Ipswich Preview and Selections – 28 July 2023

Date: 27-Jul-2023

Friday returns to Ipswich this week with an eight-race card.

For the next four weeks we’ll host meetings in our preferred time slot so make sure you get to the track!

The meeting will be conducted on a good track with the rail out 2.5m the entire course.

Continue reading for our thoughts on each race!

Race 1 - 12:22PM STRIVE TO BE KIND DAY QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

Janean (5) is on debut for Mark Currie. The Spill The Beans filly looks ready to produce a bold showing following a Toowoomba trial win. She looks to have the early speed to give this a shake.

Tenby (3) is another Toowoomba galloper on debut. The Michael Nolan-trained colt won a trial on the same day as Janean but in much slower time. He’s drawn well and gets Jimmy Orman in the saddle.

On Target (4) improved last start when finishing second on the Gold Coast Synthetic. It’s hard to gauge that form back on grass but he gets the benefit of the inside gate.

Fast Fusion (1) is a local who has opened his career in good style with two seconds. The outside gate isn’t ideal.

On Top Selection: Janean (5)

Race 2 - 12:57PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1100 METRES)

The Astronomer (3) led from start to finish when winning on debut at Grafton by 1.7 lengths. He’ll have come on from that run and is drawn ideally.

Ozzie The Rabbit (7) is on debut here for Annabel Neasham. He’s had two trials in preparation for this. He looked stylish winning the most recent. He’s drawn well.

Toute Sweet (4) has come back this preparation in great style. He finished a close second at Gatton first-up before dead heating after a tough run over 800m here last start. He’ll strip fitter and should race on speed.

Kesalul (2) defied a protest when dead heating for the win here over 800m last start. That was just his first start so he’ll take great benefit from that.

On Top Selection: The Astronomer (3)

Race 3 - 1:35PM BLONDIES POWDER COATING Maiden Handicap (2150 METRES)

King Cornelius (4) didn’t have a lot of luck last start when having to change his course to get clear running over 2220m at Grafton. Despite that, he found the line well for a 1.51 length fourth. Minister Garrett was just ahead of him that day and he now meets that horse 4kg better.

Minister Garrett (1) worked to the line well to finish second in the above-mentioned race at Grafton. That was just his first start for Dwayne Schmidt after previously racing in Victoria. Looks like a leading player despite the 4kg rise in weight.

Ahoy (5) found the front over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start but after using gas early, he weakened to finish second. He maps to get a great run and should be at peak fitness now.

Signita (6) hasn’t been too far away in her three starts this preparation. The rise to this staying distance maybe what she’s looking for.

On Top Selection: King Cornelius (4)

Race 4 - 2:12PM VINCE INSURANCE BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (2150 METRES)

Savileo (6) raced three-wide with cover last start before running on strongly to finish a length second to stablemate Surreel over 2030m at Doomben. There was plenty of merit in the run given he had to fan extremely wide while the winner saved ground on the fence. He’s been racing in good form and is rock hard fit now.

Grinzinger Knight (2) won the Gatton Cup two starts back with a typical bold front running ride. If this guy can get any easy lead then he can prove very hard to catch. The map suggests that could be the case.

Go Millo (1) will stay all day as shown by his effort to win the Provincial Stayers Final on Ipswich Cup day here three starts back. He’s no stranger to big weights and will again carry over 60kg.

Enjouee (5) won over 2000m at Gatton two starts back before not show a lot in the Gatton Cup. Has the best trainer and jockey in Queensland in his corner so can’t be discounted completely.

On Top Selection: Savileo (6)

Race 5 - 2:47PM PRECINCT URBAN PLANNING BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Cabrinella (3) loves this course and distance having won twice and placed in another from three races over it. She gets the benefit of the inside gate and Bailey Wheeler’s claim. The inside gate is a massive plus in these short sprints.

Gossip Torque (1) resumes here following a nice trial. He races particularly well fresh having won two of three first-up. He ended last preparation with back-to-back wins over this scamper distance. Cejay Graham’s claim helps.

Idoneus (8) proved too quick over this course and distance two starts back. Last start she ran a good race in stronger company to finish off well for third. She looks like one of the leading players again.

Thawra (2) can be a bit hit and miss but if she’s on then she’ll give this a shake. She’s won and placed in three starts over the course and distance.

On Top Selection: Cabrinella (3)

Race 6 - 3:27PM BNB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Thesecondatportsea (10) continues to have no luck with drawing a gate. Since joining the Jack Bruce stable, she’s drawn barriers 10, 11 and 11 here. Last start she ran on well from the back to finish 2.4 lengths sixth over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. The rise to 1666m looks ideal now but she will need some luck.

Dark Harmony (2) finally broke through for a deserved win four starts back. He takes on the mile for the first time but given his racing style, he should handle it. Blinkers come off for the first time.

Whistling Spirit (1) will appreciate dropping back to this class after finishing down the track in a Saturday 3YO race and the Winx Guineas. Three starts back he won the Northern Jewel at Rockhampton. His better runs have been on tracks with give in them.

Goldeeluck (5) found the line strongly second-up at Toowoomba over 1200m to just miss the win. It’s a sharp rise to the mile third-up but he looks capable of handling it.

On Top Selection: Thesecondatportsea (10)

Race 7 - 4:04PM THE LAWN SHED Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Thankful Heart (3) returns for his second preparation after not doing a lot in his one and only start March. Since that race, he’s joined the Annabel Neasham stable and it’s obviously had a positive impact. He looked good flying down the outside under a hold to win a recent Deagon trial. Damien Thornton can make full use of barrier 3.

Mission To Win (5) was run down late when finishing second at Rockhampton second-up. He will strip fitter third-up but is drawn awkwardly.

Jenni Inda Jungle (10) resumes for local trainer Trevor Lambourn after previously racing in Victoria. Looked good winning a recent trial but the wide gate is not helpful.

Brydelicious (19) wasn’t far away from Master Gee here last start over this course and distance. Will carry a postage stamp weigth but has only placed once in 13 starts.

On Top Selection: Thankful Heart (3)

Race 8 - 4:42PM PENNYWISE RATINGS BAND 0 - 62 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Award Me (11) didn’t have a lot of luck when caught three deep last start at Grafton. Despite that she ran on well for a 1.35 length second. She was a winner over this course and distance three starts back. She’s been racing in good form and should be at peak fitness fourth-up. She offer good each way value in a tough race.

Bulsara (6) led and faded over 1110m at Doomben when resuming last start. He’ll strip fitter second-up and races particularly well at Ipswich. Maps well.

Where’s Tekay Now (3) led all the way to win over 1300m at Toowoomba last start. He again draws well and gets Ben Thompson in the saddle.

Redsnap (4) is a newcomer to the John Smerdon stable after previously racing in Victoria. He’s raced well fresh in the past but the wide gate poses problems.

Best Bets

Race 4 – Savileo (6)

Race 7 – Thankful Heart (3)

By Craig Sheppard

Back to list