Ipswich Selections – Saturday 3 February 2024

Date: 03-Feb-2024

Lately it seems that we’re racing every Saturday here at Ipswich and that’s once again the case this weekend.

Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on what will likely be a good racing surface given the hot weather.

We’ve studied the form and provided our top picks for each race below.

Race 1 - 1:04PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

9 Six More Songs

Six More Songs is on debut for the Tony Gollan stable following a nice trial.

The daughter of Encryption led from start to finish to win the Doomben 840m hit out by a length and wasn’t pushed at any stage.

She will start from the prized inside gate which is a big advantage in these 800m scampers.

Rugby League legend and proud Ipswich man Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer is one of the owners.

Selections: 9-2-10-3

Race 2 - 1:39PM IEEC.COM.AU QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1200 METRES)

3 Miss Shu

Miss Shu found the line strong to win by half a length over 1050m on the Gold Coast Poly track when having her first start for Toby Edmonds.

Last start she worked home well to finish fourth by 1.1 lengths to Femme Fatale over 1100m here.

The rise to 1200m looks ideal now. From barrier 1, Scott Galloway can settle in a handy position.

Selections: 3-2-1-4

Race 3 - 2:14PM AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY TRADE COLLEGE Class 2 Plate (1100 METRES)

4 Waterworld

Waterworld stormed home to win on the Gold Coast Poly track by just under a length when having his first start for Corey and Kylie Geran.

Last start he worked home strongly to finish 1.99 lengths fourth over 1110m at Doomben.

The Headwater gelding is in terrific condition and maps to get a beautiful run for Michael Cahill who has been in the saddle for his most recent races.

Selections: 4-10-3-6

Race 4 - 2:49PM SEVEN NEWS BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1100 METRES)

7 Hachiman

Hachiman failed to finish over this course and distance last start after rearing at the start and braining himself on the barriers.

Prior to that, he looked close to a win following two good runs after joining Kris Lees’ stable and moving to Queensland.

The Brave Smash gelding fought bravely to go down by a nose when finishing second three starts ago at the Sunshine Coast.

Two starts back at Eagle Farm he was held up badly behind a tiring leader when finishing third by 1.5 lengths. If he had gotten clear air earlier, he would have gone close to winning.

He can bounce back here.

Selections: 7-5-3-12

Race 5 - 3:29PM TAB Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)

11 Heiress

Heiress is having her third race for local trainer Trevor Lambourn after two likeable races since arriving from Victoria.

Two starts back she gave a sight in the Magic Millions Maiden over 1100m but weakened to finish fourth to the talented Barassi.

Last start in a $100k maiden at the Sunshine Coast she loomed as a winning chance but was overpowered to finish a nice fourth.

She’ll appreciate getting back on a drier surface and should find a prominent position in a race that doesn’t look to have a great deal of speed.

Selections: 11-9-7-8

Race 6 - 4:09PM GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (800 METRES)

8 Biz Class

Biz Class did well in her first start for local trainer Beau Gorman when finishing a half-length second in the heavy conditions over this course and distance.

The Zoustar mare broke through for her maiden win last start in emphatic fashion over 860m at Gatton when leading all the way.

She’s drawn nicely in barrier 2 which should see Jag Guthmann-Chester use her speed to advantage.

If she finds the front, she’ll be hard to run down.

Selections: 8-5-6-4

Race 7 - 4:50PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Handicap (1666 METRES)

3 Never Bird

Never Bird was very good when resuming over this course and distance last start.

The four-year-old mare, who was also having her first start for Jack Bruce, worked to the line well but was picked off in the shadows of the post to miss the win by a nose.

She’s only lightly raced so has plenty of upside and will strip fitter second-up.

Corey Bayliss can give her the run of the race from the inside gate.

Selections: 3-4-2-5

Race 8 - 5:30PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Class 2 Handicap (1666 METRES)

2 Decarbonise

Decarbonise proved too strong when running on powerfully to win by 1.3 lengths over 1625m at Toowoomba last start.

Unfortunately, the big weight found him out last start over this course and distance when he weakened to finish fifth.

He drops 5.5kg and maps to get a great run.

Now that he’s at peak fitness, he can give this a real shake.

Selections: 2-5-1-8

Best Bets

Race 1 – Six More Songs (9)