Eleven runners have been confirmed in the final field for Saturday’s 2016 Ipswich Cup (2150m); highlighted by the inclusion of some of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s standout stayers.
Maurus has been confirmed in the 2016 Ipswich Cup field. Photo: Daniel Costello
Maurus has produced a number of typically strong performance this time, but will undoubtedly require luck in running from the outside barrier in the 2016 Ipswich Cup.
Finishing outside the first three only a handful of times through sixteen career starts, Maurus has posted an impressive five wins and seven minors since debuting to racing during the spring of 2014.
Resuming this time second in the Ranvet BM92 (1500m) on February 20th, the Medicean gelding progressed to third in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m); taking out the Windsor Management Insurance Brokers Handicap (2200m) upon arriving in Brisbane on April 30th.
Running on well for fifth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) most recently on May 21st, Maurus has been confirmed to be partnered by veteran hoop Damian Browne in the Ipswich Cup.
Jumbo Prince was disappointing when he failed to make an impact in the Listed Wayne Wilson Mile last weekend, but is offered a great opportunity to atone after being drawn into the 2016 Ipswich Cup field in barrier 4.
Stamping himself as one to watch through an impressive three-year-old campaign, peaking with a close third in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) in 2015, Jumbo Prince clearly required a run when tenth in the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) first-up on April 16th but responded with a strong performance for third in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m) on May 7th.
Returning to winning form in the Listed ’ Handicap (1600m) on May 14th, the Outback Prince entire has failed to make much of an impact in his two most recent starts but is arguably offered his best opportunity to return to form under the Ipswich Cup conditions.
Puccini has produced a number of good efforts this time and has been confirmed in the 2016 Ipswich Cup field by trainer Darren Weir.
A Group 1 winner having taken out the 2014 edition of the New Zealand Derby (2400m), Puccini ran third in the Group 3 TAB Rewards Stakes (1400m) on March 5th but faded badly for tenth in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) the following weekend.
Running fourth in each of the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) and Listed Mornington Cup (2400m), the Encosta De Lago entire failed to beat a single running home in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) but responded with a strong run for second in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) on May 28th.
Having placed eighth in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) last weekend, Puccini should relish a step back in class to the Ipswich Cup on Saturday.
Adirondack has found great form for Shawn Mathrick through recent starts and has been confirmed in the 2016 Ipswich Cup field.
A former Godolphin galloper, Adirondack beat a classy field to the line in the Vobis Gold Heath (2000m) on April 16th; progressing to third in the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) before a credible run for fifth in the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) on May 21st.
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2016 Ipswich Cup Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0x03044028 | PUCCINI (NZ) | Darren Weir | John Allen | 9 | 59.5kg | 102 |
| 2 | 1x120x2315 | MAURUS (GB) | David Vandyke | Damian Browne | 11 | 58kg | 99 |
| 3 | 45334×2455 | WORTHY CAUSE | John Zielke | Bobby El-Issa | 7 | 58kg | 99 |
| 4 | 529×772229 | IGGI POP (NZ) | Peter Robl | – | 1 | 56.5kg | 96 |
| 5 | 7549×03190 | JUMBO PRINCE | Michael Nolan | Jim Byrne | 4 | 56.5kg | 96 |
| 6 | 870×868537 | INSTRUMENTALIST (IRE) | Dale Healey | James Orman (a) | 5 | 54kg | 89 |
| 7 | 53326×7515 | DANCE OF HEROES (GB) | Chris Waller | Jeff Lloyd | 2 | 54kg | 86 |
| 8 | 1641125135 | ADIRONDACK | Shawn Mathrick | Michael Cahill | 10 | 54kg | 82 |
| 9 | 8506754932 | NISSILE | Paul Grant | Andrew Spinks | 8 | 54kg | 69 |
| 10 | 02936×1314 | KURRAJONG DRAGON | Matt Kropp | – | 3 | 54kg | 66 |
| 11 | 500×624360 | MERU | Pat Carey | Ms Tegan Harrison | 6 | 54kg | – |
