By Danny Matthews (Racing & Sports)
Drawing barrier 10 from the Ipswich 2150-metre start may not be ideal but Lindsay Gough will rely on Robbie Dolan's experience bigger Cups to see Cavalry Man successful on Saturday.
That 'bigger' Cup being the Melbourne Cup but as far as Ipswich is concerned let alone the rest of racing in Queensland, there are not many other days to top the region's day in the sun this weekend.
Cavalry Man lines up for Eagle Farm-based Gough in the Listed Ipswich Cup with the hope of giving the stable a first black-type victory since 2013.
Cavalry Man last start won at benchmark 60 level at Eagle Farm over 1810m as a $3 favourite but this time Gough is hoping the gelding can avoid a 'flat spot' when it counts.
"He worked nicely into it but just when they straightened he probably got a bit flat for a few strides," Gough said.
"It is hard to say but they might have dashed a little but quicker than him but he looked the winner from the furlong."
"He has prepped up well but we have our fingers cross from a sticky draw," Gough added with reference to barrier ten.
"I've done my job so it is up to Robbie Dolan now. I'll leave it to him. He's competed at the top level winning the Melbourne Cup and he's ridden more winners than me.
"Ideally we'd like to get some cover."
If there is some consolation for Gough, who has around 15 to 20 horses in his stable at a time, five of the past ten Ipswich Cups have been won from barriers 10 to 12.
The five-year-old occupies the second line of betting for this event at $5 with the Matthew Dunn-trained Belvedere Boys the $3.70 favourite.
