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TAB Ipswich Cup Day Preview 17 June 2023
Date: 15-Jun-2023
By Craig Sheppard
It’s our turn to shine during the Queensland Racing Carnival this Saturday with the running of TAB Ipswich Cup Day!
Nine races will be run and won with the Listed Ipswich Cup, Eye Liner Stakes and Gai Waterhouse Classic highlighting the exciting card.
We’ll be blessed with a beautiful winter’s day that should see racing take place on a perfect surface. The rail is out 0.5m the entire course.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race to help you find a winner!
Race 1 - 11:43AM SIRROMET BUNDAMBA PLATE QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Payline (4) is on debut for Chris Munce. The well-bred Shooting To Win gelding chased home speedy stablemate Miss Coota in an October trial before being sent to the paddock. He returned to the trials last week as a gelding and looked like a more furnished horse. He wasn’t asked for an effort but just missed the win. He gets the services of Group 1 winning jockey Damien Thornton.
Defiant Spirit (3) was a touch green on debut at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m but still dashed clear to win by 2.3 lengths. He looks like a handy horse for Stu Kendrick and will take benefit from the first-up run. The rise in trip should suit.
Deep Dawn (8) is a first starter for Tony Gollan. The Deep Field filly looked good leading all the way in a recent trial to win by 2.25 lengths. She’s drawn well and gets in light after Angela Jones’ claim.
Golden Decade (1) struggled in the Listed Oxlade Stakes last start so will appreciate coming back to this level race. Prior to that he won two in a row including once over 1350m here. The outside gate is not ideal but if he gets some luck he can feature.
On Top Selection: Payline (4) each way
Race 2 - 12:18PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH No Metro Wins Handicap (1350 METRES)
Sailor’s Secret (10) is racing in great form for Kelly Schweida. Last start he found the front in the straight over 1350m at Doomben and fought strongly but Sunfall got the better of him late. He did smash the rest. Three starts back he was a dominant 3.28 length winner at Eagle Farm over 1400m. He’ll enjoy coming back to Ipswich where he has a super record of two wins and two seconds over the course and distance. Ben Thompson can lead or box seat and should prove hard to run down.
Pivotal Motion (2) was tasked with doing the heavy lifting to bring the field back to a tearaway leader at the Sunshine Coast last start so he did well to finish a close second to Magic Charlee. He loves Ipswich having won five and placed second six times from 13 starts at the track. He has good gate speed but will need a super ride from Sam Collett from the outside gate.
Magic Charlee (1) is racing in great form. Two starts back he won at Chinchilla before finding the line strongly to win at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m. He won his only previous start over the course and distance earlier this year.
Aqua Alta (14) resumes here on the back of a trial win at Toowoomba. She will be better over further later in her preparation, but she can fire first-up with no weight on her back. She won her only previous start at the track.
On Top Selection: Sailor’s Secret (10)
Race 3 - 12:53PM GREAT NORTHERN IPSWICH MILE QTIS BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Sunfall (7) has gone to another level since joining the Barry Lockwood stable earlier this year. He kicked off with a strong win over 1350m at Doomben in April Ifore a close second to Brigantine two starts back. Last start he took a while to wind up but won a midweek race over 1350m where he defeated Sailor’s Secret. While he hasn’t ticked off the 1600m box yet, he gives every indication he is ready for the step up in distance. He maps to get a great run and Jaden Lloyd’s claim helps.
Pentito (10) has been up for some time but is racing in great heart. He was a winner over this distance three starts back at Doomben. If Taylor Marshall can get him clean air entering the straight, he’ll play a role in the finish.
Petunia (11) has raced well in two starts back this preparation in stronger races than this. She tends to get back and run on so will need to get off the fence prior to the turn. If she does, then she’ll be hitting the line hard.
Eaglemont (9) looks ready to peak third-up. He found the line well behind Brigantine first-up. Last start the tactics were queried when he went back from a good draw as a short priced favourite before running on fairly for second. He’ll appreciate the drop in weight.
On Top Selection: Sunfall (7)
Race 4 - 1:28PM CHANNEL SEVEN PROVINCIAL STAYERS FINAL BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2500 METRES)
Readily Availabull (1) is deep into his preparation but hasn’t raced in better form. The Jack Bruce-trained stayer will have no trouble with the 2500m with seven 2000m+ races under his belt this preparation. He ran well in a stronger Saturday race two start back when third to Sneak Preview. Last start in a heat of this series at the Sunshine Coast, he wore down the opposition to win over 2200m. In a race with limited speed on paper, Ben Thompson should be able to settle handy from the good gate.
Flensburg (4) has found some form. Two starts back he easily won over 2150m here by 2.3 lengths before finding the line well for second over 2210m here. He’s won over 2400m before and looks a dour type so should get the trip better than most in this race.
Master Marko (5) found the front over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast last start but was picked off late by Readily Availabull. He’s improved each start this preparation as the distance has increased and I expect that again here.
Hillcrest Avenue (9) shares similar form to Readily Availabull. Two starts back he was second to Sneak Preview and last start he was forced to check off heals but worked to the line well when third to Ready Availabull. The wide gate is not ideal but he may roll forward.
On Top Selection: Readily Availabull (1)
Race 5 - 2:03PM RIVER 94.9FM Class 6 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Deepour (3) was flying last preparation when winning four races in a row where he went from a Class 2 to a Benchmark 75 winner. He looks to have returned in good order for this preparation based on his first-up effort at Eagle Farm over 1000m in the Listed Lightning Handicap where he worked to the line nicely for third. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise to 1100m suits. He will settle back from the outside gate but a strong speed suits and he just needs to be in striking distance prior to straightening to be hard to hold out.
Extremist (2) went too hard in front last start in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes before weakening to finish 4.25 lengths twelfth. Prior to that she ran very well to finish second to Antino first-up and then second in the Listed Bright Shadow. She’ll appreciate the drop back to 1100m and will settle on speed. However, she will probably have company.
Orbisyn (5) raced on speed before weakening in the Listed Chief De Beers first-up. Back to this level looks more his go. He loves Ipswich, having won two of three starts here. He’s drawn awkwardly but he doesn’t use too much gas early then he can threaten.
Goldsborough (1) looked good winning the Bat Out Of Hell first-up but has been outclassed at Listed level his past two. He has a big weight to carry but is drawn well and will appreciate back to this class. Finished a half-length second in this race last year.
On Top Selection: Deepour (3)
Race 6 - 2:38PM SCHWEPPES T L COONEY (1350 METRES)
Plundering (4) comes up from Sydney in good form for Annabel Neasham. The three-year-old gelding pulled out plenty to win two starts back on the Kensington over 1300m. Last start when dropping back to 1200m at Randwick, he found the front with a furlong to go but was swamped late by Yoshino to finish a head second. Back to 1350m suits at peak fitness is ideal. He should get a nice run from barrier 3 for Jag Guthmann-Chester.
Swiss Exile (2) is at peak fitness. He ran well last start when fourth to Hawaii Five Oh in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic. Three starts back he went close to winning the Listed Mick Dittman Plate. He has just one win from 14 starts but should run another great race here.
West Of Africa (6) resumes here off two fair trials. While he could have looked better in those trials, he has to be considered given he is undefeated in two first-up races.
Fashion Legend (1) looks well placed under set weight conditions. He raced three-deep and understandably weakened in the Fred Best Classic last start to finish tenth to Hawaii Five Oh. He’ll strip fitter third-up and did race very well in the Summer Carnival when winning the Group 3 Vo Rogue and the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. The wide barrier isn’t ideal.
On Top Selection: Plundering (4)
Race 7 - 3:17PM TAB IPSWICH CUP - LISTED (2150 METRES)
Desert Icon (3) has a sense of timing here to deliver Chris Waller his second Ipswich Cup. He has been building throughout this preparation just as he did during the Spring Carnival when winning the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley and finishing third in the Group 2 Herbert Power. Last start he was brave when leading over 2400m in the Listed Winter Cup at Randwick but was overpowered late by Al Aabir who was carrying 6kg less. He’ll be rock hard fit fifth-up and should enjoy a sweet run for Jimmy Orman.
Numerian (1) has the grandstand to carry but you’d expect that for a Group 1 winner. He was excellent two starts back when finishing a close second in the Group 1 Doomben Cup despite having a wide run. That may have flattened him last start when fifth in the Group 2 Q22. He has the early speed to offset the wide gate.
Dark Destroyer (2) ran a solid race when sixth in the Listed Wayne Wilson last start. The kiwi will strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise in trip. That was the case during last year’s Queensland Racing Carnival where he won the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate before finishing fourth in the Group 1 Queensland Derby.
Irish Playboy (9) could cause an upset here at big odds despite the wide gate. He clocked the fastest closing sectionals when finishing a close seventh in the Listed Members’ Handicap two starts back before a solid display last time out over 1810m at Eagle Farm. The rise in trip should suit.
On Top Selection: Desert Icon (3)
Race 8 - 3:53PM CITY OF IPSWICH EYE LINER STAKES - LISTED (1350 METRES)
This is a typically tough edition of the Eye Liner Stakes! Blaze A Trail (12) should be ready to peak third-up after a great run last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained five-year-old worked to the line well for second behind the talented Antino and was perhaps taking ground off that horse late. That followed a solid effort first-up for seventh in The Archer at Rockhampton where he drew poorly, and the race shape didn’t suit. He will appreciate dropping 6kg from what he carried in those races. t’s won third-up previously and looks to gain a nice run for Jake Bayliss.
Irish Songs (7) found the line well when finishing sixth to Prince Of Boom in the Group 2 Moreton Cup last start. He was a month between runs so will strip fitter here. He won three starts back in dominant fashion at Doomben over 1350m. Trainer Louise White is following the same formula here with her gelding rising back to 1350m after being sharpened up over 1200m. There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed which should see Larry Cassidy settle in a prominent position from barrier 1.
Lady Of Honour (8) unfortunately has drawn the outside gate. If she can get across without burning too much fuel then she can play a role in the finish. She brings good Melbourne form where she wasn’t far behind Cardinal Gem in two starts and her run in the Group 3 BRC Sprint was good enough to be competitive here.
Sir Warwick (13) looks close to a win. He fought bravely last start at Eagle Farm but Legal Esprit got the better of him late to finish a close third. He’s drawn well and the Ipswich track should suit his racing style.
On Top Selection: Blaze A Trail (12)
Race 9 - 4:36PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS GAI WATERHOUSE CLASSIC - LISTED (1200 METRES)
Snapped (11) looks well placed in the final race of the day. It was a huge win last start when coming from the back of the field to storm home and win the Group 3 Petaluma Proud Miss Stakes at Morphettville over 1200m. Six furlongs is her pet distance given she has won three of five starts over it. Damien Thornton takes the ride and will just need to get her off the fence at the right time to allow her to finish off over the top of them.
Russian Conquest (15) was held up when resuming in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas but despite that ran well for a 2.3 length sixth to Yellow Brick. She has since gone back to the trials and won nicely. She’ll strip fitter second-up and is drawn to get a great run.
Better Get Set (2) didn’t have much luck when caught deep first-up in the Listed Lightning Handicap. She’ll strip fitter second-up. Last preparation she won three in a row including the Listed Just Now. She’s undefeated in two starts at Ipswich.
Sneaky Five (1) hasn’t been far away in her past two starts in the Helen Coughlan Stakes and the Bright Shadow. She draws nicely here but will need to contend with a big weight.
On Top Selection: Snapped (11)
Best Bets
Race 2 – Sailor's Secret (10)
Race 3 – Sunfall (7)
Race 9 – Snapped (11)
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