Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 10 April 2024

Date: 10-Apr-2024

Midweek metropolitan racing heads to Ipswich this Wednesday where nine races are scheduled to be run and won.

Following weeks of wet weather, it seems unthinkable that we will be racing on a surface approaching the good range.

We’ve studied the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 11:56AM SEVEN FAMILY RACES 6 MAY Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

2 No Name Frank

No Name Frank is on debut for the Lindsay Gough stable.

The four-year-old gelding warmed up for this with a trial win over 1000m at Doomben where he settled second before working to the line strongly.

Kalends was third in that trial and that horse won its subsequent race.

He draws well in barrier 3 and should settle in a prominent position for Georgie Cartwright.

Selections: 2-6-8-11

Race 2 - 12:33PM RIVER 94.9FM QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)

5 Gospel Girl

Gospel Girl defied a massive price on debut when powering to the line to win by 1.3 lengths over 1200m at Doomben.

The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Epaulette then fought bravely over 1350m after racing outside the lead to finish a length second to Metalart.

Metalart has an abundance of ability so there was plenty of merit in the run.

She’ll strip fitter third-up and gets the services of last season’s premier Ipswich jockey Jimmy Orman.

Selections: 5-7-1-10

Race 3 - 1:08PM SCHWEPPES Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

11 Kinetic

Kinetic looks close to a win after several strong performances recently.

Three starts back the Tony Gollan-trained mare was unlucky not to win after being held up over 1650m at Doomben when finishing a neck third.

Last start she was a touch slow out of the gates and it proved costly, but to her credit she worked home well to finish two lengths second over 1400m at Eagle Farm.

She has a good record at Ipswich and won over this course and distance a year ago.

Selections: 11-1-2-6

Race 4 - 1:43PM TAB Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

7 Exceed Speed

Exceed Speed should prove hard to beat here following two very good performances to stat this preparation.

The Tony Gollan-trained son of Exceed And Excel didn’t have a great deal of room to move in the straight first-up at Doomben but once clear he finished off well for a 2.2 length third.

Last start he gave a big sight over this distance at Doomben to finish a neck third.

He’ll appreciate racing under plate conditions and maps to get a beautiful run for Michael Rodd.

Selections: 7-5-3-8

Race 5 - 2:18PM GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (2150 METRES)

4 Aliraaj

Aliraaj led over 2400m at Eagle Farm two starts ago before fading in the final furlong to finish 4.7 lengths behind Bak Da Man who he meets significantly better at the weights in this race.

He bounced back last start over this course and distance when fighting strongly to win by half a length.

He stays in the same grade and will carry 1kg less thanks to Melea Castle’s 3kg claim.

From the inside gate, he should enjoy an economical run.

Selections: 4-2-1-9

Race 6 - 2:53PM IMPERIAL RACING Class 2 Handicap (1666 METRES)

1 Bitoftheblarney

Bitoftheblarney is knocking on the door for a win and gets a great chance to breakthrough here.

The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old gelding found the line strongly over a mile at Doomben last start to miss the win by a nose.

That was a Benchmark 68 Handicap and he now drops to a Class 2 Handicap.

There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see him enjoy a nice run midfield or slightly better.

Selections: 1-3-6-4

Race 7 - 3:28PM GORDON'S PINK GIN Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 Drialle

Drialle (2) returned in good order last start but just missed getting the win.

The Barry Lockwood-trained Shalaa gelding fought bravely to finish a nose second over 1350m at Ipswich.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and did win his second run back last preparation over 1200m here.

He maps to get a nice run for Michael Rodd behind what looks a strong speed.

Selections: 1-2-7-11

Race 8 - 4:03PM TAB IPSWICH CUP ON SALE Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

9 Aerial Dancer

Aerial Dancer returns to the races for the first time following an impressive win in January at the Sunshine Coast.

The O’Dea Hoysted-trained three-year-old filly let down powerfully to win by 2.5 lengths over 1400m on a heavy deck.

She warmed up for this first-up assignment with an impressive 4.5 length trial win where she looked to have plenty to give.

Nikita Beriman can give her the run of the race from the inside gate and she should be very hard to beat.

Selections: 9-1-4-6

Race 9 - 4:38PM SEVEN NEWS BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

4 Waterworld

Waterworld has not run a bad race since joining the Corey and Kylie Geran stable five starts ago.

The KO Racing-owned son of Headwater has won two of those five races including three starts back over this course and distance where he fought gamely with 60kg to salute by a nose.

He’ll appreciate the drop in class after a good account of himself despite a wide run on the Sunshine Coast Synthetic track last start.

Martin Harley takes the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position from barrier 6.

Selections: 4-2-8-5

Best Bets

Race 4 – Exceed Speed (7)

Race 8 – Aerial Dancer (9)

By Craig Sheppard

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