Adnocon will resume in the Listed Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes

Resuming Clang five-year-old Adnocon is the sole hope for Rosehill horseman Gerald Ryan to enjoy a win at Ipswich this Saturday, the gelding being prepared to defend their title in one of the day’s three black-type features.

The premier meeting of the season held at the course, Ipswich Cup Day is headlined by three Listed races including the $175,000 Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) that drew a final field of 15.

Ryan has his fingers crossed that Adnocon, due to be ridden by Damian Browne, can return to the track after a four month break and overcome their wide barrier 12 draw to score an upset in the Saturday showdown.

A winner of just seven of their 37 career starts to date, Adnocon hasn’t raced since their credible sixth place finish in a 1600m handicap at Randwick on February 12.

Before that the sprinter-miler ran third twice over 1400m and 1600m respectively at Randwick in January.

Connections, including part-owner and prominent bookmaker Hadyn Flynn, haven’t been in the winner’s stall with Adnocon since their success in last year’s Eye Liner Stakes and remain hopeful the horse can bounce back to score successive wins in Ipswich feature.

Adnocon showed good form with their two barrier trial runs over the past month, finishing a half-length away third to multiple Group 1 performer Love Conquers All over 900m in May before their winning hitout over 1030m at Rosehill on June 3.

Despite the defending champ rising 3.5kg in the weights from his Eye Liner success second-up 12 months ago, Flynn is confident coming into the race fresh will be the key this year.

“Gerald (Ryan) has trained him specifically for this race,” Flynn said.

“He was going over the top of Love Conquers All in the trial and he’s won another trial since, so we think he’s right on target for a repeat.”

The two other major races at Saturday’s Ipswich meet are the $200,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) where the Robert Heathcote-trained Our Lukas vies for a record third victory in the event, and the $100,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m).