Ipswich Preview and Selections – 11 August 2023

Date: 10-Aug-2023

A great day of competitive racing looks on the cards for our eight-race program this Friday.

With warm weather forecast, we should see racing on a Good surface with the rail out 8m the entire course.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 12:37PM @IPSWICHTURFCLUB BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (800 METRES)

Underhand (7) is turning into a real short course speedster. The O’Dea Hoysted-trained mare won her maiden two starts back over 860m at Gatton before proving too speedy over the same track and trip last start. She has the benefit of barrier 2 which should see Emily Lang with just 51kg drive forward and give them something to catch.

Commandeering (1) is getting on in years but is a demon over these scamper trips. He resumes here and boasts a good fresh record. Jimmy Orman is a key booking.

Cosmic Serenade (4) enjoyed the drop in trip last start over this course and distance when winning well. While this is harder, she drops in weight and will be advantaged by the inside gate.

Thawra (3) has been below her best in recent runs but if she improves then a win would not surprise.

On Top Selection: Underhand (7)

Race 2 - 1:12PM TAB Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Kellisa (2) worked to the line well on debut over 1200m at Doomben despite being in the worst part of the track. She’ll have taken improvement from that run and will enjoy the rise to 1350m. Taylor Marshall should give her every chance from barrier 2.

Outa Taormina (6) showed signs of improvement when first-up and having her first start for local trainer Jesse Townsend. She raced on speed before condition gave out late and she finished third over 1200m here. She’ll strip fitter second-up and the claim helps.

Duchess Bree (10) finished off strongly for third in the Kellisa race mentioned above. On face value that is good form for this but the mare has had 35 race starts before this and still hasn’t cracked her maiden. Based on past form, a place might be her best chance.

Furthering (3) was strong through the line when finishing second at Beaudesert over 1400m last start. She’s been freshene since then. She can mix her form but is drawn well.

On Top Selection: Kellisa (2)

Race 3 - 1:47PM ASSURE GLOBAL PLUS PROFIT BUILDERS Colts, Geldings & Entires Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

I Am Good At This (2) resumed following nearly a year off with a very good effort at Lismore over 1110m. The Matt Dunn-trained gelding found the line strongly to just miss the win by a nose. He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in trip. Jimmy Orman can give him a great run from an inside draw.

Mission To Win (4) looks close to a win after finishing runner-up in his past two starts. Over 1200m here last start, he raced wide but still ran on strongly to finish 1.5 lengths behind Thankful Heart. The step up to 1350m will suit and he’s drawn better.

Kanaird (12) hasn’t been too far away in two runs back this preparation. The rise to 1350m is ideal third-up. Drawn well.

Toolatemate (11) was wide throughout when resuming over this course and distance with a 2.7 length fourth to Ammand. The third horse was a dominant winner on Wednesday at Doomben.

On Top Selection: I Am Good At This (2)

Race 4 - 2:27PM ALL STATES WIDE LOAD ESCORT BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1700 METRES)

Surin Beach (1) performed much better than anticipated at Doomben last start over 1350m. The Jason Patton-trained galloper settled back after drawing wide but came with a strong finish to get within 2.77 lengths of the winner. He’ll appreciate the rise in distance.

Hurri Black (3) will appreciate the drop in class after finishing 2.7 lengths sixth to Rocked over this course and distance last start. He draws to get an economical run for Bubba Tilley.

Mr Eighty Eight (7) has had excuses in his two starts this preparation for Mark Currie. He’ll strip fitter third-up.

Bring The Boom (4) resumes here and will probably need the run. I’m respecting the Annabel Neasham/Jag Guthmann-Chester combination.

On Top Selection: Surin Beach (1)

Race 5 - 3:04PM CSI CLUB SERVICES IPSWICH Class 4 Handicap (1700 METRES)

Where Ya Bean (6) worked out what the racing caper was about towards the back end of last preparation, and he appears to have come back in just as good form. The Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding ran on well for second despite a wide run when resuming over 1350m at Doomben. He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in trip. The third horse won on Wednesday.

Hyde (2) was unlucky when resuming in the above-mentioned Doomben race. He was held up in the straight but once clear, found the line well. He’ll strip fitter and boasts a good second-up record. The outside gate isn’t ideal.

Without Revenge (1) resumes here off the back of a trial win. He’s won fresh before and while he has a big weight, he has competed well in stronger races than this.

Patmos Island (3) was held up over 1650m in a stronger race at Doomben last start. That shouldn’t be the case here as he looks the likely leader.

On Top Selection: Where Ya Bean (6)

Race 6 - 3:42PM LIQUOR INDUSTRY ACTION GROUP IPSWICH CORRIDOR Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Bochkareva (3) was heavily backed when resuming at the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately, after racing leading, she weakened to finish 2.8 lengths fifth. A tongue tie goes on suggesting the reason she weakened was because she got her tongue over the bit. She’ll strip fitter and did win her only other second-up start.

Navy Black (5) flashed home for a half-length second to Kayleen on the Gold Coast Poly first-up. That was just her first start for Chris Anderson. She’ll strip fitter and the rise in trip suits.

Fearless Thinking (7) resumes here for new trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds. Looked good winning a recent trial and her NSW form is good enough for this.

Ready To Torque (6) raced on speed but was a touch soft on the line when finishing a close third on the Gold Coast Poly last start. There is a concern over the rise to 1200m but she draws well and gets in light after the claim.

On Top Selection: Bochkareva (3)

Race 7 - 4:22PM SEVEN NEWS Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Thankful Heart (11) impressed first-up in his first start for Annabel Neasham when easily winning his maiden over this course and distance. He’s only lightly raced so has plenty of scope for improvement and will strip fitter second-up. He’s drawn to get a great run for Damien Thornton.

Jackson On Time (10) finally broke through for his first win last start. He’s always had talent and gave his rivals a galloping lesson over 1100m here. The rise to 1200m should suit.

Suisse Scandal (7) is having his first start for Tony Gollan. Warmed up for this with a solid trial. He’s only lightly raced and did win on debut by 5 lengths at Toowoomba. The inside gate is a big plus.

Mount Fuji (4) has run well for second at his past two starts in stronger class races. Unfortunately, that’s what he tends to do and struggles to win.

On Top Selection: Thankful Heart (11)

Race 8 - 5:02PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Rockin’ Artie (14) went forward and dashed clear to win by two lengths over this course and distance two starts back. He then ran a good race despite the jockey dropping the reins when a close third at Gatton. He’s drawn to get a great run for Justin Huxtable.

Chickerartie (6) took the length of the straight to wind up but nosed out Miss Wallflower to win over 1210m last start at Ballina. She’s won 4 of 12 and should strip fitter third-up.

Yalla (12) was a touch disappointing last start over this course and distance when sent out favourite. She was off the bit early but still managed to run on reasonably well for third. She’s rock hard fit.

Galaxy General (4) finished strongly to win narrowly over 1200m on the Gold Coast Poly first-up. He’ll strip fitter second-up and just needs to bring his poly form to the turf to be a factor.

On Top Selection: Rockin’ Artie (14)

Best Bets

Race 5 – Where Ya Bean (6)

Race 7 – Thankful Heart (11)

By Craig Sheppard

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