Every cloud has a silver lining as Peter Young is hoping to underline with Iva Vision in Thursday’s Group 1 SKY Racing Brisbane Cup (520m) heats.
The exciting Queensland-based sprinter, whose superb year includes winning the Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout (515m), jumps from box two in the fourth of six Cup heats at Albion Park.
Two-time Group winner Iva Vision’s last run was a second-place finish in the Melbourne Cup heats behind Keybow">Keybow, which took the chaser’s record to 12 wins and four placings from 19 starts.
Owner-trainer Young was disappointed to miss out on the final of world’s richest race but said getting the chaser back north could be a bonus.
“I am pleased he is back here (and) had time to acclimatise to the heat,” Young said.
“I would have liked him to get a run in the Melbourne Cup but the advantage is that he has come back here.
“This is a special race for us so fingers crossed he gets through the heats.”
From unlucky beginnings, Iva Vision has matured into one of Australia’s top sprinters.
He fell on his second appearance back in February but since then has won 12 of 17 races, capping his rise with victory in October’s $50,000-to-the-winner Shootout at Sandown Park.
The sprinter, who also won September’s Group 3 Schweppes SA Derby, has only unplaced twice on 11 previous visits to Albion Park and looks a strong chance here.
“I’m pretty happy with box two,” Young said. “He likes to rail, so this will help.
“He has been busy over these last few months but he is relaxed and is being primed for the final.
“Hopefully he can get there and we can win it for our home state.”
The Young family bred Iva Vision by the relatively unknown sire Ivan Brown and dam Visualization, who won 19 of 56 races.
“It’s been a great experience,” Young said. “It has opened our eyes about planning races, where to go and what to do.
“The family have got together to cheer him on. Even if we’ve not been there we have sat in front of the TV.
“He’s given us plenty of thrills and hopefully it can continue.”
Other notables include Keybow in heat one, recent Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup winner Happy Haswell (heat two) and last year’s winner Kiss Me Ketut in the third heat.
Also featuring are Darren McDonald’s recent Melbourne Cup finalist Awesome Project (heat five) and NSW representative Love Kills in the sixth heat.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
