All eyes turn to Bundamba this Saturday as Ipswich Cup Day rolls around, delivering one of Queensland racing’s most electric winter meetings.
Royal Ipswich will be packed, the atmosphere will be buzzing, and punters are set for a deep nine-race card full of betting opportunities.
The feature Listed Ipswich Cup brings together a strong staying lineup, with Belvedere Boys prominent in early markets, while the Eye Liner Stakes and Gai Waterhouse Classic ensure quality right across the program.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6) made a big impression first-up for trainers Chris & Corey Munce.
After drawing wide over 1200m here, the Churchill mare was forced to settle back and was held up approaching the straight before bursting through once clear to score by a neck.
She’ll take improvement into her second run this preparation, and the step up in trip looks ideal given how strongly she hit the line.
Earlier in her career she competed in Group company in Sydney, so she has always shown ability, and this grade looks very suitable.
With speed drawn to her inside, Martin Harley should be able to work across and land one off the fence.
SOSINO (4) has clearly benefitted from the move north to Brisbane under trainers Annabel & Rob Archibald.
He relished wet ground at Doomben last start, producing a dominant performance to win the mile by 4.45 lengths.
Prior to that he had been holding his own in stronger Sydney races, and he now presents third-up in this campaign.
There looks to be very little early pressure in this race, which should allow 2kg-claiming apprentice Jace McMurray to roll forward, take control, and dictate.
YES LULU (1), from the Ciaron Maher stable, comes back sharply in grade after contesting black-type events.
She had no clear running when resuming in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown, before finishing off strongly last start when beaten 1.23 lengths into third in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.
Her third-up profile is excellent, with two wins and a third from three attempts.
With Daggers and Ouroboros likely to ensure a genuine tempo, she should settle just off the speed and get her chance if Ryan Maloney can find clear running at the right time.
THE IRISH (2), trained by James Healy, shapes as one of the few runners capable of running out a strong 2500m.
He has been in great form this preparation, opening with a solid win over a mile at the Sunshine Coast three starts ago.
Last start, he stepped from a mile to 2200m at Doomben and made the rise in distance look straightforward, letting down powerfully to win with something in reserve.
While this is his first attempt at 2500m, his previous victories at 2200m and 2370m suggest he will handle it comfortably.
Michael Rodd retains the ride.
CINDERSEA (11), from the Michael Freedman yard, was unlucky not to score when resuming at the Gold Coast.
She travelled strongly into the race and hit the front in the straight but laid in, forcing Rachel King to stop riding, and was still only beaten a neck.
Prior to that, she had recorded back-to-back wins at Doomben over this distance when leading throughout.
With good speed expected here, 2kg claimer Jace McMurray should be able to take a stalking position from the low draw before making his move.
PLATINUM PANTHEON (2) has brought strong New Zealand form into this preparation for trainer Lisa Latta and looks ready to capitalise.
She finished close up in both the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and the Group 3 Fred Best Classic before producing an eye-catching run in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes.
After settling last from a wide barrier, she charged home late to finish just under half a length second.
The rise in distance suits, and from a better draw here, Mark Du Plessis should be able to position her closer in running.
ENCODER (3), trained by Michael Freedman, should take improvement from his first-up run in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup, where he was six weeks between runs.
He travelled into the race strongly before fitness told late, finishing just under a length fourth.
He has a solid record at this distance, winning two of five starts, including the 2025 Magic Millions Subzero where he defeated Belvedere Boys.
Boris Thornton, who rode him to his last win four starts ago, returns to the saddle.
From the inside draw, he should enjoy an economical run throughout.
CIFRADO (2), trained by Rex Lipp, has been in outstanding form this preparation.
First-up, he settled well back in the Listed Australian Turf Club Trophy at the Gold Coast before producing the fastest closing sectionals to win by a neck.
He followed that with another strong performance in the Group 3 BRC Sprint, charging home down the outside to miss by a whisker.
He strips fitter third-up and has previously won two black-type races at this stage of a campaign.
Boris Thornton returns to ride and has finished outside the top three only once from six rides aboard him.
A recent trial should have him in peak condition.
SILVER WEDDING (16), from the Ciaron Maher stable, resumed with a dominant win over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
She settled back before letting down strongly to score by 2.53 lengths.
While she is yet to win second-up, she has had genuine excuses in those runs.
Her Queensland record is particularly strong, with three wins from four starts.
With a fast tempo expected, she should be able to finish over the top with the light weight.