Movie man Peter McKenzie continued his love affair with country cups in Queensland when Sculptor scored a fast-finishing win in the Listed Ipswich Cup yesterday.
Sculptor, ridden by Kiwi jockey Leith Innes, stormed home to nail free-rolling leader Cold Start on the line by a short half-head towin the 2150m feature, with the Peter Moody-trained Upstaged a long head away third in a blanket finish.
McKenzie, a part-time actor and horse breeder, conceded he nominated Sculptor for the Ipswich Cup as an afterthought after the 4-year-old bungled the start before finishing 14th to Newcastle stayer Newport in last Monday's Group Two Brisbane Cup.
Sculptor was initially barred following his bad barrier behaviour in the Brisbane Cup and was only cleared to run in the Ipswich Cup after passing a barrier trial test.
McKenzie has been a regular visitor to Brisbane in recent years and "won" the Ipswich Cup with I Reign Supreme in 2000 when he left the stayer in the care of Kaye Tinsley.
Sculptor will now be set for the $A200,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on June 30, a race he has won three times.
