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Ipswich Preview And Selections – 15 September 2023
Date: 14-Sep-2023
Racing returns to Ipswich this Friday for the first time since August 18 following the Club’s annual course proper renovation.
Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on a surface that in this writer’s opinion resembles God’s carpet. Officially the track is rated a Soft 6 as of Thursday but should improve with fine, warm weather forecast.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.
Race 1 - 12:22PM QUEENSLAND THERMO KING QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)
Cross Of Scarlet (9) is on debut for Michael Morrison. The Rothesay filly has had two trials, one in July and one at the start of this month. The most recent over 1050m at Deagon was a very nice piece of work where she showed good gate speed before cruising to the line under a hold to finish a close second. She draws nicely in barrier 3.
Asambe (1) disappointed when finishing 13 lengths from the winner when debuting here in April. Kelly Schweida sent him straight to the paddock and he returns here looking a more furnished horse. He looked slick racing on speed in a recent 650m trial where he cruised to the line for a close second. He gets the benefit of the inside gate which is always a plus in these scampers.
King Of The Jungle (5) looked like an improved horse when he resumed over 800m at Warwick last start. He wanted to lay in but he ran on well to just miss the win. The concern is that the winner and third placegetter were disappointing at their next starts, however he will go forward and give himself every chance.
Fastheartbeat (2) brained them by 15 lengths in a trial prior to his debut at Beaudesert over 1200m. He led but capitulated in the closing furlong suggesting that the drop back to 800m will suit.
On Top Selection: Cross Of Scarlet (9)
Race 2 - 12:57PM ROCKLEA TRUCK ELECTRICAL Maiden Plate (1666 METRES)
Sir Zino (5) worked home strongly clocking the fastest 200m of the race when finishing fifth to Signita by 2.14 length over 1660m at Doomben last start. The Chris Waller-trained gelding was forced to settle a long way back after drawing a wide gate and that proved critical in him threatening for the win. He was six weeks between runs so will strip fitter here and I’d suggest will settle closer from the better barrier for Mark Du Plessis.
Kalends (11) worked home well for second in the above-mentioned Sir Zino race. She drops 2kg from that run and will strip fitter third-up. Blinkers going on for the first time is a positive and should see her enjoy a nice run on speed.
Tambourine Man (7) is another that comes out of the race won by Signita at Doomben. He led that day but was too keen in the run which saw him tire late to finish seventh. The blinkers stay on which may see him race in similar fashion.
Align The Planets (2) has run well in two starts since joining the Olivia Cairns stable after previously racing with John O’Shea in Sydney. Given he looked to feel the pinch late over 1849m at Eagle Farm last start, the drop back in trip should suit. However, the wide gate is not ideal.
On Top Selection: Sir Zino (5)
Race 3 - 1:34PM QUEENSLAND TRUCKING ASSOCIATION Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
Doona (15) will strip fitter following her debut third at Toowoomba over 1200m. She settled on speed in the run and hit the front in the straight, but condition gave out late. Despite that she fought on well to finish third by just over half a length. She draws nicely for Sam Collett who should be able to settle in a prominent position, if not lead.
Kai Tak (6) endured a torrid run last start at the Sunshine Coast so can be forgiven for failing miserably. The start prior, he found the line well to finish two lengths second to Jackson On Time over 1100m here. He draws nicely for Ben Thompson so will get every chance, but he just seems to always run into a better horse.
Purezza (11) wasn’t far away when finishing third at Moree last start. That was her third placing from five stars this prep. She’s drawn to get a nice run and the 3kg claim comes in handy.
Dream Knight (2) resumes here following 4 trials. He worked to the line well for second in a recent trial over 1200m at Deagon. The fact it was over 1200m and that it took some time to wind up suggests that he may want further. The 3kg claim helps.
On Top Selection: Doona (15)
Race 4 - 2:12PM R & J BATTERIES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (2150 METRES)
Aiden (1) enters this race in great form. He’s won two and placed three times from his past five starts. Last start he finished best to win over 1900m on the Gold Coast Poly. While most of his recent runs have been on the synthetic, he did run well when finishing a close second over 1690m here three starts ago. He maps to get an economical run from the inside gate.
Rugged Woman (8) was an impressive winner on the Gold Coast Poly four starts back over 1900m. She’s since finished runner-up in her three subsequent. The wide gate is not ideal but if connections decide to race here and not at Doomben next Wednesday then she can give this a big shout.
Jane His Wife (13) improved last start when going forward at Kilcoy last start before finishing third. The rise in trip should suit.
Enunciation (3) has only won once from 23 starts but should find this easier than the races he’s recently been competing in. He should enjoy a nice run at his first attempt at this distance.
On Top Selection: Aiden (1)
Race 5 - 2:47PM BIG RIGS NEWSPAPER BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (800 METRES)
Flaming Conquest (4) is a speedy mare that resumes following a 16-week spell. The David Murphy-trained four-year-old has shown an abundance of early speed to win two metropolitan 1000m races as well as once here. Blinkers go on signaling intent for a bold showing fresh and I’d suspect Georgie Cartwright will make full use of barrier 2 and drive hard early.
Shalaa’s Moment (7) has been kept fresh after a dominant three length win over this course and distance. She was slow away that day before running over the top of them. From the wide gate she may have to do the same thing here.
Underhand (8) is a real short course speedster. Besides a second placing to Shalaa’s Moment two starts back, she has won three of her past four over similar trips. Last start she impressed when bolting in by five-lengths over 800m at Warwick. The outside gate is not ideal but she has the speed to cross.
Orsetto (12) is trained locally and has a tremendous record over the course and distance with five wins and two seconds from 14 starts. He races well fresh and can run a bold race from the inside gate.
On Top Selection: Flaming Conquest (4)
Race 6 - 3:27PM DON MOORE MEMORIAL Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Hearsay (7) was a class above her rivals when resuming at Beaudesert over 1100m. Dan McGillivray hugged the fence entering the straight to dash clear to easily win by two lengths. She’s always looked a mare with ability and she appears to have developed during the break. She’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in trip will suit. Maps to get a great run for McGillivray who claims 2kg.
Radiant Remi (4) returned in great order with a close win over 1100m here two starts ago. Last start she fought bravely but was no match for Boom Torque when finishing second by just under a length over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. Boom Torque is low flying at the moment and franked the form by winning impressively on Wednesday at Doomben. Ben Thompson will just need a touch of luck from the potentially trick barrier.
Raoul (1) tried hard when resuming for new trainer Chris Anderson with a 3.3 length third over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the drop in class. A genuine tempo likely will help him run home strongly. Anderson has adopted multiple gear changes.
Heroic Miss (10) resumes here following a nice trial. She’s yet to win first-up and tends to get better through a preparation so she may need the run. However, she was just two lengths behind All That Pizzazz in the QTIS 3YO Jewel last preparation so she has ability.
On Top Selection: Hearsay (7)
Race 7 - 4:04PM PENNYWISE RATINGS BAND 0 - 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Tavijewel (2) resumes here following a very good first preparation that saw him win two of three starts. He was heavily back and duly saluted when debuting at Warwick over this distance. After finishing fourth here second-up, he led from start to finish to win over 1560m at Port Macquarie. He warmed up for this with a solid trial against quality opposition. I’m expecting a big showing fresh from this guy.
Daring Belle (9) rarely runs a bad race at Ipswich. While she hasn’t won in nine starts here, she has placed on five occasions so she should be around the mark. This is an easier affair than what she has been facing recently.
Tabulam (4) won well two starts back at Ballina before a luckless run when never on the track last start at Warwick. He draws much better here in barrier 3 and can bounce back with Ben Thompson in the saddle.
Canny Be Better (3) can be forgiven for finishing a distant last over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast last start after working from a wide gate. The start prior he won narrowly over 1400m at Gatton. He’s drawn nicely and will give a sight in front.
On Top Selection: Tavijewel (2)
Race 8 - 4:42PM SBB PARTNERS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Rockin’ Artie (2) was a winner here over 1350m five starts back and he’s held his form since. Two starts back he found the line strongly over this distance to finish second by just under a length at the Sunshine Coast. There was 3.3 lengths back to third. He’ll appreciate returning to this class race after struggling a touch at Eagle Farm last start. Bailey Wheeler should be able to settle in a forward position from the good draw.
Belle’s Boy (8) didn’t like the tight Kilcoy track last start but still proved too strong when winning by 2.5 lengths over 1500m. He’s been racing well since joining the Greg Cornish stable and looks to get a great run here.
Epic Love (16) resumes here from a nine-week break. It was a similar situation when she resumed last preparation with a win over this distance at Toowoomba. She’ll carry just 53kg after the claim for Alisha Donald and should be running on well.
Drake Passage (7) resumes here and is a newcomer to the Marcus Wilson stable after previously racing with Busuttin Young in Victoria. He was a big winner over this distance when resuming last preparation at Werribee. The downside is the tricky gate he has to deal with.
On Top Selection: Rockin’ Artie (2)
Best Bets
Race 5 – Flaming Conquest (4)
Race 7 – Tavijewel (2)
By Craig Sheppard
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