Smooth Plane jets in for impressive Ipswich Cup heat win

By Pat McLeod

Victorian visitor Smooth Plane lived up to his Group-class reputation, setting the pace for what will be an intriguing Group 1 Ipswich Gold Cup Final next Thursday night.

The Tom Dailly-trained speedster set a best of the night 30.13 seconds with his heat win on Thursday at his first look at the Ipswich Showgrounds track.

“He is just such a professional race dog and is a strong chance next week,” local trainer Greg Brennan said.

Brennan has looked after the dog since he arrived on Tuesday.

“He will go back to Melbourne first thing Friday morning and will do his normal routine back there and will probably be back Tuesday or Wednesday next week," Brennan said. 

Smooth Plane, from a Vulturi and Smooth Bourbski litter, jumping from box one, was able to rein in early leader Danger Zone (trained by Travis Elson) and then cruised to the line to win over Trooper Tears (Martina Kirillidis) with Danger Zone third.

Trooper Tears, who was also having his first start at the track, was impressive.

His second-placed time (30.24 seconds) earned him the eighth spot in the Final after the seven heat winners.

Equalling that time was Duffman, the Jedda Cutlack-trained and part-owned chaser, who knows the track and has excelled there in the past.

“He does really like this track,” an elated Cutlack said. 

“We ran second in this race with Sunburst (in 2022) and Duffman is very closely related to that dog.

“But, it is just great to be in a Group 1 Final.”

Kennelmate Autumn Storm (Tom Tzouvelis) stamped the next quickest heat time (30.32 seconds) and her seasoned trainer is hoping the in-form bitch is yet to show her best.

“She is just a great little dog,” Tzouvelis said.

“We took her to Townsville (for the Cup series), not because we thought she could win the Cup, but for experience.

“I believe it did benefit her because she has just blossomed since then. Hopefully she hasn't hit her peak just yet.”

Another dog who loves the Ipswich track is Kia Kaha (Warren Nicholls), who won Thursday night’s opening Cup heat in 30.36 seconds. 

“I am over the moon,” Nicholls said.

“She hung on very well because there were a lot of dogs in that race who can run on.

“I'm just excited to be in a Group 1 Final. It will be a very good Final, but she creates her own luck if she can start well.”

Other heat winners were Ray Burman’s Big Boy Bentley, Adam McIntosh’s Golden Bear and Pam Field’s More Than Money.

The Group 3 Past Members Trophy over 630 metres will be another feature on Cup night. 

Heat winners included Hara’s Luna (Jemma Daley) in 37.10 seconds and Prim And Precise (Tom Tzouvelis) in 37.47 seconds.