourth (5.2 lengths) in a Sunshine Coast Open fillies and mares race. Handy on her day but far from an ideal preparation.
13. NOISY OCEAN – J Byrne (5)
The second of Bryan Guy’s runners, this 5yo has been struggling to find a place in four runs back from a six week break. The closest he has come has been his most recent start, a fortnight ago in a BM 90 (1800m), where he ran sixth of twelve (2.3 lengths) behind Southerly and Dienekes. Backed form 10 into 8’s last start so connections might’ve been hoping to see more than they did and he’ll need to show good improvement off of that run to figure in the finish here.
14. SAM’S TOWN – 55kgs (10)
It’s been well over a year and sixteen runs since this rising 9yo last saluted and judging by his latest efforts, that record looks as though it’ll extend further here. He started 13/4 and had every chance in the run when third (3.3 lengths) to Sancerre in a BM 80 here at Ipswich two starts back before finishing well down the track (11.8 lengths) in the Toowooomba Cup last start behind Military Move. He’ll find this race no easier.
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15. STELLA LANTE – R McMahon 55kgs (8)
Starcraft mare from John Hyam’s Adelaide stables, she contested some of the leading mares’ features in South Australia recently with solid results. A third to Maybe Discreet in the City Of Adelaide Stakes (1400m) was followed two starts later by another third (1.5 lengths), this time to Blue Ribbon, in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2006m). Came to Brisbane but got her tongue of the bit and cannot read anything into the second to last finish to Southerly. Career strike rate is poor and on her Adelaide efforts, would think a place chance is her best hope.
16. VOLKHERE – T Bell 55kgs (9)
Since his last win, an Eagle Farm Class 6 in October last year, the Dehere gelding has finished in the top four seven of nine starts but just can’t crack it for a win. He pushed forward to lead soon after the start in a BM 90 at his most recent start a fortnight ago, and stuck on tenaciously to run third (beaten a head) to Southerly. Will go forward again but will also be kept honest in front and interesting to note, four of his six career wins have been on slow or heavy tracks.
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RACE OVERVIEW.
In the twilight of his career and hasn’t won for close to three years but think Ironstein just might have one more win in him and this could be it. Perfectly prepared for this fourth up from a spell and the gate should see him no worse than midfield in the running line, perfectly poised to make his run. This is far from a strong Ipswich Cup and a repeat performance of his some of spring runs last prep, should see him right in the thick of things. Brave Ali could cap off an extraordinary carnival for Tony Gollan and Tegan Harrison. He’s in solid form and might be able to slot in behind the lead from seven if the pace is too solid to push forward. High Aims stays under close watch despite the unusual prep for this. Dunn make the trip is a big pointer to her chance.
- IRONSTEIN
- BRAVE ALI
- HIGH AIMS
- GREY ASSIGNMENT
In the news:
Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy will be the least worried about the weather with his two-pronged attack on the Listed Ipswich Cup on Saturday.
Weather forecasts have been hit and miss this winter but showers have been forecast for Ipswich throughout the weekend.
Guy won the Ipswich Cup (2150m) with $41 outsider Anagold last year on a slow track.
Anagold has seen been transferred to Mick Price in Melbourne but Guy has given himself two chances at a back-to-back double with mudlark Dienekes and dry tracker Noisy Ocean.
Both will be double figure odds but Guy is giving them more than roughies’ chances.
“They have both been set for this race while a couple of others haven’t,” Guy said.
Dienekes caught the eye at his most recent start when a fast-finishing second to Southerly in an 1800m race at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.
“He will be having his first crack at 2100m but he has won at 2000m so the trip will be no problem,” he said.
“Dienekes can race handy to the pace, so from barrier one he should a nice run.
“One thing, the weather won’t matter with him as he is good in both wet and dry conditions.”
However, Guy said Noisy Ocean would need a dry track to show his best having been unplaced in eight starts on slow and heavy going.
Guy has shown faith in 3kg claiming apprentice Janette Johnson by booking her for Dienekes while senior jockey Jim Byrne will ride Noisy Ocean.
“Dienekes goes well for Janette and Jim is a noted Ipswich track jockey,” he said.
“He has won the Cup a couple of times with clever rides.”
Guy has also booked Johnson for his improving galloper Regular in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m)on Saturday.
“Janette has ridden him in four of his six wins. He is a tricky horse to ride but he also goes well for her so why not stay with a winning combination,” Guy said.
In what could be a big day for them Johnson will ride two-year-old Grapevine for Guy in the Bundamba Plate (1100m).
Johnson was aboard Grapevine when she survived a protest to score at Ipswich at her last start.
“We have had this race in mind for Grapevine since the start of the carnival and she isn’t harshly weighted,” Guy said.
