Ipswich Preview – Monday 19 August 2024

Date: 16-Aug-2024

Unfortunately, inclement weather saw the abandonment of last week’s Wednesday meeting and the move of our Friday meeting to today so it’s take three at hosting an eight-race card.

Thankfully the rain has cleared, but we will still be racing on a rain-affected albeit improving Soft 7 surface.

We’ve studied the form and provided our findings for each race below.

Race 1 - 12:38PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

9 Power Ace

Power Ace has improved at each of her career starts and that upward trajectory can continue here.

The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of So You Think found the front over this course and distance last start but was run down in the final 100m to finish 2.4 lengths sixth.

While she’s yet to face a heavy track, she did comfortably win a trial on a Soft 7 surface.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and should race in a handy position for Angela Jones.

Selections: 9-1-16-2

Race 2 – 1:13PM ALL STATES WIDE LOAD ESCORT Class 5 Handicap (1100 METRES)

4 Pole Position

Pole Position resumes here and looks ready for a bold showing following a nice trial where she led all the way over 1050m at Deagon.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding races well fresh, having won twice and finished in the placings in three others from five first-up starts.

One of those fresh wins came on a very wet Wyong track over this distance.

The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but it may not be such a hinderance in these conditions given he looks the best performed in the wet.

Selections: 4-1-3-5

Race 3 - 1:48PM IPSWICH PRO DRIVE BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 Campai

Campai enters this scamper looking to win his third race in a row.

Two starts back, the Scott Morrisey-trained mare proved too speedy over 1050m on the Gold Coast Synthetic track when leading all the way for a 0.8L win.

Last start she mustered speed quickly to lead over this course and distance before finding plenty under pressure late to win by a nose.

Corey Sutherland, who claims 3kg, can make full use of barrier 2 and give them something to catch.

Selections: 1-5-2-6

Race 4 - 2:27PM RECRUITMENT 24/7 BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1666 METRES)

4 Dazzling Robert

Dazzling Robert grows a leg in the wet so he should enjoy the conditions here.

The Owen Glue-trained son of Red Dazzler proved that three starts back when getting to the outside on a heavy Ballina and letting down powerfully to win over 1350m easily by 2.5 lengths.

Last start he stormed home to get up in the shadows of the post over 1526m at Lismore.

He rises in class but he’s racing in great heart and the rain-affected track brings him right into it.

Selections: 4-6-9-11

Race 5 - 3:08PM THE PRINCE ALFRED HOTEL Maiden Handicap (1666 METRES)

2 Autumn Song

Autumn Song improved second-up when finishing fourth by 1.5 lengths over 1350m here.

The Kelly Schweida-trained son of The Autumn Sun lacked dash at the top of the straight, but got going late suggesting the rise in distance will suit.

He’ll strip fitter and did finish a close third over 1400m when third-up at Eagle Farm last preparation.

Top jockey Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 2-15-8-11

Race 6 - 3:43PM NCI GROUP AUSTRALIA ASSURE GLOBAL PLUS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1666 METRES)

6 Majestic Teako

Majestic Teako has raced well since joining the Jeff Dunn stable five starts ago.

The five-year-old gelding led over 1710m here last start and gave a good sight but was run down with 100m to go to finish 2.2 lengths fifth.

The wet track shouldn’t worry him given he led all the way for a strong win over 1350m here on a heavy surface.

Rikki Jamieson will drive forward and could go all the way on a horse that is rock hard fit.

Selections: 6-11-8-21

Race 7 - 4:22PM CRIME STOPPERS QUEENSLAND Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

4 Reggae Fire

Reggae Fire enjoyed his first race in Queensland when winning by a nose over this course and distance last start.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding brought decent New South Wales form with him, finishing second at Newcastle first-up before having genuine excuses in his subsequent two races.

This race is wide open, and I’m not sold on him on handling the rain-affected track, but he’ll have come on since his last start win and maps to get a lovely run for Jimmy Orman.

Selections: 4-13-16-14

Race 8 - 5:00PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)

8 Pending

Pending has been freshened after failing to run out a mile at Eagle Farm last start.

The Billy Healey-trained gelding’s form was good before that and included a last to first victory over 1400m on a heavy Sunshine Coast track.

The drop back to this distance looks ideal on fresh legs and he does have a liking for rain-affected surfaces.

A strong speed will aid his cause as will having Jimmy Orman in the saddle.

Selections: 8-13-2-10

Best Bets

Race 2 – Pole Position (4)

Race 4 – Dazzling Robert (4)

Race 5 – Autumn Song (2)