Ipswich Preview and Selections 17 March 2023

Date: 17-Mar-2023

The Ipswich Turf Club will turn green this Friday for our St Patrick’s Day race meeting. A big crowd is expected on track to celebrate and enjoy the nine-race card on offer.

With a fine day forecast, we will be racing on a Good surface with the rail in the true position.

We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 12:06PM ST PATRICK DAY RACES QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (800 METRES)

Szabo (2) looks a clear top pick in the opening race. The Brenton Andrew-trained speedster resumes here following an impressive debut performance over this course and distance in December where she bolted in by four lengths. She was very green so would have furnished during the break.

Assymetry (4) will take improvement from her first-up run where she showed good speed but weakened late. Blinkers go on for the first time which will sharpen her up.

North Of Eli (1) resumes here on the back of a good trial where Tribeca Star was just in front of him and that horse bolted in at a midweek metro meeting. Perfectly drawn.

Race 2 - 12:46PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Alfa Lily (2) has been racing well in stronger city class races. Last start she raced wide but still worked to the line well to finish 1.6 lengths sixth over 1350m in a BM65 at Doomben. Three starts back she went within a whisker of winning a BM72 over 1400m at Eagle Farm. The outside gate isn’t ideal but it’s a small field and she shouldn’t be too far away in the run.

Lady Wardell (4) went to the front over this course and distance last start and couldn’t be stopped. From the inside gate she’ll enjoy the run of the race and with the confidence gained from her last start win, she can go on with it.

Birdonawing (3) resumes here on the back of a soft trial. She races well fresh and is a winner at the track. Will take up the running and could be hard to run down.

Better Yet (7) is still a maiden and could raise in easier races. In her past two races she’s led and been run down late. With improved fitness third-up, she may be able to give some cheek.

Race 3 - 1:26PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 2 Handica (1100 METRES)

Beppe (2) was very good in his first outing for Toby and Trent Edmonds at Murwillumbah. He showed good speed to race outside the lead before finishing strongly to win by three-quarters of a length. He’s been kept fresh and will get his preferred dry track. Andrew Mallyon can go forward and give them something to catch.

Clairvue Star (1) cost himself any chance of winning first-up at the Sunshine Coast when wanting to hang out for the majority of the race. Despite that he finished third. He’ll be fitter second-up but does tend to find one better.

Regal Edition (4) resumes here and has raced well fresh in the past. Last prep he finished a length second in a Class 4 when first-up. Maps well.

Dusky Dancer (3) prefers it wet as shown by this win last start at Lismore. However, he’s capable on dry and will strip fitter second-up.

Race 4 - 2:06PM WOUNDED HEROES AUSTRALIA Fillies and Mares Class 2 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Wegobam (4) worked home strongly to finish fourth over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast in her first start for Jack Bruce. She clearly wanted further and gets that here. She’ll strip fitter second-up. Her form in stronger Victorian races prior to joining the Bruce stable was very good and should stand up well here.

Altamira (5) returns to the track after showing signs of ability last preparation that culminated in her taking on black-type opposition. A nice trial behind Beast Mode will have her ready to fire fresh.

Airstrike (3) resumes and was just ahead of Altamira in the trial just mentioned. She won first-up last preparation.

Chanel (1) resumes here for Wendy Bannerot after previously racing in Victoria. Trialed well leading into this and has raced well fresh in the past. Will probably want further though.

Race 5 - 2:46PM TAB BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Mishani Sniper (9) pulled out plenty to win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last start. That followed a good second in slick time the start prior. He stays in the same grade and rises just half a kilogram. Jimmy Orman takes the ride and you always have to sit up and take notice when Les Ross puts him on.

Caribbean King (2) resumes from an 18-week break on the back of a solid trial. He races particularly well fresh having finished in the quinella in all four first-up runs. He competed well in stronger races last preparation but will need to overcome a sticky gate. Bailey Wheeler’s claim helps.

Vast Kama (4) found the line strongly but just couldn’t reel in the leader when finishing a half-length second at Toowoomba last start. He’ll appreciate the drop in class and maps well for apprentice Alisha Donald.

Magic On Ice (6) was fair last start when finishing sixth at Toowoomba. Vast Kama easily accounted for him so he would need to lift. One for the multiples.

Race 6 - 3:26PM BRAD CARR MEMORIAL Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Sakimarjuel (4) is on debut for Toby and Trent Edmonds. He has been gelded and has had the benefit of three trials over the past few months in preparation for this. He showed good gate speed to lead his most recent trial and I expect him to use that to benefit here from gate 1. Former Victorian Group 1 jockey Damien Thornton takes the ride.

Kozani (3) looked good in a recent trial when finishing second. Just needs some luck from the horrible draw to feature against this moderate lot.

Yukanuma (2) is having his first start for Steven Lee. Finished in the placings in two starts for O’Dea Hoysted. He has the speed to be in this for a long way.

Race 7 - 4:06PM JESSIE BIRD MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Zadig (1) controlled the race and proved too strong when winning over this course and distance last start. Adding merit to the run was that he was found to be suffering from heat stress and had poor post race recovery. He rises in weight but Bailey Wheeler’s 3kg claim helps offset that. Will be fitter third-up.

Aliraaj (8) was doing his best work late when eating into Zadig’s margin last start for third. He will strip fitter second-up but is drawn awkwardly.

Smokey Diamond (2) worked home well for second behind Zadig last start. The grey maps to get a great run.

Flying Witness (6) brings Sydney form that should see her competitive. She’ll be fitter second-up but just seems a bit short.

Race 8 - 4:46PM TAB IPSWICH CUP EARLY BIRD TIX ON SALE OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)

The General (8) led at a good clip over 1200m at Eagle Farm and fought on well to finish third to Deepour who is low flying. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the tighter Ipswich track will suit him. From barrier 2, Tegan Harrison can bounce out of the gates to lead and hopefully prove hard to run down in the straight.

Tara Jasmine (2) won’t know herself with just 54kg. She’s a quality mare but the inside gate is not her friend when she has a penchant for missing the start. If she gets clear air then she will be hard to hold out.

I Promise You (5) won narrowly at Toowoomba two starts back before finishing second in the Dalby Newmarket last start. She’s rock hard fit and gets in with no weight after Alisha Donald’s claim.

Ovidius (6) is another Towoomba galloper that brings a fitness edge to the race. This is harder but he’s racing in great fettle with three wins from his past five.

Race 9 - 5:21PM EASTER RACES 10 APRIL Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Down The Barrel (10) has been racing well since joining Ken Jones’ stable. He ran on strongly to win second-up at Toowoomba before impressing last start when coming with a powerful burst to win over this course and distance. On both those occasions he drew wide and went back but from barrier 2 here, I expect Luke Tarrant to settle closer. This Tarrant’s only ride for the day.

Ocean Emperor (2) was brave last start when leading over 1200m at Doomben and only being run down by Charge On in the final 50m. Last preparation he won his only previous start over this course and distance. The outside gate isn’t ideal and he may need to use some gas to cross.

Minto’s Paradise (1) finished 5.3 lengths behind the winner when resuming on the Gold Coast Poly. I’m prepared to forgive him for that as many horses don’t handle that surface. He’ll be fitter second-up and has won two of three when having his second run back. This is Noel Callow’s only ride for the day.

Rations (3) resumes here and will probably it a bit short. He never runs a bad race and if the speed is on, he’ll be attacking the line.

Best Bets

Race 1 – Szabo (2)

Race 5 – Mishani Sniper (9)

Race 7 – Zadig (1)

Best Value

Race 9 – Down The Barrel (10)

By Craig Sheppard

Back to list