Detonator Jack set for $2 million The Ingham
The lucrative prizemoney purse for The Ingham has swayed connections of Detonator Jack to keep him in Sydney for the $2 million summer centrepiece.
A brilliant winner of The Gong at Kembla Grange last Saturday, Detonator Jack was being considered for a start for the $500,000 Ballarat Cup (2000m) as several of his owners live in the region.
However, managing owner Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock confirmed on Wednesday that the decision had been made to run Detonator Jack in The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday week.
“The decision for his next run, whether to go to Ballarat for the Cup for half a million (dollars), or go to The Ingham for $2 million, it’s just a no contest,” Dance told RadioTAB Australia.
“New South Wales prizemoney is unbelievable, that’s why he’s up there.”
Detonator Jack has banked $580,000 for his victory in The Gong while the Ingham boasts a $1.155 million cheque to the winner.
It also carries a ballot exemption for the Doncaster Mile in the autumn, and Dance admits that is an added attraction and a possible option for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Detonator Jack should he win.
“Whoever wins that race I think it’s ballot free for the Doncaster,” Dance said.
“If that’s true, you’d be thinking about, do we roll the dice that way? We will sit down with Ciaron (Maher) after the Ingham and work out what’s best for the horse.”
Detonator Jack had filled the placings in three of his four starts prior to The Gong before responding to the addition of blinkers and a rain-affected track with a brilliant display.
His benchmark rating has risen six points as a result, and while that will equate to him landing higher in the handicaps for his next start, Dance believes the horse is genuine and will be hard to beat again.
He is a $4.50 favourite with online bookmakers for The Ingham in pre-nomination markets, ahead of Gong third placegetter Osipenko at $6.
Saturday’s Festival Stakes hopeful Rustic Steel and last start Group 1 placegetter Strait Acer also share the second line of betting at $6.
More Racing News
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...
Pembrey set to back-up strong Silver Shadow Stakes run in Furious Stakes
Leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Gollan is aiming for Pembrey to replicate her dazzling Silver Shadow Stakes performance when she contests the subsequent event of the four-race Princess Series at Randwick.The three-year-old filly was commanding when leading all the way a fortnight ago. However, with formidable opponents such as the $5.6...
Obucci targets Adelaide success on firmer ground
The Phillip and Tommy Stokes stable has relocated Obucci to Adelaide with the objective of securing another city win.Obucci is slated to participate in the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks this coming Saturday, with Noel Callow assigned as the rider.Phillip Stokes explained that Obucci was transferred from...
Trainer Matthew Smith confident Headwall is ready for Concorde Stakes
It's not every day a horse aims for consecutive victories in the same race when starting anew, but Headwall is in that exact scenario as he prepares to kick off his campaign in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Having delivered a stunning performance to win the $1 million sprint a year...
Oh Diamond Lil poised for Mona Lisa Stakes return, says King
Despite her quirky nature, stakes winner Oh Diamond Lil is considered by jockey Rachel King to be in the correct frame of mind for a return to top form in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King partnered the David Pfieffer-trained mare for her most significant triumph in the Group...
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...