On pace runner Saluter has drawn handily at barrier four in the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
Saluter has drawn barrier four in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Robert Heathcote trained sprinter was back in the winner’s circle last start with a first up win in a 1000m Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on May 15 and will be hard to beat again stepping up to 1200m, a distance he has been successful at on two occasions.
Steel Zip has also drawn a nice alley and will jump from gate two in the thirteen horse field with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle.
The Pat Duff trained eight year old hasn’t started since finishing sixth in a 1350m Handicap at Doomben on February 6 on a heavy track but has been tuned up for his return to the racetrack with two recent Deagon barrier trial wins.
Leading apprentice James Orman is again on Weetwood Handicap winner Choice Bro who also drew in close at barrier three.
Choice Bro came from last to win the Listed $150,000 Audi Centre Toowoomba Weetwood Handicap (1200m) at Toowoomba on April 16 but then the Tony Sears trained six year old failed to make up ground from last in the Listed $100,000 Prime Minister’s Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on May 7 when he could only beat one runner home when fifteenth.
Stablemate Pillar Of Creation drew awkwardly at barrier ten with Brad Pengelly back in the saddle.
The Michael Lakey trained Trubia with Michael Cahill in the saddle has been installed the $4.60 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au and will find this a lot easier than last week’s Group 2 $175,000 MIRVAC QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm when eighth behind Spill The Beans.
Timeless Prince is also backing up after running seventh in the QTC Cup and has drawn just worse than midfield at barrier eight.
Topweight Ninth Legion, who has been lumbered with 59kg, drew barrier five but hasn’t been in the winner’s circle since winning the Listed $100,000 Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in January, 2015.
Ninth Legion has performed well in tougher company with his best winning effort being a victory in the 2013 Group 2 $175,000 Villiers Stakes (1550m) on the Kensington track at Randwick.
The six year old has also been tested at Group 1 level with his best result being a fourth to Lucky Hussler in the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones NBCF Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Eye Liner Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Trubia (barrier 1), $6 Choice Bro (3), $6.50 Saluter (4), $8 Ninth Legion (5), Steel Zip (2), $9 Pillar Of Creation (10), Timeless Prince (8), $11 Beckham (13), $15 Time To Plunder (15), $21 Royal Connection (9), $34 Daph ‘’N’ Alf (11), $41 Old Habits (6), $91 Abu Ben Adam (7).
