Far from being frustrated by Iggi Pop’s two recent second placings, trainer Peter Robl is just pleased to have him racing at all, let alone so well.
The seven-year-old lost more than a year of his career when he was sidelined by a tendon injury and made his return in March this year.
He goes into Saturday’s Listed McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill at his fifth run back from the injury which could well have spelled the end.
“It’s great to get him back to the races and to see him going so well,” Robl said.
“He bowed a tendon and it was a significant injury which needed 12 months in the paddock.
“He’s a wonderful old fella and I’m pleased with him going into the race although the barrier is not ideal.”
The gelding’s past two starts have resulted in seconds to Honey Toast in the Toowoomba Cup and second to Messene in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup.
Iggi Pop has drawn one from the outside in the field which has been reduced to 14 with the scratching of Index Linked, leaving trainer Chris Waller with four runners.
Originally with John O’Shea, Iggi Pop was transferred to John Sargent when O’Shea took up the position of head trainer for Godolphin in Australia.
Robl was foreman for Sargent until he was granted his own licence late last year and took over the horses owned by Segenhoe Stud, among them Iggi Pop.
He will keep his options open for Iggi Pop after Saturday but they include getting him up to the 3200m of the Stayer’s Cup a couple of weeks later.
“He won the Queensland Cup over 3200 metres a couple of years ago,” Robl said.
“There’s also the Brisbane Cup and the Caloundra Cup. We’ll make a decision after Saturday.
Iggi Pop is a $15 chance in a McKell Cup market dominated by the Darren Weir-trained Raw Impulse at $1.60.
The English import came to Australia with one win from five starts.
Since he began racing for Weir, Raw Impulse is unbeaten with wins at Moonee Valley and Caulfield.
