Meeting In Review 19 July 2023

Date: 20-Jul-2023

We hosted metropolitan racing on Wednesday where nine races were run and won.

We’ve taken a look at some of the meeting highlights below.

Wheeler’s First Metropolitan Double

There is no doubt apprentice jockey Bailey Wheeler will remember his first Queensland metropolitan meeting at Ipswich on Wednesday.

While the young hoop made his Sydney metropolitan debut two weeks ago, his first metropolitan meeting in the Sunshine State will hold special significance for Wheeler as he skillfully managed to record a winning double.

Wheeler started his winning day early aboard Black Minto in the first race, the Follow @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap over 1350m.

The Les Kelly-trained daughter of Spill The Beans looked close to a win after finishing second in her previous three races ahead of Wednesday’s contest.

Black Minto jumped from the outside gate in the field of six. With limited speed early, Wheeler was able to work forward three-deep before slotting in second at leader Malarina’s girth.

As the pair approached the run home, Wheeler moved his mount closer to eyeball the front running filly.

A battle in the straight ensued but with Black Minto carrying just 52kg thanks to the apprentice’s claim, Wheeler was able to punch the favourite out and lift her to a half-length victory.

Wheeler had to wait until the final race of the day, The Barn Family Restaurant Ratings Band 0 - 65 Handicap, to register his winning double.

He partnered the Liam Birchley-trained Brocky who was dropping in class after contesting the Tattersalls Open Sprint at Rockhampton last start.

After jumping well from barrier 3 in the 1200m sprint, Wheeler was able to settle third the fence with ease.

The six-year-old gelding enjoyed the run of the race and it only got better when Voulait rolled out on the home turn to invite Wheeler to take a yawning gap.

Brocky sprinted hard and fast to pass leader Zoocupola and go on to win by 1.5 lengths.

It was a magnificent ride by Wheeler and once again demonstrated why the young man is considered one of the top young riding talents in Queensland.

Wheeler came close to adding a third win for the day in the TAB Maiden Handicap over 1350m with outsider Duchess Bree who stormed home to finish second by just under a length to the Vishan Venkaya-trained Jester Statement.

The talented 18-year-old currently sits seventh in this season’s Ipswich Jockey Premiership despite riding less than half the number of rides of most jockeys at the top of the ladder.

Jackson On Time Finally Breaks Through

The Scott Morrisey-trained Jackson On Time is a horse that was touted from an early age as having an abundance of ability.

And for good reason.

At his first race start the son of Sebring finished a close third to Finance Tycoon and Shaquero in the 2021 Aquis Gold Nugget. Shaquero would win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at his next start.

However, since that first race, things have not gone to plan for Jackson On Time and he remained a maiden for the following two and half years.

That was until Wednesday when he saluted at start number 14 in impressive style in the Schweppes Maiden Handicap over 1100m.

When the gates crashed back, jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester revved the four-year-old gelding up to settle in front.

The jockey of Benedict Arnold didn’t want to make it easy for him however and pushed on to sit outside him. Prior to straightening, Guthmann-Chester created separation and dashed clear.

It was Jackson On Time’s day and he put in the big bounds to race away for a two-length win over Kai Tak who ran on when it was all over.

The Gold Coast conditioner revealed that after a frustrating run with the talented galloper, it was time to employ ‘hands and heels’ tactics that had worked with past stable stars who had exhibited the same traits.

“We’ve had a bit of luck over the years with horses like him,” Morrisey explained.

“Probably the most famous was Kidlat who won a Ramornie Handicap after doing this.

“When you watch his replays, he always looms to win it but then they hit him with the whip, he ducks out and his head goes up.

“So, we just thought well now’s the time to try something different and it worked.

“Some of my better Saturday horses took 12 starts to win a maiden and he’s taken 14.

“He’ll win again but how far he goes; we’ll just have to find out.”

Maloney Celebrates Birthday With Winning Double

Ryan Maloney has been one of Queensland’s best jockeys over the past few years and his talent in the saddle was again on show at Ipswich on Wednesday.

It was the Group 1 winning hoop’s birthday yesterday and he celebrated by riding a winning double.

Maloney teamed up with the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained Ammand in the Kingsley Lawson Lawyers QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate for his first Wednesday winner.

The Lonhro gelding was quick away with Maloney taking full advantage of the inside gate to drive through and settled second in the run.

Within the blink of an eye, Ammand went from cruising to top speed at the top of the straight to dash clear by five lengths.

Maloney eased his mount down late which flattered the opposition who narrowed the gap to 1.8 lengths on the line. However, there was no mistaking that it was an impressive win.

The Annabel Neasham-trained Vintage Choice, who Maloney partnered in the Book Events @ IEEC.COM.AU Class 1 Handicap, looked to be one of the better chances of the day.

The four-year-old gelding brought strong form via Saturday Sydney races and that shone through in his performance to win over the mile.

Maloney took bad luck out of the equation by going straight to the front. He controlled the race and had the chasing pack off the bit as they approached the run home.

With the big weight of 61.5kg to deal with, the experienced pilot nursed his mount in front before being challenged strongly by Gleefilly at the furlong.

Vintage Choice pulled out plenty to get the upper hand and win well by a length.

Maloney’s two wins on Wednesday took his tally to 13 at Ipswich this season.

By Craig Sheppard

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