The Ipswich Cup has never been on trainer Paul Nolan’s wish list but he’ll accept claiming the Listed feature for a second time with Fantastic Blue on Saturday.
Nolan won the Ipswich Cup with Paul’s Folly in 1998 and can see more positives of winning it with Fantastic Blue than he did with his former top stayer who went on to win the Listed Caloundra Cup at his next start.
Fantastic Blue ticked off another of Nolan’s wish list when he scored at lucrative odds in last month’s Group Three Premier’s Cup at Doomben.
“He started at $71 that day but we got 100-1,” Nolan said.
“I’ve always wanted to win a Meynink Stakes, a Stradbroke and train a 100-1 winner at either Eagle Farm or Doomben.
“I’ve won a Meynink Stakes with Mosstang (in 2006) and I’ve now trained a 100-1 winner with Fantastic Blue.
“That’s two out of three and I might be running out of time trying to win the Stradbroke but I’ll keep trying.”
Nolan has been forced to find another rider for Fantastic Blue who was ridden by Glen Boss in his Brisbane Cup failure (2400m) at Eagle Farm last week.
Scott Galloway, who has won twice aboard Fantastic Blue, will attempt to win his first Ipswich Cup on the son of Danehill Dancer.
Apprentice Tim Bell was aboard Fantastic Blue in his Premier’s Cup triumph.
“It’s sad Timmy is not on him again,” Nolan said.
“He’s got a good association with the horse but unfortunately he got suspended on him in the Premier’s Cup and he’s still on the sidelines.”
Nolan is unsure if Fantastic Blue will line up in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on Saturday week after his Ipswich Cup assignment.
“It’s always been my theory to take one race at a time,” Nolan said.
“I’m wary of Caloundra as it always seems to be wet.
“This horse doesn’t like real wet tracks and he doesn’t like it rock hard so I have to be careful placing him.”
Nolan believes Fantastic Blue is a more professional racehorse than Paul’s Folly.
“Paul’s Folly won a lot of races in the bush before he went to the city,” he said.
“He was a lot more immature than Fantastic Blue who has won a lot of races in town and has won every season of his career.”
