Cantankerous back in business

After failing to trouble the scorer in his three previous starts, CANTANKEROUS rediscovered form at Ipswich’s Friday meeting to post the stable’s first winner of the 2026-27 season.

The 5yo gelding was one of 12 starters in the 1350m 0-58 Rating contest and after settling in the coveted box seat position for rider Jake Bayliss, dashed through on the rails and held off THE TORQUE FACTOR by a neck, with a further two lengths back to WOOT WOOT in third.

Having been beaten a combined margin of almost 23 lengths in three runs this preparation, Friday’s success was a welcome return to form for CANTANKEROUS, now a two time winner and four time placegetter in 11 career starts. 

The son of RUBICK was a $190,000 purchase by The Racing League at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.