THE countdown is on for the race that stops the city, with just 65 days until the Listed Ipswich Cup returns to the Bundamba track.
The race is once again set to draw thousands of racegoers to one of Queensland’s most iconic race meetings.
Few events capture the spirit of Ipswich quite like Cup day.
The thunder of hooves around the home turn, the roar of the crowd, and the colour and tradition trackside combine to create a spectacle that has endured for generations.
First run in 1935 and won by Faith Australia, the Ipswich Cup quickly carved out its place on the racing calendar.
While the event paused between 1936 and 1948, it has been a constant since its return – Emrose taking out that post-war edition under jockey Russell Maddock for trainer H.J Reardon.
Aside from the pandemic-affected cancellation in 2020, the Cup has remained a defining annual celebration of the city.
Last year delivered one of the most stirring finishes in recent memory, as veteran galloper Flash Aah produced a performance for the ages.
The rising 10-year-old, who had not tasted victory in 1149 days, stormed home at $31 odds to deny Felix The Scat by the narrowest of margins, just 0.27 lengths, cementing his place in Ipswich Cup folklore.
For trainer Troy Pascoe, the victory was far more than just a win.
“Life changing,” he said. “He’s been a wonderful horse for many years, but to recapture his best form as a nine-year-old is one hell of a feat.
“He won at Listed level as a five-year-old and I don’t think you’d find many horses capable of reaching their top so many years apart.
“He’s a remarkable animal.
“At the time I was down and out, mentally and financially, and he’s certainly helped in both those departments.”
Pascoe hopes that four-year- old Dracena will be on track to defend the title for the stable, with the Dracarys x Vistanova mare a strong chance.
“She’s a very nice mare and I think she has that sort of quality about her,” Pascoe said.
Dracena took out a three-year-old handicap at Doomben in July last year, beating home Ramp It Up by 0.14 lengths, and has not raced since last August.
The Ipswich Cup’s honour roll is rich with some of the State’s finest riders.
Jim Byrne, one of Queensland’s most decorated jockeys, claimed the Cup three times, with Ardeed (1995), He’s Back On Track (1997) and Sphenophyta (2006).
Byrne, who retired last month, leaves a remarkable legacy that includes more than 2900 winners, 100 black-type victories and seven at the highest level, along with multiple jockey premierships.
Attention now turns to this year’s edition on Saturday, June 20, where a strong program, including the Listed Eye Liner Stakes and the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic, will again place Ipswich at the centre of Queensland racing.
