Sears hoping to ride another Wave in the 2025 Ipswich Cup

Red Wave’s winter carnival campaign may have started with a hiccup, but co-trainer Maddysen Sears believes the gelding is ready to peak for his title defence in the Ipswich Cup (2150m).

Originally set to resume in May, a bruised heel meant plans were delayed and the six-year-old is now third-up, backing up from a solid run in last week’s Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

“He has run the fastest last 200 metres of that race, which we were stoked about,” Sears said. “He didn’t have a hard run and has come through it really well.”

The gelding, who won the Ipswich Cup in 2023 with 53kg, now carries 58.5kg after adding the Toowoomba Cup to his résumé. Sears is hoping barrier three helps balance the weight challenge.

“He’s got more weight but he has drawn well and I don’t think it’s as hard a race as what it was last year,” she said. “He’s ready to run a big race.”

Stablemate Poetic Drama is also in the field, stepping beyond 1600m for the first time following a blocked run in the Magic Millions National Classic.

“She just had no luck last start and was untested. If she gets a clean run and sees out the trip, she’ll be a threat,” Sears said.

The Sears stable is also regrouping after Yellow Brick’s second in the Stradbroke Handicap, with plans now turning toward the Epsom Handicap in Sydney.

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