Jockey Shane Scriven will ride likely Ipswich Cup topweight Sphenophyta after a foot problem forced the surprise withdrawal of rival Rampant Lion from Saturday's feature.Trainer Lindsay Gough withdrew Rampant Lion's nomination for the 2150-metre Listed race after the eight-year-old pulled up scratchy in his action following a track gallop at Eagle Farm on Tuesday."He's always had bad feet and he was a bit shuffly after he pulled up following his last run and he was the same after trackwork today
Jockey Shane Scriven will ride likely Ipswich Cup topweight Sphenophyta after a foot problem forced the surprise withdrawal of rival Rampant Lion from Saturday's feature.
Trainer Lindsay Gough withdrew Rampant Lion's nomination for the 2150-metre Listed race after the eight-year-old pulled up scratchy in his action following a track gallop at Eagle Farm on Tuesday.
"He's always had bad feet and he was a bit shuffly after he pulled up following his last run and he was the same after trackwork today," Gough said.
"It's only a minor problem but we had to treat him with anti-inflammatories which meant he couldn't run this week.
"It's not serious and he should be right for the Tatt's Cup on Saturday week but if he's not then he will spell straight away."
Gough is considering a trip to Sydney in the spring with Rampant Lion for the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick in October.
Weights for the Ipswich Cup won't be declared until Wednesday but Sphenophyta, who won the Ipswich Cup three years ago before claiming the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington four months later, will carry the No 1 saddlecloth.
Sphenophyta's trainer Richard Otto believes he has uncovered the reason behind the gelding's two failures in Queensland this the winter.
The New Zealander, who came out of retirement when second at Ellerslie on April 11, finished in front of only one runner on each occasion in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 2 and Lord Mayor's Cup (1615m) at Doomben on May 16.
"We were disappointed with both his runs but we later found he had a few hassles," Otto said.
"He had some back soreness and we've had the chiropractor to him a few times.
"Larry Cassidy rode him trackwork today and he felt his work was super."
Otto has noted a sharp improvement in Sphenophyta's attitude since having the back treatment.
"I've just come back from New Zealand and he's put on a bit of weight but his work has been good and he looks a much happier horse now," he said.
Scriven has been Rampant Lion's regular rider and was runner-up on him to Bianca in last year's Ipswich Cup after the pair combined for similar placings in the Group One Doomben Cup and Group Two O'Shea Stakes.
Scriven, who rates Rampant Lion as one of his all-time favourite horses, also rode him when third in the Group Three Tatt's Cup won by Victorian Ballack last year.
The pair have continued their association during this year's winter carnival, winning the Listed Dr John Power (1200m) at Eagle Farm in April and the Group Three Lord Mayor's Cup (1615m) at Doomben last month.
However, Damien Oliver rode Rampant Lion when the gelding finished eighth to Scriven's mount Scenic Shot in the O'Shea Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.