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Meeting In Review 28 October 2022
Date: 30-Oct-2022
Friday’s Ipswich Turf Club meeting saw a sea of colour around the track as hundreds of racegoers donned bright TradeMutt shirts in support of the This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) raceday.
Throughout October, the club has put the spotlight on mental health awareness with Friday’s race meeting raising all important funds for the TIACS Foundation.
Those on course were treated to a great day’s racing under clear blue skies. Once again, it was another top advertisement for why Ipswich should host regular Friday meetings.
Orman’s Hot Form Continues With Treble
Jimmy Orman was crowned Queensland’s best jockey last season and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
The talented hoop was the star of the show at Friday’s meeting, riding a winning treble. Just three weeks ago Orman achieved the same feat.
Orman started the day on the right note when he partnered Salior’s Secret in the opening race, the THIS IS A CONVERSATION STARTER FOUNDATION QTIS 3-Y-O BENCHMARK 65 Handicap.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding was the only horse punters wanted in the small field of four, backing Sailor’s Secret into $1.45 when the gates crashed back.
It was an easy watch for those that took the short quote. Sailor’s Secret jumped well which allowed Orman to sit on the back of leader Sian Star. The leisurely pace played into the favourite’s hands. When Orman pushed the button at the top of the straight, Sailor’s Secret sprinted strongly to race away for a 1.5 length win.
Orman returned to the winner’s stall aboard Euro Belle in race 5, the ICARE SERVICES AUSTRALIA Class 4 Handicap.
Leading into Friday’s 1200 metre contest, the Gillian Heinrich-trained galloper had not won for 92 weeks. In fact, the six-year-old mare’s last win was at Ipswich on 16 January 2021.
Euro Belle was having her first start back this preparation in what was arguably one of her easiest assignments for some time. With a solid speed set out of the gates, Orman allowed his mount to get into her rhythm and settle in fourth. He started his run prior to the turn and by the time he got to the outside in the straight, he was at full throttle. Despite carrying 59kg, Euro Belle proved too strong in the concluding stages to record her fourth career win.
Orman completed his winning treble in the final race of the day, the BUNDABERG RUM Class 2 Handicap.
The popular jockey rode Chasing Jackley for Alyssa and Troy Sweeney. Chasing Jackley had been racing in great form prior to an uncustomary failure last start. With Orman in the saddle, there was a good chance he would get the five-year-old back winning.
The noted frontrunner left the gates cleanly in the 166 metre race and managed to get to the lead after they had run 200 metres. Orman let his mount roll in front, opening up a three-length lead. The field was off the bit as they approached the run home and while they closed the gap late, the damage had already been done.
The well thought out ride was what the racing world has come to expect from Orman.
Friday’s three winners skyrocketed Orman to the outright lead in the 2022/23 Ipswich Jockeys Premiership. Orman sits at the top of the ladder with 10 wins, four clear of his nearest rival Ryan Maloney.
Orman is well on his way to winning his second Ipswich title.
One For The Locals
The Brian Costello-trained Orsetto knows the Ipswich circuit very well. He’s trained on course so there was nothing unfamiliar about Friday’s OXLEY GOLF CLUB BENCHMARK 68 Handicap over 800 metres.
Prior to Friday’s race, the six-year-old gelding had not won since 3 May 2021 when he went back-to-back over the Ipswich scamper.
Given his record over the course and distance, there was an air of optimism from the market, backing Orsetto in from $10 to $7.50. In fact he was the only runner punters wanted outside of race favourite Refero.
With veteran jockey Michael Cahill in the irons, Orsetto exploded out of the gates like he was shot out of a cannon. They were stretched five across the track as they entered the straight. It got willing in the final stages but the local galloper produced plenty to land some good bets.
The win took Orsetto’s record to four wins from nine starts over 800 metres at Ipswich. It also took Brian Costello to the top of the Ipswich Local Trainers Premiership.
Bruce’s Popular Win
Deagon trainer Jack Bruce would have gone close to being the most popular man at Ipswich on Friday.
Bruce kindly gave his time to join club committeeman Trent Quinn on stage at the TIACS function to discuss his career since moving to Queensland and also the importance of mental health awareness in the racing industry.
Before leaving to prepare Ocean Emperor for the NUTURF BENCHMARK 65 Handicap, Bruce gave a strong push for his horse.
The likeable conditioner has built a tremendous record so far and it should have come as no surprise that he was again on the money.
Ocean Emperor mustered good early speed to settle fourth in the 1350 metres contest. As Dembe and Legend Rules went at each other in front, Jimmy Byrne smoked his pipe. While it’s now a Great Northern sign, Byrne made his signature Ipswich move and took off at the 600 metres mark. Ocean Emperor loomed up ominously as they prepared for the run home. The son of Written Tycoon was all out at the winning post but he just did enough to claim the win.
The roars from the Grange Lounge balcony echoed around the course as Ocean Emperor’s number went up. Bruce once again proved that he is a trainer on the rise.
Don’t Forget Collett
Last season’s Ipswich premier jockey Sam Collett has had by her own omission a lean run of late.
Collett had registered just two Ipswich wins this season prior to Friday’s meeting. The hoop with the winning smile provided Ipswich race followers a reminder on Friday that you can never count a champion out.
The three-time Group 1 winning jockey partnered the Marcus Wilson-trained Bay Street in the SWICH ON INC Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Plate. Master Tyler was a heavily backed favourite but Collett was having none of that.
Bay Street didn’t show a lot of dash when the gates opened for the 1350 metres race which forced Collett to settle at the tail of the field before improving her position along the fence. Master Tyler gave a good kick as they straightened and looked the winner when he opened a three-length lead. However, Bay Street responded to Collett’s urging and charged home to pick off Master Tyler in the shadows of the post.
Hopefully the win gives Collett a kick along in the defence of her title.
Peel Pulls Down Rivals Pants
Few gave Scenic Rim a chance in Friday’s SIRROMET Class 1 Handicap with the Diane Murphy-trained galloper considered a $17 chance.
The son of Scissor Kick was resuming and had never shown a lot in three previous first-up runs. There was a consensus that Scenic Rim would probably need the run given his best work had been over further.
However, nobody told the horse this. Apprentice jockey Wendy Peel got busy early from an outside gate to settle in front. After finding the front, Peel gave her mount a midrace breather and the field packed up. However, that was short lived as Peel took off just prior to straightening catching her rivals unaware. It was a winning move as Scenic Rim dashed clear to score by just under a length.
Peel revealed post-race that she shared punters' thoughts in that she did not think Scenic Rim would win on Friday and that he would be better later in the preparation.
Given the way he won over the less than ideal distance, a good preparation looks in store for Scenic Rim.
Horses To Follow
Race 1 - Sailor’s Secret: You don’t have to be a genius to see this guy is a horse to stick with. He puts himself in his races and cruised around Friday like he had an extra gear or two to go into. He has won his past two starts effortlessly suggesting that he is ready for a shot at a midweek race.
Race 2 - Van Nuys: Race winner Sounds Devine was very good winning this maiden. However, I was taken by the run of second placegetter Van Nuys. The John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained mare settled back after not showing a great deal of early speed. Apprentice jockey Jaden Lloyd was forced to get moving prior to straightening and was six horses deep as they fanned. She had a number of lengths to make up but really charged in the final 100 metres to nearly pull off the win. A rise to the mile looks suitable next start.
Next Meeting
We race again at Ipswich on Thursday 3 November which is Oaks day in Melbourne.
By Craig Sheppard
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