Peter Robl eyeing Ipswich stakes success
As a former jockey, trainer Peter Robl has an insight into how he wants his horses ridden.
But Ipswich is one track he never rode at and he has engaged Brad Pengelly and Damian Browne to ride his stakes runners on Saturday hoping their experience will be a telling factor.
Brad Pengelly will ride Iggi Pop in the Ipswich Cup (2150m) and Damian Browne will be aboard Ninth Legion in the Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).
“Ipswich is one of the few tracks I never rode on but I have watched plenty of races there on television,” Robl said.
“I decided to go with very experienced riders for both my runners.”
Robl has also decided to put blinkers back on both horses.
Iggi Pop will back up from an unplaced run in the Brisbane Cup last Saturday but Robl warned the effort should be ignored.
“He never handled the track at all,” he said.
“But if you go on his previous efforts they were seconds in the Toowoomba Cup, Wagga Cup and McKell Cup at Randwick,” Robl said.
“That is good form for a race like this which doesn’t appear to have much depth.
“I have put blinkers back on him to sharpen him up to get around Ipswich.”
Robl has had Iggi Pop for six starts since the horse recovered from a career-threatening leg injury.
Ninth Legion has had two starts for Robl after leaving Hawkes Racing and the trainer is hoping the rain stays away.
“The race has been his target all along but they can keep the rain away until Sunday. Damian has won the Eye Liner before so he knows what is required,” Robl said.
“I have also put blinkers back on him which should sharpen him him up.”
Ninth Legion, winner of the 2013 Villiers Stakes, was well beaten at both his runs for his new trainer.
But Robl said a dry track, blinkers and a fast pace should help the six-year-old on Saturday.