Ibicenco Gets His Trip in Queensland Cup

For an out-and-out stayer like Peter Moody-trained import Ibicenco, it is fair to say there are limited options when it comes to Australian racing.

Ibicenco heads Queensland Cup nominations. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia.

But the German Group 1 placegetter is set to get his chance over a suitable distance this Saturday in the Listed $150,000 Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm.

The five-year-old is the clear standout of 15 horses nominated for the long-distance test where he will attempt to secure his second victory on Australian soil.

The future stallion prospect showed his ability to stay all day in November when saluting in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) for former trainer Luca Cumani.

At distances far short of ideal, the son of Shirocco has produced three promising lead-up runs including a fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 22.

Now with his third trainer, Ibicenco began his career racing in Germany and France where the major highlight was a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Preis Von Europa at Cologne.

Also entered for this weekend’s Queensland feature race is in-form New South Wales stayer Peal Of Bells who has won his two most recent starts.

But whether the Gwenda Markwell-trained gelding makes the trip north is still to be decided as he is due to run in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill today.

The son of Clangalang showed his appreciation for a genuine staying race early last month when winning the Stayers Cup (3200m) by seven lengths at Randwick.

Sunshine Coast trainer Alan Jones has nominated last-start winner Clonmacnoise to step up in grade while other notable entrants include Robert Smerdon-trained import Verdant and New Zealand mare Gold Cape.

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