THE first running of the Ipswich Cup at The Q highlighted a night that delivered everything greyhound racing fans could have hoped for – a near track-record performance, a stunning upset, dominant favourites and thrilling finishes across a showcase night featuring more than $330,000 in prizemoney.
The Group 1 Ipswich Cup at The Q lived up to the hype, with Gold Force delivering a breathtaking performance to claim the $225,000 feature and cement his place among the country’s elite sprinters.
Sent out as a $2.45 joint favourite with Cumbria Jack, Gold Force had plenty of work to do early after My Boy Bingo exploded from the boxes to lead the field into the first turn.
The Michelle Sultana-trained star quickly worked into contention before taking control around the bend and unleashing a devastating burst down the straight.
The son of Aussie Infrared and Silver Scissors put five lengths on his rivals in a stunning display, stopping the clock at 24.83 seconds, just 0.02 seconds outside the 457m track record.
The victory was the 19th win of Gold Force’s career and pushed his prizemoney haul beyond $280,000.
From 31 starts, he now boasts 19 wins and six placings, adding the Ipswich Cup crown to his Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup success earlier this year.
The $18,500 Ipswich Sprint Final over 352m produced a thrilling finish, with Aston Renminbi proving too strong after finding the front soon after box rise.
The $4 second favourite controlled the race throughout before fending off a charging Wildash Jane in the final strides.
Prepared by Trevor Lindsay, the Aston Rupee x Fire On Ice chaser continued his impressive start over the short course, recording his second win and second runner-up finish from four starts at the distance.
In the $45,000 Ipswich Cup Consolation, favourite Neame justified strong market support with an authoritative victory.
After Super Scrub led early and Blue Blend settled in second, Neame hugged the rail before shifting into clear running in the home straight. Once balanced, the Tony Zammit-trained chaser quickly put the race beyond doubt.
The son of Hooked On Scotch and Ladies Get Grace now has four wins and a third from six starts over 457m, while his overall record stands at 15 wins and six placings from 23 starts, with earnings surpassing $120,000.
The night’s biggest upset came in the $45,000 Dashing Corsair Final over 642m, where Highway Princess stormed home at $9.50 odds.
The Sunburnt Highway x Zipping Twix bitch turned the tables on race favourite Firethorn, who could only manage third.
Now based in Queensland after relocating from the kennel of Judith Richardson last September, Highway Princess has thrived over the staying journey.
The North Booval-trained chaser now has three wins and a second placing from four starts at 642m.
