Queensland specialist Philipsburg hunting Sunshine State hat-trick in Ipswich Cup

Trainer James Ponsonby says Philipsburg may be “no world beater” but is quietly confident the gelding can cause an upset in the Ipswich Cup.

Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby will shoot for three straight wins in the Sunshine State on Saturday when his Queensland specialist Philipsburg lines up in the $250,000 Ipswich Cup (2150m).

Ponsonby had initially aimed Philipsburg at last weekend’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) on Stradbroke day at Eagle Farm but changed tack after the seven-year-old gelding had an injury scare.

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“He got banged up in the paddock and we thought we’d pull the plug because he had a little bit of inflammation,” Ponsonby said.

“It turned out to be nothing, which was good. He would’ve struggled to beat Campaldino (in the Brisbane Cup), the way it went.

“This (the Listed Ipswich Cup) looked like a fair race on paper in terms of weight conditions.

“He’s well, although he hasn’t had a lot of luck since he’s been home in Sydney so I thought when in Rome, do as the Romans do – back up and try to get another one.”

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Regular rider Winona Costin has delivered with Philipsburg on two hit-and-run missions to Queensland this year, in a Benchmark 80 (2200m) at Doomben and then a Benchmark 90 (2212m) at Eagle Farm in the space of seven days in April.

But in his last three races Philipsburg has struggled, finishing no better than fifth in three Benchmark 78 races at his home track Hawkesbury, Gosford and Randwick.

Asked why Philipsburg loved the Sunshine State so much, Ponsonby said: “It’s the genuine tempo.

Winona Costin steers Philipsburg (right) to victory at Doomben in April. Picture: Trackside Photography

“In all fairness to him, he’s no world beater but he tries very hard and when the weights suit him in terms of benchmarking, he’s been able to run in races where he probably deserves more weight but because he’s got average Sydney form, then he gets the weight relief.

“In Queensland he goes to sleep in those races where they run along and the genuine tempo helps offset the weight relief sometimes.

“He’s just a genuine horse. The day he draws a right number, he’ll more than likely get the job done.

“There’s more than one reason why Australians want to flock to Queensland to live so you can’t blame a Kiwi horse, can you?”

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Philipsburg ($34) is at long odds to win the Ipswich Cup, with bookmakers favouring Miss Joelene ($5.50), Diablo Bolt ($6), Osmose ($6.50) and Poetic Drama ($7).

However, Ponsonby is quietly confident that with Costin in the saddle and carrying a lightweight 53kg, Philipsburg can cause an upset.

“It’s a good, solid line-up. We’re just going to need a bit of luck in running but if the tempo of the race is genuine then it gives him somewhat of a chance,” Ponsonby said.

“It’s a good cup race, no doubt. He ran at Doomben so well, and Ipswich is similar in that it’s an on-pace preferential racetrack, so I can’t knock him.

“Going back and looking over the Ipswich Cup winners, they’re invariably not always the best horse in the race but they’re the horse that has the best luck in the race.

“He gets down in the weights to 53kg and Winona is going up to ride him so I can’t ask for any more than that.”

Ponsonby said that if 69-race veteran Philipsburg performed well on Saturday then he would next head to the $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on July 5.

Originally published as Queensland specialist Philipsburg hunting Sunshine State hat-trick in Ipswich Cup