Red Wave’s winter prep didn’t go to plan early on, but trainer Maddysen Sears is confident he’s ready to defend his Ipswich Cup crown.
A bruised heel delayed his campaign, forcing a condensed build-up, but he now heads to Saturday’s Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) third-up and on a seven-day back-up from the Wayne Wilson (1600m).
“He has run the fastest last 200 metres of that race, which we were stoked about,” Sears said.
Red Wave rises to 58.5kg after last year’s win with 53kg, but Sears isn’t concerned.
“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.
Stablemate Poetic Drama also lines up, stretching to 2150m after a luckless run in the Magic Millions National Classic.
“If she runs the journey… she will be really hard to beat too,” Sears said.
Yellow Brick, a runner-up in the Stradbroke Handicap, will now be set for the Epsom Handicap in Sydney.