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Ipswich Preview – Friday 21 March 2025

Ipswich Preview – Friday 21 March 2025 New

Date: 21-Mar-2025

Friday racing returns to Ipswich this week where eight races are scheduled for decision.

The rail moves out to the 8m position and we’ll most likely be racing on an improving Soft surface.

We’ve had a close look at the form and provided our top selections in each race.

Race 1 - 12:52PM TAB IPSWICH CUP TICKETS ON SALE QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

  1. Marathia (6)

Marathia produced a top effort when resuming over 860m at Gatton last start.

Despite racing wide and on speed throughout, the Adam Campton-trained filly fought gamely to finish a neck third.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to lead.

Jace McMurray’s 2kg claim comes in handy.

Selections: 9-7-3-12

Race 2 - 1:31PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

  1. Spartus (5)

Spartus went too hard in front when resuming over 1110m at Doomben last start and understandably capitulated late.

Now with Tony Gollan, the former Snowden-trained gelding will appreciate the drop back to this scamper trip.

He competed well over 900m at Newcastle on debut when finishing 1.6 lengths fifth.

I’m expecting great improvement from him second-up given he was 65 weeks between runs.

Selections: 3-2-9-1

Race 3 - 2:06PM VINCE INSURANCE Class 2 Handicap (1100 METRES)

  1. Caxton Lass (5)

Caxton Lass finally gets conditions to suit with a decent barrier.

The Rob Heathcote-trained Capitalist mare loved the heavy conditions first-up at the Sunshine Coast when winning by a nose over 1000m.

Since then, she’s been hampered by poor draws or dry tracks but can bounce back here.

Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, can settle in a prominent position and she’ll love getting her toe in so she should let down powerfully with just 53kg.

Selections: 12-4-1-6

Race 4 - 2:43PM THE SHED COMPANY Maiden Handicap (1700 METRES)

  1. Shabooh Shalaa (4)

Shabooh Shalaa will appreciate the drop in distance after looming as a winning hope over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start before his run came to an end in the final furlong.

The David Vandyke-trained gelding ran well the start prior when despite being three-wide the trip, he fought on well to finish 2.5 lengths fourth over 1350m at Doomben.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a nice run on speed.

Selections: 3-4-9-11

Race 5 - 3:23PM TAB BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1700 METRES)

  1. Godzilla (2)

Godzilla looks close to a win after finishing in the placings in his past three races.

The Tony Gollan-trained will appreciate the drop in class after finishing a length third over a mile at Doomben last start.

Two starts back she found the line strongly, clocking the quickest final 600m of the race, when finishing a half-length second over this course and distance.

This season’s leading Ipswich jockey Angela Jones should give her mount every chance from barrier 2.

Selections: 5-3-2-8

Race 6 - 4:03PM GORDON'S GIN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1700 METRES)

  1. Deep Fury (3)

Deep Fury strikes the right race to bring up his first win for Deagon trainer Jack Bruce after previously racing in New South Wales.

The Deep Field gelding settled too far back over 1350m at Warwick two starts ago but found the line strongly to finish 1.8 lengths second.

He stepped up to 1500m last start and again finished off nicely for a half-length fourth.

The rise in distance looks ideal now that he’s at peak fitness.

Selections: 2-1-7-9

Race 7 - 4:43PM THE INDUSTRY SCHOOL Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

  1. Window Tapper (3)

Most of this field has reached their limit, so I’m drawn to Window Tapper who appears to have some upside.

The Kevin Kemp-trained mare went within a nose of winning over this distance at Doomben two starts ago before breaking through last start over 1200m here where she led and gave a good kick.

Hopefully Kempy has her shoes on tight as in both those races, she’s lost a plate.

Emily Lang retains the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 12-3-5-8

Race 8 - 5:23PM GIBSON ARCHITECTS Colts, Geldings & Entires BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

  1. Warrior Head (3)

Warrior Head was unlucky not to win first-up over 1110m at Doomben when finishing a neck second.

The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained gelding ran well second-up over 1200m here despite a wide run before finally breaking through for his maiden win last start over 1300m at the Gold Coast.

He’s at peak fitness now and maps to get the run of the race for Dan McGillivray who claims 2kg.

He looks like a super chance in this race but if connections decide to race on Saturday at Eagle Farm instead, I will play my other selections in exotics.

Selections: 11-7-4-5

Best Bets

Race 5 – No. 5 Godzilla

Race 8 – No. 11 Warrior Head

By Craig Sheppard

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