Rosehill-based trainer Gerald Ryan, fresh off a stakes win at Ipswich, is preparing for more black-type glory in Queensland this weekend with his in-form stayer Ironstein seeking their second Cup win in three starts.
Ironstein vies for a second Cup win in three starts at Eagle Farm this Saturday
Twelve months ago Ryan enjoyed success in the season’s final Group 1 feature with his star Redoute’s Choice mare Melito saluting in the 2010 Winter Stakes.
This Saturday the newly-renamed $500,000 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) will again see out elite level racing in Australia for another season at Eagle Farm, and although Ryan is without a runner in this year’s edition of the fillies and mares feature, he is still confident of securing black-type glory at the meeting.
Last weekend Ryan enjoyed a win in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich Cup Day with his improving Clang gelding Adnocon and now he is back in Brisbane for more stakes success.
Ryan has nominated four horses from his stables over the eight-race Saturday programme at Eagle Farm, his headline runner being progressive Zabeel five-year-old Ironstein who will contest the $200,000 Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2200m).
A constant force in the Cup features around the country, Ironstein has multiple wins and placings in Cup showdowns from Caloundra to Wagga.
Winner of the 2010 Caloundra Cup, Ironstein recently took out the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on May 21.
Last start the gallant galloper finished just three and a half lengths away fourth behind Gai Waterhouse’s upset winner Tullamore in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap Day.
“He has done really well since the (Brisbane) Cup and I’m happy going into Saturday,” Ryan said.
“Brenton Avdulla will ride.”
Ace Sydney jockey Avdulla will be taking the mount on Ironstein for the first time this Saturday.
Ryan also confirmed that Ironstein would not head up to the Sunshine Coast after the Tattersall’s Cup to defend his Caloundra Cup title.
“He won’t go to the Caloundra Cup again,” Ryan said.
“We’ll give him a short break after Saturday and aim him at the Wyong and Newcastle Cups and the Metropolitan.”
The Wyong and Newcastle Gold Cups both run in September, while the $400,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) is one of the early Sydney Spring Carnival features held at Royal Randwick on October 1 – Epsom Handicap Day.
Ironstein is one of 15 early entries for this year’s Tattersall’s Cup along with the likes of last Saturday’s Ipswich Cup runner-up Danagaze, Bryan Guy’s Premier’s Cup winner Shuffle The Cash and the Michael Moroney-trained Viking Hero.
