Ipswich Preview – Saturday 21 December 2024 New

Date: 20-Dec-2024

Hallelujah! Finally, we’ll experience racing on a sunny day!

Eight races will be run and won on Saturday at Ipswich in our final meeting before Christmas.

We’ve studied the form to help you find some winners and fill your stockings ahead of the big day.

Race 1 - 1:04PM VALE BARRY HINTON QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

2 Jumbled

Jumbled gave a good sight over 1000m on a heavy Ballina track last start before being run down late to finish a head second.

The Tony Newing-trained gelding will strip fitter second-up and given his speed, the drop back to the 800m scamper should suit.

Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, should be able to drive forward and take up a forward position.

Selections: 2-4-6-3

Race 2 - 1:39PM IMPERIAL RACING Maiden Plate (1690 METRES)

12 Miss Reilly

These look a limited bunch, but one of them has to win and I’m hoping that it’s Miss Reilly.

The Chris Waller-trained mare was well beaten by stablemate Bluepinot over this distance at Doomben but fought on gamely to finish 7.3 lengths third.

She has a good record at Ipswich having run on strongly to finish 1.1 lengths fourth over 1350m here two starts ago and missing the win by a head when resuming four starts back.

There isn’t a great deal of speed so hopefully Jason Taylor elects to roll forward from the wide barrier.

Selections: 12-13-10-5

Race 3 - 2:14PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH Class 1 Handicap (1690 METRES)

1 Autora

I’m prepared to forgive Autora for dropping out badly last start in a stronger race at Doomben as her form prior to that was good enough for this race.

The Chris Waller-trained mare found the line impressively two starts back over a mile at Eagle Farm to break her maiden with an easy win.

She races well at Ipswich, having finished in the placings over this distance in back-to-back races three and four starts back with one of those runs producing a nose second.

The more the track dries out, the better she’ll be and she’s drawn to get a great run.

Selections: 1-10-7-2

Race 4 - 2:54PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 5 Handicap (1200 METRES)

1 Lost His Beans

Lost His Beans resumes from a short let up looking to add to his impressive record that reads five wins from six starts.

The David Vandyke-trained son of Spill The Beans has been well placed throughout his career, and he once again finds himself in a very winnable race.

He’s won two of three starts over this distance with his only loss coming on debut at Doomben when going down by a length.

He should enjoy a nice run for Micheal Hellyer.

Selections: 1-3-4-6

Race 5 - 3:29PM TAB Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

6 Victory Flame

This is a really tough race to assess given the final complexion of the race after scratchings will be different to what it is at acceptances.

I’m going with Victory Flame who got a long way out of his ground over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on debut before running on powerfully to finish 3.6 lengths third.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding will strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance looks perfect.

Blinkers go on for the first time which may see him settle closer in the run and Dan McGillivray’s 2kg claim helps.

Selections: 6-14-1-8

Race 6 - 4:09PM SEVEN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

2 Recanati

Nathan Fazackerley managed to find the fence from an outside barrier here over 1200m last start, but it was traffic issues in the straight that cost him any chance of being competitive.

The Darren Bell-trained gelding’s form was particularly good before that with four placings in a row including two runner-up finishes over this course and distance two and three starts back.

He’s rock hard fit and draws to get the run of the race from barrier 1.

Selections: 2-3-6-1

Race 7 - 4:49PM BARRIER REEF POOLS BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 Palawa Kani

Palawa Kani will appreciate the drop in class after trying hard last start over this course and distance to finish 1.3 lengths third.

The daughter of Your Song led over 870m at Toowoomba in a stronger race and gave a good sight only to be run down late.

She’s third-up from a year off so will strip a lot fitter and will be near her best.

Corey Sutherland, who claims 3kg, will drive forward early to lead.

Selections: 1-5-12-11

Race 8 - 5:24PM MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ITC TEAM BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

1 Action King

Action King looked like a talented galloper when he won his maiden at his second start by 4.2 lengths.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan for the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding in the year after that, but he returned to his best last start when winning first-up at the Sunshine Coast.

He settled handy over 1000m before letting down strongly to win by 1.3 lengths.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to get a great run for Michael Cahill.

Selections: 1-16-11-10

Best Bets

Race 4 – Lost His Beans (1)

Race 8 – Action King (1)

By Craig Sheppard

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