Beaten out of sight at his most recent start in the Group II Brisbane Cup at Doomben, the David Brideoake-trained Self Sense made a mockery of that form when romping home by a widening six and three-quarter lengths in Saturday's $175,000 Listed Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m).
The 6yo son of Street Sense (USA) (pictured) broke a drought that extended back 19 starts when taking the Listed Kilmore Cup in February 2015.
Sent off a heavily backed favourite under Michael Cahill, Self Sense was always in a striking position and hit the front when Cahill released the brakes rounding the home turn.
The further they went the further Self Sense went away. By the time the judge called a halt, Self Sense had a six and three-quarter length margin over Benzini (Tale Of The Cat) with Jumbo Prince (Outback Prince) two and a quarter length back in third.
The 6yo gelding advances his record to 8 wins, 6 seconds and 6 thirds from 40 starts with earnings of $664,140.
"He loved the ground today that was a big thing in his favour from a good draw," Cahill said.
"From the 1000 metres on it was just a matter of giving him an uninterrupted run. He really responded in the straight and raced away.
"I've ridden for all the top stables like Gai Waterhouse, Peter Moody and Bart Cummings but haven't been able to crack an Ipswich Cup before.
Brideoake's assistant trainer Alex Woodhams said the son of Street Sense may not have handled the firm surface at Doomben.
"He has been looking to draw a barrier and get on a soft track for a long time now and he got both today," Woodhams said.
"While he is up here in Queensland sunshine, he might as well stay here."
The Caloundra and Queensland Cups are both under consideration.
Woodhams said there had been some excuses for such a long winning drought.
"He has had little bits and pieces of problems, he has wrenched some joints and firm tracks have pulled him up a bit," he said.
Bred and part-owned by his trainer, Self Sense is a half-brother to four winners including the Group III winner
Be My Person died in December 2015.
Her final foal is a yearling colt by Reset.
