Ipswich Preview – Friday 2 August 2024

Date: 01-Aug-2024

We will celebrate the start of the 2024/25 racing season with an eight-race program this Friday.

The fine weather that we have enjoyed this week continues so we should be racing on a good racing surface with the rail out 3m the entire course.

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

Race 1 – 12:36PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

5 Evoleus

In a tricky way to start the day, I’m going with Evoleus who is returning from a 65-week break.

Now with the Corey and Kylie Geran stable, the five-year-old mare is having just her second start after showing good fight to finish a head third over 1000m at Murray Bridge.

She showed good speed to lead that day so the drop back to 800m shouldn’t be a problem.

Landan Sykes, who claims 3kg, can make full use of barrier 2 to lead or settle handy.

Selections: 5-6-7-2

Race 2 - 1:11PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

12 Umabett

Umabett was a touch unlucky not to win here over 1200m last start.

The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained daughter of Better Than Ready jumped awkwardly and then was held up in the straight, but despite that she worked home strongly clocking the quickest final sectionals of the race to finish a half-length second.

She improved significantly from start one to two and I expect further improvement third-up with the increased journey.

Apprentice Cody Collis, who rode a winning treble at our last meeting, can give his mount a great run from barrier 2.

Selections: 12-3-1-5

Race 3 - 1:46PM JOST AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

10 Belyaev

Belyaev has been racing well since coming north and joining the Annabel Neasham stable.

The daughter of Russian Revolution broke through two starts ago when leading all the way over 1400m at Dalby for a head victory.

The jockey perhaps should have pushed on and led last start over 1400m at Gatton but elected to box seat and just couldn’t get past the leaders, finishing 2.6 lengths third.

She’s been freshened since that run and gets the services of Angela Jones who should be able to lead from an inside barrier.

Selections: 10-7-12-9

Race 4 - 2:21PM FOLLOWMONT TRANSPORT BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)

12 Shadow Power

Shadow Power is a lightly raced four-year-old that looks to have ability.

The Stephen Matthews-trained son of Dundeel found the line strongly on debut over 1200m at Toowoomba to finish just under a length second.

He improved at his second start when booting clear at the top of the straight to win by three lengths over 1300m at Toowoomba to break his maiden status.

While this is a tougher assignment, he may have more upside than his rivals who have been toiling for some time.

Selections: 12-6-8-9

Race 5 - 2:56PM MARK TOBIN TRANSPORT Class 5 Handicap (1100 METRES)

1 Heroic Miss

Heroic Miss was last seen storming home to win a Saturday Class 6 Handicap over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast by half a length.

The Chris Munce-trained mare resumes here on the back of a nice piece of work that saw her finish a close second to Johnny Dash.

She races well here having won twice and placed in four others from seven races.

From the inside barrier Tahlia Fenlon will be able to lead which should make her hard to run down.

Selections: 1-5-2-6

Race 6 - 3:33PM QUEENSLAND THERMO KING BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (800 METRES)

3 Uchi

Uchi is looking to keep her unbeaten three-race record intact when she lines up in this 800m scamper.

The Lindsay Hatch-trained mare resumed over 870m at Toowoomba with a strong neck win despite racing three-wide throughout.

She stays in the same class and while rising in weight, Dylan Bennett’s 3kg claim helps.

From barrier 5 she should be able to find the front and prove hard to run down.

Selections: 3-7-5-8

Race 7 - 4:13PM ROCKLEA TRUCK ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1100 METRES)

4 Perigean

Perigean will appreciate returning to the tighter Ipswich track after finding the Rockhampton straight too long when run down over 1100m last start to finish 2.2 lengths fourth.

The start prior, the Tony Gollan-trained gelding led from start to finish for a head victory over 1110m at Doomben.

He enjoys racing at Ipswich, having finished second in both his previous races here.

He’s drawn a touchy sticky but can go forward for Jimmy Orman and find a prominent position.

Selections: 4-13-8-1

Race 8 - 4:53PM TAB Class 2 Handicap (1680 METRES)

10 Luton Hoo

Luton Hoo has raced well since joining the David Vandyke stable.

The daughter of Time Test gave too much start over 1050m first-up before running on strongly.

She rose 490m last start when racing away from her rivals to win by a length over 1540m on the Gold Coast Poly track.

While both her starts this preparation have been on synthetic, she did win her only grass race which was on debut at Orange.

She maps to get a great run from an inside barrier for Micheal Hellyer.

Selections: 10-14-7-2