In-form galloper Fighting Teo is set to take on a tough field when he lines up in the 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.

Toowoomba trained Kevin Kemp is glad to see a lot of the interstate visitors have wound up there Queensland Winter Racing Carnival campaigns but still admits that Fighting Teo will be facing some tough opposition in Ipswich’s premier race.

“He deserves his chance in a stakes race but even though a lot of the southern horses have gone home, it will still be a tough race to win,” Kemp told AAP.

“On the other hand he gets in with the minimum of 54kg.”

Fighting Teo has found winning form at the right time and heads to Ipswich following wins in a 2000m BenchMark 75 Handicap at Doomben and in a 1625m Class 5 Plate on his home track at Toowoomba.

Three starts back Fighting Teo finished a handy fourth in the $125,000 Gold Coast Cup (2400m) and Kemp was very happy with the run against the open class horses.

“He has been racing well with two wins and what I thought was a good fourth in the Gold Coast Cup,” Kemp said.

Luke Tarrant is in the saddle again after being aboard Fighting Teo for his last three starts and will be able to give the four year old every chance from barrier two in the eleven horse Ipswich Cup field.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have Fighting Teo marked as the $3.40 Ipswich Cup favourite just ahead of the Kris Lees trained High Opinion who is coming off a last start seventh in the Listed $150,000 W J McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

Larry Cassidy takes the ride on High Opinion who will jump from barrier seven.