Ipswich Preview And Selections 12 August 2022

Date: 11-Aug-2022

A nine-race card is scheduled to be run at Ipswich Turf Club this Friday. A big crowd is expected to be on track with the Swich On Inc. organisation holding their annual race day. The track as of Thursday is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 4m between the 1100m and Winning Post and out 2m the remainder. There is a possibility for showers late Friday afternoon but hopefully they don’t eventuate until after the last race.

The first race starts at 11:40 am.

Race 1 - FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Plate (2170 METRES)

Speed: Alaltun and Hyperion Angel look the likely leaders in this distance affair.

Gear Changes: Medieval Crown (2) Blinkers AGAIN, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Tiger Leny (11) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME

Grinzinger Hulk (1) looks ready to step up in distance after catching the eye charging late here last start over 1666m. After settling towards the back, he flew home to reduce the margin to five-lengths. He’s on the quick back-up and crying out for this trip. He’s drawn wide but will no doubt settle rearward anyway. Gets the services of in form jockey Robbie Fradd.

Rowlett (4) has been knocking on the door for a maiden win. While frustrating for his supporters, he has run well in his past two starts. He was narrowly beaten by Port Mourant at the Sunshine Coast over 2200m in heavy conditions. That horse came close to winning at Doomben on Wednesday. Last start Rowlett fought out the finish at Warwick but was overpowered late.

No More Red (3) finished off quite well for third, 1.5 lengths behind Rowlett last start at Warwick. That was his best result in ten starts which hopefully means he’s on the upward trend. Meets Rowlett worse at the weights but does get senior rider Georgie Cartwright replacing the apprentice.

Royal George (5) is a 36 start maiden so back him at your own risk. Mixes his form but did run well over this course and distance two starts back when 1.2 lengths third to Jewel Flight. He has a good record over this course and distance.

On Top Selection: Grinzinger Hulk (1)

Race 2 - IN CAHOOTS CO. Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Speed: Tricky speedmap to predict given many of those that look to be the early speed may not even race. If Canny Be Lucky is here, he can lead. Those drawn towards the inside hold the key.

Gear Changes: Cedar Creek (22) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Lady Rain (9) Nose Roll OFF FIRST TIME, Time To Testify (7) Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME

Lady Rain (9) resumes here following a 20-week spell. She has warmed up for this with two trials. The most recent saw her cruise around Beaudesert in attractive style. Now with Annabel Neasham, she finished second twice in her two career starts with Michael Costa. The most recent of those in March, she was narrowly beaten at the Sunshine Coast. Brodie Loy should be able to settle in a prominent position from barrier 5.

Mirror One (5) is first-up following 21-weeks in the paddock. He’s had two trials to prepare for this and looked good working home in his most recent. He’ll be better over further but can show up fresh here. If Ryan Maloney can get him clear air in the straight, he’ll be right in the finish.

Moon Stalker (16) received a warning for poor barrier manners last start at Doomben. Prior to that he hadn’t been too far away in three starts. He’s drawn well for Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley but he is having his 13th start and is yet to win so does have convictions.

Time To Testify (7) is on debut here. Won a trial at the Sunshine Coast in preparation for this and looked good doing so. Drawn the car park so will need a lot of luck.

On Top Selection: Lady Rain (9)

Race 3 - MATTHEW BOWDEN BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Speed: It should come as no surprise that they’ll go quick in this 800m scamper. No Better Affaire and Songzilla look most likely to take up the running.

Gear Changes: Logan's Blade (5) Blinkers OFF AGAIN

No Better Affaire (4) demonstrated that he’s a short course speedster three starts back when sharing the lead and going on to win over 860m at Gatton. At his past two starts he has led before being run down over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton. From barrier 2, Tiff Brooker can drive forward and lead or at the very least be handy. Looks right in this.

Songzilla (8) finished just behind No Better Affaire at the Sunshine Coast last start. The start prior he led when resuming over 870m at Toowoomba but was run down late by Turboart. He has a great third-up record. Wide gate isn’t ideal but he’ll race on the speed and be in this for a long way.

Dream Weaving (6) loves these short sprints. He found one better at Warwick last start over the distance but did win his previous two starts over it at Dalby at Gatton. He shouldn’t be in the firing line and will carry just 54.5kg after Melea Castle’s claim.

Ramtastic (1) will have to lump 62kg but will appreciate a strong speed and nice draw. Ran well in Open company last start at Bundaberg. While getting on in years, he boasts the best CV.

On Top Selection: No Better Affaire (4)

Race 4 - GRANT LOWE BENCHMARK 72 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Speed: Brave Warrior should drive forward and push for the lead. Fort Myer will look to cross from out wide in what should be a solid run race.

Gear Changes: Brave Warrior (1) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Winkers FIRST TIME

Ghostwriter (5) is never too far away but has a tendency to find one or two better each start. Three starts back he fought out the finish when a close second over 1680m here. Last start in a three-year-old Open race at Eagle Farm over 1400m he encountered dead ends in the straight to finish 2.85 length sixth to Chatty Lady. That form should hold up well here. From barrier 2, Brodie Loy should settle in a prominent position and get every chance.

Kudu (4) worked overtime to find the lead after drawing an outside gate here over this course and distance. It proved costly with him being overpowered late to finish second by 1.3 lengths. From barrier 3, he won’t have to work as hard to find a forward position. Looks right in this.

Brave Warrior (1) is undefeated in two starts over this course and distance. He has been freshened after leading and weakening over 1350m at Doomben last start. Blinkers come off so he shouldn’t race so keen. Drawn to get all the favours from barrier 1.

Grand Zou (2) can bounce back after his performance here last start was questioned by stewards. He was good the start prior when taking on Class 6 company at Rockhampton and finishing second. He’ll appreciate a strong tempo.

On Top Selection: Ghostwriter (5)

Race 5 - SWITCH ON INC. RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Speed: Atlantic Royal and Crazy Eyed Fred look like the leaders from middle draws. Camarillo can make use of an inside gate and be handy.

Gear Changes: Barrymore (10) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Cheekers FIRST TIME, Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Standard Bit FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN

Amore Primus (7) didn’t have a great deal of luck last start when finishing 2.6 lengths seventh over this course and distance. She looked to be working into the race well on the turn but was then held up straightening and again later in the straight. They should go at a decent tempo which will help her get home strongly.

Scottish Prince (3) went way too hard when a tearaway leader at Doomben over 1200m last start. Understandably he weakened out of it in the straight. In his two prior starts to that he won over 1400m at Gatton and on the Poly. Gets the benefit of Brad Stewart in the saddle.

My Shamana (8) resumes here and did win her only start when first-up over 1200m here last preparation. Lightly raced and possibly has more upside then these but the wide draw is not ideal. Boris Thornton will settle back and look to run on.

Crazy Eyed Fred (5) led over 1350m at Doomben last start before boxing on for a 5.25 lengths third. He’ll go forward and give some cheek. His record would suggest he prefers a wet track which won’t be the case here.

On Top Selection: Amore Primus (7)

Race 6 - GREAT NORTHERN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Speed: They should move at a decent clip here. Ticino Belle will look to cross from a wide gate. Dratini and Yes We’re Ready will drive forward from the inside.

Gear Changes: Brief Sojourn (11) Pacifiers FIRST TIME

Spirit Of Beans (3) impressed on debut when winning at Gatton over 1400m. He sat wide and rolled off the turn, which is normal at Gatton, before trotting in for a 1.3 length win. He’ll have improved since that run. Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley can track the inside horses across and settle in the second or third pair.

Bandit (4) went close at Beaudesert two starts back before going one better last start. He shared the lead before pulling out plenty at the end of the 1350m Gold Coast race to win by just 0.2 of a length. He’s drawn to get a nice run.

Yes We’re Ready (6) broke through at start humber 10 last start on the Poly over 1100m. While he narrowly won, third place was a long way back and there were only three starters. Two starts back he was run down in the closing stages over this course and distance. Will look the winner in the straight.

Dratini (2) has competed well in stronger races than this at his two starts back this preparation. He should be reaching peak fitness third-up and has won two of five when having his third run back. Will race on speed.

On Top Selection: Spirit Of Beans (3)

Race 7 - KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS Fillies and Mares Class 2 Plate (1200 METRES)

Speed: Moreton Bay and Soul Spirit look the leaders of race with just fair early speed.

Reannon (12) is a quality mare from the Barry Baldwin stable. Last start she ran on strongly to finish third to Fearnough in a Saturday three-year-old race at Eagle Farm over 1200m. The start prior she was narrowly beaten by Chatty Lady who then won again in town. She’s drawn an outside gate but there is limited speed here which hopefully will see Mark Du Plessis go forward and find a position.

Money In My Pocket (6) is having her first start for Kacy Fogden after previously racing in Victoria with Michael Freedman. She hasn’t raced since the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes at Moonee Valley almost two years ago so it will be interesting to see how she presents. She has won two of four starts and both wins were full of merit. If ready to go, she’s right in this.

Dream Decision (3) won narrowly when resuming at Toowoomba. She then went to Rockhampton and was fair in the Belle of Capricornia which is a tougher race than this. Should be too far away in the run and did win her only other third-up race.

Mexican Star (10) has won just once in 14 starts but has placed in ten others. Last start she caught the eye flashing late to finish a half-length second over this course and distance. She steps up in class from that run.

On Top Selection: Reannon (12)

Race 8 - TAB Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 2 Plate (1200 METRES)

Speed: There looks to be good speed here with the likes of Billy’s Bro, Early Crow and Uncle Russ pushing forward early.

Gear Changes: Barrymore (18) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Cheekers FIRST TIME, Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Standard Bit FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN, Comments (3) Blinkers AGAIN, Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, Flybridge (5) Cheekers FIRST TIME, Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit FIRST TIME, Mensa Maestro (7) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME

Torun (12) has been competing in stronger class races and now drops back to a Class 2 at set weights. Last start in Class 4 company, he raced three deep throughout but still fought on admirably to finish 1.9 lengths to Mishani Fraudster over this course and distance. He’s on the quick back-up and gets the services of Brad Stewart. The strong speed will suit.

Snazz ‘N’ Charm (9) has been racing in consistent form. Last start he settled back after drawing wide before finishing off strongly to come second to Snappy Reply by a length at Doomben over 1110m. He won here five starts ago in this grade. Looks well placed here despite the awkward gate.

Uncle Russ (13) finished off well to narrowly win first-up at Toowoomba over 1000m. He could very well be unbeaten in three starts after braining his rivals on debut here over 800m and picked off at the post at Doomben at his second start. The extra distance suits.

Boombrastic (1) was doing his best work late when finishing 4.2 lengths from the winner at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m. He’ll appreciate the extra distance here and be fitter second-up. Drawn to get a nice run.

On Top Selection: Torun (12)

Race 9 - SIRROMET BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1680 METRES)

Speed: This race is devoid of a natural leader so on paper the speed looks limited. Asher may look to cross from the outside gate while Blavatsky can make use of a kind draw.

Gear Changes: Asher (8) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Visors FIRST TIME, Canny Cat (2) Nose Roll OFF FIRST TIME, El Chaparro (13) Visors AGAIN, Feudalist (11) Hanoverian Nose Band FIRST TIME

A Big Chance (5) was slow to getaway last start at Eagle Farm over 1500m. Despite that he worked home strongly to finish 1.8 lengths fourth to Magic Charlee. That was a BM68 and he now drops to a BM58. He won the start prior over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast. With the lack of speed it would be nice to see Sam Collett settle closer than usual.

Burlesy (1) worked to the line well here over 1350m to win first-up. Last start a wide gate harmed his chances when 2.4 lengths fifth at the Gold Coast over 1350m. The rise in distance looks ideal third-up and he’s drawn to get an economical run.

Blavatsky (10) led over 1850m at Toowoomba last start before she was run down late to finish second. The slight drop back in distance will suit. She’s drawn well and with no speed in the race, Michael Hellyer can go forward and give his mount every chance.

Northern Woods (3) was just fair when resuming over 1350m here. The rise in distance will suit and he does race well second-up He won over this distance second-up in February 2021.

On Top Selection: A Big Chance (5)

Best Bets

Race 2 - Lady Rain (9)

Race 6 - Spirit Of Beans (3)

Race 7 - Reannon (12)

Story: Craig Sheppard

Image: Trackside Photography

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