Ipswich Selections – Thursday 15 February 2024

Date: 14-Feb-2024

Eight races are scheduled to be run and won this Thursday at the Ipswich Turf Club.

Warm days are forecast so we’ll be racing on a good racing surface with the rail out 4.5m the entire course.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our top picks in each race below.

Race 1 - 12:58PM BOQ WINSTON GLADES QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

1 Alpine Raider

Alpine Raider is on debut for the Paul Butterworth stable.

The son of Alpine Eagle has warmed up for this first-up assignment with two trials.

On each occasion he’s shown good speed to finish close seconds.

Jimmy Byrne was aboard in the most recent trial at the Sunshine Coast and will ride here.

Over the short scamper, I expect him to burn early to find the front and look to go all the way.

Selections: 1-3-6-2

Race 2 - 1:33PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE Maiden Plate (2170 METRES)

4 Taranaki

Oh Taranaki, our old friend, what do we do with you?

The Chris Waller-trained Tarzino gelding has been a beaten favourite in his past four starts including at odds of $1.28 and $1.35 in his two most recent races.

He hasn’t been beaten far and excuses have been provided as to why he’s failed to win.

This looks to be a great chance for him to break through given his rivals have bigger convictions than him.

Selections: 4-7-1-3

Race 3 - 2:08PM QUEENSLAND COMMUNITY CLUBS QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 The Punisher

The Punisher has been kept fresh after catching the eye here last start over 1100m.

The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained gelding finished off strongly to finish second by half a length.

The way he ran through the line suggests that the rise in distance will suit third-up.

His only win came when he had his third run back last preparation.

Selections: 1-4-5-3

Race 4 - 2:43PM TAB Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

4 Bamboozled

Bamboozled should be ready for a peak performance third-up after two very good runs to start this campaign.

The Peter Robl-trained four-year-old gelding worked home well at the Sunshine Coast first-up after settling back.

Last start over 1400m at Grafton, Jasper Franklin was positive and went forward to share the lead.

He gave a good sight but was overpowered late to finish 1.3 lengths second.

From barrier 2, Franklin who claims 2kg can settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 4-2-5-8

Race 5 - 3:20PM ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

5 Underhand

Underhand resumes here on the back of a solid Deagon trial over 1050m where she finished second.

The O’Dea Hoysted-trained Winning Rupert mare is a short course speedster who has won three of her five scampers.

The two defeats came over this course and distance where she finished second in significantly stronger races than this.

From the inside gate, Emily Lang who claims 2kg can drive forward and prove hard to catch.

Selections: 5-7-3-13

Race 6 - 4:00PM PRECINCT URBAN PLANNING Class 2 Handicap (1680 METRES)

4 West Cork

West Cork worked early to find the front last start over 1400m at Gatton and gave a massive sight to only go down by a nose.

Two starts back, the son of I Am Invincible raced keenly in front over this course and distance and understandably weakened to finish third by 1.2 lengths.

He won his only other previous start over 1680m here when second-up this preparation, so he does race well at the track.

He’s on the quick back-up and looks like the clear leader so if he can settle then he’ll give this a big shake.

Selections: 4-2-10-8

Race 7 - 4:40PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Fillies & Mares RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

12 Alpha Jane

Alpha Jane looks close to a win following three solid runs this preparation.

The Darryl Hansen-trained daughter of Easy Rocking was brave over this course and distance last start.

She raced three-wide outside the speed and despite that, fought gamely to finish second by 1.5 lengths.

She should be a peak fitness fourth-up and maps to get a much better run for Jai Williams who claims 1.5kg.

Selections: 12-8-5-2

Race 8 - 5:19PM GREAT NORTHERN Colts, Geldings & Entires RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

2 Sian Star

Sian Star improved last start when coming to Ipswich after a disappointing first-up effort.

The Darryl Hansen-trained four-year-old gelding settled in the second half of the field before storming down the middle of the track to win comfortably over this course and distance by a length.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and meets a similar field to last time.

There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid his cause as he will likely settle back from the wide gate.

Selections: 2-1-3-7

Best Bets

Race 3 – #1 The Punisher

Race 5 - #5 Underhand

Race 7 - #12 Alpha Jane

By Craig Sheppard

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