Ipswich Preview and Selections 27 September 2023

Date: 26-Sep-2023

We’re on the quick back-up this Wednesday at Ipswich after hosting a meeting on Monday.

Seven metropolitan races are scheduled to be run and won on a Good 4 surface with the rail out 10m the entire course.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 1:43PM TAB Maiden Plate (1666 METRES)

Align The Planets (1) has been racing well since joining the Olivia Cairns stable three starts ago and looks close to a win. The four-year-old gelding was forced to settle towards the back after drawing wide over this course and distance last start but found the line strongly to finish second by 1.3 lengths. There was a further 2.3 lengths back to third. There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Jimmy Orman settle closer from barrier 2.

Power Flash (8) put in an improved performance last start when running on well for a 1.1 length fourth over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast. She’s rock hard fit and should race in a prominent position. She may be wanting further now though.

Tambourine Man (5) led over this course and distance last start but faded late to finish third. Align The Planets was ahead of him that day. He should be close to peak fitness now fourth-up.

Royal Court (4) has finished runner-up in both runs back this preparation. The rise to 1666m will suit given the way he was doing his best work late over 1400m at Dalby last start.

On Top Selection: Align The Planets (1)

Race 2 - 2:18PM SEVEN Class 1 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Rising Pacific (1) was a tragedy beaten last start over 1650m at Doomben. The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old gelding was shuffled back at the 700m before and then was held up until the 200m where he finally got clear air to savage the line. He finished second by a neck but should have won by a few lengths. He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a great run.

Esky (3) is a bit one-paced but ran on well for a 1.33 length third over 1849m at Eagle Farm last start. He’ll appreciate the drop in class and the addition of blinkers will hopefully sharpen him up.

I Am Good At This (2) has been racing well this preparation with a win and three placings from four starts. He won easily to break his maiden two starts back at Murwillumbah before being run down in the shadows of the post last start. He should race in a handy position.

Substance (4) impressed last start when running on strongly to win his maiden over this course and distance. This is tougher but he’ll strip fitter third-up.

On Top Selection: Rising Pacific (1)

Race 3 - 2:53PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

Vesper Lynd (12) is on debut for Shaun Dwyer following an impressive trial win. The three-year-old daughter of Jungle Cat jumped well and settled in the box seat before cruising to the line under a tight grip while her rivals were struggling to keep up while being ridden out. She draws the coveted barrier 1 for Damien Thornton which can be all the difference in these scampers.

Better Golightly (3) was last seen in January finishing third over 1200m at Doomben. She resumes here following a very nice trial at Beaudesert where she led and increased her lead the further they went. If she gets some luck from the tricky gate, she’ll be fighting out the finish.

Ever So Clever (5) resumes here following a solid trial at Doomben. She raced well at her only previously first-up run when finishing just a length second over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.

Inspired Dream (11) is having her first start for Tony and Maddy Sears after racing in NSW. She warmed up for this with a nice 650m trial win at Toowoomba. While she raced over longer distances with her previous trainer, she looks ready to fire fresh over this shorter trip.

On Top Selection: Vesper Lynd (12)

Race 4 - 3:28PM RIVER 94.9FM BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (800 METRES)

Liquor (12) began awkwardly and suffered lacerations during the run so had excuses when finishing eighth over 1000m at Doomben first-up. That was a Saturday Class 3 Handicap so she’ll appreciate the drop in class here. The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old mare started her career with an impressive win over this course and distance so is no stranger to the 800m scamper. She’s ideally drawn in barrier 2 with just 53kg following Cejay Graham’s claim.

Ruby Chicks (7) worked early to find the front from a wide gate last start over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast before finding plenty in the run home to win narrowly. She’ll be at peak fitness fourth-up and is drawn perfectly for Jimmy Orman in barrier 1.

Capital Reign (3) caught the eye running on strongly to finish third to Flaming Conquest over this course and distance last start. He will strip fitter third-up and does possess a super record when having his third run back.

Shalaa’s Moment (6) gapped his rivals when winning over this course and distance two starts back. He ran on well for fourth over the course and distance last start but the wide gate proved costly and it could again here.

On Top Selection: Liquor (12)

Race 5 - 4:03PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Class 2 Plate (1200 METRES)

Latakia (9) resumes here following a 36-week break. The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Deep Field looked good in a recent trial win where she won in quick time under a hold. Last preparation she won impressively on debut by 4.59 lengths over 1200m at Doomben before going on to win the Magic Millions Rising Stars at the Gold Coast and a 3.7 length ninth in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. The wide barrier is not ideal, but she has the early speed to cross and either lead or settle handy for Jimmy Orman.

Centre Bounce (7) never got a clear crack when finishing eighth by 2.65 lengths in a Highway Handicap last start. The start prior he ran a game second to the flying Derry Grove in another Highway Handicap. That’s good form this and he maps well.

Cacofonix (3) resumes here following a year off the track. He’s had three trials in NSW so should have a good level of fitness for a bold showing first-up. He raced over further so may need the run but he does draw ideally in barrier 1.

Never Give Up (5) is another horse resuming here. He’s only lightly raced having won on debut at the Sunshine Coast before disappointing at his second start. Drawn well for Justin Huxtable.

On Top Selection: Latakia (9)

Race 6 - 4:38PM GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Jimmy’s Dream (8) was fair when resuming with a 2.69 length fourth to the impressive Beast Mode over 1000m at Eagle Farm. The O’Dea Hoysted-trained six-year-old gelding finished last preparation with back-to-back wins over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the slight rise in trip will suit. There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Justin Huxtable enjoy a nice run just off it before letting loose in the straight.

Why We Drink (3) resumes here following a nice Beaudesert trial. He ran well for third to Situation Room when first-up last preparation. He’s competed well in stronger races and boast a nice record of two wins and a second from three starts at the track.

Fun Sponge (6) starts his campaign here and is unbeaten in two first-up races. He’s awkwardly drawn but has the early speed to cross. Gets 3kgs weight relief thanks to Bailey Wheeler’s claim.

I Am Voodoo (10) has been flying on the Gold Coast Poly track with back-to-back wins. If he can bring his synthetic form to the grass then he can play a part in the finish. Ben Thompson takes the ride.

On Top Selection: Jimmy’s Dream (8)

Race 7 - 5:13PM SIRROMET BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Maid To Fit (11) has come back this preparation in fine style with two wins from as many starts. Following an easy win to break her maiden status first-up, she stepped up to this distance at Doomben for the first time and handled it well. She’ll have improved fitness third-up and while she’s up in class, she will appreciate the weight drop. The Kelly Schweida-trained mare draws nicely in barrier 2 which should see Jimmy Orman race in a prominent position.

Hang Five (2) should be at peak fitness fourth-up. He caught the eye last start running on from the back to finish third by 1.33 lengths over 1400m at Eagle Farm. He should settle a bit closer here which will help his cause.

Cranky Harry (1) was not suited by the shortness of the 1000m trip at Eagle Farm first-up. The rise to 1350m will be to his liking given he has won two and placed second twice from five starts over it. Drawn nicely.

Hearsay (8) is racing in great form with back-to-back wins including last start over this course and distance. If she doesn’t have to work from the tricky gate then she can fight out the finish.

On Top Selection: Maid To Fit (11)

Best Bets

Race 2 – Rising Pacific (1)

Race 4 – Liquor (12)

By Craig Sheppard

Back to list