Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 12 February 2025 New

Date: 11-Feb-2025

For the third Wednesday in a row, metropolitan midweek racing comes to Ipswich.

We’re set to host seven of the best this week where the track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 6.5m.

If you’re looking for a leg up, then you’ve come to the right place.

Race 1 - 1:38PM TAB Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

1 Lantau Island

Lantau Island returns to the races for his second preparation looking like a more furnished horse.

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding started a $1.40 favourite on debut at the Sunshine Coast and gave a good account of himself to finish a head third before suffering heat stress in his second start.

He’s had a good break, and it looks to have done him well based on two particularly good trial performances.

Angela Jones can use his early speed to drive forward from the low draw to lead.

Selections: 1-2-3-9

Race 2 - 2:13PM GREAT NORTHERN Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

4 Wynette

Wynette doesn’t look far from a win after finishing third in all four of her races.

The Kelly Schweida-trained Lonhro filly resumed over 1200m at Doomben last start where despite not getting any peace in front, she did well to finish 2.6 lengths third.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and gets the services of top jockey Jimmy Orman.

Scratchings have helped her out with her coming into a decent barrier which should see Orman settle in a forward position.

Selections: 4-5-9-6

Race 3 - 2:48PM SCHWEPPES BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1690 METRES)

3 Bandasha

Bandasha returns to Ipswich for the first time since winning over 1350m here in September.

The Matt Dunn-trained gelding has come back well since a short let-up after a solid effort in a Highway Handicap three starts ago.

He looks ready for the rise to a mile after storming home in his past two starts where he finished 0.6L from the winner on both occasions at Eagle Farm and Doomben.

Martin Harley can settle handy in the small field.

Selections: 3-1-2-5

Race 4 - 3:23PM INGLIS XTRA BONUS SERIES QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

6 Annie One Ready

Annie One Ready ran on well when making her debut over this distance at Doomben last start.

The David Vandyke-trained Better Than Ready filly took good trial form to the races where she sat outside the lead and fought on gamely to finish 1.3 lengths second.

She’ll be better for the experience and will strip fitter second-up.

Jimmy Orman retains the ride and will give her every chance from an inside barrier.

Selections: 6-4-9-15

Race 5 - 3:58PM VINCE INSURANCE BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (800 METRES)

5 State In Texas

State In Texas has come back this preparation in fine style with back-to-back wins.

The Jimmy Downes-trained gelding showed good speed to win narrowly first-up over 860m at Gatton before proving too strong over 800m at Warwick last start.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate Cody Collis’ 2kg claim.

Barrier 2 is a big plus over this scamper trip, and I’d expect him to be prominent throughout.

Selections: 5-10-1-2

Race 6 - 4:33PM TEMPUS TWO Class 5 Handicap (1200 METRES)

4 Stanislaus

Stanislaus will take improvement from his first hit out for new trainer Jack Bruce given he was 40 weeks between runs.

The former Godolphin galloper resumed over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last start in a stronger Saturday race where he loomed as a winning chance until fitness gave out late and he finished 1.6 lengths seventh.

The form from the race has been good with runner-up Termagant impressively winning on Saturday at Doomben and Flaming Conquest who finished second last subsequently winning an Open Handicap at the Gold Coast.

He’ll carry less weight than last start thanks to Emily Lang’s claim.

Selections: 4-1-3-8

Race 7 - 5:10PM GORDON'S GIN Class 3 Plate (1350 METRES)

4 Great Aspirations

Great Aspirations is well placed in this Class 3 Plate under the race's set weight conditions.

The Tony Gollan-trained son of Savabeel led over this course and distance last start and fought bravely but was overpowered late by Field Of Myrtle to finish a nose second with third 2.7 lengths away.

He’s rock hard fit, and Ryan Maloney sticks in the saddle.

He can either lead or settle handy and can give us a great showing to send us home as winners.

Selections: 4-6-9-1

Best Bets

Race 3 – Bandasha (3)

Race 5 – State In Texas (5)

By Craig Sheppard

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