Mr O’Ceirin has been included in the 2014 Caloundra Cup field and the tough stayer will carry the top weight of 59 kilograms in the Listed event at the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
Mr O'Ceirin is chasing his first race win since he took out the Naturalism Stakes last year. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Mr O’Ceirin has had four race starts during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and is yet to produce a bad performance, but has been unable to breakthrough for a win.
The Postponed gelding started his winter campaign in Queensland with a second place finish behind Streama in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 and had no luck when seventh in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 17.
Mr O’Ceirin returned to his best form with a second place finish behind Moriarty in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) on May 31 and was caught wide early when fifth in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
The six-year-old has not recorded a race win since he took out the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but will have an excellent opportunity to return to the winners stall when he jumps from barrier 1 on Saturday.
One horse that is taking winning form into the Caloundra Cup is Tony Gollan-trained Brave Ali, who has recorded three wins from four starts since joining the in-form Gollan stable.
Brave Ali made his debut for Gollan with a win in the Kirks Handicap (2030m) at Doomben on April 12 and took out the Listed JRA Tail Stakes (2128m) at Eagle Farm on April 26 before finishing a tough third in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 10.
The O’Reilly gelding dropped back in class for the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on June 14 and stamped himself as a leading contender for the Caloundra Cup with a strong front running victory.
Veteran stayer Ironstein (barrier eight), Stewart Mackinnon-trained High Kin (barrier 12), the out of form Brayroan (barrier 11) and the fast-finishing Catalonia (barrier nine) will also be backing up from the Ipswich Cup.
Zennista won the 2013 edition of the Caloundra Cup in impressive fashion and will have the opportunity to become the first horse since Empyreal in 2005 to win the Listed event in back-to-back years.
The talented mare started her 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign with fair performances in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 10 and the Premier’s Cup, but was outclassed in the Brisbane Cup and tired badly in the final stages of the race.
Luckzat (barrier six), Perfect Start (barrier five), Clonmacnoise (barrier two), Denwood (barrier four) and Bring Back (barrier seven) have also been included in the 2014 Caloundra Cup final field.
