Ipswich Preview And Selections 7 December 2022

Date: 06-Dec-2022

Midweek racing heads to the Ipswich Turf Club this Wednesday for a seven-race card. We’re on the quick-up after hosting a meeting on Friday.

With extremely hot weather forecast, we’ll be racing on a Good surface with the rail out 4m the entire course. That could favour on-pace runners.

Race 1 - 2:13PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Class 4 Handicap (1520 METRES)

Speed: Torbreck from the inside gate should be able to lead the small field. Le Heros may try to offer him company.

Valley Of Dreams (4) turned her form around when winning over 1350m here last start. After a quick getaway she settled third before producing a strong finish to win by half a length. She steps up to this distance for the first time but looks capable of handling it well. Mark Du Plessis can sit on the back of the leaders before producing his mount in the straight.

Torbreck (5) can be forgiven for his last start sixth at Roma. He was asked to go too quickly in front by the apprentice at his first start on sand and over a mile as well as having to carry 60.5kg. It was little wonder he was well beaten. His prior form was very good and a return to that can see him winning. He drops to 56 kg and gets a senior jockey. Gary Geran can lead and give them something to catch.

Le Heros (1) was revved up early to find the front from the outside gate at Doomben last start. He boxed on reasonably well considering to finish 1.8 lengths from the winner. Two starts back he won at Beaudesert in the this class. He’ll carry less weight than that day thanks to Melea Castle’s claim. Will race on speed.

Hail To The Chief (2) led and fought well to hang on for a narrow victory over this distance at Toowoomba last start. He appreciates a dry track and Bella Rabjones is building a good relationship with him. Should be handy.

On Top Selection: Valley Of Dreams (4)

Race 2 - 2:48PM TAB Class 2 Plate (1680 METRES)

Speed: Military Gambler should be able to lead this field fairly comfortably.

Gear Changes: Military Gambler (4) Blinkers OFF AGAIN

Military Gambler (4) looks well weighted under set weight conditions. The Chris Munce-trained grey has finished second in six of his 13 career starts. Many of those have been very close and he was unlucky not to win. Last start over 1650m at Doomben, he was caught wide but still showed plenty of fight to go down by the narrowest margin. He drops in weight and gets the services of Irish jockey Martin Harley. He’ll give them something to catch.

Dubai Dee (7) led over 1650m at Doomben last start to break her maiden status. She’s jumping from a maiden to a Class 2 carrying the same weight as last start which isn’t favourable. However, this isn’t the strongest field. Should be handy for Steph Thornton.

Bay Street (2) has been racing in great form this preparation. He broke his maiden here first-up before finishing close seconds in his past two starts. Last start he produced a big run from last after racing wide.

Tea Leaves (5) was disappointing in his first start for Toowoomba trainer Michelle Labahn/ He was having his first race in a year so should strip fitter second-up. The form he showed down south would see him competitive here if he could reclaim it.

On Top Selection: Military Gambler (4)

Race 3 - 3:23PM SIRROMET RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1680 METRES)

Speed: Nirvan Ninja looks the likely leader here. He could face opposition from horses drawn inside him for the lead.

Mojo Baby (4) drops back slightly in trip after boxing on well for third over 1850m at Toowoomba last start. Her two runs prior to that can be forgiven as she was caught wide after drawing outside gates. Four starts back she broke her maiden in impressive style over this distance. She should enjoy an economical run from the inside gate.

Nirvana Ninja (2) was held up for some time in the straight last start at Toowoomba over 1625m but when he finally got clear, he finished off strongly to win. That was his first win at start 15 and prior to that he had only placed twice so there is some concern there. However, now that he has that first win out of the way, the penny may have dropped. Can lead and prove hard to run down.

Scilago (3) was strong through the line when finishing fourth by 1.7 lengths first-up over 1200m at Kilcoy. The rise in distance will suit second-up. While his last win was almost a year ago, it did come at this track. Look for him working home.

Storm Harbour (1) has been fair in two runs back this preparation. The eight-year-old’s best days are well behind him and he hasn’t won for nearly two years. However, he does enjoy racing at Ipswich and can place but a win would be a shock.

On Top Selection: Mojo Baby (4)

Race 4 - 3:58PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

Speed: Bullet Force can push forward from the inside gate to lead at a decent clip.

Gear Changes: Baltray (1) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie OFF FIRST TIME, Skippy (2) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Bullet Force (3) Hanoverian Nose Band FIRST TIME

Bullet Force (3) resumes here and is also having his first start for Marcus Wilson. He warmed up for this with a nice trial win at Beaudesert. Gun jockey Jimmy Orman rode him in that trial and sticks here providing us with a good indicator of the horse’s chances. He had stints in Sydney with the Snowden’s and Mark Newnham but he may have found his level here. He can lead from barrier 1 and hopefully give a big kick in the straight.

Perfect Legacy (9) was very good pushing the hot pot Aquarius over this course and distance last start. It was a big run given that the mare was never on the track but never shirked the task. She is again confronted with the possibility of racing wide after drawing the outside gate. If Maddy Wishart can find a spot she can fight out the finish.

Baltray (1) resumes here on the back of a trial win. He worked home well going across the line with Miss Tambo who has since won. Raced over further last preparation so may find this a bit sharp but should be running home well.

Skippy (2) resumes here following a first preparation that saw him run two solid races. He was hard ridden to win a trial three weeks ago but should have a good level of fitness for this. Blinkers going on for the first time should sharpen him up.

On Top Selection: Bullet Force (3)

Race 5 - 4:33PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

Speed: Motivated Miss looks the likely leader with Dragon Claws pushing forward from the outside gate.

Gear Changes: Data Patch (1) Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME, Winkers OFF AGAIN, Think I'm Ready (3) Gelded, Hi Jules (5) Blinkers FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Idoneus (8) Tongue Tie FIRST TIME

Nano Star (2) looks close to a win after two good performances. Last start over this distance at the Gold Coast, she encountered some trouble but really let down in the straight but was picked off in the shadows of the post. She was two-lengths ahead of Capital Girl who was an impressive winner here on Friday.

Data Patch (1) has been a frustrating horse but may see a change of fortune with the move to Adam Campton’s stable. He resumes here after a short let-up and looked good working home strongly under his own steam to win a recent Beaudesert trial. Jimmy Orman takes the ride.

Idoneus (8) did very little when resuming at Doomben. A tongue tie goes on which suggests she got her tongue over the bit first-up. She has since gone to the trials and worked home strongly to win at Deagon. Drawn a touch sticky.

Hi Jules (5) led at a good speed in a recent trial before weakening late. She’s on debut here for the astute Brian Wakefield stable and with blinkers going on, there is a signal of intent. Expecting the filly to be prominent in the run.

On Top Selection: Nano Star (2)

Race 6 - 5:10PM KINGSLEY LAWSON LAWYERS Maiden Plate (2170 METRES)

Speed: The inside three or four horses should set the tempo here which should only be moderate.

Gear Changes: Gold Samurai (4) Blinkers AGAIN, Chayse 'N' Noah (7) Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, Nose Roll OFF FIRST TIME

Eureka’s Victory (3) put in his best performance when stepping up to this distance last start. He raced in third before sitting outside the lead and duking it out with La Brea. While he was overpowered late to finish second, he easily accounted for the rest which included Willnotquit who won on Sunday, defeating Il Toro D’oro.

Il Toro D’oro (5) is backing up quickly after chasing home Willnotquit over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. The consistent galloper has placed in five of ten starts and gets his chance to break through here.

I Prefer Minties (9) gives the impression that the further the better for her. She looked very dour when finishing several lengths behind Il Toro D’oro over 1600m last start. Gets the services of top jockey Ben Thompson.

Destination Sydney (2) was beaten by four-lengths when finishing second over 1850m at Toowoomba last start. This isn’t the strongest staying race but he’d still need to lift to feature.

On Top Selection: Eureka’s Victory (3)

Race 7 - 5:50PM IPSWICH EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1100 METRES

Speed: There looks to be good speed in the last race of the day. Martini Dancer, Well Branded and others are capable of going forward.

Gear Changes: Secret Cash (9) Barrier Blanket AGAIN, Alexandra Road (14) Blinkers AGAIN, Ear Muffs OFF FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME, Thunder Moon (15) Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Winkers FIRST TIME, I'm A Foxygirl (16) Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie AGAIN, Zeeluck (17) Lugging Bit OFF FIRST TIME

Atlantic Way (1) has taken to life in Toowoomba well. Now trained by Mark Currie, the gelding has won both starts. The most recent saw him lead over 1100m at Toowoomba before dashing away to win easily by four-lengths. Jake Molloy, who claims 2kg, can settle handy and make it three wins in a row.

Martini Dancer (6) was given a super ride by Georgie Cartwright to win on debut over 1100m at Beaudesert. She drew well that day but that’s not the case here so will need a top ride from Cartwright. If she does then she’ll give this a big shake.

Casrock (10) resumes here for Kelly Schweida. Has trialled so should have a good level of fitness. She’s only lightly raced but did win over this course and distance when having her first start last preparation. Drawn well.

Secret Cash (9) tossed Mark Du Plessis shortly after jumping last start at the Sunshine Coast. Prior to that she won at Warwick and ran a good race for second behind Drammatica at Eagle Farm. Gets a barrier blanket to prevent a repeat of last start. Desleigh Forster will be hoping that there’s a number of scratchings so her mare isn’t starting so wide out.

On Top Selection: Atlantic Way (1)

Best Bets

Race 2 - Military Gamber (4)

Race 7 - Atlantic Way (1)

By Craig Sheppard

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