Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Busuttin shrugs off Ipswich Cup weight hoodoo

16 June 2021

Share this page

Share on a platform

Or copy the page link

Image credit: Reg Ryan

By Glenn Davis

Victorian frontrunner Inverloch will be given the chance to break a 60-year-old weight record when the imported gelding starts in the Listed Ipswich Cup with 60.5kgs on Saturday.

Since the race was first run in 1935, Sydney Cup winner Sharply holds the weight-carrying record at 58.5kgs when he claimed the 2000-metre feature in 1961.

The David Vandyke-trained Maurus came close to the historic mark when he carried 58kgs to victory in 2016 while Bergerac for Steve Tregea won with 57.5kgs in 2019.

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin is not concerned with history.

“Records are there to be broken,” said Bussutin, who co-trains with Natalie Young.

“I was hoping something would be nominated above him in the ratings so he'd get a lighter weight but it didn't happen.

“It’s not ideal but he’s earned his big weight."

Inverloch won the Listed Wagga Cup over 2000 metres on May 7 before he ran unplaced in the Listed Winter Cup over 2400 metres at Rosehill on June 5.

However, Busuttin believes the seven-year-old had excuses when he led and faded to finish last behind Knights Order in the Winter Cup.

“He won the Wagga Cup well but then had a month between runs and had a minor setback before the Winter Stakes,” Busuttin said.

“The Winter Cup was over 2400 metres which is right at the top of his limit.

“He ran below par in the Winter Stakes but he’ll run some sort of a race in the Ipswich Cup if he runs up to his best form.”

Larry Cassidy is booked to ride Inverloch and will be bidding for his third Ipswich Cup following his wins on Portland Singa in 2004 and Our Lukas in 2009.

Inverloch did his early racing in France after making his debut midway through his three-year-old year.

Seven of his nine wins have been on Australian soil, taking his total prizemoney haul to $715,000.

Busuttin expects Inverloch to race in his customary front running role after drawing barrier eight.

“He’ll no doubt lead as he normally does and he’ll take a lot of running down,” Busuttin said.

Busuttin’s biggest win in Queensland was with Rising Red in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at Doomben in 2018.

“Rising Red was favourite for the Brisbane Cup that year but we had to scratch him on the morning of the race after he hurt his fetlock,” he said.