Speedsters set to clash in Ipswich Cup decider

By Josh Spasaro

The two fastest runners from the Ipswich Cup heats have drawn alongside each other, so the battle for an early position will hold plenty of intrigue in the decider at Q1 Lakeside on Thursday night.

That will be when Gold Force for Michelle Sultana and Cumbria Jack for Tony Brett look to lead from box rise, with the dogs drawing boxes six and five, respectively.

The two chasers are in excellent form going into the Group 1 Final worth $225,005 over 457 metres.

Cumbria Jack has 23 victories from 33 career starts. Gold Force has five wins from 11 starts so far this year.

From box eight, Cumbria Jack produced the fastest heat time of 25.15 seconds, finishing a dominant eight-length winner.

Also wearing the pink rug, Winsome Rambo crossed the line in 25.20 seconds, saluting by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Sultana also prepares Winsome Rambo. 

“I think, the way the race is drawn, because he’s got Cumbria Jack on his inside, if they come out together, they’re the two better hopes in the race if they can hold their positions early,” Sultana said of Gold Force.

“But, it’ll be one hell of a race if they go head-to-head.”

Gold Force is the $2.20 favourite for the Ipswich Cup Final, with Cumbria Jack next in betting at $2.40.

Gold Force prevailed by two lengths in the Bulli Gold Cup Final on February 13.

The consistent Aussie Infrared and Silver Scissors runner was sent north to Sultana by Denice Warren. Warren is based in Goulburn in New South Wales.

“Definitely not. I didn't think twice. When Denice rang, it was just like, 'Yep, no problem',” Sultana said.

Winsome Rambo takes back-to-back wins at Q1 Lakeside into Thursday night's assignment. He won his heat in 25.20 seconds.

“He’s a young dog, but he’s a very quick dog. He just hasn’t had the right boxes or chances,” Sultana said.

“I wouldn’t underrate him at all. He was an underdog going into his heat. When he found the front, he just took off.”

The two-year-old blue dog – with 15 wins from 41 starts – showed excellent nous to find the rail from box eight in his heat last Thursday night.

He broke away in the home straight, prevailing by four-and-a-quarter lengths. He has drawn the one lane this week in the decider. 

“I think he is probably better suited out there, but if he can begin well, I keep thinking about how the race is going to be run,” Sultana said.

“There’s a lot of speed and if he jumps out with them and hangs onto the rail, you never know what he could do.”

Winsome Rambo runs for top NSW trainer, Melinda Finn. Finn also sent up Winsome Jet, who won the Queensland Derby on January 8.

They are litter brothers by Tommy Shelby and out of Princess Kiwi. Winsome Jet finished sixth in his Ipswich Cup heat, after finding himself in some early traffic.

“We had Winsome Rambo up here for the carnival – the Derby – earlier in the year, with Winsome Jet,” Sultana said.

"It was always the plan to get him up here early enough and put him in those races. They’re really here for the Flying Amy Classic.”