Ipswich Preview – Saturday 4 January 2025 New

Date: 04-Jan-2025

Racing returns to the Ipswich Turf Club for the first time in 2025 this Saturday!

Eight races are scheduled to be run and won, and we’ve provided our thoughts on each of them below to help you start the new year right!

Race 1 - 11:59AM TAB QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Mishani Treasure

Mishani Treasure has an experience edge on her rivals given they are all on debut while she’s had three starts.

The Donna Stanbridge-trained filly finished 3.3 lengths third over this course and distance after enduring a wide run.

She then faced horrible conditions at the Gold Coast before stepping up to 1100 last start where she showed good speed to lead before weakening in the final furlong.

She’s drawn the inside barrier for 2kg claimer Rob Thorburn.

Selections: 4-5-1-3

Race 2 - 12:34PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Plate (2150 METRES)

Double Glazed

Double Glazed has improved with each run this preparation and looks close to a breakthrough victory.

The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained grey gelding settled well back over 1800m at the Gold Coast last start but stormed home to finish 1.3 lengths fifth.

Given the way he ran through the line, the rise to this distance suits and he did finish second over 2000m at Pakenham with his previous trainer.

Luke Dempsey is riding in good form and will need to be to find a spot from the wide gate.

Selections: 2-4-5-13

Race 3 - 1:09PM BARRIER REEF POOLS BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Roll Up

Roll Up loves Ipswich...pure and simple.

The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding has won five of seven races at the track including last start when overcoming the outside barrier to finish strongest and salute by a head.

Two starts back he was held up when finishing a close fourth at the Gold Coast so he’s racing in good form.

He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a much better run behind what looks a strong speed.

Selections: 2-3-6-1

Race 4 - 1:44PM IMPERIAL RACING Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Paperino

Paperino was particularly good on debut at Murwillumbah last start.

The Edmonds & McLean-trained filly loomed in the straight but was squeezed out of it as she went for a gap between the leaders.

While she picked up late, the damage had been done, and she had to settle for a 1.2 length third.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and given she’s sired by Dundeel, the rise in distance will suit.

Selections: 9-11-12-10

Race 5 - 2:24PM GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (2150 METRES)

Classique Gal

Classique Gal has been racing in consistent form at Ipswich lately with a win and four placings from her past four starts.

The Bruce Brown-trained mare fought tooth and nail over this course and distance last start but was out bobbed to finish a nose second.

She defeated Venturous by a nose that day but now meets that horse better at the weights.

Sam Collett can settle handy in a race that doesn’t have many go forward horses.

Selections: 9-5-1-4

Race 6 - 3:05PM JOHN C BEAUMONT EARTHMOVING BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Diamond Lass

Diamond Lass cost herself when slow away first-up over this course and distance but to her credit, she worked home well to finish a length second.

The Better Than Ready mare is four weeks between runs and does her best racing when fresh.

She loves the 800m scamper as clearly demonstrated two starts back when romping in by 5.3 lengths at Warwick.

She has the advantage of barrier 1 which should see Emily Lang drive forward.

Selections: 7-8-5-3

Race 7 - 3:45PM 407 SOCIAL CLUB BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Miss Chenery

Miss Chenery has been freshened since failing to run out 1800m at Eagle Farm last start.

The Chris Waller-trained mare had been racing in great form before that with four seconds and a win from five starts.

Her win came over this distance at Doomben despite a wide run and one of her runner-up finishes was over this course and distance where she recorded the quickest final 600m and 200m of the race.

She should enjoy a nice run for Ryan Wiggins.

Selections: 11-4-7-12

Race 8 - 4:25PM IEEC.COM.AU Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)