Queensland handicappers would have to be generous towards Ironstein to entice trainer Gerald Ryan to run him at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday but stablemate Adnocon is a definite for the meeting.
Ironstein followed his fourth in the Brisbane Cup with victory in Saturday’s Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm and has been entered for the Caloundra Cup (2400m) which he won last year carrying 53 kilograms.
Adnocon was also at Caloundra in 2010 and is aiming to go one better than his second in the Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) following his defence of the Eye Liner Stakes last Saturday week.
“Ironstein is entered but I expect him to get 59 (kilograms) and I wouldn’t want to run him with that especially if it happened to be wet,” Ryan said.
“Unless he managed to come up with a lighter weight he won’t be running and we’ll stick to the plan of giving him a short break then getting him ready for the Wyong and Newcastle Cups and the Metropolitan.
“Adnocon will definitely be there with Glen Colless to ride.
“He ran second on him last year so he knows him well.
“The reports from the boys up there looking after Adnocon say he has come through the Eye Liner well.
“He has improved and is very bright in himself.”
In-form jockey Damien Browne, who rode Adnocon in the Eye Liner, is committed to 2010 winner Woorim in the Glasshouse paving the way for Colless to jump aboard.
There were 20 entries taken on Monday for the Cup and 30 for the Glasshouse.
Woorim and 2009 Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready are the top rated horses in the Glasshouse on 105 with Adnocon next at 101 while at 102 Ironstein is at the top of the rankings for the Cup.
“I imagine Adnocon will get 56 or 57 (kilograms) based on the rankings which is a fair weight for him,” Ryan said.
“He still has to beat Woorim again but he has had a long carnival while Adnocon is still fresh.”
The Rob Heathcote-trained Woorim has had four starts this campaign for a win in the Group Three BRC Sprint while Adnocon has had just one run for his Eye Liner victory.
Ipswich Cup winner Gold In Dubai was nominated for both races but will take his place in the Cup.
AAP TURF
