Trainer Chris Waller headed into last week’s Stradbroke meeting with high hopes as he was saddling up leading chances in several of the feature races. At the day’s end however, he walked away empty-handed after Brazen Beau ran a narrow second, Vilanova third in the Qld Derby and Moriarty second in the Brisbane Cup. Waller will be hoping his former Singaporean galloper Masthead can go one better when he lines up in the Eye Liner Stakes this Saturday at the Ipswich Cup meeting. Masthead, who ran a close second to Sacred Form in a Group 2 race last start, opened up at $5.00 and holds favouritism with Black Cash. Second line of betting, in what is a very open affair, goes to the only 3yo in the race Into The Red at $6.50. Impressive last start winner Ellawisdom is the only other runner under double figure odds in early markets at $9.00
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1. ALMA’S FURY – J Byrne 59kgs (4)
A Group 2 winner who returned to racing off a twelve week spell for his new Trainer Tony Gollan with a seventh (two lengths) behind Sacred Star (who was good again when fifth in the Stradbroke Hcp) a fortnight ago in the QTC Cup. Fitter, drawn to get a nice run and recent second up runs have been handy in quality races down in Sydney. Sure to be competitive and a little cut out of the track would also be welcomed.
Odds: $11.00
2. STEEL ZIP – B Stewart 58kgs (13)
He settled much closer to the speed than he normally does and was left a little flat at the end of the BRC Sprint, running fifth to subsequent G1 Stradbroke Handicap winner River Lad. Got back in the QTC Cup and didn’t have a great deal of room or luck in the straight and with either, may have finished closer still than his 1 ½ length sixth behind Sacred Star. Will drop back from his wide gate and will have to time his run to perfection with this weight around Ipswich, but look for him to be finishing hard and he has the ability to win this.
Odds: $17.00
3. STARTSMEUP – T Bell 57kgs (7)
It’s been a year and a half since this 6yo last won a race but during that time, he has kept producing runs that suggest a race like this is well within his reach. He flashed home toward the end of last year to run third (0.6 lengths) to Lucky Hussler in the G3 George Moore Stakes and has had two runs back from a spell this time in. He finished mid-field behind River Lad in the BRC Sprint first up and closed well to run fifth (2.2 lengths) to Aldini in the Spear Chief (1500m). Dropping back to 1350m of this race suits and he won his only start at this track, on this day in 2012, claiming a Class 6 over smart performer Liesele. Has in-form jock up and has to be given an each-way chance.
Odds: $15.00
4. MASTHEAD – C Munce 56.5kgs (12)
Each of his three runs since returning from a stint in Singapore have been very good and have him well placed here. He ran fourth (3/4 length) in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone two starts back before coming to Brisbane and lining up in the G2 QTC Cup (1300m). Turning for home the 5yo gelding was right on the back of eventual winner Sacred Star but couldn’t run him down in the straight, finishing a good second (neck). That form has stood up well and a similar effort here would see him go very close.
Odds: $5.00
5. PHELAN READY – E Wilkinson 56kgs (8)
He is still looking for that elusive third career win, forty-one starts after winning his second – the 2009 Golden Slipper. Since then, the More Than Ready 7yo has eleven places and gone within a whisker of breaking his winless drought on more than one occasion. Trainer Jason McLachlan has made sure his charge is ready for this race first up with two winning barrier trials in the last three weeks. Will get back and prefer him to be at Eagle Farm than Ipswich but they’ll be a roar should he win.
Odds: $11.00
6. BLACK CASH – M Cahill 55kgs (1)
The Show A Heart 5yo has had two runs back from a spell and on those efforts, looks to be a significant player here. He drew the second to widest gate in a field of sixteen first up, was posted wide in the run and his ninth (4.1 lengths) behind Theft was acceptable. He drew wide again but pushed forward this time in the QTC Cup and stuck on very well, getting fourth (1.2 lengths) behind Sacred Star at Eagle Farm. Third up here looks ideal and has draw well in gate 1. First go at Ipswich but it should suit is on-pace style and rates a definite place chance.
Odds: $5.50
7. JETSET LAD – A Allen 54.5kgs (6)
Back for another crack at this race after drawing wide and running fifth under 56.5kgs in last year’s edition. Has competed in New Zealand this year but has been well accounted for in some of their premier races. He dropped back in grade for his most recent start, four weeks ago in the Listed Rang. Gold Cup (1600m), and finished fourth (3.9 lengths). This grade suits, as does the 54.5kgs and a dry track but was in much better form for mine coming into last year’s race.
Odds: $61.00
8. REGULAR – J Johnson 54kgs (9)
Toughed it very well in front three weeks ago to record his sixth career win with a nose victory over Playitstraight in a BM 90 (1350m) That win came after two close second in Class 6 company and has never been in better form for a race like this but despite the rise in class, carries the same weight as last start and should be kept honest on pace with challengers closing strongly late.
Odds: $12.00
9. ELLAWISDOM – R. McMahon 54kgs (3)
Showed what a strong finish she does posses when, after settling at the tail of the field, she was pulled wide and scorched down the outside to claim the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m) first up off a ten week spell, defeating Avaladyluck by 1 ½ lengths. That was the daughter of Top Echelon career best effort and one that she had always threatened to deliver but it’ll be tough to say she can back it up with another one as she’ll be getting back in the field form an inside draw and need luck from there.
Odds: $9.00
10. QFIGHTER – T Harrison 54kgs (10)
After an encouraging sixth of twelve first up in the Listed Bribie Handicap (1110m), the Matthew Dunn trained 4yo gelding was sent to Sydney for a BM 85 over 1200m. He settled midfield but couldn’t pull in the winner Cradle Me who had dictated proceedings from out in front. Qfighter finished third, 3 ¼ lengths away. Worked through his grades in good style last prep before having a dip at a couple of Listed races where on each occasion he was well held. Might be the same again come Saturday.
Odds: $17.00
11. PLAYITSTRAIGHT – D Dunn 54kgs (11)
Big run from this Foreplay 6yo when first up off an eight month break, he failed by the barest of margins to haul in Regular in a BM 90 (1350m) three weeks ago. Can only be better for having had that run but faces a stiffer test here and is drawn more awkwardly for Saturday’s race compared to his first up run where he was afforded a nice run in transit.
Odds: $13.00
12. BILLY AUCASH – V Colgan 54kgs (5)
Returned from a twenty-one week spell in a BM 90 (1350m) three weeks ago where not much went right in the run. He was caught wide in the field of sixteen, pushed forward approaching the turn to be just behind the leaders but the run and his condition took it’s toll and he only battled thereafter, running fourteenth, 7.1 lengths behind the winner, Regular. Needs to show significant improvement.
Odds: $41.00
13. INTO THE RED – J Taylor 54kgs (2)
Kelso Wood 3yo colt was great in his first two runs back from a successful campaign over the Christmas/New Year period. On a heavy track, he closed steadily to run fifth (1.8 lengths) behind Dothraki in the Gold Coast Guineas before getting within a length of Havana when second in the G3 Fred Best Classic. He stepped up in grade again when contesting the QLD Guineas but after drawing fifteen and settling in a similar position in the run, failed to make an impression in the straight and finished second to last (5.9 lengths) from Sir Moments. A smart 3yo who is not out of place here and should be able to secure a nice run from a good draw.
Odds: $6.50
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RACE OVERVIEW
Pace here will be solid from the jump with Regular coming across from a wide gate with Playitstraight whilst Black Cash will push up from an inside draw as will Into The Red. Taking the line through Sacred Star Masthead looks like he’ll be in the thick of things here. His strike rate in recent times is far from enticing but a solid speed up front, C Munce and $5.00 in early better, are all enough to stick with him here. Out of the same race – the QTC Cup; comes Black Cash who should be ready to fire third up with a good draw. Cahill should have options for there depending on the pace and he’ll fight strongly at the end. Steel Zip was unlucky last start and whilst he does have an extra 4.5kgs and has drawn poorly, he is never far away in races such as this and will be steaming home. The opening price of $17.00 is too good to ignore, he’ll run a better race than that prices suggests.
- MASTHEAD
- BLACK CASH
- STEEL ZIP
- ALMA’S FURY
