The Gong winner Detonator Jack set to bypass the Ballarat Cup for The Ingham

A home town Cup in Victoria or a $2 million Randwick feature? Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have made the call for the brilliant winner of last Saturday’s The Gong.

Detonator Jack was a brilliant winner of The Gong. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Brilliant The Gong winner Detonator Jack will remain in NSW to target the $2m The Ingham at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher had indicated that a date with the Ballarat Cup (2000m) was the likely destination for Detonator Jack following his brilliant win in The Gong at Kembla Grange last Saturday.

Several connections involved in Detonator Jack live in the Ballarat area but their ‘home’ Cup dream will be put aside to chase Sydney’s summer riches.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren Dance explained the decision.

"The blinkers have done the trick today, Detonator Jack bolts in."

Jason Collett pushed the button and @cmaherracing's Detonator Jack exploded away with the $1m @illawarramerc Gong at @kemblaraces into a one horse race. Loch Eagle held second from Osipenko. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/tNPmCkO1wg

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) November 25, 2023

• Richard Callander: Detonator Jack ‘the star of the show’ at Kembla

“With blinkers he was sure he would run well in The Gong and then we had the option to go back to the Ingham or run him in the Ballarat Cup, depending on how he performed,” he said.

“Had he been looking for further we would have pushed on to the Ballarat Cup but because he ran so well we may as well keep him at the mile.

“He can always go to the Ballarat Cup later in life. While he is going so well and just showing that turn of foot at the mile, we may as well stay at the mile.”

Detonator Jack is back for @cmaherracing and @ATBloodstock.

The blinkers have done the trick. pic.twitter.com/thW2vXmZgi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 25, 2023

• Silver lining to Pfieffer’s Festival Stakes bid

Detonator Jack could book his spot in next year’s Doncaster Mile with The Ingham, previously known as the Villiers Stakes, offering ballot exemption to the winner.

“You have to take your chances while you are in good form and horses don’t necessarily stay in good form forever,” Dance added.

Detonator Jack is the $4.50 TAB favourite for The Ingham with Osipenko, Rustic Steel and Strait Acer all sharing the second line of betting at $6.

Rustic Steel is set to back up from this Saturday’s Group 3 Festival Stakes while Strait Acer is already in the paddock.