Kiwi stayer Sampson is the new top weight when the final field was released for the 2019 Listed $175,000 Channel Seven Ipswich Cup (2150m) at Ipswich on Saturday.

Glen Boss, above, will ride Master Zephyr in the 2019 Ipswich Cup at Ipswich. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Sampson will carry 58kg after the weights for the Ipswich Cup were raised 1.5kg when the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Lite’N In My Veins (59kg) and Mask Of Time (58.5kg) didn’t accept for Saturday’s race.

The Howard Mathews trained Sampson was also out of luck at the barrier draw and came up with the visitor’s draw and will jump from the outside gate in the eleven horse field with Mark Du Plessis in the saddle.

Sampson has had one run during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival for a fading tenth to Kenedna in the Group 2 $400,000 Bundaberg Rum P.J. O’Shea Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on June 1 and will appreciate the drop in class in the Ipswich Cup.

The Kris Lees trained High Opinion has drawn barrier seven for Larry Cassidy and has consistent form with four placings before a last start seventh in the Listed $150,000 W J McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on June 1 while his previous best effort was a second two starts back in the Listed $170,000 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) at Wagga on May 3.

The Paul Duncan trained Zanyetta has drawn the inside gate with Sean Cormack to ride while the in-form Fighting Teo from the Kevin Kemp stable will line up next to her in gate two with Luke Tarrant holding the reins.

Chris Munce will saddle up First Crush (barrier 3) and is hoping for a return to form with Matthew McGillivray in the saddle again following his last start eighteenth in the Group 3 $140,000 Eva Air Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 25.

“His Eagle Farm run wasn’t flattering but Matt (McGillivray) rode him the best he could,” Munce told Racing Queensland News Desk.

“He’s been racing in much harder company this time in where’s he’s been up against Group 2 and Group 3 horses.

“For some reason he doesn’t race at his best at Eagle Farm and some horses are just like that.

“He only got beaten just over one length by Le Luge (in the Chairman’s Handicap) and he’ll be a big show if he can repeat that in the Ipswich Cup.”

Final field for the 2019 Ipswich Cup (2150m)