Ipswich Preview and Selections – 18 August 2023

Date: 17-Aug-2023

Nine races will be run and won at Ipswich this Friday with fine weather forecast.

The rail is out 10m the entire course and the track is currently rated a Good 4.

We’ve provided our top selections in each race below.

Race 1 - 12:07PM GET SOCIAL @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Plate (2210 METRES)

End Of Month (1) looks the clear on top selection here despite drawing the outside gate.

The majority of the field have had countless starts to get their first win whereas this guy has only had the two starts and plenty of upside.

The Michael Morrison-trained son of Ocean Park ran on strongly to finish second on debut at the Sunshine Coast over 1600m before fighting strongly to again finish second, this time over 2000m at Dalby. There was three-lengths back to third with several of the chasing pack lining up here.

Last season’s top Ipswich jockey Jimmy Orman takes the ride so we’re in safe hands with countering the wide draw.

Selections: 1-7-11-8

Race 2 - 12:42PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT Class 4 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Roll Up (3) was a dominant winner here when resuming over 1200m in a Benchmark 70 Handicap.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan for the four-year-old and he disappointed in his next two starts at Doomben at Eagle Farm.

Trainer Kelly Schweida made the decision to geld the son of Zoustar following his last start in June. It appears to have had the desired effect as he trialed up nicely ahead of this race.

He is undefeated in two starts at the track and should get a sweet run from the inside gate for Jimmy Orman.

Selections: 3-5-2-1

Race 3 - 1:17PM CONTRACT CHEFS AUSTRALIA Class 1 Plate (1100 METRES)

Boodua Romance (1) looks close to a win following two very good runs to start this preparation.

The Lindsay Gough-trained five-year-old gelding was beaten a head at Ballina first-up before running on strongly from well back to just miss the win at Doomben over 1200m.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and is well placed under set weight conditions.

Selections: 1-5-2-8

Race 4 - 1:57PM CHERY IPSWICH Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Seiryu (8) hasn’t done a great deal thus far in her seven-start career with just a single place to show for herself.

However, the Billy Healey-trained Zoustar mare looks to have come back this preparation in excellent fettle.

She’s won two trials in varying styles. She ran on from the back in the first trial before showing good speed to lead the most recent all the way.

Ben Thompson rode in the most recent trial and he sticks for this race ride which is a positive sign. He should settle in a prominent position from the kind draw.

Selections: 8-7-13-2

Race 5 - 2:34PM SIRROMET Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Gleaming Legend (4) is having his first for trainer Marcus Wilson after previously racing in Victoria with Dan O’Sullivan.

While he has never finished in the placings in three first-up races, he has run well and hasn’t been far away. His Victorian form is good enough for him to be a major player here.

The Capitalist gelding warmed up for this with a nice trial where he worked home quite well.

There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race so Sam Collett should be able to settle handy from barrier 2.

Selections: 4-2-1-11

Race 6 - 3:12PM CHERYIPSWICH.COM.AU QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Capital Cee (1) found the front when resuming over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last start, but condition gave out late and he weakened to finish third by a length.

The Stuart Kendrick-trained son of Capitalist will strip fitter second-up and is drawn to get the run of the race from the inside gate.

Bailey Wheeler takes the ride and has a great strike-rate when combining with Kendrick.

Selections: 1-6-7-4

Race 7 - 3:50PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Szabo (10) resumes here without a public trial but has won two from two first-up races under similar circumstances.

The Brenton Anderew-trained filly started her career in fine style with an easy four-length win over this course and distance.

She won again over the Ipswich 800m trip at her second start before being outclassed in black-type races during the Winter Carnival.

She’ll be more at home in this class and looks like she will enjoy a great run from barrier 2, which is a big advantage in these short sprints.

Selections: 10-1-3-8

Race 8 - 4:27PM ITC MEMBERSHIP NOW OPEN Colts, Geldings & Entires BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Belvedere Boys (5) caught the eye when making his debut at Grafton three weeks ago with a fast-finishing nose second.

The Matthew Dunn-trained three-year-old backed that up with an impressive effort last start at Doomben over 1200m when settling back from an outside gate before steaming home down the outside to win. That was despite racing wide.

Given the way he hit the line, the rise to 1350m looks ideal third-up.

Jimmy Orman remains in the saddle and should be able to give him every chance from a decent barrier.

Selections: 5-11-4-8

Race 9 - 5:02PM SEVEN NEWS Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Despereaux (12) caught the eye when charging to the line first-up over 1200m here to finish third to Vonzither.

That was the Rich Enuff mare’s first start for Jason Patton so she’ll no doubt strip fitter second-up.

The rise to 1350m looks ideal and she’s drawn to get a nice run behind what looks a solid tempo.

Selections: 12-7-1-6

Best Bets

Race 1 – End Of Month (1)

Race 2 – Roll Up (3)

Race 7 – Szabo (10)