Ipswich Preview – Thursday 13 March 2025 New

Date: 13-Mar-2025

Thankfully, Tropical Cyclone Alfred has passed and we’re able to get in some racing this Thursday.

Seven races are scheduled to be run and won on what will obviously be a rain-affected albeit improving track.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our thoughts on each race.

Race 1 - 1:34PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Deep Dawn (1)

Deep Dawn has found it hard to breakthrough for a win having finished in the placings on five occasions from 13 starts but gets her chance here.

The Rob Heathcote-trained mare got too far back two starts ago when finishing third by three lengths over this course and distance.

She dropped back to 1100m here last start and fought gamely to finish a length second with third nearly four lengths away.

She’s at peak fitness and maps to control the race.

Selections: 10-4-14-11

Race 2 - 2:12PM GORDON'S GIN QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

Bard Of Avon (1)

What do we make of Bard Of Avon?

The Barry Lockwood-trained gelding has been woeful in both his career starts, admittedly he did have a respiratory issue last start.

However, he’s looked like a demon when winning each of his three trials.

He has the benefit of the inside barrier, so I’m prepared to give him one last chance to prove that he isn’t just a trial star.

Selections: 5-6-11-14

Race 3 - 2:47PM BARRIER REEF POOLS OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)

Surfers Royale (6)

Surfers Royale worked from the outside barrier to find the front last start at Doomben but to his credit, he fought on gamely to finish a length third.

The Billy Healey-trained gelding proved too strong two starts back over this course and distance despite being held up and losing a plate to win by just under a length.

He’s at peak fitness now and Angela Jones, who won aboard him two starts ago, is back in the saddle.

He has a good record in wet conditions and should be able to give plenty of cheek in front.

Selections: 8-4-7-1

Race 4 - 3:27PM TAB Class 1 & Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Tipsy Tiger (5)

Tipsy Tiger resumes here for her second preparation.

The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Jungle Cat won on debut over this course and distance before placing at Doomben at her third start.

Angela Jones has a good association with the filly and will look to lead from the good barrier.

Selections: 13-2-5-4

Race 5 - 4:04PM TEMPUS TWO BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (800 METRES)

Uno Moon (5)

Uno Moon resumes here and does his best work fresh having won three of four first-up races.

The Michael Lakey-trained gelding is undefeated in two starts over this course and distance with both wins coming back-to-back last preparation.

She will enjoy the sting out of the ground given she’s won five of 11 races on soft tracks.

Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, should be able to find the front and give them something to catch.

Selections: 1-6-2-5

Race 6 - 4:40PM RED BULL AUSTRALIA Class 3 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Miss Personality (6)

Miss Personality has come back this preparation in great form and is looking for three wins in a row.

The Barry Lockwood-trained led all the way first-up at Beaudesert for an easy 2.5 length win with third 7.5 lengths away.

It’s never easy to win a Class 1 the next start after a maiden win, but this girl showed her class by jumping to a Class 2 Handicap at the Gold Coast and cruising to a length win.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and looks the likely leader.

Selections: 9-1-7-8

Race 7 - 5:10PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1680 METRES)