Toowoomba trainer Steve Tregea with Bergerac (57.5kg) under Michael Murphy won the $175,000 listed Channel Seven Ipswich Cup (2150m) at Ipswich on Saturday returning to the form that won the five-year-old Drumbeats gelding the listed Bernborough over 1600m at Doomben in December.

The winning margin was a decisive 1 1/4L over Sampson (Dubai Destination) (58kg) and Mark Du Plessis with Fighting Teo (Teofilo) (54kg) and Luke Tarrant third, 1L away.

The time was 2.13.5 on the Good 3 track with the final 600m in 35.53. Bergerac paid $6.00 on fixed odds and $6.10 on the NSW tote. The $2.70 favourite High Opinion was fifth.

“I am thrilled, probably more for Michael (Murphy) than myself he rode him beautifully,” said Tregea.

“I said one thing to him I thought you could probably lead at the post the first time, but don’t lead all the way and that’s what he did.

“You could see on the corner he was going to be in the finish and that’s a credit to the ride.

“Coming to the furlong (200m) I saw him putting in the big strides and knew he was coming over the top of them, he is a stable favourite and it is always great to see him win.

“I like to stick with the same riders when I can, I have had a good working relationship with Michael and I am glad it panned out for both of us today.

“The Rockhampton Cup was the plan with him but now he’s won this I am not sure what weight he will get.”

“He has always backed me in Steve, whether it be a maiden at Beaudesert or an Ipswich Cup like today I owe him a lot,” said Murphy.

The win was the ninth for Bergerac, out of the Iglesia mare Miss Argyle, and with seven placings he has earned stakes of $565,600 for owners Windemere Stud.