Avdulla looking for some consolation at Ipswich

Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla is looking for some early consolation at tomorrow’s Ipswich Cup meeting before he begins a nine meeting suspension.

Arinosa

Brenton Avdulla will miss the ride on Arinosa in the Tattersall's Tiara at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Avdulla’s suspension for careless riding begins at midnight Saturday night and he is out until midnight Saturday June 29 ruling him out of the final Group 1 of the season, the $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm June 22.

Stewards found Avdulla guilty of causing interference on Howmuchdoyouloveme at the 300m before going on to win the Listed $80,000 Evergreen Turf Lightning Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

“I’m disappointed to be missing the ride on Arinosa in the Tatt’s Tiara next week and I’ll also miss riding in the Healy Stakes as well,” Avdulla said.

Avdulla is the regular rider for the Chris Waller trained Arinosa who is back on track for the Tattersall’s Tiara after pulling up lame when fourth to Sookie in the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 25.

But Avdulla is hopeful of a successful day at Ipswich and has his eyes set on winning a feature double for trainer Gerald Ryan with Planetarium in the Listed $200,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) and Dances On Stars in the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).

Dances On Stars has been posted the early favourite for the Eye Liner Stakes after an eye catching second to Sizzling in the Group 2 $350,000 Sky Racing Queensland Guineas (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 1.

While Planetarium could be sent to Grafton for the Listed $150,000 100th Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 11 if he races up  to Ryan’s expectation after winning over 1818m in a restricted race at Eagle Farm on the same day.

“This is a step up for him but if he can do well then it opens up the options for him later on,” Ryan said.

Avdulla will team up with the Bjorn Baker trainer City Of Song in the other feature race on the card, the Listed $100,000 Sky Racing World Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m).

Whereas Planetarium and Dances On Stars came up with the inside barrier, City Of Song will start from near the outside after drawing gate sixteen in the field of sixteen plus two emergencies.

With Cradle Me already scratched after drawing the outside of the field, Sharnee Rose is the only other runner drawn outside City Of Song.

Dances On Stars heads the market in the Eye liner at $3.50 with topweight Conservatorium the second pick at $6.

Planetarium in on the second line of betting in the Ipswich Cup at $7, with the Peter Moody trained Voila Ici the favourite at $3.50.

And from the wide alley City Of Song has been posted a $15 chance in the Gai Waterhouse Classic behind John Thompson’s Peron, the $3.80 favourite, and Bound To Blush and Classics at $6.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.