One of the key races at Ipswich this Saturday is the Ipswich Cup (2150m), where the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Ipswich Cup.
2026 Ipswich Cup Runner Preview:
1. Golden Path: He brings the best form…but is he cast? I think so, and carrying topweight, drawn wide…I can’t have him.
2. Miss Joelene: I thought Cejay slaughtered her last year in this race. Is she going as well 12 months on? Questionable, but when ridden cold, she has a big finale and can launch over the top to win.
3. Encoder: Encoder was close up three weeks back in the Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm, sitting near the speed and tried his guts out but just couldn’t quite get there behind Athanatos. 2150m is ideal, and he drops a long way in depth.
4. Belvedere Boys: Belvedere Boys should take beating here for Matty Dunn. Just think he got too far back at Rosehill three weeks ago in the Lord Mayors Cup, working home strongly from off speed when a close up fourth to Portland. Form reads well and compared to previous years, this is one of the worst editions of the Ipswich Cup I can remember.
5. Tapildoodledo: Dare say is using this as a tune up for the Sunny Coast in two weeks.
6. Sun Worshipper: Thought she was building nicely but she did nothing in the Premiers Cup. Big drop in grade, prior efforts were good enough to beat these.
7. Viking Invasion: Dare say is another with eyes on two weeks time.
8. Zoology: Too hot and cold to be entertained for mine.
9. Redstone Well: His best is clearly good enough but haven’t seen it for some time.
10. Prince Levi: Trip will be no issue, getting to peak fitness, but I have a few others ahead of him.
11. Speycaster: I think he’s flying this horse and will have a peanut each way at the big price, but will be keen to see him run on here with eyes towards the Caloundra Cup.
12. Kaluakoi: Think he’s racing really well but isn’t up to these.
13. The Drover: Was okay late last start but looks outclassed.
14. avalry Man: Cavalry Man is racing like 2150m will be no issue for him. Got a beaut ride at Eagle Farm two weeks back and duly saluted, finishing best from off speed to get the job done. He’s in career best form IMO and this is a race well within reach.
15. Connecticut: Not for me.
2026 Ipswich Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$80 Win Belvedere Boys, $5 Win/$15 Place Speycaster
2026 Ipswich Cup Speed Map
I can’t see much early pressure here. Suspect that Golden Path will come across from out wide to lead? Zoology can settle handy if given a dig in the ribs early. Encoder lands in a plum spot from the inside draw.
Ipswich Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ben Thompson | 15 | 60kg |
| 2 | MISS JOELENE | Kelly Schweida | Ms Cejay Graham | 7 | 59kg |
| 3 | ENCODER | Michael Freedman | Boris Thornton | 1 | 57.5kg |
| 4 | BELVEDERE BOYS | Matthew Dunn | Jake Bayliss | 12 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | TAPILDOODLEDO (NZ) | Kerry Taplin | Rob Thorburn (a) | 2 | 54kg |
| 6 | SUN WORSHIPPER | Matt Kropp | Ron Stewart | 5 | 53kg |
| 7 | VIKING INVASION (IRE) | Stuart Kendrick | 13 | 53kg | |
| 8 | ZOOLOGY (GB) | Peter & Will Hulbert | Ms Chelsea Baker (a) | 6 | 53kg |
| 9 | REDSTONE WELL (IRE) | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Daniel Moor | 14 | 53kg |
| 10 | PRINCE LEVI | William Kropp | Mark Du Plessis | 9 | 53kg |
| 11 | SPEYCASTER (GB) | Todd Pollard | Ms Georgina Cartwright | 4 | 53kg |
| 12 | KALUAKOI | Chris & Corey Munce | Ms Emily Lang (a) | 3 | 53kg |
| 13 | THE DROVER | Lawrie Mayfield-Smith | Taylor Marshall | 11 | 53kg |
| 14 | CAVALRY MAN | Lindsay Gough | Robbie Dolan | 10 | 53kg |
| 15 | CONNECTICUT | Corey & Kylie Geran | Nozi Tomizawa | 8 | 53kg |
Ipswich Cup Odds
