Victorian galloper Self Sense has revelled in a return to a soft track to win the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m), the first part of a three-leg Queensland project.
The gelding, which was backed from $5 to start $3.40 with Luxbet, burst away in the straight on Saturday to beat Benzini by 6-3/4 lengths, with 2-1/4 lengths to Jumbo Prince in third.
Self Sense had run a 10-lengths 13th in the Brisbane Cup last week but there were excuses.
Alex Woodhams, the stable spokesman for trainer David Brideoake, said the track at Doomben for the Cup had been on the too-hard side.
“He just didn’t handle the track but he has been crying out for a soft track and a good barrier. He got that today and you can see what he can do,” Woodhams said.
“His previous start at Flemington was very good and he only had to run up to that to be very hard to beat.”
Woodhams said Self Sense would press on to the Caloundra Cup (2400m) on the Sunshine Coast in a fortnight.
“He has some strong staying bloodlines so he will probably also stay on for the Queensland Cup (3200m) on July 15″, he said.
Veteran jockey Michael Cahill scored his first win in the Ipswich Cup after years of trying.
“I have had some top rides in the Ipswich Cup and run minor placings but never won one before,” Cahill said.
“This bloke is a good stayer and I was very confident from the 1000m on today.”
Kelly McCulloch, who rode Benzini, said the gelding tried hard but had to give 6kg to the winner.
Benzini is also likely to press on to the Caloundra Cup.
