Ipswich Preview and Selections 27 May 2023

Date: 26-May-2023

Saturday racing will take place at the Ipswich Turf Club this weekend for the Channel 7 Family Race Day where nine races are scheduled to be run and won. It will be the last time we race before our Ipswich Cup meeting on 17 June.

Once again, we look blessed with perfect weather which should see racing on a Good 4 surface. The rail is out 11.5m the entire course.

We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 11:22AM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)

Bohemian Lad (2) was a dominant winner on debut at the Sunshine Coast. He strode to the front in the straight and never got out of second gear as he went on by to win by three lengths. He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise to 1200m. It’s great to see jockey Martin Harley back in the saddle for the first time after a sickening fall in January.

Boomster (1) finished second over 1350m here two starts back before dropping back to 1200m and proving too strong on the rain-affected going. He’s rock hard fit.

Infancy (6) was an easy two-length winner when debuting on the Gold Coast Poly. It’s hard to gauge that form on grass but she’ll have taken improvement from that run.

Smart Recognition (3) returns to Queensland after weakening late to finish seventh at Scone. That was his first run this preparation so he’ll strip fitter here.

On Top Selection: Bohemian Lad (2)

Race 2 - 11:59AM TAB IPSWICH CUP TIX ON SALE QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Local horse Fast Fusion (2) is on debut for Phil Bobic. He showed good speed to lead a 1000m trial at Doomben before tiring a touch in the final furlong. The 800m first-up looks suitable and he’s drawn perfectly for a race where inside gates are a plus.

Bean Groovy (1) returns for his second preparation. He showed glimpses of ability when last in work including a head second at Ballina over 1000m when he found the line strongly. He hasn’t been seen publicly at the trials, but you can assume Matt Dunn will have him ready to fire fresh.

This Is The One (6) found one better when finishing second by 4.5 lengths first-up over 860m at Toowoomba. Raced consistently well last preparation and will have come on following her last race but the wide gate isn’t ideal.

I Am Amazes (8) is a well-bred youngster on debut Mr Allan Chau. She’s been beaten by good sized margins in her trials.

On Top Selection: Fast Fusion (2)

Race 3 - 12:34PM BS KNEES RATINGS BAND 0 - 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Speed Map (3) chased home the quick Charlie Sphene when finishing second over 1100m at Beaudesert. That followed a third to Immortal over the same course and distance. He maps to get a nice run just behind the speed. Blinkers going on for the first time will sharpen him up.

Orsetto (1) has been up for a long time and has been weakening out of his recent races. However, he returns to his home track where he grows an extra leg over the 800m trip. He boasts a record of 5 wins and two seconds from 13 starts over the course and distance. He has performed well in stronger races than this, but the outside gate looks problematic.

Dutchy’s Angel (8) led over 1100m at Gatton last start but got a stitch in the final 100m. She ran well over a similar trip at Kilcoy three starts back so should appreciate the drop in distance. Barrier 1 is a big plus.

I Am Fearless (5) was in need of the run when resuming for third over 860m at Gatton. He’ll strip fitter second-up and maps well.

On Top Selection: Speed Map (3)

Race 4 - 1:09PM BABY MCANENEY IN BLOOM QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1710 METRES)

Binding (2) was an all the way winner, albeit by a head, in a Saturday 3YO race over 1600m at Eagle Farm three starts back. She then tried hard but was outclassed in the Listed Princess Stakes and the Listed Bracelet. She’s much better suited back to this class and should enjoy a sweet run from barrier 2. The blinkers go on for the first time.

Original Glaze (1) has been in great form with wins in three of her past four starts. Two of those wins came over this course and distance and her only blemish during those four races was in the Princess Stakes when forced to work. She can bounce back here.

Flash Prince (4) was outclassed when finishing last in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate last start. The start prior he sprinted strongly to win by 2.5 lengths over this course and distance to break his maiden.

Uncommon Valour (5) must be close to another win after finishing second by the narrowest of margins in his past three starts.

On Top Selection: Binding (2)

Race 5 - 1:44PM INFIELD FESTIVAL 17 JUNE Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Billy’s Bro (1) raced three-wide on speed and was forced to work overtime but still fought bravely to finish a length second to Roll Up over this course and distance last start. That was a BM70 and he now finds himself in a Class 2. He has a good level of fitness and should be able to lead or settle handy.

Invincible Tears (2) resumes here following a long break. A recent trial will have her ready first-up but she is yet to win in four fresh races. She raced in considerably stronger races last preparation so class will take her a long way.

Jungle Blaze (7) worked to the line well for third over 1100m at Beaudesert last start. The extra trip will suit and he has won third-up before.

Horowitz (6) should be ready to peak and does boast a very good third-up record. He wasn’t beaten by far when third at Beaudesert last start.

On Top Selection: Billy’s Bro (1)

Race 6 - 2:19PM RIVER 94.9FM Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Micro (1) clocked the fastest closing 200m split when running on strong for fourth over this course and distance first-up. He then put on a galloping display on his home track at Toowoomba to win in slick time by 4.5 lengths. He has strong form in better quality races when with Godolphin. He’ll strip fitter third-up and gets the benefit of the inside gate.

Big Short (2) was very good when weaving a passage in the straight to win first-up at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m. The rise in trip suits second-up and he raced well last preparation. The barrier is a touch sticky.

Rose Of Shiraz (4) resumes here and is undefeated in two first-up races. She’s drawn well and has competed well in stronger races in the past. She has been off for a long time.

Deep Fire (7) is only lightly raced but is building a good record. She’s won two of her past three including last start here over 1100m. This is tougher.

On Top Selection: Micro (1)

Race 7 - 2:54PM SEVEN Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)

Pipatina (10) looks the safest way to go in a race where there is a lot of uncertainty with unseen first starters. She led over 1100m at Gatton on debut and fought well to only be run down late when finishing second. She'll strip fitter second-up and draws to get the run of the race.

Mangos (5) got back and ran on strongly despite poor manners when resuming here over 1200m. Will have taken improvement from that run.

Reviews (7) is Mangos stablemate and has been trialing well. Draws a wide gate which isn’t ideal.

Muirlea Magic (6) is on debut for local trainer Brian Costello. Unseen publicly at the trials so will be looking for market support. Drawn well.

On Top Selection: Pipatina (10)

Race 8 - 3:34PM TAB Class 1 Plate (2210 METRES)

Chernak (2) settled back over 1800m at Eagle Farm last start and found the line strongly to finish fifth. Sacred Mission was second that day and has since bolted in here. Chernak will appreciate the rise in distance and will strip fitter third-up. The 3kg claim is a plus.

Port Mourant (5) got too far back over this course and distance last start but ran on well for fourth. This is the easiest race he’s entered in quite some time so gets his chance.

Kalea (8) did well to finish second in a three-year-old race over this course and distance last start. Has been performing well in stronger races so will appreciate dropping back to her right grade.

No More Red (4) ran well over this course and distance to finish a close second two starts back. Either side of that run he was very good on the Gold Coast Poly including a 4.8 length win to break his maiden.

On Top Selection: Chernak (2)

Race 9 - 4:14PM SCHWEPPES WINTER PROVINCIAL STAYERS - HEAT - BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (2210 METRES)

I Am The Empire (2) led over 2220m at Grafton last start before dashing strongly to gap them by 3.83 lengths. He’s yet to finish outside the quinella in three starts over this distance. He still has plenty of upside and can give this a real shake.

Scarlet Tufty (1) will stay all day but does lack a sprint so will look to turn it into a staying test. Worked home well in a BM78 Saturday race at the Sunny Coast over 2400m last start. He was five weeks between runs so will strip fitter. Claim helps.

Flensburg (3) got an overdue win last start when sprinting strongly to win by 2.3 lengths over this course and distance. He appreciates dry ground which is what he’ll get here. He can go on with it now.

Jimmy The Tulip (6) won over this course and distance two starts back. This is a harder race but he loves racing at Ipswich over 2210m.

On Top Selection: I Am The Empire (2)

Best Bets

Race 1 – Bohemian Lad (2)

Race 5 – Billy's Bro (1)

By Craig Sheppard

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