The Ipswich Cup has emerged as a surprise option for veteran stayer Ironstein who is also entered for a 2000m race at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trainer Gerald Ryan said at first glance the Queensland feature looked a winnable race for the eight-year-old at his fourth start of a campaign which could be his last.
“I have to talk it over with all the owners and see how the race comes up,” Ryan said.
“He is entered for both races and it won’t matter if it’s 2000 metres or the 2150 at Ipswich.
Ironstein has 58kg in the Rosehill race, one kilogram less than joint topweights Full Of Spirit and Hoylonny.
A million dollar earner, Ironstein began racing in December 2008 and has won several stakes races including the 2011 Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.
His connections, who include John Singleton, are also considering a tilt at next month’s Grafton Cup in which he finished third four years ago.
Ironstein is the oldest horse in Ryan’s stable which has enjoyed a stellar season with two-year-olds, winning 17 races with 11 individual youngsters including Peggy Jean who triumphed in the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
The filly is owned by Triple Crown Syndications which will have two Ryan-trained runners, Brazen Moss and Aesop, in Saturday’s 1500m race for two-year-olds at Rosehill.
Aesop has has been unplaced in his two starts so far while Brazen Moss has had five starts, recording a frustrating four seconds.
“I’d really like to win a race with Brazen Moss,” Ryan said.
“He deserves it.”
The colt is by Mossman, sire of Golden Slipper winner Mossfun and the producer of horses which can handle wet ground with rain forecast off and on in the lead-up to Saturday’s race.
