Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan is hoping his quality galloper Jumbo Prince can go one better than his second from last winter lining-up in the 2017 Ipswich Cup field this weekend.
Jumbo Prince is out to improve on his Ipswich Cup second from last winter in the 2017 edition of the race this weekend. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Last Queensland Winter Racing Carnival Outback Prince stallion Jumbo Prince finished three and a half-lengths away second behind runaway winner Maurus in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m).
He went on to place in his next three runs with a Caloundra Cup second and Grafton Cup third that prep, before his first-up third in the $1 million Magic Millions QTIS (1300m) race at the Gold Coast this January.
Jumbo Prince has enjoyed just the one win since his Listed ’ Handicap (1600m) success at Doomben in May of 2016, taking out the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) at his home Toowoomba track dead-heating for first with Col ‘N’ Lil.
A Listed Tails Stakes (1600m) fourth when just over a length beaten by Single Gaze at Doomben followed in April, before Jumbo Prince failed to defend his ’ Handicap title finishing a close third to Cantbuybetter in the mile feature two back.
In his latest start the galloper was disappointing when over 10 lengths off the upset Robert Heathcote-trained mudlark Kaiser Franz at Eagle Farm running 12th in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) on May 27.
After a freshen-up, Jumbo Prince is ready to atone lining-up as one of the best chances in the 15-starter Ipswich Cup field this Saturday.
Nolan has taken confidence from the fact that the Eagle Farm form from early in the winter carnival, before the rest of the Brisbane features were moved to Doomben, has failed to hold-up at subsequent meetings.
A prime example is last weekend’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup win by Kiwi galloper Chocante who improved off his 10th in the Premier’s Cup, Nolan hoping for something similar to come of the Ipswich Cup with Jumbo Prince this weekend.
“The Brisbane Cup winner Chocante finished back with us in the Premier’s Cup and he came out and bolted in,” Nolan told the media this week.
Drawn a treat in barrier four with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle for the first time, Nolan’s runner is at a current quote of $5 in Ipswich Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
It is a tight race for top spot in the Ipswich Cup odds with Sort After the easing $4 favourite ahead of the 60kg top weight Benzini ($4.50) and Jumbo Prince.
Nolan’s only concern is that the Ipswich track could be too Heavy for his horse’s liking.
“We will have to see how the track is at Ipswich on Saturday. I don’t want it too heavy,” he said.
Jumbo Prince also rises from the 56.5kg he carted to second last year to the 58kg second top weight this year.
“Jumbo Prince isn’t a big horse but he is all heart. I am not looking very far ahead with him because of the weights he gets,” Nolan said.
“At this stage it is the Ipswich Cup and then the Caloundra Cup in a fortnight but we will review it again after Saturday.
“He cost $8000 and has won $844,000 so he owes us nothing.”
To back Jumbo Prince this weekend at the right price in Ipswich Cup betting 2017 head to our preferred sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au.
