Ipswich Preview – Friday 27 December 2024 New

Date: 27-Dec-2024

Hot weather is set to greet us at our first meeting after Christmas.

Eight races are scheduled to be run on a Good rated track where the rail is out 7m the entire course.

We’ve cast our eyes over the form and provided our top selections in each race.

Race 1 - 1:29PM SCHWEPPES BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (2190 METRES)

7 General Barca

General Barca doesn’t have the best strike-rate but did produce a performance over 1690m here last start that suggested he can feature.

The Angela Plumb-trained gelding was held up in the straight but let down strongly once clear to finish a neck fifth.

Given the way he charged through the line, the rise in distance should suit.

Selections: 7-3-1-4

Race 2 - 2:04PM GREAT NORTHERN QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (800 METRES)

4 Goldarnie

This is a tricky race to assess given three two-year-olds having their first start and the race brigade have yet to do a lot to suggest they’re up to winning this race.

For that reason, I’m going with the Stu Kendrick-trained Goldarnie.

The Nicconi filly hasn’t been seen publicly at the trials but no doubt she’s had at least a jump out.

Trusting the stable and Kyle Wilson-Taylor from the good draw.

Selections: 4-3-6-7

Race 3 - 2:44PM RED BULL AUSTRALIA QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 I’lltellyougo

I’lltellyougo resumes here and is having her first start in South-East Queensland for Renita Beaton.

The daughter of Wanted has done all her racing in North Queensland and has built an impressive record of seven wins and three seconds from 11 starts.

She races well fresh and kicked off last preparation with a 2.8 length win over 950m at Cairns.

Corey Sutherland, who claims 3kg, can drive forward and lead from an inside barrier.

Selections: 1-2-6-7

Race 4 - 3:24PM IMPERIAL RACING Class 4 Handicap (1200 METRES)

The Fixer

The Fixer has been racing in great form this preparation and kicked off his campaign with a strong win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast despite racing three wide.

He then gave a massive sight on the Sunshine Coast Poly when fighting tooth and nail to miss in a head bobbing finish.

The Jack Bruce-trained gelding found the line strongly over 1100m here last start to finish 1.7 lengths third.

He finally draws a good gate and I’d expect Jake Bayliss to make full use of barrier 1.

Selections: 4-3-5-6

Race 5 - 4:04PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Pickabae

Pickabae is on debut for the Matt Hoysted stable.

The daughter of Capitalist has had three trials across two preparations.

She showed good speed in her first preparation to lead all the way in a Sunshine Coast trial for a 5.8 length win and was equally impressive when winning a Doomben trial.

She’s drawn wide but has the necessary speed to cross for Nikita Berriman.

Selections: 12-5-8-2

Race 6 - 4:44PM TAB Class 6 Handicap (1350 METRES)

5 Kipling’s Journey

Kipling’s Journey resumes here on the back of a smart trial win.

The Peter & Will Hulbert-trained gelding has a very good record at Ipswich particularly over this distance.

Two preparations ago he led all the way over this course and distance for a 2.8 length win.

He maps to get control of the race with Mark Du Plessis in the irons.

Selections: 5-1-2-3

Race 7 - 5:20PM GORDON'S GIN BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)