A dry Ipswich track will help the chances of Toowoomba mare Ruby Guru in the 2019 Listed $175,000 Channel Seven Ipswich Cup (2150m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
Larry Cassidy, above, rides High Opinion in the 2019 Ipswich Cup at Ipswich. Photo by Daniel Costello.
The Ipswich track was rated a Good 4 on Friday afternoon with only a minimal chance of any rain on Saturday and while trainer Michael Nolan points out that Ruby Guru has won and been placed on rain affected tracks, he admits that the five year old mare is better suited on top of the ground.
“I say that provided the track is dry. I know she has some placings on wet tracks but really she doesn’t get through it,” Nolan told AAP.
“Her only bad run was on a really heavy track at the Gold Coast but the rest of her form is good.
“Anyway there is no sign of rain so that is a bonus.”
Ruby Guru steps up to Listed company after winning a BenchMark 75 Handicap over 2400m at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago.
Nolan had also nominated Ruby Guru in the 2500m Provincial Stayers BenchMark 78 Handicap on Saturday with 59kg but elected to run her in the Ipswich Cup with the 54kg minimum weight.
As it turned out a couple of the higher weighted horses in the Cup didn’t accept and we have probably pulled the right rein,” Nolan said.
“It would have been a big ask to lump 59 kilos around a tight track like Ipswich. Not that I don’t think she will run out a strong 2500 metres.
“I think she is a genuine stayer and she will get her chance at those trips later.”
Dale Smith takes the ride on Ruby Guru who will jump from gate five in the eleven horse Ipswich Cup field.
Early betting for the Ipswich Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au has Ruby Guru marked at $11 behind the $3.50 favourite Fighting Teo, the Kris Lees trained High Opinion at $4.40 and Bergerac at $4.80.
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