Ipswich Preview And Selections – 4 August 2023

Date: 03-Aug-2023

We will celebrate the start of the 2023/24 racing season with an eight-race program this Friday.

The track at time of writing was rated a Soft 5 and with mostly cloudy weather forecast, will most likely stay around that rating. The rail is out 6m the entire course.

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

Race 1 - 12:27PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Heartoni (2) returns for his second preparation as a gelding. He has won two trials leading up to his first-up assignment and won both of them. He led all over 650m in his first trial before showing a good turn of foot to win his most recent over 850m. The booking of Jimmy Orman is significant.

Tricketeer (4) resumes here without a public trial. He raced really well last preparation, finishing second in all three of his starts. He’s more than likely furnished during the break and looks well placed here.

Courageous Gal (6) looked good working to the line under her own steam when finishing a close second in a Doomben trial recently. Unfortunately, she has to overcome the outside gate.

Miss Bittersweet (9) is on debut for Tony and Maddy Sears. She ran well in a recent 650m Toowoomba trial. A couple of gear changes are in effect but whatever she does here, she should improve on.

On Top Selection: Heartoni (2)

Race 2 - 1:04PM WWW.IEEC.COM.AU BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (2150 METRES)

Taupo Tiger (2) has given every indication that he will stay all day so the rise to this distance should suit. He broke his maiden over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast three starts back before running on well for second in his past two over the same course and distance. Jaden Lloyd should be able to give him an economical ride from barrier 3.

Harbelle (3) proved too strong when winning at Gatton over 2000m last start. She should be at peak fitness now and did win her only other start over this course and distance. Jimmy Orman is a key booking.

No More Red (1) wasn’t far behind Harbelle when finishing third at Gatton last start. He was a winner over a similar distance four starts back on the Gold Coast Poly. Has the early speed to counter the wide gate.

Red Oscar (7) stormed home to break his maiden status over 1800m at Toowoomba last start. Has a poor strike rate but looks like he’ll enjoy the rise in distance.

On Top Selection: Taupo Tiger (2)

Race 3 - 1:42PM SEVEN NEWS Fillies and Mares RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Upper Class Girl (2) did very well first-up at Lismore over 1110m after enduring a torrid run four deep. Despite that she fought gamely to only be overhauled late to finish a neck third. She will strip fitter second-up and draws to get a better run.

Sneaky Three (4) has finished close thirds in both runs back this preparation. She’ll strip fitter third-up and draws to get a nice run.

Vonzither (3) worked to the line well to finish second at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m last start. She struggles to win but her only victory did come here over 1100m a year ago.

Anthropica (1) resumes here following a nice Toowoomba trial where she worked to the line well. She may find this a touch sharp first-up but is drawn to get every chance. Alisha Donald takes the ride and won the only time she previously rode this mare.

On Top Selection: Upper Class Girl (2)

Race 4 - 2:17PM THE SHED COMPANY Class 2 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Smile Upon A Star (9) has won two of three career starts. The striking grey returned with an impressive win when charging home to win at Lismore. She’ll strip fitter second-up and the 2kg claim helps. Maps to get a nice run.

Captain Bond (1) ran well in the heavy conditions to finish 1.7 lengths fourth at Wyong in a stronger race than this. He’ll strip fitter second-up and several gear changes have been applied to help with his barrier manners. Peter Robl has shown he knows what southern horses work in Queensland.

Kobe Lad (3) will appreciate returning to this class after competing in stronger three-year-old races. She should be rock hard fit now and did win when deep into last preparation. Jimmy Orman booked to ride.

Radiant Remi (12) returns to the track after winning her maiden in January at Doomben. She wasn’t asked to do a lot in a recent trial. She’s drawn well and must be respected being from the Gollan stable.

On Top Selection: Smile Upon A Star (9)

Race 5 - 2:57PM STROUD HOMES IPSWICH Class 2 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Harmony Reigns (7) ran on strongly to finish a head second over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast last start. That was in a Class 3 and she now finds herself in a Class 2 with just half a kilogram more. She looks close to a win and is drawn to get an economical run.

Summer In Siam (1) brings solid New South Wales form north. Last start he stepped up to this distance at Wyong and did well to finish fourth by a neck. That was in a Benchmark 64 so he should find this easier. He’ll be at peak fitness but does draw awkwardly.

Clear Blonde (10) brings solid New South Wales form in stronger races to her new stable. The negative is that she has only once twice in 39 starts and it’s been 81 weeks since her last victory. Gets in with no weight on her back.

Hadouken (6) was backed into favouritism last start over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast but wasn’t strong enough late and finished third. That was his fifth placing in a row but he just struggles with the knockout blow.

On Top Selection: Harmony Reigns (7)

Race 6 - 3:34PM BOQ WINSTON GLADES RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Aiden (3) needs to convert his Gold Coast Poly form to the grass but if he can then he can give this a shake. Two starts back he ran on strongly to get up right on the line over 1540m to break his maiden. He fought on well for third over the same trip last start. He should be at peak fitness now fourth-up and is drawn well.

Spurious (7) will appreciate the drop in class. He raced wide at Doomben last start and it proved costly. Admittedly it was against Benchmark 68 horses. He will strip fitter third-up and has raced well at most of his third starts in a preparation before.

Ultimate Power (2) has more misses than hits but did show a nice form turnaround last start over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. He ran on strongly and if he got the splits in the straight, he may have won. Unfortunately, he has drawn the car park.

Fortivaci (12) can be competitive here if he returns to the form that saw him win two in a row back in March. The claim helps.

On Top Selection: Aiden (3)

Race 7 - 4:12PM ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Uncle Russ (4) will appreciate the drop in class after failing at Doomben in a No Metro Win race last start. His form prior to that was good with a strong win at Toowoomba in a Provincial Sprinters heat before running on well for fourth in the final at the Sunshine Coast. He’s undefeated in two starts at Ipswich and is drawn to get a great run.

Twyford (9) ran on strongly to win over this course and distance last start. The locally trained galloper loves the 1350m here having won three of four starts. He maps to get a great run.

Majestics Request (7) worked to the line strongly to finish second to First Son by half a length over this course and distance last start. He’s placed in four of five starts here and if the speed is on, he’ll be finishing strongly.

Olympic Legend (2) led over this course and distance last start but was run down late to finish third. He should be close to peak fitness and has won third-up before. Drawn to get a great run on speed.

On Top Selection: Uncle Russ (4)

Race 8 - 4:52PM TAB Colts, Geldings and Entires RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1200 METRES)

All Stars (5) will appreciate the massive drop in class after finishing down the track in a No Metro Win race at Doomben last start. First-up he ran well considering his triple figure quote when finishing 3.85 lengths from the winner in an Open Handicap. He’ll strip fitter third-up and gets Ben Thompson in the saddle.

Shatter Proof (13) was good when third at Dalby first-up before weakening late over 1300m last start at Toowoomba. The drop back to 1200m suits and he’ll strip fitter third-up. He won his only previous third-up race. Alisha Donald’s claim helps.

Zeeluck (15) finished off strongly to win over 1100m at Gatton last start. He’s deep into his preparation but racing well enough still for this. The rise in trip should suit.

Hussonhoff (17) broke through for his first win at Esk last start. Prior to that he finished second in his first starts back this preparation. He should be at peak fitness and is drawn to advantage.

On Top Selection: All Stars (5)

Best Bets

Race 2 – Taupo Tiger (2)

Race 3 – Upper Class Girl (2)

By Craig Sheppard

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