Cup run looking unlikely for import despite impressive victory

IMPORTED galloper Our Ivanhowe is unlikely to press on to the Brisbane Cup despite his barnstorming win in Saturday’s $650,000 Doomben Cup.

Plagued by hoof problems, the six-year-old had finished a long last at his previous start in the BMW at Rosehill on March 26, but a soft trial win at Cranbourne earlier this month convinced co-trainer Lee Freedman to bring the son of Soldier Hollow north.

After settling at the rear of the field, jockey Kerrin McEvoy brought Our Ivanhowe down the outside with a well-timed run to beat Godolphin pair Hauraki and It’s Somewhat.

Despite the impressive performance, Freedman said he was inclined to give the entire a spell before targeting the spring riches in Melbourne.

“The original plan was to run in the Brisbane Cup, but I think that is out of the window,” Freedman told racing.com.au yesterday.

“He was probably going to get 59.5 or 60kg in the race ... he would get significantly more now.

“And it is not worth as much as the Doomben Cup, so the short answer is he will probably come home.”

While Our Ivanhowe will head to the spelling paddock, Noble Protector is likely to head to the breeding barn after she dropped out to finish a well-beaten last. The imported mare was in the first two-or-three until heads turned for home, but showed no dash when asked for an effort in the home straight.