News
Ipswich Preview - Thursday 26 October 2023
Date: 25-Oct-2023
Following a month of Wednesday metropolitan meetings, this week’s racing returns to a Thursday timeslot at the Ipswich Turf Club.
Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on a Good racing surface with the rail out 10m the entire course.
With hot weather forecast, there is a possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm on race day.
We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.
Race 1 - 1:10PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Handicap (2210 METRES)
Space Journey (1) ran well in his first start for local trainer Jesse Townsend. The former Victorian brought solid form north including a nose second over 2050m at Wodonga two starts back. Last start he found the line well for a 1.1 length third over 1690m here suggesting that the rise to this trip will suit. He will also tighten up given he was a month between runs. He maps well for Jag Guthmann-Chester.
Cassie’s Girl (2) worked home strongly last start to finish 1.3 lengths third over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast. While it was a good run, being a maiden with just eight third placings from 22 starts suggests she lacks a knockout punch.
Another Dazzler (3) was strong through the line when finishing 2.3 lengths second over 1890m at Toowoomba last start. The star prior he was 3.5 lengths behind Cassie’s Girl at the Sunshine Coast. He’ll be running on well, but he needs to settle closer than usual, so he doesn’t have so much ground to make up.
La Vittoria (4) is a grinding type who was fair when finishing 3.9 lengths sixth at Toowoomba last start. Another Dazzler had her measure that day and I don’t think she can turn the tables on that horse.
On Top Selection: Space Journey (1)
Race 2 - 1:45PM THISISACONVERSATIONSTARTER QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)
Mieux (2) was found to be shin sore when failing in her debut race at Gatton in May. The Danny Bougoure-trained colt has been given time to get over that and resumes here off the back of a nice trial. He showed good gate speed to lead all the way over 900m at Beaudesert. He’s drawn well for Michael Cahill.
Chakra Boy (6) has worked home well in two runs back this preparation to finish just outside the placings. He’ll strip fitter third-up and will be running on. He just won’t want to be settling too far back from an inside gate as he may run into traffic problems.
Look It’s Lucy (7) has not been seen publicly ahead of her debut here but I’m expecting David Murphy to have her ready to fire.
Witheren Lass (10) has had three trials in preparation for her debut so should have a good level of fitness. She led all the way at Doomben over 1000m two trials ago.
On Top Selection: Mieux (2)
Race 3 - 2:20PM BASE METAL FABRICATION Class 4 Handicap (800 METRES)
Matilly (2) resumes here for her second preparation without a public trial. She looked a mare of some potential in her first campaign, winning four of five starts. She bolted in by 4.5 lengths over 870m at Toowoomba on debut before beating the likes of Vodka Martini and Golden Boom in a Saturday 3YO race at the Sunshine Coast at her fourth start. Trainer Paul Wallace has an excellent strike-rate and places his horses well.
Mr Galazi (3) will have taken benefit from his first-up run at Doomben. He’ll strip fitter and is undefeated in two second-up races. One of those wins came last preparation when showing plenty of speed to win over this course and distance. The inside gate is a big plus.
Pianist (7) has won three of six races over this course and distance including last start when recovering from a slow start to win in dominant fashion. Emily Lang’s 2kg claim is beneficial.
Flying Annie (6) resumes here and has raced well fresh in the past. She’s had some issues but on her best form she can be competitive here.
On Top Selection: Matilly (2)
Race 4 - 2:55PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 6 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Hardware Lane (5) was a touch unlucky not to win first-up in his first start for John Smerdon. He raced in a prominent position over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast but was forced to change his course when held up in the straight. Despite that, he powered home and was strong through the line to finish a nose second. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in trip suits.
Baristasista (8) hasn’t won for close to a year but has been racing well in stronger city races this preparation. She races well at Ipswich, boasting two wins and two placings from four starts here.
Dr Why Not (1) resumes here. He didn’t do much in a recent trial but will appreciate the drop in class. Last preparation he finished third in the QTIS Open on Magic Millions Day so if at his best he can give it a shake.
Pacific Padrino (7) resumes here and is having his first start for Adam Campton. He ran well in a recent trial against quality horses so should be ready to fire fresh.
On Top Selection: Hardware Lane (5)
Race 5 - 3:35PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Tycoon Mistress (5) is banging on the door for a breakthrough win after finishing in the placings at all three starts this preparation. She was run down late when finishing a neck third first-up. She was then found to be lame second-up and probably should have won when finishing a half-length second at the Sunshine Coast. Last start she found the line strongly at Ballina but missed winning by a nose. She should be at peak fitness fourth-up following a massive break. At time of writing, she was dual accepted so she may very well go to Eagle Farm Wednesday where she is drawn a lot better.
Impendor (6) is on debut for Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn. He’s had two trials this time in work with the most recent a solid piece of work where he worked home well for second behind stablemate Goomeri. I’d expect Martin Harley to settle handy from barrier 2. He is another contender that is also dual accepted at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Bremerhaven (9) makes her debut for Tony Gollan. She hasn’t done a lot in two trials but I’m respecting the stable and the owners of which Coolmore is one.
Our Drummer (2) has placed in five of 11 career starts and hasn’t been too far away this preparation. She got a long way back first-up over this course and distance but found the line well for a close third. She’ll be at peak fitness fourth-up.
On Top Selections: Tycoon Mistress (5)
Race 6 - 4:10PM SIRROMET BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1710 METRES)
Porky (1) was a dominant winner at Toowoomba over 1625m when putting them away easily by 4.3 lengths. That was a Benchmark 60 Handicap, and he now drops back to a Benchmark 58 Handicap but will carry just 1kg more thanks to Emily Lang’s claim. He’s drawn wide but there doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed which should see Lang drive forward and give them something to catch.
Happisburgh (5) finally broke through for his maiden win two starts ago after 17 previous attempts. He followed up that strong win by running on well for second on the Gold Coast Poly Track last start. The rise in distance should suit.
Drake Passage (9) looks close to a win after going down by a nose over 1650m at Beaudesert last start. The former Victorian will strip fitter third-up.
Ronlee Gal (3) should be at peak fitness fourth-up. She’ll find this easier than her three previous races this preparation. Gets Ipswich’s premier jockey Jimmy Orman.
On Top Selection: Porky (1)
Race 7 - 4:50PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Magnitudo (1) has run fairly in three races back this preparation, all in stronger contests than this. He’ll appreciate the drop in class and should be set to peak fourth-up. He’s run well fourth-up in the past including a win over 1100m here and a close second over 1200m at Ipswich. Jasper Franklin, who claims 3kg, can give his mount the run of the race from barrier 2.
Texas Storm (6) ran a bold, front running race last start over 1650m at Doomben at big odds where he led until 50m to go. He’s finished in the placings at all three starts this preparation and has been freshened so the drop in distance will suit. The wide gate isn’t ideal.
All The Shops (7) has won two of his past three starts. He resumed recently with a win over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast in an easier race. This is tougher but he’ll strip fitter.
Roadhouse (10) was strong when winning narrowly at Warwick first-up. He’s never won second-up but has placed in all five second-up races.
On Top Selection: Magnitudo (1)
Race 8 - 5:30PM TIACS RACES 3 NOVEMBER RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Brazen Impact (1) was very good in his first start for Jack Bruce. The former Danny Williams-trained horse was impeded by the winner Mr Vista but came again to finish second by half a length over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast first-up. He’s since gone back to the trials where he looked good cruising to the line under a hold. He’ll strip fitter second-up and should enjoy a nice run for local jockey Jake Bayliss.
True Patriot (6) went close to winning over 1200m here first-up before sound effort at Warwick over 1500m last start. He’ll strip fitter and has won third-up previously. He has the early speed to counter the wide gate.
Atlantic Royal (2) doesn’t win out of turn but is a consistent galloper. He’ll have taken benefit from his first-up run and shouldn’t be too far away in the run.
On Top Selection: Brazen Impact (1)
Best Bets
Race 3 – Matilly (2)
Race 4 – Hardware Lane (5)
Race 6 – Porky (1)
By Craig Sheppard