Ipswich Cup winner Tradesman could be back on the job sooner than expected and is among the nominations for the 2018 Group 3 $200,000 Lazy Yak Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Jumbo Prince, above, is among the nominations for the 2018 Tattersall’s Cup at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Tradesman had to do it tough before posting a head win over First Crush in last Saturday’s Listed $175,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) at Ipswich and trainer Darren Weir had initially indicated that the former West Australian trained six year old would head to the Listed Scott McMahon Electrical Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night, but his name has bobbed up among the twelve nominations for the Tattersall’s Cup.

Weir was happy to get the win in the Ipswich Cup but wasn’t impressed with the gelding being caught three wide for the entire trip after Dean Yendall was able to slot Tradesman in amongst the field from barrier five.

“The horse ran terrific,” Weir said from his viewing spot at The Valley.

“To my eyes it didn’t look a very good ride. If you rate it out of 10 it was a one and you get one for just turning up.”

“He’ll go to the Caloundra Cup now in a fortnight’s time and I think the bigger track there will suit him.”

Only twelve horses were entered for the Tattersall’s Cup and depending on how Tradesman pulled up, Weir could have a change of mind.

Tradesman finished a handy second to Egg Tart at his previous start in the Group 2 $200,000 Bradford Access Insulation P.J. O’Shea Stakes (2200m) at the Sunshine Coast on June 2 with the Kiwi stayer Megablast filling third position.

The Nigel Tiley trained Megablast is also among the nominations for the Tattersall’s Cup and the six year old gelding has proven in the past to be a versatile galloper and as well as running fourth in the 2017 Group 1 NZ$500,000 Auckland Cup over 3200m, was able to win over 1600m with his victory in the 2018 Group 2 NZ$100,000 Easter Handicap at Pukekoe in April.

The Tony Pike trained Sacred Master is another tough Kiwi stayer nominated for the Tattersall’s Cup but the six year old has been out of form of late and is coming off a last start fourteenth in the Listed $100,000 The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Doomben on June 9.

Nominations for the 2018 Tattersall’s Cup (2200m)