Horse Racing

After last Friday night’s Sunshine Coast meeting was a washout, Racing Queensland has rescheduled the Sunshine Coast Cup 2012 for this Sunday, new nominations for the handicap clash now out.

Startsmeup is the top-rated 2012 Sunshine Coast Cup nominee for Sunday

Twenty-two gallopers have been re-entered for the $100,000 Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m), a race won 12 months ago by Doug Duryea’s Doomben galloper Dalzar.

The highest-rated of the 2012 Sunshine Coast Cup nominees is last-start Magic Millions Cup runner-up Startsmeup, a recent addition to the Gold Coast stables of Gillian Heinrich.

A four-year-old son of Danzero, Startsmeup hasn’t won a race since their success in a 1350m handicap at Doomben last July when under the preparation of fellow Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill.

Other top-rated gallopers among the Sunshine Coast Cup entries include Rob Heathcote’s Group winning veteran Humma, last year’s SC Cup runner-up Dual Chamber and Ready To Rip.

Rex Lipp’s in-form Show A heart mare Dual Chamber goes to the Sunshine Coast Cup on the back of a number of strong stakes race performances including a win in the Listed Just Now Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm in December.

She was last seen finishing second to Spirit Of Boom in the Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 2.

Ready To Rip represents the local Sunshine Coast contingent, the Andrew Williamson-trained More Than Ready four-year-old looking to improve on their Magic Millions Cup eighth place finish three weeks back.

Prior to the MM Cup which was run on a Good (3) track, Ready To Rip caught the eye when finishing only a quarter length away second to My Destiny in the Listed Lough Neah Stakes (1350m) on a Slow (7) Doomben track back on Christmas Eve.

“It’s just been a really frustrating campaign,” Williamson said.

“Hopefully we can finish on a winning note this Sunday.”

The wetter conditions on the coast will certainly suit Ready To Rip who always performs better with the sting out of the track.

They have never won on Good ground but boast two wins and a second from five Slow track runs, and from their two starts on Heavy ground they won once and placed third in the other.

“This is a fantastic wet weather track so if it goes back to a Slow 5 or 6 that would be perfect,” Williamson said.

Due for a spell after Sunday’s run, Ready To Rip will be bought back mid-year for the 2012 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival where Williamson hopes to see them get to the $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.

“We’ve got to get his ratings up because he’s a 91,” Williamson said.

“That’s our main goal, but whether we get there or not we’ll have to wait and see.”

The 2012 Sunshine Coast Cup field will be finalised later in the week and published here at Races.com.au along with the barrier draw, race preview and betting tips.

The meeting’s other major race will be the $150,000 QTIS 600 Two-Year-Olds Plate (1200m) which has drawn 13 nominations including last-start Eagle Farm winning filly Doubtfilly, the Bruce Hill-trained Lady Colours who bounced back from her Magic Millions Classic 10^th with a big three length win at Doomben last Saturday and Liam Birchley’s Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes third placegetter Snipzu.

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2012 Sunshine Coast Cup Nominations

Sunshine Coast – 05/02/2012