Ibicenco heads for The Metropolitan

Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody will send rejuvenated import Ibicenco to Sydney to run in the Group 1 $400,000 McGrath Estate Agents The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5.

Ibicenco and Brad Rawiller return to scale after winning the Slickpix Stakes at Caulfield.

Ibicenco and Brad Rawiller return to scale after winning the Slickpix Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

OTI management head Terry Henderson, who share the ownership, still has his eye on the major Spring cups in Melbourne and said that if Ibicenco was to win the Metropolitan the former English stayer would head back for the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.

“If he won up there he’ll come straight back and if he makes the Cup fields he’ll definitely run in them,” Henderson told Racing Network.

Ibicenco arrived in Australia for the Spring Carnival last year and was able to win the Listed $150,000 Sportingbet Sandown Cup (3200m) at Sandown while still under the care of top English based trainer Luca Cumani.

The German bred stayer was then transferred to the Moody stable and after being unplaced from four runs in Queensland during the winter, the premier trainer was able to score a shock win first up with Ibicenco in the The Listed $120,000 Slickpix Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on August 31.

His next start saw him make up ground in the straight in a slowly run race when eighth to Mr O’Ceirin in the Group 3 $150,000 D’Urban Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

“Peter has worked his magic with another import, putting some speed into him after a full preparation,” Henderson said.

“He’s flying and he will definitely go to Sydney for The Metropolitan.

“It doesn’t look the strongest field you’ve seen and he’s in good form and the trip is ideal.

“I really think he will be highly competitive and they’ll know he’s there.”

Ibicenco was sent out a $51 chance but aided by a great ride from Brad Rawiller was able to grab Mr O’Ceirin right on the line in the Slickkpix Stakes with Mr O’Ceirin making the form look good when he was able to lead all of the way in the Naturalism Stakes after running some slow sections for Glen Boss mid race.

The Chris Waller trained Moriarty heads the Metropolitan betting at $4.60 following his win in the Group 2 $200,000 Bacardi Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday with Prince Cheri the second pick at $5 after winning at his last two starts at Rosehill.

Glencadem Gold showed glimpses of his old form when second to Moriarty and is marked at $7 to win back to back Metropolitans while Ibicenco has been listed an $18 chance.

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.