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Ipswich Preview and Selections 19 July 2023
Date: 18-Jul-2023
Following last Thursday’s meeting, we’re on the quick back-up this Wednesday with a nine-race metropolitan card.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5 with the rail in the true position. While showers have been about on Tuesday, a fine race day is forecast.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.
Race 1 - 11:58AM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1350 METRES)
Black Minto (4) has found one better in five of her eight career starts and that was again the case last time out over this course and distance. The Les Kelly-trained filly went forward and gave a massive sight but was nosed out on the winning post by Transatlantic. That horse accounted for itself well when finishing a close second in metropolitan company two Saturdays ago. She draws the outside gate but it’s only a small field and I’d expect Bailey Wheeler with just 52kg go forward.
Masterplan (2) finished a half-length second at the Sunshine Coast two starts back before giving a sight and fading for third behind Power Of The Brave and Transatlantic over 1350m in a Saturday race. He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a great run.
Fleeting Chance (1) did enough to win on debut over 1200m here. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in trip suits. Will go forward and be in this for a long way.
Malarina (5) finished a close third on debut to He’s For The Girls and that horse has since run a bold race for second in Saturday company. Last start Malarina finished a nose second at Beaudesert. She should be close to peak fitness now.
On Top Selection: Black Minto (4)
Race 2 - 12:33PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)
Master Maurice (1) is on debut for Mark Currie following two trials. The three-year-old son of Maurice finished second in a trial in April before heading to the paddock. He recently returned and looked a different animal in his trial where he jumped to the front and scorched around the Toowoomba track to win by over 7.3 lengths in slick time. He’s drawn a touch awkwardly in barrier 8 but he has the early speed to cross and either lead or find a prominent position. Jake Molloy’s 3kg claim helps.
Kai Tak (5) opened her preparation with back-to-back seconds at Doomben. Last start she found her fair share of trouble but found the line well for a 1.67 length fourth over 1200m at Eagle Farm. In a positive move, Jimmy Orman takes the ride.
White Ribbon (11) resumes here off the back of a solid trial. Drawn well and must be respected from the Gollan stable.
Jackson On Time (3) was disappointing when resuming at Doomben. He’ll strip fitter second-up but has a reluctance to win as shown by his record of seven placings from 13 starts.
On Top Selection: Master Maurice (1)
Race 3 - 1:08PM TAB Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)
Peony Surprise (3) should be ready to peak third-up after two good runs this preparation. After finishing a close third first-up at Doomben, the Chris Meagher-trained filly looked the winner over this course and distance last start but was worried out of it late to finish a nose second. Michael Cahill replaces the apprentice and winkers are substituted for blinkers. She should settle in a forward position given the lack of speed on paper.
El Maestro (2) resumes for the in form John Symons and Sheila Laxon stable. He placed in all three starts over similar distances last preparation. Martin Harley is a key booking.
Bliss (5) resumes here and will probably need the run given she got out to 1840m last preparation. Having said that, she did run on strongly to just miss the win when resuming at Beaudesert over a similar distance when last in work. She’s had two trials in readiness for this first-up assignment.
Chayse ‘N’ King (6) will take improvement from her first-up fifth over this course and distance.
On Top Selection: Peony Surprise (3)
Race 4 - 1:43PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Guru Class (9) has finished in the placings at her past four starts and looks awfully close to an overdue win. The Jack Bruce-trained filly found the line well over 1600m at Eagle Farm to finish a half-length third. She was given a positive ride that day and similar tactics will hopefully be adopted here from barrier 3. She drops back to 1350m but that shouldn’t pose a problem given she has placed four times over the distance from five starts.
Ammand (1) should be ready to peak third-up. He finished second to Spaceship on debut who has since won again. He the ran on well for fourth behind Ocean Zar at Eagle Farm over 1400m. Drawn nicely for Martin Harley.
Unlikely Hero (6) ran on strongly last start to finish a nose second at huge odds over this course and distance. He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a nice run.
Holy Trojan (3) showed improvement last start when finishing second to the heavily backed Master Gee over 1200m here. He should be at peak fitness now fourth-up.
On Top Selection: Guru Class (9)
Race 5 - 2:18PM ITC MEMBERSHIP NOW OPEN BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (800 METRES)
Idoneus (12) kept her unbeaten record over this course and distance intact last start with a strong showing of speed. The Kelly Schweida-trained three-year-old jumped to the front and sprinted hard and fast to win by 0.8 of a length. She’ll strip fitter third-up and with Angela Jones’ 1.5kg claim she’ll carry just 52.5kg which should make her hard to catch.
Thawra (9) can mix her form but is very speedy when right. She won over this course and distance four starts back in this grade.
Sheezasinga (3) is a short course specialist having won three of five over this distance. Two of those wins have come in her past two starts. She resumes here off an easy trial win.
Ditmas (1) is third-up following a long break so should be getting close to his best. He’ll appreciate the drop in class following two tough runs against Open company horses. Martin Harley takes the ride.
On Top Selection: Idoneus (12)
Race 6 - 2:53PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 4 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Nikau Spur (1) returns to South-East Queensland after an unsuccessful run in the Rockhampton Cup. Two starts back the Kylie and Corey Geran-trained six-year-old worked home strongly to finish third by 3.57 lengths to Indian Dream over 1600m at Rockhampton against Open class opposition. The Proisir gelding will appreciate returning to a Class 4 Handicap. The booking of Mark Du Plessis is a big positive.
Pick Za Beans (6) will get back and savage the line. She rarely runs a bad race and has won two of her past five starts including five runs back over this course and distance. She looks the logical danger to the top weight.
Dis Go Boom (2) led over this course and distance last start before being run down with 100m to go to finish third. He has a good record over this course and distance and should be at peak fitness fourth-up.
Green Reign (4) has a good record here but would need to lift on current form. Gets his chance against this field.
On Top Selection: Nikau Spur (1)
Race 7 - 3:28PM BOOK EVENTS @ IEEC.COM.AU Class 1 Handicap (1666 METRES)
Vintage Choice (1) will find this considerably easier than what he has been running in lately in Sydney. The former import who is now with the Annabel Neasham stable has been racing in Benchmark 72 and 78 Handicaps in Saturday metropolitan races and now finds himself in a Class 1 Handicap. Last start he ran on well but was no match for the likes of Resonator, Gracilistyla and Oakfield Waratah at Rosehill. The start prior he led and fought on bravely for fourth behind Attractable. Ryan Maloney takes the ride which is a good guide to his chances. If he gets clear air, he’ll be hard to beat.
Sir Randolph (3) dashed strongly to the line to break his maiden status last start with a 2.62 length win over 1600m at Ballina. That was just his third start so he has plenty of upside. He has the early speed to cross from the wide gate.
Cairdeas (7) struggles to win because of her get back style but rarely runs a bad race. She should be at peak fitness fourth-up.
Everlast (3) was a professional placegetter until he finally broke through at start number 12 two starts back. Maps to get a great run for Justin Huxtable.
On Top Selection: Vintage Choice (1)
Race 8 - 4:03PM SIRROMET Class 2 Plate (1100 METRES)
Shalaa’s Moment (12) was sent to Dalby first-up for an easy win and that’s how it panned out with the three-year-old filly winning by two lengths over 800m. The O’Dea Hoysted-trained daughter of Shalaa settled back before weaving a passage in the straight to finish fourth at Eagle Farm over 1000m. She’ll strip fitter third-up and the rise to 1100m will suit.
Preach (4) made a respiratory noise and was eased out of it when resuming at the Sunshine Coast last start. He has been given a month to get over that and can bounce back here. He won his only previous run over this course and distance.
Jimmy Neutron (3) has finished third in both starts this preparation. He was particularly good when running on despite a wide run at Eagle Farm behind Zoumeteor last start. He’ll strip fitter third-up but the wide gate isn’t ideal.
All Stashed Up (7) has been a touch disappointing in two runs this preparation. She can bounce back at a track she has a great record at.
On Top Selection: Shalaa’s Moment (12)
Race 9 - 4:38PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT RATINGS BAND 0 - 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Zoocupola (12) didn’t have the best of luck when resuming at Eagle Farm over 1000m. The four-year-old gelding from the O’Dea Hoysted stable raced wide but still fought on well to finish second by 2.25 lengths to Zoumeteor. The rise to 1200m looks suitable second-up with increased fitness. Boris Thornton can give him a great run from the inside barrier. He was scratched from the previous race for this.
Tiritiri (7) resumes here and did run well when first-up last preparation to finish 1.05 lengths second at Hawkesbury over 1000m. He’ll be better over further but can fire fresh with Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
Enabler (2) will find this easier than what he has been racing in lately. Jake Molloy’s 3kg claim comes in handy but he’ll need some luck from the awkward gate.
Voulait (5) benefited from a positive ride when finishing a close third at Toowoomba last start. The veteran galloper looks the likely leader and will be in this for a long way.
On Top Selection: Zoocupola (12)
Best Bets
Race 4 – Guru Class (9)
Race 5 – Idoneus (12)
Race 7 – Vintage Choice (1)
By Craig Sheppard
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