Ipswich Preview – Friday 3 November 2023

Date: 03-Nov-2023

The Ipswich Turf Club has dedicated the month of October to raising awareness of the important issue of mental health.

That culminates this Friday with the This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) Raceday.

Eight races are scheduled to be run on won on a good 4 surface with the rail in the true position. Fingers crossed that the showers that have been forecast will stay away until after the last race.

We’ve done the hard work for you and provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 12:57PM THIS IS A CONVERSATION STARTER QTIS Three-Years-Old Colts and Geldings (1200 METRES)

Reign Of Power (8) is on debut for Jack Bruce. He’s had two trials across two preparations in readiness for this first-up assignment. The most recent saw him work to the line well under a hold to win by 1.8 lengths over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. He’s drawn nicely for Ben Thompson who should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Big Demeanor (1) is having his first start in Queensland for Annabel Neasham. Form in three New South Wales races was fair. He looked good, albeit he was pushed out, when winning a recent trial at Eagle Farm. Damien Thornton will give him every chance from barrier 2.

Epic Flash (3) hasn’t been too far away in his two starts. He’ll strip fitter third-up and has a fitness edge on the majority of the opposition.

Salamancas (10) finished third by 2.3 lengths to Reign Of Power in a recent Sunshine Coast trial so on that effort must be considered. Unfortunately, he’s drawn the outside barrier.

On Top Selection: Reign Of Power (8)

Race 2 - 1:35PM BMF Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)

It’smemario (8) can forgiven for failing over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start as he was suffering from the thumps. His form before that was good with fast finishing placings at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast. He should be at peak fitness now and the addition of blinkers for the first time is a plus.

Already A Star (3) resumes here following a nice trial where he worked to the line well. He created an impression on debut last preparation when steaming home along the fence to win at Eagle Farm. He has ability and will look to get back and run on.

Sir Carter (5) looked like the winner last start over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast but he was run down by Silly Salmon to finish a half-length second. He’s never far away and will enjoy a nice run on speed for Mark Du Plessis.

Astern Magic (1) should be fitter second-up after a solid return. He’s a winner of two from four starts but both wins have been on the Gold Coast Poly track, so he’ll need to convert that form to grass. Maps nicely from barrier 2.

On Top Selection: It’smemario (8)

Race 3 - 2:13PM ICARE SUPPORT SERVICES BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Kudu (3) will appreciate the drop in class after some solid efforts in considerably stronger city races. Last start he enjoyed a nice run and loomed large, but he failed to run the 1400m out at Eagle Farm and weakened to finish 1.89 lengths fifth to Dark Harmony. The drop back to 1200m suits and he did win his only previous race over the course and distance. He maps to get a great run.

Air Marshal (1) has come back this preparation in great order. He bolted in by 2.71 lengths at Grafton first-up before a super effort at the Sunshine Coast last start. He raced wide and back and was forced to make his run earlier than anticipated but despite that he fought bravely for a half-length second. He’ll strip fitter third-up.

Hearsay (8) charged home to win over this course and distance three starts back. She disappointed last start but could bounce back to form from the inside gate.

Stick To Your Guns (5) resumes here and has won two of four starts when first-up. The concern is that he’s drawn wide and may burn too much fuel trying to cross and find a position.

On Top Selection: Kudu (3)

Race 4 - 2:52PM FERTPRO MANUFACTURING QTIS Three-Years-Old Fillies Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Been A Secret (3) was unlucky not to finish closer than her 2.5 lengths fourth over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on debut. After a quick getaway, she was snagged back from the wide gate and raced wide. She was then held up in the straight before getting clear late. She draws to get a better run here and will strip fitter second-up.

Shot Out (10) resumes here with a decent level of fitness following two trials. After a disappointing debut on the Gold Coast Poly track last preparation, she hit back hard with a nose second at Murwillumbah. A repeat of that run will see her in the finish.

Booga Ray (4) was strong through the line when finishing second by half a length last start at Toowoomba over 1100m. She’ll strip fitter third-up and gets the benefit of the inside gate.

O’Polly (8) has unfortunately come up with the outside gate but she brings strong form lines for this race. She’s finished third in her past two starts at the track and looks close to a breakthrough win.

On Top Selection: Been A Secret (3)

Race 5 - 3:27PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Rise Angelou (16) wanted to run about in the straight when finishing 2.6 lengths fifth over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast first-up. She’ll be better for the experience second-up. Angela Jones should be able to settle in a handy position and gets in nicely on the minimum weight.

Nitrogen (3) is a newcomer to the Chris Anderson stable. The former Godolphin galloper was given a solid hit out in a recent trial. Martin Harley takes the ride and should be able to give him every chance from barrier 4.

Whatta Whitt (17) resumes here without a public trial. He finished last preparation on the right note with a 1.6 length fourth here over 1350m and a second placing at Gatton. He draws well.

Taking Flight (6) definitely needed the run when resuming following a 97-week spell last start at the Sunshine Coast. He’ll strip fitter second-up but will probably be better with this race under his belt. 3kg claim helps.

On Top Selection: Rise Angelou (16)

Race 6 - 4:04PM SMIRNOFF RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

True Patriot (4) found the line strongly here when resuming over 1200m. Unfortunately, Yes To Excess finished better, and he had to settle for a head second. Last start was a complete write off at Warwick after drawing an outside gate. He can bounce with increased fitness and has won third-up before. He maps to get a super run on speed for Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

Pending (6) found the line well for a close second when resuming over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. That was his first race in Queensland for Billy Healey so he may be able to turn around his average second-up stats.

Dragon Pins (9) was strong through the line when finishing a neck fourth over 1200m at Warwick. The rise to 1350m looks ideal. The downside is that he doesn’t win out of turn.

Witness Attack (7) hit the ground running for new trainer Michael Morrison with a first-up maiden win at Warwick. Ant Allen retains the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position.

On Top Selection: True Patriot (4)

Race 7 - 4:40PM #MENTALHEALTHAWARENESS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1666 METRES)

The Right Way (1) has been racing in terrific form this preparation. He broke his maiden at Toowoomba first-up with a strong effort before finishing close seconds in his most recent two starts. Last start he stepped up to this distance for the first time and made a good fist of it, running on well for a length second. He maps to get the right run.

Irish Exchange (3) is having his first start for Stephen Lee after previously racing in Victoria. He’s been freshened and gets blinkers so he may be able to fire fresh from the kind draw. The 3kg claim helps.

Maple Door (5) showed signs of improvement last start when finishing 1.2 lengths fifth at Gatton over 1400m. He’ll be at peak fitness now, but he does have a tendency to get too far back.

Helen’s Dream (8) was a dominant winner over this distance at Toowoomba two starts back when breaking her maiden status. The local hope will carry a postage stamp weight after Olivia Webb’s claim.

On Top Selection: The Right Way (1)

Race 8 - 5:22PM IMPERIAL RACING BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Rockin’ Artie (5) led over 1700m here last start but the work he did early told late, and he was run down and finished third by half a length. He meets the winner Time To Testify better at the weights. He has a good record at the track with two wins and two placings from six starts. If Boris Thornton can dictate in front, he’ll be hard to run down.

Time To Testify (8) worked home well despite a wide run to win over 1700m here last start and looks one of the leading players again. He rises 3kg but should now be at peak fitness. Mark Du Plessis has built a good combination with the horse and retains the ride.

Original Glaze (2) will appreciate the big drop in class and a return to Ipswich where she has a terrific record. The locally trained mare has won twice and placed second in three starts over this course and distance. She’ll be at peak fitness but will need some luck from the outside gate.

Power Pack (12) was a dominant winner after racing on speed last start over 1890m at Toowoomba last start. That was a maiden, so this is obviously harder. Drawn well and the claim helps.

On Top Selection: Rockin’ Artie (5)

Best Bets

Race 3 – Kudu (3)

Race 7 – The Right Way (1)

Quadrella

Leg 1 (Race 5) - 3,16

Leg 2 (Race 6) - 4,6,7,9

Leg 3 (Race 7) - 1,3

Leg 4 (Race 8) - 2,5,8

By Craig Sheppard

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