There is plenty of depth among the seventeen nominations for the Listed $175,000 Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Maurus is among the nominations for the Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The first four placegetters of the Listed $175,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) run at Ipswich last Saturday week, Maurus, Jumbo Prince, Instrumentalist and Puccini, could clash again in the Caloundra Cup.

Maurus proved to be far superior to his rivals, recording a three and a half lengths win in the Ipswich Cup and will be one of the main chances again.

Maurus has become the flag bearer for trainer David Vandyke who has just recently relocated his stable to the Sunshine Coast from Warwick Farm in Sydney.

Jumbo Prince ran an honest race to finish second to Maurus in the Ipswich Cup with Instrumentalist and Puccini filling third and fourth spots.

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has nominated Index Linked and Junoob for the Caloundra Cup and both stayers will have to back up week to week if he decides to send them around.

Index Linked was back in the winner’s circle with a game win in the Group 3 $200,000 Carlton Mid Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday while Junoob finished at the tail of the eight horse field.

The Tony Gollan trained Amexed was also back in the winner’s stall last start but will find the Caloundra Cup harder than his win in the $100,000 Winter Provincial Stayers Series Final (2150m) at Ipswich on Ipswich Cup Day.