Ipswich Preview And Selections 15 December 2022

Date: 14-Dec-2022

The Ipswich Turf Club will host our third last race meeting for 2022 this Thursday. Storms earlier in the week resulted in the track reaching the heavy range but by the first race we should be close to a Soft 6 or even a 5. The rail is out 6m the entire course.

Race 1 - 1:50PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Class 4 Handicap (1690 METRES)

Speed: Valley Of Dreams can lead but may have company from Tolkowsky.

Gear Changes: Valley Of Dreams (3) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME

Confusion (1) got too far back at Doomben last start over 1640m when finishing second in a stronger race to Irish Playboy. He found the line strongly behind a horse that was on Saturday at Eagle Farm. The small field should see him not settle as far back before striking in the straight.

Valley Of Dreams (3) loves the Ipswich mile boasting two wins and two seconds from five starts. After winning over 1350m here two starts back she finished third to Torbreck. That day the track was too firm for her so she’ll enjoy getting her toe in on Thursday.

Gold Lunar (4) ran down the leader at Ballina to win narrowly over 1410m first-up. It was her first start for Marcus Wilson. She’ll be fitter second-up and the extra trip suits.

Tolkowsky (2) must be respected if the money comes for him given the stable. However, he did weaken late over 1400m last start so the rise to this distance which he has never raced over looks tough.

On Top Selection: Confusion (1)

Race 2 - 2:25PM THANKS TONY CLEMENTS FROM ITC Maiden Handicap (1525 METRES)

Speed: Gold Invest and Little Jill should roll along at a solid tempo.

Gear Changes: Thrax (1) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Gelded, Stac Pollaidh (2) Cheekers FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, Tongue Control Bit FIRST TIME, Gold Invest (8) Blinkers AGAIN

Centrestone (3) returns from a short let-up. She’s having her first start for the Chris Waller Gold Coast stable after failing to impress in two starts in Sydney. She warmed up for this with a nice trial win at Deagon. Jimmy Orman takes the ride which is a positive sign. She should appreciate racing this opposition.

Little Jill (4) went close to breaking through last start at Gatton over 1400m. She led and was only run down in the shadows of the post. Tegan Harrison will likely go forward and give them something to catch in the straight.

Carlie Eksplodes (7) boxed on well after a tough run to finish second at the Gold Coast over 1350m. Will be fitter third-up and gets the services of Ben Thompson.

On Top Selection: Centrestone (3)

Race 3 - 3:05PM TAB Fillies and Mares Class 1 Plate (1525 METRES)

Speed: Assertin Lady and She’s Enuff look most likely to lead.

Gear Changes: She's Enuff (8) Blinkers AGAIN, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME

Assertin Lady (1) gave her rivals a galloping lesson when leading from start to finish at Gatton over 1400m last start. The Paul Butterworth-trained mare broke her maiden status emphatically by 7.5 lengths. She had been racing well before that and can go on with it. From the inside gate, Maddy Wishart can lead and prove hard to catch.

Harbelle (5) finished off well for fourth at Toowoomba last start over 1200m when having her first start for Mark Currie. She’ll be fitter second-up and will appreciate the extra trip. When racing in South Australia, she competed in the South Australia Fillies Classic at Group 3 level.Will need a touch of luck from the outside gate.

Kasear (6) got back from the wide gate last start over 1666m here before rocketing to the line for second behind Golden Soul. She draws much better here in barrier 2 which should see Wendy Peel settle handy.

Bout (3) broke through for her first win two starts back at Warwick. She backed that with a third at the Sunshine Coast last start after getting too far back. Boris Thornton combines with father Glenn.

On Top Selection: Assertin Lady (1)

Race 4 - 3:40PM SIRROMET Class 3 Plate (1200 METRES)

Speed: Field Regiment can push forward to lead at a moderate clip. Ascot Express shouldn’t be too far away.

Star Gamble (4) was very good when finishing 1.6 lengths third to Arentee at the Gold Coast over 1200m. He was five-weeks between runs that day so will strip fitter here. He’s well weighted under set weight conditions. The outside gate is far from ideal but it’s only a small field and gun jockey Jimmy Orman is steering.

Field Regiment (1) was in need of the run when resuming with a three-length fourth at the Gold Coast. He’ll be fitter second-up. He won over this course and distance at his only start over it back in April when fresh. From the nice draw he’ll go forward and be in this for a long way.

Nic Me Some (3) was narrowly beaten by Mystic Aroma in class record time at Ballina last start. He should be reaching peak fitness third-up. He won over this course and distance when third-up last preparation.

Alert And Ready (6) resumes here on the back of a nice Toowoomba trial. She’s never shown up fresh so may need the run but gets the services of Martin Harley and the advantage of barrier 1.

On Top Selection: Star Gamble (4)

Race 5 - 4:20PM GREAT NORTHERN Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Speed: There looks to be good speed here with Queenslander, Ain’t She Lovely and Petite Missile all likely to push forward.

Baristasista (3) will appreciate racing in this class after two tough runs in harder. Last start she was caught off the track and tailed off between Arentee at the Gold Coast. The start prior she was fourth to Better Get Set who won at black-type level on Saturday. She has a good record at Ipswich with two wins and a third from three starts. Jimmy Orman taking the ride is a big plus.

Aquarius (8) found the line strongly to win by the barest of margins when first-up here over 1100m. She’ll be fitter second-up and should enjoy a sweet run from the inside gate. Stepping up from a maiden to a BM65 is the query.

Capital Girl (9) brained her rivals when breaking her maiden here last start by 5.5 lengths. She’s another that has to take the jump in class and she’ll also have to overcome an outside gate. However, it was an emphatic win so she has to be given a big chance.

Ain’t She Lovely (4) was run down when finishing second over 1100m at the Gold Coast last start. The stunning chestnut with the blonde mane will go forward and be in this for a long way but may be suspect late.

On Top Selection: Baristasista (3)

Race 6 - 4:55PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)

Speed: Miss Devine Em should have them moving along at a decent tempo.

Gogol (3) resumes here on the back of a trial third behind What The Fuss and Palladas. He raced well last preparation that included a 1.2 length fourth in the Listed Goldmarket at the Gold Coast. He won his only race over this course and distance. He’s drawn well in barrier 3 and should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Snowzone (2) has looked good in two trials ahead of this first-up assignment. He’s raced well fresh in the past but races best on rain-affected tracks. Connections will be hoping that late in the day the track hasn’t dried out that much. Classy jockey Andrew Mallyon has a good association with the horse.

Miss Devine Em (6) has found black-type fields in the George Moore Stakes and Keith Noud too rich for her in her past two starts. She’s another that prefers it the wetter the better but she’ll go forward and give them something to catch.

Sea Raider (1) will be fitter following his first-up fourth over 900m at the Gold Coast. While he’ll be better over further, this is a more suitable distance. He’s run some big races in his time and will need to do that here from the outside gate.

On Top Selection: Gogol (3)

Race 7 - 5:30PM DJ TRACKSIDE 14 JANUARY Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Plate (1525 METRES)

Speed: There should be a good go for the lead in the final event of the day. There’s four or five horses capable of taking up the running which should ensure a good tempo.

Gear Changes: Critical Thinker (2) Tongue Tie OFF FIRST TIME, Star Smash (8) Ear Muffs OFF FIRST TIME, Whistling Spirit (11) Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie OFF FIRST TIME

Ghostwriter (3) is extremely well weighted under set weight conditions. Unfortunately, he has also drawn wide and is nominated for two other meetings. He looked like he needed the run first-up when third behind Bold Lucy in a BM75 so will strip fitter here. He just needs even luck to give to be hard to beat.

Whistling Spirit (11) had a torrid run when caught deep at the Gold Coast over 1350m in a Saturday three-year-old race. Despite that, he never threw the towel in and fought on well for a three-length seventh. He’ll be fitter third-up and draws a lot better here. He’s won third-up previously.

Western Halo (10) didn’t handle the conditions last start so will be hoping it dries out by the last. Prior to that he raced very well, winning his maiden three back and a solid second when run down two starts ago. Should race up on the speed.

Last Royal (5) led last start and it proved a winning change of tactic as he dashed away for a 2.3 length victory. That was only a maiden and a moderately rated one at that but back on his home track he can go forward and offer something.

On Top Selection: Ghostwriter (3)

Best Bets

Race 4 - Star Gamble (4)

Race 5 - Baristasista (3)

Race 6 - Gogol (3)

By Craig Sheppard

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