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Ipswich Preview And Selections 19 April 2023
Date: 18-Apr-2023
It's a massive day of racing this Wednesday as we host a 10-race metropolitan card.
Fine weather will ensure a good racing surface with the rail out 4m the entire course.
Race 1 - TAB IPSWICH CUP TICKETS ON SALE QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)
Hinata (7) debuts here for Tony Gollan. The Not A Single Doubt filly has prepared for first start with two trials. She finished second in November before returning last week for another trial which she won. She impressed by jumping to the front and cruising to the line to win by two lengths. She has the early speed to cross from the wide gate.
Golden Image (2) is another on debut. The O’Dea Hoysted gelding left the gates quickly to lead but was pushed out to win. It was a good trial and you’d expect him to be well educated.
Cifrado (1) resume here without a public trial. The Toowoomba galloper ran well last preparation that included a second placing in the Listed Phelan Ready. The outside gate is less than ideal.
The Lucky Alien (5) ran well when finishing second here first-up over 800m. He looks the likely leader from the inside gate and should give plenty of cheek.
On Top Selection: Hinata (7)
Race 2 - WELCOME BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)
Avone (6) is a first starter for Tony and Maddy Sears. The daughter of Spirit Of Boom sat at the girth of the leader in a recent 650m Toowoomba trial before sprinting clear to win by 4.3 lengths. With her early speed, I expect her to go forward and settle in a prominent position for Ben Thompson.
Final Mission (7) was giving a solid hit out when winning a recent trial at the Sunshine Coast. It was her second trial this preparation and should have her ready to fire first-up.
Master Plan (4) should be reaching peak fitness third-up. He improved last start and the blinkers going on for the first time should see another improved effort.
Encoder (3) put in a solid piece of work in a recent Beaudesert trial where he finished third. From an astute stable and is drawn well.
On Top Selection: Avone (6)
Race 3 - STROUD HOMES IPSWICH QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Mishani Mystique (8) was very good last start when finishing third over 1400m at Eagle Farm. She was caught three-wide on speed and was entitled to weaken but she fought on well to go down by 2.29 lengths to Bobby Shiraz. She can mix her form but gets her chance here from a good gate.
Central Park (1) is on debut but also having his first run for Stuart Kendrick after previously being stabled at Annabel Neasham’s Sydney operation. He led and won a recent Sunshine Coast trial so should be ready to fire first-up. Inside gate is a plus.
She Mine (9) resumes here for new trainer Les Kelly. She worked to the line well to win a trial on the Gold Coast Poly recently. Maps to get a great run.
Conquistadores (2) should be nearing peak fitness third-up. He was never a hope at Doomben last start but fought on fairly for third over 1350m. The outside gate could cause issues.
On Top Selection: Mishani Mystique (8)
Race 4 - BNB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Maiden Plate (1666 METRES)
Different Road (3) took on Benchmark 58 company last start over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start. The Chris Waller-trained galloper found the line strongly to just miss the win. He was clearly ahead of the rest. He drops back to maiden company and gets a tongue tie. Jimmy Orman should give him a great run.
Big Ticket Boy (1) found the line well despite being wide when finishing 1.1 lengths fourth over 1350m here. The way he found the line suggests he’ll eat up the 1666m on offer. He’ll be rock hard fit.
Darkened Destiny (2) has been racing in consistent form with placings in four of six starts this preparation. Last start he fought gamely for a two-lengths second over 1350m here. I’m not sold that he’ll run a strong 1666m out, but he’ll get every chance by dictating the speed.
Herioc Impact (10) was doing her best work late when finishing a half-length second over 1300m at Rockhampton first-up. She’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in distance.
On Top Selection: Different Road (3)
Race 5 - PENNYWISE BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
A Call From Heaven (2) didn’t have the best of luck when resuming over 1200m here last start. She loomed up in the straight but got caught on the fence behind the leader when full of running. She lost all momentum trying to find clear air and went on to finish fifth by 2.7 lengths. She always improves second-up and is undefeated in two starts over the course and distance including when having her second run back last preparation. Claim helps.
Rovers Pepper (5) has been airborne since joining the Clinton Taylor stable. The former Annabel Neasham-trained gelding has won all three starts at Rocky and by big margins. He’s earned his right at this level.
Boho Beauty (3) will appreciate the drop in class after competing well in town. Maps well and Jaden Lloyd’s claim is handy.
Kinetic (8) disappointed when first-up here over 1350m. From top stable and will strip fitter but the wide gate isn’t helpful.
On Top Selection: A Call From Heaven (2)
Race 6 - THE SHED COMPANY QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Kozani (4) looks ready to win following two good runs for Jack Bruce. Last start he was forced to work early from a wide gate to find the front. Despite that he was only picked off on the winning post by Better Yet. Third was two lengths away and they ran comparable time to a BM58 on the same day. Maps well for Ben Thompson.
Guru Class (11) finished 1.2 lengths fourth to Snow Boum over 1200m here last start in what should prove a good form race. The rise in trip suits second-up. Will need some luck from the trick gate.
Nagamie (5) looks close to a win but unfortunately has drawn the outside gate. Last start he worked home well for second over this course and distance. Should be peaking third-up.
Paienbara (6) will strip fitter for his first-up effort at the Sunshine Coast. He’ll appreciate the rise in distance and if the speed is on, he’ll be charging late. Justin Huxtable hopping back in the saddle is a positive given his great relationship with the horse.
On Top Selection: Kozani (4)
Race 7 - VINCE INSURANCE Class 1 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Kronenbourg (2) lost his rider first-up before bombing the start and running on for second to Standing Order last start over 1350m here. He’s due for a change of luck and should be peaking third-up. I like the addition of pre-race ear muffs to calm him down. Maps well.
Must (6) was just nearly a length behind Kronenbourg last start in third. The start prior he won here despite being very green. He’s still doing plenty wrong but if he can put it together, he goes close.
Persual (9) was heavily supported first-up and duly saluted over 1350m here. She again looks to enjoy a great run from the inside gate.
Time To Testify (7) was given a great ride by Mark Du Plessis when breaking through over 1350m here last start. He tired a touch late but will strip fitter third-up.
On Top Selection: Kronenbourg (2)
Race 8 - ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (800 METRES)
Charlie Sphene (3) resumes here following a 34-week spell. He races well fresh and did win by 4.3 lengths over this distance at Warwick first-up last prep. From an inside gate, he’ll race on the speed and should be fighting out the finish.
Thawra (7) was given no hope last start when involved in a speed battle at Toowoomba over 1000m. The drop back to 800m is more her go as proven by her two wins over similar on her home track last preparation. Strips fitter but has an awkward gate to deal with.
The Billionaire (2) is horribly drawn but has won over this course and distance before. The striking gelding will appreciate the drop in class from Saturday company.
Tropics (4) has won his past two starts at Cairns and Bowen. This is harder but he did run well over this course and distance when narrowly missing the win four starts back. Inside gate is a plus.
On Top Selection: Charlie Sphene (3)
Race 9 - BOQ WINSTON GLADES QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Birdonawing (8) made a successful return to racing with a head win over this course and distance last start. She was tiring late but will strip fitter second-up. She has a terrific record at Ipswich and from the inside gate should get the run of the race for Sam Collett.
Cripps Tonite (5) fought bravely after leading over 1350m at Doomben last start when finishing second. He was jumping from 1110m so that adds merit to the run. Ben Thompson should settle in a forward position.
Boom Shot (4) was slow away before working home fairly for third in the above mentioned race that Cripps Tonite was second in. This will be just his third start so he has plenty of scope for improvement. Jimmy Orman sticks.
Cocobrew Express (1) resumes here and did win over this course and distance when first-up last preparation.
On Top Selection: Birdonawing (8)
Race 10 - PRECINCT URBAN PLANNING Class 4 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Moreton Bay (10) worked early to find a forward spot when resuming over this course and distance last start. She weakened late to finish 1.5 lengths fifth. She’ll strip fitter second-up and has generally taken a run to get going each preparation. She’ll drive forward and with just 51kg on her back, she could prove hard to catch.
Snazz ‘N’ Charm (2) will appreciate coming back to the midweeks after finishing sixth to Kipsbay in a Saturday race at Eagle Farm. She races well here and did win over this course and distance last preparation. If the speed is on, she’ll be charging late.
Caribbean King (4) finished just ahead of Moreton Bay last start over this course and distance. Should be reaching peak fitness third-up and gets Jimmy Orman in the saddle. Wide gate no help.
Dollop (5) controlled the race and did enough to win by a head over this course and distance last start. Has a good record third-up but the wide gate hurts.
On Top Selection: Moreton Bay (10)
Best Bets
Race 4 – Different Road (3)
Race 5 – A Call From Heaven (2)
Race 6 – Kozani (4)
By Craig Sheppard
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