Sculpter Figures
Sun Herald
Sunday June 17, 2007
TRAINER and part-time actor Peter McKenzie's belated decision to start Sculptor in yesterday's $200,000 Ipswich Cup (2150m) came up trumps.
In what was an incredible turnaround of fortunes in the space of a week, the tough New Zealand four-year-old scored a last-stride win in the listed event over brave front-runner Cold Start to win by a short-half head.Sculptor arrived in Australia with McKenzie and the gelding's sights clearly focused on the $300,000 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm last Monday.Sculptor's chances in the group 2 event were blown away when the gelding missed the start hopelessly before finishing 14th.Sculptor was ordered to barrier trial by stewards, a test he passed 24 hours later.McKenzie initially planned to bypass the Ipswich Cup for Saturday week's Tattersalls Cup at Eagle Farm.In a stirring finish, New Zealand jockey Leith Innes was able to extricate Sculptor from the ruck midfield and charge down the outside to claim victory.McKenzie is the owner and breeder of Sculptor, which has now won five races from 36 starts. McKenzie said following the Caloundra Cup Sculptor would be considered for the $160,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 12. Winning jockey Leith Innes had a major scare in running due to slippery reins."I nearly lost the reins getting him into the open, they were slippery, but I managed to take hold again. He (Sculptor) is a lovely horse."
© 2007 Sun Herald
