Craig Kerry
Gate one was not enough to convince young Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible to have a crack at the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) – and fellow bargain buy Sheza Alibi – with Barrengarry at Randwick on Saturday.
Ible was at the Golden Eagle barrier draw on Tuesday night after nominating Barrengarry for the group 1 feature for four-year-olds and two other races on the program.
A $10,000 buy for Ible which has pocketed $226,600, Barrengarry was $101 (TAB) for the Golden Eagle after finishing runner-up last start in a benchmark 88 handicap over 2000m and winning three times in Midway grade.
Despite the inside draw, Ible and connections decided on Wednesday to instead race in the listed $750,000 Sydney Gold Cup (2000m), traditionally the Rosehill Gold Cup.
“It’s a little different to a regular week,” said Ible, who has about 25 horses in work and has never had a group 1 runner.
“We drew nice barriers for him in all races. The Gold Cup has always been an appealing target, but we thought we’d have a look at the Golden Eagle, being as they are only four once and it’s a big-money race.
“But when you get home and you look at the strength of the field, he probably wasn’t a realistic winning chance, but he can be in the Gold Cup.
“It’s a tough race to ignore, but we’ve got a really nice winning chance in the other race, and it should help his long-term progress as well.
“The distance was the other factor, I guess, having him in a 1500m when he’s probably more suited to 2000m.
“We went there with an open mind and I pulled one out of the barrier, and we really had to sit down and talk it over today to see which way we went.”
Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Federalist was also scratched from the Golden Eagle on Wednesday and will spell, cutting the field to 16.
Star mare Sheza Alibi was $1.90 after drawing ideally in six for owner Fred Noffke and Victorian trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
Noffke, who paid just $10,000 online for Sheza Alibi as a weanling, was pleased to draw out six for his three-time group 1 winner after having only that and 10 left in the barrel. Sheza Alibi has already earned more than $4.5 million on the track and can pick up another $4.725 million on Saturday.
Chris Waller-trained multiple group 1 winners Beiwacht ($7) and Autumn Boy ($9) were the next best in the market after drawing 10 and five respectively.