Kennewell looking for Ipswich Cup Day double

Luck at the barrier draw has given top Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell plenty of confidence of winning a feature race double on Ipswich Cup Day at Ipswich on Saturday.

Baligari, above, red with grey cap, running second to Faust in the Premier's Cup, is one of the top fancies in the Ipswich Cup at Ipswich. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Baligari, above, red with grey cap, running second to Faust in the Premier’s Cup, is one of the top fancies in the Ipswich Cup at Ipswich. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Kennewell will saddle up Nite Rocker in the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) and Baligari in Listed $175,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) and both gallopers have drawn barrier four in their respective races.

The prominent Morphettville trainer considers this a huge advantage around the tight Ipswich circuit and the bookies agree with both close to the top of the market order in their races at Ladbrokes.com.au.

“They have both drawn barrier four and that is a big advantage from both starts,” Kennewell told AAP.

Kennewell is willing to forget Nite Rocker’s last run when he was forced to race three wide just behind the leading pair before fading in the straight to finish last of the twelve runners in the Listed $100,000 Landfill Logistics Ascot Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on May 23.

“They went out in very fast time in that race and Nite Rocker was caught three deep without cover in the lead,” Kennewell said.

“He had to stop the way the race was run. From the better barrier on Saturday he should get a nice run and I would expect him to race well,” Kennewell said.

On Saturday Ric McMahon should be able to get a nice lead or sit just behind the speed from barrier four and give the More Than Ready four year old every chance.

At his previous start Nite Rocker showed his customary speed before holding on to run third behind Charlie Boy and Rock Sturdy in the Group 3 $125,000 Darley BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 9.

Kennewell’s Ipswich Cup hope Baligari showed that he wasn’t far away from the winner’s circle with a last start second to Faust, with subsequent Brisbane Cup winner Jetset Lad third, in the Group 3 $125,000 Channel 7 Premier’s Cup (2020m) at Doomben on May 23 and should get the run of the race from barrier four for McMahon.

“He beat the eventual Brisbane Cup winner Jetset Lad home in that race. He is the one who has been holding it all together and has been thriving in Queensland,” Kennewell said.

“He should be able to get cover from that barrier and I would expect him to be hard to beat.”

Nite Rocker is on the second line of betting in the Eye Liner Stakes at $4.40 behind Group 1 winner Smokin’ Joey while Baligari is also the second pick for the Ipswich Cup at $5 behind the Chris Waller trained Danchai who heads up the market order at $4.80.

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.