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Ipswich Preview And Selections 22 December 2022
Date: 21-Dec-2022
Join us this Thursday for a festive eight-race programme. Our last race meeting before Christmas looks set to be run under near perfect conditions with fine weather forecast. The track is in the Good range with the rail out 8 metres the entire course.
We’ve studied the form to try and fill your stockings ahead of the big day.
Race 1 - 1:10PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Year-Old Class 1 Handicap (800 METRES)
Speed: It’s tough to work out the speed of this race given every horse is on debut.
Gear Changes: He's For The Girls (1) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Exclusive Drop (4) Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, Winkers FIRST TIME, Pot Pot Boom (6) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Szabo (7) Lugging Bit FIRST TIME
With every two-year-old in this race on debut and three of them not seen publicly, this is a tricky way to start the day. The safe option would be to sit out and watch but it’s Christmas and where’s the fun in that?
He’s For The Girls (1) showed good early speed in a trial at Deagon when finishing fourth to Bossed Up. He has since had a jumpout. From all reports his work since cannot be faulted, however, he still has a lot of maturing to do. He’s drawn nicely in barrier 3 for this 800m scamper and gets the services of gun jockey Ben Thompson.
Steel Grit (2) worked home well after a wide run, albeit under riding, to finish a close second in his only trial. Jimmy Orman rides which is a big plus.
Exclusive Drop (4) was well beaten in a Toowoomba trial in preparation for this. She has the outside gate but gets a few gear changes. Always respect the Sears stable.
Pot Pot Boom (6) hasn’t been seen publicly so market our best guide. However, gets blinkers on which is a signal of intent.
On Top Selection: He’s For The Girls (1)
Race 2 - 1:45PM TAB Maiden Plate (2200 METRES)
Speed: Abbey Bridge should lead off the inside gate at a genuine tempo.
Gear Changes: Master Of Menace (4) Bandages (Hind) FIRST TIME, Game Star (8) Nose Roll FIRST TIME
I Prefer Minties (9) is a dour stayer that looks like she’d go all day. Last start over 2170m here, Ben Thompson fired her up about 800m from home to try to catch Eureka’s Victory who had opened up a big lead. That long run took its toll but Minties still fought on well to hold onto second. Thompson retains the ride and with increased fitness, she looks the one to beat.
Master Of Menace (4) finished off strongly in the above-mentioned race for third. He was just under half a length behind I Prefer Minties but did have the easier run. It’s concerning that he has just the two placings from 16 starts and will have bandages on his hind legs but his last start closing effort must be respected.
Abbey Bridge (7) improved last start when leading over 2020m at Murwillumbah before being run down and finishing third by 2.29 lengths. Similar tactics here could see her steal a win.
Embossing (3) has been well beaten in two starts back this preparation. Last preparation he ran a great race when stepping up to this distance for the first time when only beaten a length at the Sunshine Coast.
On Top Selection: I Prefer Minties (9)
Race 3 - 2:20PM PIPER JOE'S 70TH Class 2 Handicap (1700 METRES)
Speed: Scenic Rim will look to cross from an outside gate. Patmos Island and Strut may look to hold him out from inside gates.
Gear Changes: Tavi L'amour (6) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME
Bedford Square (1) found the line quite well for a 2.6 length fourth here over 1500m when resuming last start. She’ll benefit from the run and be better rising in distance. She races particularly well second-up having won once and placed in two others from three second-up races. Jimmy Orman retains the ride.
Tavi L’amour (6) is a newcomer to the Jack Bruce stable. She’s run well in two stronger races than this prep and has the benefit of a recent trial. Blinkers go on for the first time.
Jetfoil (2) was used early from the wide gate but had her chance when a length third over 1700m at the Gold Coast. He should be reaching peak fitness and did win back-to-back races over this trip at the end of last preparation.
Patmos Island (3) ran on well for second to finish ahead of Jetfoil last start at the Gold Coast. He was six weeks between runs so should strip fitter here. He’ll race up on the speed.
On Top Selection: Bedford Square (1)
Race 4 - 2:55PM THE SHED COMPANY IPSWICH Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Speed: There looks to be good speed engaged here with Montana Lady All Too Quick, Zouvalu, Casrock and Beach Lap all capable of going forward.
Gear Changes: All Too Quick (2) Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Sugarpiehoneybunch (3) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Controlocracy (5) Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, Montana Lady (7) Tongue Tie FIRST TIME
Casrock (6) will have benefited from her first-up run over this course and distance. She raced on the speed but just couldn’t go with the very good Atlantic Way late and finished second. She enjoys racing at Ipswich and can settle in a prominent position for top hoop Jimmy Orman.
Controlocracy (5) has led at both her past two starts over 1200m before being swamped late. The drop back to 1100m should suit given the speed in the race may force Brodie Loy to take a sit.
Zouvalu (4) was able to control the race and run away with a win first-up over this course and distance. That was just her first win so this is harder, but she will have gained confidence from the outing. Ben Thompson sticks.
All Too Quick (2) resumes here and should have a good fitness base given she has had three trials leading into this. The outside gate is less than ideal but she has the early speed to overcome that.
On Top Selection: Casrock (6)
Race 5 - 3:35PM STROUD HOMES IPSWICH Class 2 Plate (1200 METRES)
Speed: Billy’s Bro has the speed to lead from an inside gate at a genuine tempo. La Petite Missile may look to go forward early from out wide.
Gear Changes: Kobestar (4) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Nose Roll FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie OFF AGAIN, La Petite Missile (7) Bar Plates (Front) FIRST TIME, Northuldra (8) Ear Muffs OFF FIRST TIME
Regal Edition (6) found the line strongly for a length second over 1200m at Toowoomba when resuming. That was a Class 4 and he now drops back to a Class 2. He’ll be fitter second-up. With a good speed set, Jake Molloy who claims 2kg can get to the outside in the straight and rocket home.
Billy’s Bro (2) worked early to find the front at the Sunshine Coast last start but despite that proved too strong in the run home. He’s drawn perfectly here and should be able to lead. If he can control the race, he’ll be tough to run down.
Pentito (5) resumes here and looks well weighted under set weight conditions. He had great form last preparation in stronger races than this but unfortunately, he draws an outside gate. If he gets some luck then he’ll be in the finish.
Russian Warrior (11) is a quality filly that hasn’t had a great deal of luck in recent races. Will be fitter second-up and she won her only other race over this course and distance.
On Top Selection: Regal Edition (6)
Race 6 - 4:10PM DJ TRACKSIDE 14 JAN FREE ENTRY Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Speed: Red Hot Love looks the likely leader at a solid tempo.
Gear Changes: War Hope (3) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Nose Roll OFF FIRST TIME, Got The Vibe (4) Gelded, I'm A Ruler (5) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Gelded, Johnny Utah (6) Gelded, Queen Luwell (8) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Gyro Raise (13) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Telmesomethin'girl (15) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Due Diligence (16) Blinkers FIRST TIME
Al Ash Lad (1) resumes here on the back of a soft trial at Warwick Farm. He was last seen racing on speed at Gosford before going on to finish a close third. He’ll find racing here a lot easier than down south and looks well placed. Brodie Loy should settle in a prominent position from the nice gate.
Red Hot Love (9) faded late for third after racing outside the lead over 1100m here last start. She’ll be fitter second-up and is only lightly raced so should have scope for improvement. If Tegan Harrison can dictate terms in front, she may be hard to run down.
Baltray (2) gave them a start when resuming here but worked home well to finish just under a length fourth. The extra distance suits and he’ll be fitter second-up. He may give too much start.
Queen Luwell (8) resumes here and can be a bit hit and miss. She should have a good level of fitness following three trials and she has drawn well.
On Top Selection: Al Ash Lad (1)
Race 7 - 4:50PM MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ITC BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1535 METRES)
Speed: Magic In Me, Bushido and Mychyna should ensure a solid speed is set.
Gear Changes: Bushido (3) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, He Is (5) Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Visors FIRST TIME, Likeabeel (9) Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME
Hail To The Chief (2) fought gamely to win narrowly over 1625m at Toowoomba two starts back. Last start he led but proved no match for the tough Torbreck when finishing second over this course and distance. There’s no shame in that given how good Torbreck is. The third horse that day, Valley Of Dreams, won here last week. Isabella Rabjones who claims 2kg should be able to settle in a handy position from the good gate.
The Love Rocket (8) just couldn’t go with them when resuming over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. She tailed off a long way so I’m prepared to forgive the mare with the blonde mane for that. She has a great second-up record having won two of three so if she is at her best, expect improvement.
River Rocket (11) finished less than a length behind the winner when resuming here over 1350m. Steps up to this distance for the first time but does enjoy racing at Ipswich and gets Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
Mychyna (10) hasn’t been too far away in her past two starts at Ballina when finishing third. This is harder but she draws to get a nice run.
On Top Selection: Hail To The Chief (2)
Race 8 - 5:30PM IPSWICH EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Colts, Geldings & Entires BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Speed: Trinity Missile will go forward. Atlantic Way has drawn an outside gate and if races here, will drive forward to counter that.
Gear Changes: Michigan (1) Bubble Cheeker (Near Side) OFF FIRST TIME, Winkers FIRST TIME, Anarchy (3) Tongue Tie OFF FIRST TIME
Atlantic Way (2) may scratch in favour of racing at Toowoomba on Saturday night but if he happens to be here then he’ll be hard to beat despite the outside gate. Since joining the Currie yard, he’s won three times. He proved superior in this grade over this course and distance last start. He has the early speed to cross and find a forward position.
Vodka Martini (7) was very good winning on debut over 800m at Gatton. I suspect he wasn’t comfortable on the track which adds merit to the run. He rises sharply to 1100m but should settle on the speed.
Michigan (1) is a newcomer to the Currie stable. He’s raced well fresh in the past, but he may find 1100m a touch sharp first-up. I am wary that the in form stable can produce this guy to get a result here.
Trinity Missile (6) hasn’t been far away in three starts since coming north for Kim Waugh. He will be in front for a long way and could find himself in the placings.
On Top Selection: Atlantic Way (2)
Best Bets
Race 2 – I Prefer Minties (9)
Race 4 – Casrock (6)
By Craig Sheppard
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