Ipswich Preview and Selections 6 January 2024

Date: 05-Jan-2024

Racing returns to the Ipswich Turf Club for the first time in 2024 this Saturday.

Seven races are scheduled to be run and won and we’ve provided our thoughts on each of them below to help you start the new year right!

Race 1 - 1:39PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE Class 4 Handicap (800 METRES)

Princess Lunar (1) will appreciate the drop in class after chasing home some handy types recently. First-up the Scott Morrisey-trained mare finished third by 1.1 lengths over this course and distance to speedy types Mr Galazi and Matilly. Last start she led and weakened over 1100m here when 2.5 lengths behind Hardware Lane. Yvette Lewis’ 2kg claim comes in handy and she’s drawn to get a great run.

This Is One (5) resumes here and warmed up for this first-up assignment with a slick Toowoomba trial where he led all the way. He races well fresh.

Polylithic (2) fought bravely when finishing second by a head over this course and distance last start. This is tougher but he drops 5kg from last start. He’s at peak fitness now.

On Top Selection: Princess Lunar (1)

Race 2 - 2:14PM SATURDAY RACING 13TH JANUARY QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (800 METRES)

Lady Invader (5) was heavily backed on debut over this course and distance after word got around about the electric jump out she won in Toowoomba. Despite doing a bit wrong, she didn’t let her supporters down, charging home to win easily by 1.8 lengths. She’ll have taken benefit from her first outing and again carries a lightweight thanks to Savannah McCann’s 3kg claim.

Cooroi Heights (4) was also impressive when winning on debut over this course and distance. She ploughed through the heavy conditions to draw clear and win by half a length. There was a massive gap to third. She’ll strip fitter second-up and any rain about will help her cause.

Tricketeer (2) resumes here, and his only win came when resuming last preparation over this course and distance. He has ability but the outside gate makes his job tougher.

Spiked (11) ran well when debuting at Toowoomba over 1000m with a neck third. Tired a touch late so the drop in trip may suit.

On Top Selection: Lady Invader (5)

Race 3 - 2:49PM TAB Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

Guru Class (10) was brave when resuming over 1200m at Doomben last start. The Jack Bruce-trained mare never got on the track but still worked home strongly to finish fourth by 3.59 lengths. The third horse in that race was unlucky not to win at Toowoomba on Monday. She’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in trip will suit.

Tsukino (13) hasn’t been far away in her two runs back this preparation. Last start she found the line strongly to finish second by 1.5 lengths to Ozarch over 1300m at Toowoomba. That horse has since won again. She’ll strip fitter third-up.

Secretly Better (3) led and weakened to finish a distant third over 1200m here last start. I’d suggest he wasn’t comfortable in the heavy conditions, so he won’t want it too wet here. With increased fitness and a sweet run, he can give this a shake.

La Bella Diva (12) tried hard when finishing third at Toowoomba last start. She’s improved with each start this preparation and looks ready for a peak performance.

On Top Selection: Guru Class (10)

Race 4 - 3:29PM RECOVERY RACES 27TH JANUARY BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (2150 METRES)

Visual Element (9) is rock hard fit and looks close to a win. The Lindsay Hatch-trained mare has finished in the placings at her past three starts. She stepped up to 2000m at Toowoomba last start for the first time and gave a great account of herself, running on strongly for second. From the inside gate, Les Tilley can give her an economical run.

Time To Testify (5) will appreciate the drop in class after failing to measure up in significantly harder Saturday races. He won three starts back at the Sunshine Coast with ease so a repeat of that will see him in the finish.

Strongbow (7) is third-up from an extremely long break so should be nearing peak fitness. He worked home well last start so the rise in distance should suit.

Harbelle (4) was well beaten by Visual Element last start but has to be considered a chance here given she is undefeated in two starts over the course and distance.

On Top Selection: Visual Element (9)

Race 5 - 4:09PM ROSS SAVERIN MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Toba (6) should be ready to deliver a peak performance fourth-up. The Rex Lipp-trained gelding loomed as the winner last start over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast but was overpowered late to finish 1.2 lengths fourth. From the nice draw, he should enjoy a great run for Les Tilley and get his chance.

Above The Sky (10) worked home well for eighth in the above-mentioned race at the Sunshine Coast but simply got too far back. He probably wants further now but he’s fit and drawn well.

Motell (3) has not won for over a year but gets his chance for another ‘W’ dropping back in class. The blinkers go on again and he’s drawn to do no work.

Son Of Satono (4) won his maiden over a similar distance two starts back before a disappointing effort at Eagle Farm last start. The drop back to this distance could help.

On Top Selection: Toba (6)

Race 6 - 4:50PM SIRROMET BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Fortuneer (8) impressed on debut at Doomben over 1110m. Despite racing three wide the trip, she let down powerfully to win by 1.5 lengths. She’ll have taken great benefit from that run and looks tough to beat with a light weight on her back.

Bad Education (3) improved second-up at the Sunshine Coast last start when finding the line strongly to win by 2.3 lengths over 1200m. He’ll strip fitter and he has won before third-up.

He’s For The Girls (7) is most likely to go to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday but if he races here then he can be giving this a big shake. He was in need of the run first-up so will strip fitter and is a city winner.

Star Of Robiglen (6) was a strong winner over 1200m on the Gold Coast Poly track last start. While most of his form is on the synthetic, he has raced okay on turf in the past.

On Top Selection: Fortuneer (8)

Race 7 - 5:25PM GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Amity Gal (8) returned in great order last start at Eagle Farm over 1000m. The David Vandyke-trained mare enjoyed a nice run and worked home well for second behind the in form Liquor. She’ll strip fitter second-up and has won at her second run back before. She maps to get a great run and any moisture in the track won’t faze her.

Kooled impressed in his first start for Lauren Abbott when winning over this course and distance. He loves this distance having won four of five starts. He was six weeks between runs so will strip fitter.

Skilord (14) resumed from a 67-week break last start when finishing 2.71 lengths seventh in the race mentioned above that Amity Gal finished second in. She’ll have taken a lot of benefit from the run and is undefeated in two races over this course and distance.

Wanda Rox (7) has drawn horribly but is a winner having been victorious in six of eight career starts. Following two starts over the 870m scamper at Toowoomba she’ll appreciate the rise to this distance which she is undefeated in three starts over.

On Top Selection: Amity Gal (8)

Best Bets

Race 5 – Toba (6)

Race 6 – Fortuneer (8)

Race 7 – Amity Gal (8)

By Craig Sheppard

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