Nicole Irwin will saddle-up almost half the field in Saturday’s $31,800 Kangaroo Island Cup (1880m).
Irwin has four of the 10 runners in the feature following the scratching of top weight Fulton Street which has paved the way for first emergency Yesugei to gain a start.
Irwin has entrusted four apprentices for the feature. Stacey Callow is to ride Stealthy Lucas, Jade Doyle will partner He Ekscels, Kristo Sardelic rides El Desperado while Maggie Collett will be aboard Yesugei.
Last year Irwin had three winners at KI on the Thursday and followed with two wins on the Saturday, with her best result from three runners in the Cup being El Desperado who finished fourth.
Irwin was scheduled to have five horses race on Thursday but only two competed, Redwinelover run down in the first while stablemate Comeon Scruff slipped and came down in the same race.
Irwin said the horse took no harm from the incident.
“Comeon Scruff is fine, the track was a little bit slippery and had very good grass cover,’’ Irwin said.
“Her legs went one way and her head the other.
“Hopefully mentally it doesn’t have an impact on her. Claudia (Lions) is fine which is great news, it was just one of those racing incidents,’’ she said.
Irwin said missing a run on Thursday could have an impact on a few Cup hopefuls and said it was hard to pick just which of her four would be the hardest to beat.
“I want a lot of pace in the race and I think there will be,’’ Irwin said.
“At this stage I think all four have a chance,’’ she said.
