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2024 TAB Ipswich Cup Day Preview
Date: 21-Jun-2024
It’s our turn to shine during the Queensland Racing Carnival this Saturday with the running of TAB Ipswich Cup Day!
Nine races will be run and won with the Listed Ipswich Cup, Eye Liner Stakes and Gai Waterhouse Classic highlighting the exciting card.
We’ll be blessed with a beautiful winter’s day that should see racing take place on a perfect surface. The rail is out 0.5m the entire course.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race to help you find a winner!
SCAN THE CODE FOR THE RACE BOOK
Race 1 - 11:43AM RAY WHITE IPSWICH Class 3 Plate (1100 METRES)
Payline (10) was earning a reputation as a horse that would run well but just couldn’t win. After placing in five of his first seven races, the Chris Munce-trained son of Shooting To Win broke through in emphatic fashion at the Sunshine Coast with a 3.3 length win. He went back-to-back when he fought through a narrow gap before sprinting strongly to win by 3.3 lengths over 1110m at Doomben. Munce has unlocked the key to success with this guy, and even with the wide gate, I must stick with him.
Atmosphere (5) resumes here and is also having his first start for Jack Bruce after previously racing in the Godolphin colours. The son of Lonhro is extremely well weighted under the set weight conditions of the race and draws to get a soft run. While I think he’ll be better second-up, his past form in stronger southern races cannot be ignored and looms as a big winning chance.
Spirit Queen (11) returned in great order at the Sunshine Coast when charging to the line to win in the last stride. The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled a long way back after drawing wide last start at Doomben before clocking the quickest final splits of the race to finish a length third. Unfortunately, she just created too much work for herself. She again looks like settling back, but if she’s in striking distance entering the straight, she could give this a shake.
Fire Lane (12) ventures north from Sydney and will appreciate racing on a drier surface after failing badly in the heavy going at Randwick last start. The Brad Widdup-trained filly finished second over this distance first-up behind Contemporary and a repeat of that effort would see her in with a chance.
On Top Selection: Payline (10)
Race 2 - 12:18PM CHANNEL SEVEN WINTER PROVINCIAL STAYERS FINAL BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2500 METRES)
The Right Way (1) enters the Winter Provincial Stayers Final in terrific form. The Greg Wright-trained gelding won over 1650m here two starts back by half a length before embarrassing his rivals last start at Toowoomba over 2150m. He went straight to the front and raced away to win by a massive 8.5 lengths. Alisha Donald is again in the saddle and has a terrific record of four wins and four placings from eight rides on the four-year-old. There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed which should see Donald look to dictate terms in front.
Chassange (8) has been racing well this preparation and should eat up the 2500m. He won well over 2000m at Gatton two starts back before doing his best work late over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast last start to finish 3.8 lengths second. If it turns into a grinding battle, he’ll be the one you want to be on.
Tavieslass (13) could shock at massive odds. She got too fired up last start but her prior form was good. That includes a win over this distance at Beaudesert four starts ago.
Tavistorm (5) got too far back before finding the line well to finish 6.3 lengths fifth over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast last start. The Stu Kendrick-trained gelding won the start prior on the Poly two starts back. He needs to go to another level but he’s super fit.
On Top Selection: The Right Way (1)
Race 3 - 12:53PM GREAT NORTHERN IPSWICH MILE BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Madame Odette (10) was a touch disappointing on face value first-up over 1400m at Eagle Farm but did have excuses. The Tony Gollan-trained mare raced in the worst going for the entire race so there was merit in her 5.9 length tenth. She’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise to a mile. Two preparations ago she ran well to finish second in the Listed Princess Stakes over this distance when second-up. There looks to be good speed in the race which will hopefully see her charging home over the top of them.
Tenzing (1) is racing in good form with two wins in his past four starts. The Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old's wins both came over a mile at Doomben. He’s drawn to get a nice run but the 61kg could be telling late.
Evocator (8) could get trapped on the fence given he gets back in his runs and has drawn barrier 2. However, he’s a consistent gelding who has been competing well in stronger races than this lately. He defeated Tenzing last start so must be considered a chance with even luck.
Blazen Boots (12) appreciated the drop in class when winning narrowly over 1630m at Doomben. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding is rock hard fit and may be able to go on with it now.
On Top Selection: Madame Odette (10)
Race 4 - 1:28PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Rockribbed (9) returns here from a short let-up. While he hasn’t won for a very long time, he did show signs in his first preparation with Tony Gollan that a win isn’t far away. He resumed in April over 1200m at Eagle Farm and led for a long way before tiring late and finishing third by just over half a length. He then finished second to stablemate Millane in a stronger race than this. He warmed up for this first-up assignment with a slick trial win to suggest a bold showing was inbound.
Majestic Boom (12) is a winner, pure and simple. He’s won all four of his career starts including last start when he found the line strongly to win here over 1100m. The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith trained gelding maps to get a great run.
Beaux Rumble (6) resumes here on the back of two trials, the most recent piece of work resulting in a win. The Gillian Heinrich-trained son of Maurice races well fresh having won two and placed in two others from five first-up starts. He’s drawn to perfection.
All Stashed Up (16) is drawn a touch sticky but gets the services of top jockey Mark Du Plessis. While she’s yet to win over this distance, she loves Ipswich having finished in the quinella in seven of her 10 starts here.
On Top Selection: Rockribbed (9)
Race 5 - 2:03PM RIVER 949FM BUNDAMBA PLATE Class 6 Plate (1350 METRES)
Oughton (10) is a former Hong Kong galloper that has settled in well on the Gold Coast with Melissa Kelly. Following a pipe opener at Eagle Farm first-up, he went to Warwick and proved his class by winning easily by 2.3 lengths. While there could be question marks over the level of his opposition there, that certainly wasn’t the case last start when fighting strongly despite being in the inferior going to finish a half-length second over 1400m at Eagle Farm. He should be at peak fitness now and maps to get a great run for Justin Stanley.
Without Revenge (8) returns to racing on the back of a solid trial at Doomben. The Corey and Kylie Geran-trained six-year-old was in cracking form last preparation with a fourth-place finish in The Little Dance in Sydney, two runner-up performances in the Tails Stakes and Bernborough Plate before taking out the Ballina Cup in impressive fashion. I would not be shocked if he produces a big first-up effort.
Sailor’s Secret (2) should be ready to peak third-up. Last start over this course and distance, the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding gave a big sight but was picked off late to finish a neck third. He races particularly well here and is drawn to get a sweet run.
The Face (6) has been trialing well ahead of his resumption here. He’s drawn wide but has the early speed to cross and lead. If he can do that without exerting himself too much, he should give plenty of cheek.
On Top Selection: Oughton (10)
Race 6 - 2:38PM SCHWEPPES T L COONEY (1350 METRES)
Miss Aria (8) is a beauty! The Danny O’Brien-trained daughter of Zoustar comes north from Victoria in amazing form. Three starts back she was beaten by a nose in the Listed Nitschke Stakes at Morphettville before winning by a length at Caulfield. She created quite an impression last start over 1400m on the Sandown Hillside track when savaging the line like a bullet train to win by a length. She is airborne at the moment and can continue her winning ways.
Hedged (2) is well weighted under the set weight conditions of the race. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding got too far back in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes at Eagle Farm but produced the quickest final 600m of the race to finish three lengths third. The rise in distance looks ideal now and he’ll strip fitter given he was six weeks between runs last start.
Fortuneer (12) created quite an impression when she started her career with three consecutive wins. She was spelled after that and recently returned with a fast finishing 2.8 length seventh at Eagle Farm. Last start she finished fourth in the Queensland Day Stakes. With increased fitness she can figure in the finish.
Golden Decade (3) won impressively first-up at Eagle Farm before not being far away at Doomben and then the Group 3 Fred Best Stakes. He’ll be at peak fitness and maps to get all the favours.
On Top Selection: Miss Aria (8)
Race 7 - 3:17PM TAB IPSWICH CUP (2150 METRES)
Zoumon (2) looked in need of the run when finishing 7.1 lengths tenth in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup first-up. The Waterhouse and Bott-trained five-year-old gelding has a history of improving dramatically second-up boasting three wins and a second from five second-up races. One of those second-up wins was in the Listed McKell Cup over a similar distance to this. Incidentally, he then won the Listed Caloundra Cup in his following race. There doesn’t look a great deal of speed in the race which will play into his hands being a go forward horse. Ipswich-bred jockey Regan Bayliss takes the ride.
Brookhaven (14) could be the surprise packet here taking on this distance for the first time. The Chris Munce-trained son of Spieth should be at peak fitness after finishing a half-length second over 1810m at Eagle Farm last start.
Luncies (1) is up against it having to carry 60kg, which is a weight no horse has ever carried to victory in the Ipswich Cup. In fact, the highest weight ever carried by an Ipswich Cup winner is 58.5kg. He’s the best performed horse in the race and should enjoy getting onto a drier surface.
Regal Lion (10) hasn’t been in the greatest of form, which is a similar situation to what he was in for last year’s Ipswich Cup. Having said that, while he was well held in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup last start, he wasn’t too far away in the Chairman’s Handicap two back.
On Top Selection: Zoumon (2) Each Way
Race 8 - 3:53PM IMPERIAL RACING EYE LINER STAKES (1350 METRES)
Wategos (7) looks extremely well placed in this year’s Eye Liner Stakes. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has taken to racing in Queensland well. Two starts back he finished off powerfully to win by 2.3 lengths over 1350m at Doomben two starts back. That kept his unbeaten record over this distance intact. Last start he worked to the line strongly but couldn’t catch Yellow Brick when finishing just under a length second in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap. He maps to get the run of the race for Damien Thornton.
Blaze A Trail (3) returns to Ipswich looking to improve on his unlucky close third in last year’s Eye Liner Stakes. Following that run, he then won twice at Doomben and Eagle Farm before being spelled. He resumes here on the back of two solid trials and generally runs well fresh. The Ciaron Maher stable generally place their horses to perfection so he should be feared.
Fancify (14) was scratched from an easier assignment earlier in the day for this so that decision must be respected. The four-year-old mare is undefeated in four starts over this trip including her past two races which resulted in easy wins at Caulfield and Flemington. She will most likely lead so should be in this for a long way.
Military Expert (8) found the line well second-up at Sandown when finishing 3.8 lengths fourth. He’ll strip fitter and is a previous third-up winner. He shouldn’t be too far away in the run.
On Top Selection: Wategos (7)
Race 9 - 4:30PM GORDON'S GIN GAI WATERHOUSE CLASSIC (1200 METRES)
Typhoon Taavi (13) resumes from a 6-week let-up after impressively winning three races in a row. The Tony Gollan-trained mare proved too quick when winning second-up at Doomben by 1.5 lengths. She raced again over that course and distance two starts back where she showed sustained speed to run her opponents into the ground for a four-length victory. In was a similar scenario last start at Eagle Farm over 1200m where she again led all the way for a 2.3 length win. Angela Jones will give her every chance with a well rated on pace ride.
Midnight In Tokyo (6) is one of the most consistent mares you’ll find with eight consecutive top three finishes since joining the Annabel Neasham stable. She was beaten by less than a length when third in the Hinkler Handicap last start and was a strong winner over this trip at Doomben two starts back.
Black On Beauty (14) returned in great order over 1100m here last start. Despite carrying 60kg she proved too strong, winning by 1.3 lengths. She’ll strip fitter second-up and did win by 3.8 lengths when having her second run back two preparations ago over this trip at Eagle Farm. She maps to get a beautiful run.
Eagle Nest (2) has plenty of weight to carry but has been performing well in stronger Sydney races. Two starts back she finished a half-length second in the Listed Hawkesbury Rush. Michael Rodd should give his mount every chance from a low draw.
On Top Selection: Typhoon Taavi (13)
Best Bets
Race 4 – Rockribbed (9)
Race 6 – Miss Aria (8)
Race 8 – Wategos (7)
By Craig Sheppard
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