Mornington-based horseman David Brideoake, who trains in partnership with David Feek, is looking forward to Saturday’s 2014 Ipswich Cup in Queensland where they saddle up progressive mare High Aims.
High Aims will thrive on a mud track if the rain comes for the 2014 Ipswich Cup on Saturday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
A top field of 15 gallopers, following the scratching of #1 Full Of Spirit, are set to face off in Ipswich Race 7 on the weekend in this year’s $175,000 Listed Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m).
Drawn nicely in barrier two with Dwayne Dunn riding is Brideoake’s hope High Aims, the four-year-old daughter of Southern Image one of the top chances in Ipswich Cup betting.
The latest Ipswich Cup odds have Ironstein ($5) as the favourite for Gerald Ryan, the veteran Sydneysider to carry the 58kg.
High Aims, who gets in on the 55kg minimum, is then a $10 chance in the open market.
She’s third-up for the season after two very nice runs over the mile and so must handle a notable rise in distance here.
Two back she kicked off her 2014 campaign with a win in the Tatura Cup carrying 57kg.
Then last time out with 57.5kg on her back, Dunn aboard for that ride, she put in an impressive effort when beaten under half a length running third to Crucial in a mares’ handicap at Caulfield.
Saturday will be High Aims’ first run over more distance this year, but she’s got form right up to 2500m from last winter.
Included in that is a win over 2100m at Sandown-Lakeside where she relished a Heavy track.
Rain-affected is definitely the way High Aims best likes her ground too as she’s won three and placed second twice in her five runs on Heavy going.
Wet weather is predicted in Ipswich both today and tomorrow improving High Aims’ chances further.
“We’re looking for wet ground with her and there seems to be a bit of rain forecast for Saturday so fingers crossed,” Brideoake told Racing Victoria.
“She’s an exceptional wet tracker and when conditions are right she would be competitive.”
It will be however her first interstate assignment, but one her trainers believe she will handle.
All going well High Aims could back up from the Ipswich Cup in the $200,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on June 28.
“She’ll run on Saturday and then a couple of weeks later the Caloundra Cup is a distinct possibility,” Brideoake confirmed.
Both runners have been working well in Queensland, Brideoake pleased with the way they’ve thrived since arriving in the sunshine state.
“They both been there ten days and have settled in well at Eagle Farm and both of them are going into their respective races in very good shape,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a very good training environment up there and horses do particularly well getting out of the cold winter down here.
“Over the years there have been a lot of horses be very competitive in the early spring races in Melbourne after they’ve come out of a Queensland campaign.”
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