Kiwi horseman Robert Priscott has described his visiting mare Igraine as a “momentum horse” and is hoping things go her way on an ideal wet-track in Saturday’s 2019 Caloundra Cup.
Robbie Fradd rides Kiwi-trained mare Igraine in the Caloundra Cup 2019. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The six-year-old German-bred daughter of Galileo hails from across the Tasman and has had three runs down under this Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
The opening two were standout efforts including being narrowly beaten for second in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on May 11.
She then headed to Eagle Farm and was far from disgraced placing third behind in-form Gold Coast galloper The Candy Man when 1.45 lengths beaten in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m).
Things however went amiss for Igraine last time out on Stradbroke Day when she failed to come within eight lengths of Sixties Groove in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m).
The Te Awamutu-based Priscott said there were genuine excuses that day and believes Igraine is more than capable of atoning in the Listed $175,000 Kendrick Racing Caloundra Cup (2400m) this afternoon.
She lines-up in barrier four with Robbie Fradd coming aboard for the ride on the 54kg minimum.
Despite being yet to win over further than 2100m, Igraine is one of the best in Caloundra Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $4.80 to enjoy her first victory since the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) back home last November.
Boosting her chances of returning to winning form is the Heavy (10) rated track at the Sunshine Coast.
Igraine has had two Heavy starts for a win and a second and looks one of the better hopes on the rain-affected track in the Cup.
“Take out her last run and her form has been good,” four-time Group 1 winning trainer Priscott told Racing Queensland this week.
“She had an easy week after the Brisbane Cup and she galloped very well on Tuesday morning.
“She races good on firm surfaces but her best form is on wet tracks and it’s been a year since she won three of her first four runs in New Zealand on wet tracks.”
Also on her side is the outstanding record of New Zealand-trained horses in the Caloundra Cup results.
Last winter Megablast (2018) became the 10th Kiwi-trained Caloundra Cup winner since 1985.
“She’s a momentum horse and she didn’t get carried into the Brisbane Cup when she followed The Candy Man,” Priscott added of Igraine.
“Hopefully, she can get a clear run from about the 600 metres and if she does, she’ll be right in the finish.
“The only doubt I’ve got is getting the 2400 metres.”
A good Caloundra Cup performance will see the mare race on for a shot at the $160,000 Listed Grafton Cup (250m) on July 11.
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