The 2015 Ipswich Cup field has been released and Tasmanian galloper Banca Mo is set to carry the top weight of 59 kilograms in the Listed event that will be held at Ipswich on Saturday.
Banca Mo has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Ipswich Cup this weekend. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Banca Mo performed well without winning in both the Group 3 Hobart Cup (2400m) on February 9 and the Group 3 Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 25 before he earnt himself a trip to Queensland for a winter campaign when he beat Big Memory and Don Doremo in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on March 28.
The Tough Speed gelding was set to start his Queensland Winter campaign in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), but he was scratched for the race before he finished a credible 11th behind Pornichet in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane on May 9.
There was a sprinkling of support for Banca Mo ahead of the Listed Spear Chief Quality (1630m) at Doomben on May 30, but he was never able to get into the race and he finished last behind Frespanol.
Banca Mo will carry 59 kilograms when he jumps from barrier five in the Ipswich Cup and Andrew Willamson-trained Darci Be Good is set to carry the second top weight of 57 kilograms.
Darci Be Good dead-heated with fellow Ipswich Cup runner Noisy Ocean in the Coastline BMW Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on May 3 and he has performed well without winning in the Summerveld Racing Stables Handicap (1800m) at the same venue on May 16 before he was only narrowly beaten in the Spear Chief Quality.
There was no splitting Darci Be Good and Noisy Ocean in the Coastline BMW Handicap and the duo will renew acquaintances in the Ipswich Cup after Noisy Ocean recorded another race win in The Coolangatta Hotel Handicap (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 30.
Another horse that is taking strong form into the Ipswich Cup is Lloyd Kennewell-trained Baligari, who has performed well without winning in three race starts this preparation.
Baligari finished a gallant third in the Listed City Of Adelaide Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on April 25 and he had no luck when fourth in the Listed Members Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on May 9 before he finished second behind Faust in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2020m) at Doomben on May 23.
One of the most interesting runners in the 2015 Ipswich Cup field is imported stayer Danchai, who is still chasing his first race win in Australia.
Danchai started his winter preparation with a fifth place finish at Warwick Farm on May 6 and he produced an improved performance to finish third behind Ecuador in the Eremein Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 30.
Volkhere, Hi Son, Kurtley, Shotover River, Miss Husson, No Tricks, Vodnik and Bachelor Zeel round out the 2015 Ipswich Cup field.
