Melbourne Cup bound Ibicenco will head to Sydney for The Metropolitan after running in the Group 3 $150,000 Jack London Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ibicenco, white cap, scores a narrow win in the 2013 Geelong Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Ibicenco is having his second run back since running sixth to Fiorente in last year’s Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November and trainer Peter Moody is hoping to have the German import included the field again this year.
The 2000m of the Naturalism Stakes will suit Ibicenco better that his first up eighth to Stipulate in the Listed $120,000 Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on August 30.
Moody will then head to Sydney with Ibicenco and try to use the Group 1 $400,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4 to gain a run in the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s heading towards The Metropolitan in Sydney, then perhaps back here for the Geelong Cup,” Moody told Racing Network.
“I’m trying to get him to the first Tuesday in November the best way we can.”
Moody is also looking for back to back wins with Ibicenco in the Group 3 $300,000 Sportingbet Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on October 22 after he recorded a narrow win over Verdant last year.
Brad Rawiller is back aboard Ibicenco after winning the Geelong Cup and the seven year old will jump from gate five in the twelve horse field.
The top weight Spillway has drawn well at gate four and will be one of the main chances dropping back from Group 1 company after finishing fourth to Dissident in the weight for age $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Entirely Platinum and Bonfire are both stepping up in distance in the Naturalism Stakes after being transferred from their Sydney bases and will appreciate the extra trip.
Entirely Platinum (barrier 6) from the Team Hawkes stable is certain to improve on a better track after finishing last of eight on the heavy in the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 6.
And the English import Bonfire (barrier 10) has recorded two seconds from his two Australian starts for Gai Waterhouse when runner up to Hoylonny in the $85,000 Dooley’s Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on August 16 before being runner up again to stablemate Greatwood in the Listed $100,000 Premier’s Cup (1800m) at Rosehill on August 30.
