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Ipswich Preview and Selections 2 February 2023
Date: 01-Feb-2023
Eight races are scheduled to be run and won at the Ipswich Turf Club on Thursday. We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.
At time of writing on Tuesday afternoon, the track was rated a Soft 7 with the rail in the true position. Hot days are forecast which always lends itself to the possibility of an afternoon storm so it will pay to monitor.
Race 1 - 1:28PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)
Speed: With the majority of the field on debut, it is hard to specify what the speed map will look like.
Gear Changes: 1. Brave Cowboy Bill Blinkers FIRST TIME, Gelded, 3. Speedy Macho Blinkers FIRST TIME, Gelded, 4. Assymetry Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, 7. Miss Cantik Blinkers FIRST TIME, 9. Princess Rumors Blinkers FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs FIRST TIME
O’Polly (8) is a Cable Bay filly on debut for Lorraine Erhart. She looked good in her only trial leading into this. She jumped well for Wendy Peel to set up a nice lead before cruising to the line to win by 3.25 lengths. The way she ran that trial suggests she’ll be well suited over this scamper.
Talakai (12) looked good when winning a 650m trial at Deagon. I would have loved to have seen her draw a gate here as it can be tough from out wide. However, if Jimmy Byrne can get her to work through her gears, she can feature.
Miss Cantik (7) was sent back to the trials after disappointing on debut at the Sunshine Coast. She was given a solid hit out to win that trial and looks a good chance here.
Top Fun (13) resumes for his second preparation on the back of a good trial. He showed good early speed in his only race start, Pat O’Shea Plate, but weakened shortly after straightening. That suggests the 800m may suit him.
On Top Selection: O’Polly (8)
Race 2 - 2:03PM TAB Maiden Plate (2100 METRES)
Speed: There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed here. Ngozi and Katyee Reinado look most likely to take up the running.
Gear Changes: 3. Spanish King Blinkers OFF AGAIN
La Vittoria (9) got a long way back last start over 2000m at Dalby but ripped off a powerful finish to just miss the win. That was her first start over this distance so will benefit from that. Wendy Peel sticks and she defeated Sequoia Chieftain that day.
Sequoia Chieftain (2) if nothing else is honest. He’s finished in the placings at his past three starts over this distance. He’ll slog away but just seems to lack that knock out blow. Gets in with just 54.5kg after Alisha Donald’s claim.
Ngozi (10) looks limited but may have room for improvement given she’s only had two starts. Aiding her cause is the fact she’s from the Chris Waller stable and gets barrier 1.
Outa Taormina (7) loomed at the Sunshine Coast last start over 1800m but peaked late. That doesn’t bode well for a rise in distance but she will be fitter fourth-up and this is a weak field.
On Top Selection: La Vittoria (9)
Race 3 - 2:38PM ST PATRICK'S RACES 17 MARCH QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1600 METRES
Speed: A good tempo should be set with Mighty Judd, Love On Display, Boardie and Slinky’s Star all rolling forward.
Gear Changes: 5. Mishani Supreme Winkers FIRST TIME
Better Class (2) improved noticeably last start when stepping up to this distance for the first time. She worked home well to finish second to Rocked. She’ll be fitter third-up and remains at 55kg after Yvette Lewis’ claim.
Excuse Me (6) is a strange one that I’m not sure what to make of. Two starts back Brodie Loy opened up a huge lead before gassing out late. Last start Sean Cormack settled back from the wide gate before finishing off strongly for fifth behind Better Class last start. Has the talent to win but I’m not sure what tactics will be adopted from the wide gate.
Mighty Judd (1) resumes here on the back of a solid trial hit out. Ran well in a stronger race over similar distance when finishing second in his last start. He will be in this for a long way but condition could be a concern late given he’s first-up over 1600m.
Enterprise Lassie (3) made up good ground after missing the start last time out at Grafton over 1400m. The final margin was just over a length. This is her fourth run back this preparation so the 1600m looks suitable.
On Top Selection: Better Class (2)
Race 4 - 3:18PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT Class 4 Handicap (1080 METRES)
Speed: Turboart and Ocean Emperor will push forward from the outside while Ned’s Gully will be prominent from the inside. That should ensure genuine tempo.
Gear Changes: 5. Turboart Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Cross-over Nose Band AGAIN, Nasal Strip OFF FIRST TIME
Ned’s Gully (3) was a dominant winner over 1200m here last start thanks to a perfectly executed Jaden Lloyd ride. He rated his mount beautifully in front before dashing quickly in the straight. This is tougher but he looks better suited to this distance than his rivals. Lloyd sticks and should be handy from the inside gate.
Ocean Emperor (2) has been freshened after finishing down the track over 1300m at Eagle Farm. Prior form including a win here is good enough for this. Will go forward from the outside gate and be in this for a long way. He has also accepted for Doomben on Wednesday.
Stormy Rock (1) will find this easier than recent races he’s contested. He should be reaching peak fitness third-up and gets the services of top jockey Jimmy Orman. If they go hard in front then he’ll be the one attacking late.
Turboart (5) was disappointing last start at the Sunshine Coast when weakening with a furlong to go in the 1000m contest. Prior form was good and should race on the speed. A number of gear changes have been made.
On Top Selection: Ned’s Gully (3)
Race 5 - 3:58PM IEEC OPEN EVENING FROM 4PM Maiden Handicap (1080 METRES)
Speed: Red Hot Love should lead this field at a genuine tempo.
Gear Changes: 1. Dark Harmony Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME, 6. Parues Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Gelded, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, 10. Wan D'amour Ear Muffs FIRST TIME, 14. Red Hot Love Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Parues (6) is on debut for Lindsay Hatch. The Toowoomba galloper won a trial in September before spelling and returning recently to win another trial in good style at Deagon. The fact Hatch took the gelding to Deagon should not be underestimated. This is Andrew Mallyon’s only ride for the day and he does boast a good winning strike-rate when teaming up with Hatch.
Dark Harmony (1) has placed in six of seven starts but is still chasing that elusive first win. He finished second to Mission Of Love last start over 1350m and second to Porky the start before that. Both good horses. He’ll be handy but I don’t think the drop back to 1080m is in his favour. Blinkers go on for the first time.
Campione (4) was good when finishing third on debut over 1200m at Sunshine Coast. He looks a horse that wants further, not less so I’m concerned about the drop in trip. If the speed is on, he could run over them late.
Must (5) returns to racing on the back of a fair trial. The Chris Waller/Jimmy Orman combination must be respected but he’ll probably need the run and be better over further.
On Top Selection: Parues (6)
Race 6 - 4:38PM WWW.IEEC.COM.AU Class 2 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Speed: Critical Thinker looks to be the likely leader at what should only be a moderate speed set.
Gear Changes: 2. Elegant Drover Blinkers AGAIN, 4. Critical Thinker Nose Roll OFF FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN, Visors AGAIN, 5. Gunmetal Girl Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, 11. Royalspector Blinkers AGAIN
Elegant Drover (2) was in need of the run when resuming over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. I’m expecting him to improve second-up as he has done in the past. Two preparations back he won over 1800m second-up after racing over 1400m first-up. Blinkers go on and he should be prominent in the run.
Jetfoil (1) drops back to a favourable distance after finishing third in a stronger race at Ballina over 1900m last start. He’s run well over similar distances here in the past and should settle in a good position.
Heleva Deel (6) has run into one better at her past two starts at Gatton. She’ll appreciate dropping in class and gets in with just 52kg after Chip Collis’ claim. The concern is her record on rain-affected tracks.
Aquarius (7) worked home strongly to finish second at Ballina over 1400m last start. She was a winner here first-up so handles the track but she’s drawn awkwardly here.
On Top Selection: Elegant Drover (2)
Race 7 - 5:10PM BOOK YOUR WEDDING AT IEEC Fillies & Mares RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Speed: There looks to be good speed engaged here with up to a handful of horses vying for the lead.
Gear Changes: 11. Dotned Ear Muffs OFF FIRST TIME, 12. Late Night Devil Blinkers FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF FIRST TIME
Shapin Power (6) was a dominant 4.5 length winner when breaking through for her maiden victory at Gatton over 1400m last start. She’s since had a trial and looked good in it. From barrier 1, Justin Huxtable can find a prominent position without fuss and should be right in the finish.
All Too Quick (1) didn’t play a part when resuming here over 1100m. She appreciated the rise to 1313m last start at Coffs Harbour to place third. She’ll be fitter third-up and should enjoy the step out to 1500m.
Marcada (2) capitalised on some good form by breaking through for a strong win at Warwick over this distance last start. Justin Stanley sticking is a positive.
Milagro (7) ran a good race at Dalby last start when finishing second over 1400m. Has a poor strike-rate and this is tougher but gets the services of Jimmy Orman.
On Top Selection: Shapin Power (6)
Race 8 - 5:40PM BOOK YOUR CORPORATE EVENTS AT IEEC Colts, Geldings & Entires RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Speed: A genuine tempo should be set here with Edge Of Darkness pushing forward from the outside along with Beat It and Thunder Moon.
Gear Changes: 6. Stormtrooper Blinkers AGAIN, 8. Conismo Blinkers AGAIN, 9. Edge Of Darkness Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME, Hanoverian Nose Band FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie OFF AGAIN
Thunder Moon (3) has been racing well since joining the Mark Currie stable. He won two back before going to Kilcoy last start where he was headed over 1200m but fought back strongly to win. While Ipswich isn’t an expansive track, it’s bigger than Kilcoy and I dare say he’ll appreciate having more room to move here.
Art Heist (13) didn’t have a clear passage and went to the line untested when finishing fifth here over 1200m. Extra distance suits but the wide gate is a concern.
Gauntlet (1) faded over 1400m last start which makes the rise to 1500m here a concern. However, this is an easier race than what he’s been facing. He also has drawn well for Jimmy Orman.
Texas Hold’em (2) is a stayer resuming here. Will more than likely need the run but gets renowned front running jockey Tegan Harrison on so we may see a forward showing from barrier 2.
On Top Selection: Thunder Moon (3)
Best Bets
Race 4 – Ned's Gully (3)
Race 7 – Shapin Power (6)
By Craig Sheppard
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