Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 18 December 2024 New

Date: 17-Dec-2024

Christmas is just over a week away, and to celebrate we’re hosting not one by two meetings this week!

The first of these is on Wednesday when eight races are scheduled to be run and won.

Unfortunately, the wet weather that seemingly has been around for an age continues with storms forecast.

We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 1:06PM COASTAL VEHICLE SOLUTIONS QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1100 METRES)

1 Luva Flutter

Luva Flutter is the most professional and experienced in the race and that counts for a lot when dealing with two-year-olds.

The Stu Kendrick-trained Spirit Of Boom colt has won two of his three starts both on his home track at the Sunshine Coast.

After winning his maiden by two lengths two starts back, he fought gamely in a Saturday metropolitan race over 1000m in heavy conditions to win by a half-length.

The third horse, Formula Rossa has franked the form by winning her next start at Eagle Farm.

He should enjoy a great run for Jace McMurray who claims 2kg.

Selections: 1-2-8-3

Race 2 - 1:41PM SCHWEPPES Class 3 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 Secret Revolution

Secret Revolution is a new addition to the Chris & Corey Munce stable after previously racing in New South Wales with Peter Snowden.

The Russian Revolution gelding resumes here following a 40-week spell and has raced well fresh before, most notably when first-up at Canberra this time last year where he let down strongly to win a much harder race than this over 1000m.

While he has to carry 61.5kg, he is clearly the best rated horse in the race and large imposts don’t have as much of an effect over this short scamper trip.

The inside barrier is a big advantage over 800m, so I expect Justin Huxtable to give him a sweet run.

Selections: 1-4-6-5

Race 3 - 2:16PM IMPERIAL RACING Class 2 Handicap (1666 METRES)

2 Punjabi Landing

Punjabi Landing has been freshened after running on well to finish 2.9 lengths sixth over 1400m in a stronger race at Eagle Farm last start.

The Paul Shailer-trained gelding will appreciate the rise in distance given he won back-to-back races over further to end last preparation.

He won over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast three starts back before impressing with a length win over 2220m at Grafton with both those races being run on rain-affected tracks.

He’s drawn to get an economical run for Michael Rodd.

Selections: 2-4-1-3

Race 4 - 2:51PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

10 Autumngirl

Autumngirl resumes here on the back of a solid trial where she worked home strongly late to finish a close third on a Soft 7 Doomben.

The Kelly Schweida-trained filly performed very well in her one and only career start last preparation where she found the line stylishly over 1110m at Doomben to finish second by a length to Saturday metropolitan three-year-old winner Defiant Boom.

She’s well drawn for Jace McMurray who claims 2kg.

Selections: 10-6-3-12

Race 5 - 3:26PM BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

8 Victory Flame

This is a really tough race to assess given the final complexion of the race after scratchings will be different to what it is at acceptances.

I’m going with Victory Flame who got a long way out of his ground over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on debut before running on powerfully to finish 3.6 lengths third.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding will strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance looks perfect.

Blinkers go on for the first time which may see him settle closer in the run particularly given that there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed.

Selections: 8-14-10-5

Race 6 - 4:01PM HARMONY BATHROOM PRODUCTS BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1200 METRES)

7 Milton Road

Milton Road is racing in great form and is looking for his third win in a row at Ipswich.

The Matt Dunn-trained son of Darci Brahma settled second over this course and distance two starts back before dashing strongly to the line to win by 1.1 lengths.

Last start he settled further back after drawing wide before storming home down the middle of the track to win easily by 1.9 lengths over this same track and trip.

He maps to settle handy in a race with not too many go forward horses.

Selections: 7-11-2-6

Race 7 - 4:36PM K&R PLUMBING SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)

9 Casrock

Casrock was a touch unlucky when resuming over 1200m at the Gold Coast last start.

The Kelly Schweida-trained mare was tightened for room exiting the back straight and then was squeezed late when running on well yet still finished 2.8 lengths fifth.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and has a good record over this course and distance which includes a win five starts back on a rain-affected track.

Cejay Graham is back in the saddle and should give her every chance from the good draw.

Selections: 9-13-4-7

Race 8 - 5:10PM TAB Class 1 Plate (1350 METRES)

12 Star Act

Star Act is a recent addition to the Liam Birchley stable after previously racing in Sydney with Bjorn Baker.

The daughter of Snitzel had been competing in Benchmark 72 Handicaps with merit, most notably finishing third by 3.1 lengths to Darling Downs two starts ago at Kensington.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a great deal of luck in her first start for Birchley over this course and distance last start when held up before getting to the outside and hitting the line hard to finish just under a length third.

She’s well placed at set weights in this class and loves the sting out of the ground having won her maiden on a heavy surface.

Selections: 12-6-1-8

Best Bets

Race 1 – Luva Flutter (1)

Race 6 – Milton Road (7)

By Craig Sheppard

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