Berdibek might be rising ten, but John O’Shea says his forms points to him being a superior horse to 12 months ago and expects him to give the Listed Ipswich Cup a mighty shake.
O’Shea has replicated the path Berdibek followed to Ipswich last year, coming through the Hawkesbury and Scone Cups in NSW before heading to Eagle Farm for his final lead-up run.
Each of his performances this time around have been a little better than 12 months ago, but particularly his latest effort for third in the Lord Mayor’s Cup behind Without A Fight and Luncies, who have since franked the form finishing first and fourth respectively in last weekend’s Q22.
“The thing about Berdibek, last year in that race at Eagle Farm he ran fifth and was then very unlucky in the Ipswich Cup with 59-1/2 (kilos),” O’Shea said.
“This year he has run third at Eagle Farm and he drops down to 55-1/2 (kilos).
“I think he’s probably going better and he’s better weighted this year.”
Along with the weight relief, Berdibek has also drawn more favourably in Saturday’s Listed feature.
After jumping from barrier five of 16 when sixth to Smart Meteor in the 2022 Ipswich Cup (2150m), he has gate 11 of 15 this weekend and O’Shea says that is ideal given the gelding’s racing pattern.
“He’s got, for him, a better draw,” he said.
“He drew soft last year, which is difficult for him because he doesn’t have any gate speed.
“From 11, he can suck in and tuck in and the circumference of the track really suits him. It’s very similar to Wyong where he won the (2021 Wyong Gold) Cup.”
Ryan Maloney has picked up the Cup ride on Berdibek, who is on the third line of betting at $6 behind Numerian ($3.20 fav) and Desert Icon ($4.20), the latter also an acceptor for the McKell Cup (2000m) in Sydney.
