Maurus breaks weight record in Ipswich Cup
Trainer David Vandyke admits he had some mid-race nerves before his gelding Maurus smashed the metric weight carrying record in winning the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m).
Maurus ($2.25 favourite) came from last at the 600m before being eased down to beat Jumbo Prince ($6) by 3 1/2 lengths with 3 1/4 lengths to Instrumentalist ($21) in third place.
The gelding lumped 58kg – the most by an Ipswich Cup winner since metrics were introduced in 1971 and the second highest since Sharpley won the 1961 Cup with 9 stone 3 lbs (58.5kg).
It was a double for Vandyke, who relocated full time from Sydney to Caloundra last week, from two Ipswich runners on Saturday as he had earlier won with Blackjack Bella in the Ipswich Mile.
He said it had been a dream year with Yankee Rose also winning a Group One in the ATC Sires Produce.
“This win really means something. It is my first stakes win as a trainer in Queensland and it was for Paul Fudge’s Waratah Syndicate who have been great supporters,” Vandyke said.
“I was happy enough when Damian (jockey Browne) went back to last but I must admit I was a bit nervous when Damian took off and made a wide run.
“I could see visions of the Doomben Cup where he travelled wide a long way and then ran fifth. But Damian had a strong hold on him and they were going to win a long way out.”
Vandyke said Maurus was a nervous horse and had sweated up before the race and travelling to Ipswich.
“But he is a very good horse and it was Damian’s first ride for me. He is a very good jockey,” he said.
Vandyke said he was looking at the Listed Caloundra Cup in a fortnight for Maurus.
“I am sure Damian would like to win a Caloundra Cup and so would I,” he said.
Browne said Maurus had been able to cross to last from his wide barrier and was travelling so strongly he took off from well out.
“He was just too good for them,” Browne said.
Jockey Jim Byrne said Jumbo Prince had tried hard and slipped about at stages.
“But the winner was in a class of his own. He was just too strong for us,” Byrne said.
James Orman said Instrumentalist had also tried hard but was never a winning hope.