Ipswich Preview – Thursday 19 September 2024

Date: 18-Sep-2024

Racing returns to Ipswich this Thursday where eight races are scheduled to be run and won.

A warm and sunny day is forecast so we should be racing on a Good surface with the rail out 1m the entire course.

We’ve provided our top selection in each race below.

Race 1 - 12:37PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Handicap (1670 METRES)

2 Autora

Autora settled too far back first-up over 1350m at Doomben but worked home well after racing in restricted room at the top of the straight to finish 3.9 lengths sixth.

The Chris Waller-trained mare didn’t look comfortable on the Gold Coast Poly track over 1540m last start but still picked up strongly late to finish three lengths second.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise to a mile.

Ipswich’s premier jockey Jimmy Orman is a key booking.

Selections: 2-4-1-7

Race 2 - 1:12PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1670 METRES)

6 Yalla

Yalla will appreciate the drop back slightly in distance after giving a sight over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start only to be overpowered with 150m to go and finish fifth by 2.5 lengths.

The Matt Dunn-trained five-year-old was very good three starts back over this course and distance when not getting a lot of peace in front but she fought gamely to finish a length second to subsequent Cairns Cup winner, Mahagoni.

She races well at Ipswich having never been out of the top three in six starts.

After a run of apprentice jockeys, Angela Jones takes the ride and will give plenty of cheek in front from the inside barrier.

Selections: 6-1-2-3

Race 3 - 1:47PM GARY SIVYER MEMORIAL Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

10 Asambe

Asambe has done very little in two previous race starts and resumes here following a year off the scene.

The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Spirit Of Boom has been gelded and the procedure appears to have switched him on.

He looked very good in a recent trial when leading over 1000m at Eagle Farm before being run down to finish second to Torovista with Substantial third, both Saturday quality horses.

While there’s uncertainty around the map with so many debutantes, Cejay Graham should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 10-3-14-9

Race 4 - 2:27PM IMPERIAL RACING Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

4 Reemyya

Reemyya is a recent addition to the Kelly Schweida stable after previously racing with O’Shea and Charlton in Sydney.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel has two trials leading into this first-up assignment and looked particularly good in the most recent which she won.

She led over 1000m at Eagle Farm and was never tested, easily winning by two lengths.

Blinkers go on for the first time which should see Cejay Graham drive forward and settle handy or even lead.

Selections: 4-1-5-12

Race 5 - 3:04PM TAB BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 Star Of Kings

Star Of Kings was sent to the paddock after failing over 900m at Wellington last start.

The Clint Lundholm-trained gelding returns here and does his best work when fresh.

He gave a good sight over 900m at Wellington when kicking off last preparation but was picked off late to finish a half-length second in a stronger race.

He draws the inside gate which is always a plus in these short scampers.

Selections: 1-4-2-5

Race 6 - 3:42PM SEVEN Class 2 Plate (1350 METRES)

8 Isle Ornsay

It took eight starts for Isle Ornsay to break through for her first win, but since then she hasn’t looked back.

After winning by 1.5 lengths two starts ago over 1350m at Doomben, the Barry Lockwood-trained mare led over this course and distance last start and proved too strong to salute by just under a length with third 2.3 lengths further away.

She’s a month between runs but Lockwood would have had her ticking over and she can go on with it now she’s in form.

There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Tahlia Fenlon go forward.

Selections: 8-7-13-14

Race 7 - 4:17PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 5 Plate (1350 METRES)

3 Belvedere Boys

Belvedere Boys looks tough to beat IF he races here as at time of writing he was nominated for metropolitan races at the Gold Coast and Randwick on Saturday.

The Matt Dunn-trained gelding resumes here on the back of two trials and races well fresh which includes a first-up win last preparation.

He’s a quality galloper having won two Highway Handicaps in Sydney last preparation with his most recent race resulting in a 4.3 length victory over 1400m at Randwick.

The booking of Jimmy Orman is a positive sign.

Selections: 3-4-1-6

Race 8 - 4:57PM GORDON'S GIN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1670 METRES)

1 Chances With Wolves

This is a tough way to end the day, but with a bit of luck Chances With Wolves can give us a sight.

The Jan Aitkenhead-trained six-year-old hasn’t had any luck in his past two starts at the Sunshine Coast and Doomben when caught wide.

He enjoys racing at Ipswich and won over this course and distance three starts back when letting down powerfully.

He’s rock hard fit and if he can find some cover then he should be fighting out the finish.

Selections: 1-11-6-12

Best Bets

Race 4 – Reemyya (4)

Race 6 – Isle Ornsay (8)