Ibicenco causes major boilover in Slickpix Stakes

Trainer Peter Moody will pursue a Cups campaign with import Ibicenco after causing a major boilover in the The Listed $120,000 Slickpix Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield.

Ibicenco

Ibicenco, yellow cap, sneaks through on the rails to win the Slickpix Stakes at Caulfield. Race Horse Photos Australia

Ibicenco was the second long priced winner for the day for Moody and the OTI Racing team after scoring earlier with $12 chance Lidari in the $80,000 BMW Handicap (1400m).

Ibiceno ($51) was having his first start since finishing fifth in the 3200m Listed $150,000 BMAG Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm in July and was able score a narrow win when Brad Rawiller push the imported stayer in between runners in the straight to score a nose victory over Mr O’Ceirin ($12).

Race favourite Pakal ($2.30), after having a nice run in third and fourth spot, battled on for third after looming up at the 250m mark.

Moody said that Ibiceno was nominated for all the major races over the Melbourne Spring Carnival and he would push on in that direction.

“We’ve been doing a lot of jumping at home and he’s just been the happiest horse,” Moody said.

“Since he’s been back here he’s just been a different horse this preparation. He’s been so happy, in a great frame of mind.”

“He’s in all the big handicaps. So we’ve learnt a bit more about him, we might lift the bar. That was a good effort today so we’ll come back here for the Naturalism in three weeks and then probably the cups.”

Ibicenco has already won over the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200m when he took out the Listed $150,000 Sportingbet Sandown Cup at Sandown last November.

The Group 3 $150,000 D’Urban Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21 is always a strong lead up for the Group 1 $2.65m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.

And both those Caulfield races provide strong form lines heading into the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.

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.