Trainer Gerald Ryan hopes to top up his winter carnival bank balance with Ironstein in the Group Three Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm.
Brisbane has been a happy hunting ground for Ryan over the past two seasons when he has won almost $2 million in prizemoney, and he is confident Ironstein can continue the stable’s success in Saturday’s 2200-metre feature.
“We had a terrific year in Brisbane last season when we won $1.2 million in prizemoney,” Ryan said.
“Last year we had eight horses up there when Melito and Rothesay won the bulk of the prizemoney.
“This year I only sent up four horses and between them they’ve already won half a million and the carnival isn’t over yet.”
Melito was placed three times at the highest level in last year’s BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap before claiming the Group One Winter Stakes while Rothesay won the Group Three Lord Mayors Cup and Group Two Queensland Guineas.
Adnocon also won the Listed Eye Liner Stakes last year and made it back-to-back wins this year to follow the deeds of stablemate Hot Snitzel, winner of the Listed Ken Russell at the Gold Coast and Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm this year.
Hot Snitzel was also runner-up to Benfica in the Group One TJ smith at Eagle Farm earlier this month.
Ryan won last year’s Listed Caloundra Cup with Ironstein but has decided to run him in the Tatt’s Cup following his last-start fourth in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.
“I thought about going straight to the Caloundra Cup with him but it would have been three weeks between runs so I decided to run him in the Tatt’s Cup,” Ryan said.
“I’m not sure if he’ll back up in the Caloundra Cup and I won’t decide until I see how he pulls up after tomorrow.”
Ryan believes Ironstein, winner of last month’s Listed McKell Cup at Rosehill, will need a break if the five-year-old is to target the Newcastle and Wyong Cups and possibly the Group One Metropolitan at Randwick in the spring.
“They can’t keep going forever and he’ll need to have a break if he’s to run in the spring,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s main concern with the son of Zabeel is a lack of speed in Saturday’s race.
“I can’t fault the horse’s form but there looks to be a lack of speed which is a worry,” he said.
“But he doesn’t know how to pull and relaxes so well he still should be very competitive.”
Ryan, who won the Tatt’s Cup with Ancient Ritual in 1993, isn’t concerned Ironstein has won only one race from his 11 starts this campaign.
“He might have won only one race but he’s been very consistent along the way,” he said.
“He’s drawn wide (10) and has a big weight (58kg) which is another worry.
“I liked his Brisbane Cup run and he’s come out of it well.”
Ryan has ruled out a Grafton Cup start for Ironstein.
AAP TURF
