Ipswich Selections 9 November 2023

Date: 09-Nov-2023

The Spring Carnival rolls on in Melbourne this Thursday with the ladies taking centre stage on Oaks Day. Here in Queensland, we host a seven-race card at the Ipswich Turf Club.

The track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 2m the entire course with mostly sunny day forecast.

We’ve run the rule over each of the seven races and provided our top selections below.

Race 1 - 1:23PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Class 3 Handicap (1675 METRES)

2 I Am Good At This

I Am Good At This found 1800m at Randwick in a Highway Handicap last start a stretch too far, weakening after working in the run. The Matt Dunn-trained gelding’s form before that was very good. Four starts back he impressed when winning his maiden at Grafton over 1550m. Two starts back he was tough when winning narrowly over 1720m. Zac Waddick, who claims 3kg, can go forward in a race with limited speed and give this a real shake.

Selections: 2-3-4-1

Race 2 - 2:03PM ROTARY UKRAINE FUNDRAISER 0 - 60 Handicap (800 METRES)

5 Chakra Boy

Chakra Boy can do a few things wrong, but he put it all together last start over this course and distance. The Sharryn Livingstone-trained three-year-old gelding showed brilliant speed to make full use of the inside gate and lead all the way. Justin Stanley was easy on him late, yet he still won by 3.3 lengths in good time. He’s on the quick back-up and if he has his mind on the job then he will be hard to beat.

Selections: 5-10-4-3

Race 3 - 2:43PM TAB QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

5 Zimo

Zimo makes his return to racing as a gelding. The operation appears to have been a success with the Annabel Neasham-trained son of Written By finding the line nicely in a recent trial. Last preparation he contested races during the Winter Carnival where he raced wide in the Ken Russell Classic and then got too far back in The Phoenix. Connections must think he has ability so it’s time for him stand up.

Selections: 5-6-9-3

Race 4 - 3:23PM THE LAWN SHED Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

3 Ocean Honour

Ocean Honour fought gamely two starts back over this course and distance when having his first start for Peter and Will Hulbert after previously racing with Chris Waller. He bounded to the front but was picked off late to finish a head second with a big gap to third. Last start the four-year-old gelding looked to have plenty to offer but was held up badly at Doomben. He should have finished a lot closer than the 2.89 lengths. Fresh off his Melbourne Cup ride, Mark Du Plessis will give him every chance.

Selections: 3-10-5-2

Race 5 - 4:03PM SAMMUT BULOW Colts, Geldings and Entires BM65 Handicap (1350 METRES)

6 Hotstep

Hotstep hasn’t been far away in all his races since joining the Jack Bruce stable. The son of Lonhro found the line strongly two starts back to finish a length second to Finsceal over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Last start he gave a good account of himself when finishing 1.8 lengths fourth to Javaja. That horse looks to have some ability winning both his career starts. Ben Thompson goes back on and should be able to settle just off them.

Selections: 6-4-1-5

Race 6 - 4:43PM BNB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Fillies and Mares BM65 Handicap (1350 METRES)

5 Sleigh Queen

Sleigh Queen resumed for new trainer Annabel Neasham with a solid effort at the Sunshine Coast over 1350m. She settled handy in the run and loomed in the straight, but condition gave out late, but she boxed on well for a 1.5 length fourth. The market suggested she’d need the run so she’ll no doubt strip fitter second-up. She won second-up last preparation and should settle in a prominent position for Damien Thornton.

Selections: 5-8-2-6

Race 7 - 5:20PM PRECINCT URBAN PLANNING Class 1 Handicap (1100 METRES)

6 Island Tide

The penny may have finally dropped for Island Tide. The David Vandyke-trained four-year-old mare showed good speed last start to lead all the way over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast by 3.5 lengths. That win will hopefully have given her the confidence she needs to go on with the job. She has the speed to prove hard to catch.

Selections: 6-8-12-9

Best Bets

Race 2 – Chakra Boy (5)

Race 6 – Sleigh Queen (5)

By Craig Sheppard

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