Bigger track to suit Self Sense in Caloundra Cup

Mornington trainer David Brideoake feels that his rejuvenated stayer Self Sense will be better suited on the bigger Sunshine Coast track when he lines up in the Listed $175,000 The Pump House Caloundra Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

Self Sense, above, will appreciate the bigger Sunshine Coast track when he runs in the Caloundra Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Self Sense, above, will appreciate the bigger Sunshine Coast track when he runs in the Caloundra Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Self Sense was heavily backed to start the $3.40 favourite for the Listed $175,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) last start on June 17 and responded with a six and three quarter lengths win over Caloundra Cup rival Benzini.

Jockey Michael Cahill, who rides the six year old again this weekend, circled the field from the 600m on the tight Ipswich track to completely blow the rest of the field  away and Brideoake believes that he will be a lot more comfortable on the wider open spaces of the Corbould Park track.

“I believe the big track will suit him so I’ve got nothing negative to report,” Brideoake told AAP.

The Ipswich Cup was Self Sense’s first win for over two years and Brideoake said that he can no reason why he can’t make it back to back feature Cup wins.

“The two weeks since his last start has been faultless,” Brideoake said.

“The opposition is slightly different but I would expect him to be hugely competitive again.

“He had been a terribly unlucky horse in high class races down in Melbourne with wide gates and having to go back to last and finishing on strongly.”

“He drew a good gate at Ipswich, he got the soft ground that he likes, and he got a beautiful ride from Michael Cahill. It just panned out beautifully.”

Self Sense has drawn barrier eight in the twelve horse Caloundra Cup field and will carry 56kg, up 2kg on his Ipswich Cup win and will meet Kiwi stayer Benzini, who will carry the top weight of 59.5kg, 2.5kg worse off.

Kiwi jockey Kelly McCulloch will again be on board the Adrian and Harry Bull trained Benzini who will jump from barrier eleven.

Self Sense is holding onto favouritism for the Caloundra Cup at $3.20 with Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Supply And Demand at $3.50 and Darren Weir’s Neverland at $4.20 while Benzini is next in the market order at $7.

The track for the Caloundra Cup Race Day at the Sunshine Coast was still rated a Soft 5 on Friday morning.

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.