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Ipswich Preview and Selections 16 February 2023
Date: 15-Feb-2023
For the third Thursday in a row, the Ipswich Turf Club will host a provincial meeting with nine races scheduled to be run and won.
Thankfully we avoided the storm that hit other parts of South-East Queensland on Tuesday so we should be racing on a Good track come Thursday. The rail is out 4m the entire course.
Race 1 - 12:53PM IPSWICH EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
Speed: Stilettos looks most likely to lead from Flying Maple and Delarenta however with such limited race experience, the speed map is blurred.
Gear Changes: 1. Adelad Blinkers FIRST TIME, 2. Delarenta Blinkers FIRST TIME, 5. Storm Force Ten Blinkers FIRST TIME, 8. Gold 'N' Glamorous Blinkers FIRST TIME
Delarenta (2) raced three-wide the trip when on debut at Doomben over 1110m. Despite that he still fought on well to finish third by 1.67 lengths. He’ll have taken benefit from the experience and blinkers go on for the first time. The inside gate is a big advantage.
Adelad (1) finished second in the Pat O’Shea Plate at his only first preparation start. He returned to racing recently and boxed on well for fourth to Trifling in a Saturday two-year-old race at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m. That’s good form for this race.
Storm Force Ten (5) is the unknown factor in the race given he is on debut and has not been seen publicly. Stu Kendrick has got top jockey Jimmy Orman to ride so you must be wary. An inside gate is a big plus.
Speedy Macho (3) worked home strongly to finish third over 800m here on debut. The rise 1200m will suit based on that.
On Top Selection: Delarenta (2)
Race 2 - 1:28PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Speed: Whistling Spirit should make full use of the inside gate and drive forward to lead. Yes To Excess will look to keep it company.
Diana’s Affair (3) has been freshened and drops back from 1600m after working home well behind The Vowels in a Saturday metro race at the Sunshine Coast. The start prior he was unlucky over this course and distance when going for an inside run that closed. He did pick up strongly once clear to finish third to The Vowels again. He looks to be working towards a win. Jimmy Orman can settle just behind the speed before running home strongly.
Yes To Excess (2) worked early to find the front at the Sunshine Coast last start which took its toll late when finishing third to Midnight Rambler. She should be peaking fourth-up and will enjoy a nice run on speed. The tighter Ipswich track will be to her liking.
The Missionary (6) caught the eye first-up when finishing powerfully to just miss the win at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m. She then regressed last start but that could have been because of not liking the Gold Coast Poly. On her best form she can give this a shake.
Tokyo Blossom (7) must be respected from the Sears stable. Resumes here without a public trial but did run well last preparation and is likely to have come on in the break.
On Top Selection: Diana’s Affair (3)
Race 3 - 2:03PM TAB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1680 METRES)
Speed: There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed here with Motivated Miss and Wonforwazza going forward.
Gear Changes: 2. Got The Vibe Blinkers FIRST TIME, 3. Lord Gold Nose Roll AGAIN, Winkers AGAIN, 10. Mishani Choice Tongue Control Bit FIRST TIME, 11. Mishani Supreme Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Mishani Supreme (11) dramatically turned her form around when finishing a close second over 1600m here last start. It was her second start for a new stable and she found the line strongly only to be picked off late. She was three-lengths clear of third. Just needs to run as well again to be in the finish.
Lady Chartwell (9) accepted for Doomben Wednesday and at time of writing was still in that field so expecting her to go there. However, if she races here she can give this a shake despite the outside gate. She fought out the finish last start on the Gold Coast Poly, going down by a narrow margin in third. She’s placed in five of nine starts so is consistent. Something that cannot be said about most in this race.
Motivated Miss (12) is getting closer to a win. Last start she didn’t appear comfortable on the tight Beaudesert track but got to the line well, albeit well beaten, for third. She’ll race on speed for Ben Thompson.
Got The Vibe (2) gets blinkers for the first time which should switch him on. He finished just behind Motivated Miss at Beaudesert last start. The rise in distance third-up should suit.
On Top Selection: Mishani Supreme (11)
Race 4 - 2:38PM ST PATRICK'S RACES 17 MARCH Class 4 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Speed: Magnitudo should lead at a good clip.
Magnitudo (4) raced very keenly last start at Doomben over 1200m. He led by three lengths and was there to be beaten but fought on bravely to only just get run down late by My Snow Queen. He looks to enjoy a soft lead here and if that’s the case he’ll be tough to run down.
Quiet Riot (5) resumes here on the back of a soft trial. He’s had the benefit of a full preparation with Jack Bruce after previously racing in Sydney. He flies fresh having won three of four first-up races.
Ocean’s Emperor (3) was caught wide last start over 1080m here but still ran on well to finish second to Ned’s Gully. That horse is flying and nearly won in town on Saturday. Ocean’s Emperor races well at Ipswich.
Snazz ‘N’ Charm (1) resumes here on the back of a solid trial. He enjoys racing at Ipswich having won two of five stats. He will get back and look to run on.
On Top Selection: Magnitudo (4)
Race 5 - 3:13PM EVENTS @ IEEC.COM.AU Class 2 Handicap (800 METRES)
Speed: There’s sure to be good speed in this 800m scamper.
Gear Changes: 7. The Waiting Man Blinkers AGAIN, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF AGAIN, Norton Bit FIRST TIME, Standard Bit OFF FIRST TIME, 9. Arriverderci Roma Tongue Tie FIRST TIME
Tropics (2) resumes here and has never really fired first-up which is a concern. However, last start Jimmy Orman went on and he ran a great race from the outside gate to win over this course and distance. Orman sticks which is a big positive.
Because The Night (4) broke through at start number seven last time out at Toowoomba over 870m. He He can go on with it now and should be peaking at his fourth run back after a long break.
Tecoma Street (1) led last start over 1000m before coming to a halt with 300m to go like a sniper appeared from the Sunshine Coast tower and took him out. The start prior he ran well to win over this distance at Kilcoy. This is more his go.
Mr Mojo Risin’ (5) did just enough to win on debut at Coffs Harbour. He’ll be fitter second-up and gets the run of the race from barrier 2.
On Top Selection: Tropics (2)
Race 6 - 3:48PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 1 Plate (1200 METRES)
Speed: There looks to be good speed here with Plaintiff’s Friend, Super Sprocket and Bullet Force all going forward.
Gear Changes: 2. Bullion Boy Blinkers FIRST TIME, Norton Bit FIRST TIME, 10. Radiant Queen Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Super Sprocket (11) went forward and kept going to win easily by two lengths at Murwillumbah last start. That followed a number of good seconds at Nowra and Bathurst. This is harder but she’s drawn well and will go forward giving plenty of cheek.
Abu Simbel (6) is having her first start for David Vandyke after previously racing in Victoria with Peter Moody. She ran some good races down south that would place her well. Gets the services of Jimmy Orman. If the money comes, pay attention.
Bullet Force (1) was caught wide last start when finishing fourth at Beaudesert. The start prior he was run down at Lismore. He’s drawn to get a great run from the inside gate.
Bullion Boy (2) was heavily backed when a dominant winner here on debut. That was over a year ago. He has since had one more run in September so he’s had his share of issues. Blinkers go on and he obviously has ability so can give this a shake.
Race 7 - 4:23PM SIRROMET Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Speed: Red Hot Love and The Bronx Bull should take up the running at a genuine tempo.
Gear Changes: 8. Wise Legend Blinkers FIRST TIME, Gelded, 15. Vadamoon Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME
Hearsay (14) has been racing well this preparation and looks close to breaking through for a win. Last start she worked early to find a forward position before working strongly to the line over 1350m at Doomben for a close second. She’ll be peaking fourth-up and draws to get a nice run just behind the speed.
Vadamoon (15) is on debut for Stu Kendrick. She looked good winning a recent trial. Expecting a bold performance from the inside gate.
Campione (5) has been fair over 1200m and 1080m in his past two starts. He looks like a horse that wants further and he gets that here. Jimmy Orman goes on for his old mate Kelly Schweida.
Loose Unit (7) should be ready to fire third-up after two solid runs back this preparation. Drawn well for Justin Huxtable.
On Top Selection: Hearsay (14)
Race 8 - 5:00PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT OPEN Handicap (1350 METRES)
Speed: At Witz End should cross and lead at what looks a moderate tempo.
Gear Changes: 2. Matowatakpe Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Nose Roll FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie OFF AGAIN, 3. At Witz End Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME
Acrobatic (6) finds the right race after two good runs back this preparation. First-up, the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding briefly hit the front but was swamped late by Fifteen Rounds when second here over 1110m. He then chased strongly but was no match for the talented King Kapa at Eagle Farm when finishing second again, this time over 1200m. He won here last preparation and is drawn to get a great run.
Magic Charlee (8) worked home well for fifth on Saturday at Doomben behind The Big Goodbye. He’s on the quick back-up and has run well under those circumstances in the past. He has a super third-up record and should be handy.
Matowatakpe (2) will be better for his first-up run in the Sunshine Coast Cup. He ran some great races last preparation in stronger races than this so could win this without surprising. The outside gate is not ideal.
Red Bloom (9) drops in distance after several good runs in town over 1600m. He has an amazing record at the track winning five of six starts with four of those coming over this distance.
On Top Selection: Acrobatic (6)
Race 9 - 5:37PM SCHWEPPES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Speed: They should get along at a good speed here with a handful of horses all capable of going forward.
Gear Changes: 10. Road To Emmaus Tongue Control Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN, 13. Late Night Devil Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Marcada (5) is racing in great form. He led here over 1500m last start and gave a big sight, only getting run down late. The start prior he was given a great Justin Stanley steer from barrier 10 to win at Warwick. He again draws out so will need another positive ride from Judd but looks right in this.
Stormtrooper (1) led over 1500m here last start and pulled out plenty to go on and win. He rises 3kg in weight but stays in the same class race. He draws wide and there is the possibility that he may get posted wide given the speed in the race.
Grey Noise (2) was fair when fourth at Warwick last start. He just didn’t have the go in him late which is understandable given it was his third run back following a 65 week break. Will be fitter again here.
Enterprise Maximus (8) ran on well to win right on the line at Beaudesert two stats back. That preceded a solid third at Kilcoy. He should be reaching peak fitness third-up. Drawn well.
On Top Selection: Marcada (5)
Best Bets
Race 2 – Diana's Affair (3)
Race 7 – Hearsay (14)
Race 8 – Acrobatic (6)
By Craig Sheppard
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