Ipswich Preview and Selections 9 February 2023

Date: 08-Feb-2023

The Ipswich Turf Club will play host to Queensland’s provincial meeting this Thursday. Seven races are scheduled to be run on a Good 4 surface with the rail out 2m the entire course.

Race 1 - 1:55PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Plate (1670 METRES)

Speed: Goddess Glow and In Close Reach should go forward at a solid tempo.

Gear Changes: 1. Arik Lad Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, 7. Goddess Glow Blinkers AGAIN, 8. Osaka Miss Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME

Galifiankis (2) didn’t have the clearest of runs mid-race when resuming at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m. Despite that, he got to the outside in the straight and worked home well to finish just under a length away in sixth. Baltray that was just in front of him, won on Sunday. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the form he showed in Sydney should stand him in good stead here.

Goddess Glow (7) has come back this preparation in good form. She ran on strongly to finish second first-up at Ballina over 1310m before meeting one better at Murwillumbah over 1550m. She should be able to settle on speed and give a kick in the straight.

Osaka Miss (8) is resuming and also having her first start for Marcus Wilson after previously racing in Victoria. Her form down south should hold up here. She’s had two trials leading into this so should have a good level of fitness.

In Close Reach (3) fought gallantly but was ultimately overpowered late when finishing a close third on the Gold Coast Poly last start. He is improving as this preparation goes on but his record of two placings from 14 starts doesn’t read well.

On Top Selection: Galifiankis (2)

Race 2 - 2:30PM JOIN THE IPSWICH QUARTER BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Speed: As would be expected in an 800m race, they’ll go quickly. Gossip Torque and Bag Of Whitt look most likely to lead.

Gossip Torque (3) led and proved too strong when winning at Dalby over 800m last start. Adding merit to the run was that she raced on the inside where the track was like quicksand. She won impressively on debut over this course and distance. Barrier 1 and Cody Collis’ claim are big advantages in this scamper.

Single Memo (4) will appreciate the drop in class after chasing home stablemate Buying Time at Doomben last start. The start prior when resuming, she found the front but was run down late by Deepour over 1000m. This is her first time over this sprint but looks like it will suit.

Bag Of Whitt (6) worked home well despite a wide run when finishing just under a length behind Gossip Torque last start at Dalby when resuming. He’ll strip fitter and give plenty of cheek.

On Top Selection: Gossip Torque (3)

Race 3 - 3:05PM BOQ WINSTON GLADES Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Speed: A capacity field over 800m suggests they will go like last week’s pay.

Gear Changes: 1. Mofilo Cross-over Nose Band FIRST TIME, Gelded, 2. Canyoufeelit Cross-over Nose Band OFF FIRST TIME, 3. Fame Inspirer Gelded, 5. Schueller Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, 9. Silk Sash Blinkers FIRST TIME, 10. Talantino Bandages (Front) OFF FIRST TIME, 12. Tikitiboo Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME, 13. Idoneus Blinkers FIRST TIME, 14. Maganda Miss Blinkers FIRST TIME, 16. Northern Player Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, Nose Roll FIRST TIME, Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, Visors OFF FIRST TIME

Idoneus (13) has been racing well this preparation. She hasn’t been too far away in all three starts. Two starts back she showed good gate speed to lead over 1000m at Eagle Farm before being run down late. That suggests the 800m here will suit and she will be aided by the blinkers going on for the first time.

Adelaide Fever (7) resumes here on the back of a nice trial win. She looked to be cruising to the line with plenty more to offer. On paper her form looks disappointing with just a close second at Murwillumbah three starts back standing out. However, she’s had a number of excuses. She can turn things around here.

Thelma The Unicorn (11) resumes here after being beaten just over five-lengths by The Warrioress on debut over 900m at the Gold Coast. She looked good winning a recent trial. If she doesn’t have to work from the tricky gate then she can feature.

Fame Inspirer (3) is on debut for Kacy Fogden. The three-year-old son of Invader won a 650m trial despite looking green at Deagon leading into this. Tegan Harrison will take advantage of drawing the inside gate.

On Top Selection: Idoneus (13)

Race 4 - 3:40PM TAB Class 1 Handicap (1670 METRES)

Speed: Spill The Secret and Dedors Lad should take up the running. Speed may be injected from the outside gates.

Gear Changes: 3. Winston Smurfhill Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, 7. Pretty Flash Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME

Spill The Secret (2) has been racing well for Mick Lakey this time in. Two starts back he won well at Eagle Farm over 1400m to break his maiden. He then went to Gatton last start and ran on well but couldn’t catch the leader when finishing second by a narrow margin. The rise to 1670m suits and he should race on speed for Justin Stanley.

Ready Availabull (1) put in his best performance since joining Jack Bruce’s stable. He did a lot of things wrong but he worked home fairly to finish third over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast. He’s since been back to the trials to keep him ticking over.

Winston Smurfhill (3) over-raced when stepping up to 1800m last start and understandably weakened. He gets a tongue tie which should help. His two previous runs over 1400m where he finished second suggested he was close to a win this preparation.

Vancity (8) has been average at her past two starts. However, her first two this preparation including a second here over 1525m were quite good. If can replicate that then maybe she can get in the placings.

On Top Selection: Spill The Secret (2)

Race 5 - 4:15PM EVENTS WWW.IEEC.COM.AU BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (2160 METRES)

Speed: Looks Like and Star Smash should lead this at a moderate tempo.

Gear Changes: 9. Mighty Willie Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME

Kipling’s Journey (3) settled closer in a stronger race at Doomben over 2060m and ran on well to finish third to Mr Dudwey. The outside gate isn’t ideal but this is the easiest race he has found himself in for some time and I think Ryan Wiggins may push forward early given the lack of speed.

Star Smash (7) ran down the tearaway leader at Beaudesert to win nicely over 2450m. Marcus Wilson and Sam Collett have enjoyed some success together recently and they again team up here. Star Smash can go forward and give plenty of cheek in a moderately run race.

Bernie’s Tiger (1) is on the quick back-up after running well for fourth behind Head Of State at Eagle Farm on Saturday. That was a BM78 and he now finds himself in a BM65. He’s getting on now but is capable of winning a race like this.

Mighty Willie (9) was flushed out early on the turn and I think that resulted in him not showing a great deal in the run home here over 1710m last start. That was his first start in Queensland so he may improve here given that he’s had an extra three weeks to settle in. Blinkers coming off for the first time may help.

On Top Selection: Kipling’s Journey (3)

Race 6 - 4:50PM SIRROMET Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Speed: My Snow Queen will look to cross from a wide gate while Rangi Toa and No Going Back will look to go forward from the inside. Looks a genuine tempo.

Gear Changes: 10. Roman Heir Lugging Bit FIRST TIME

Rangi Toa (1) resumes here for Alicia Willick after previously racing with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He didn’t come up last preparation in one run and was spelled. The preparation prior he raced well including a strong win over 1400m first-up. Sam Collett takes the ride and rode this guy to second in a Listed race in New Zealand. He should go forward and give them something to catch.

My Snow Queen (3) was very good last start when running down the leader to win well at Doomben over 1200m. She’s in good form and if Ryan Maloney can cross and not get caught wide, she can fight out the finish.

Head Legislator (4) didn’t have a great deal of room in the run home when resuming at Doomben. He’ll improve second-up given he was a year between runs. He’s undefeated in two starts over this distance.

Patton (8) was trotting in the straight but couldn’t get clear air when resuming for third at the Sunshine Coast. That was just his first run for Jack Bruce and he’ll strip fitter second-up. He is also accepted for Eagle Farm Wednesday.

On Top Selection: Rangi Toa (1)

Race 7 - 5:30PM ST PATRICK'S RACES 18 MARCH Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Speed: There looks to be good speed in the last with Xtra Gear, Kwinern and Greek Star likely to push forward.

Gear Changes: 1. Torun Blinkers AGAIN, 5. Millward Tongue Tie FIRST TIME, 10. Sabalenka Blinkers OFF FIRST TIME, 12. Better Explain Tongue Tie FIRST TIME

Jungle Beat (9) is having his first start for David Vandyke after previously racing in Rockhampton. He looked good cruising around for second in a recent trial. Ryan Maloney rode him that day and has a terrific record when combining with Vandyke. Should be handy in the run.

Sabalenka (10) resumes here on the back of a good trial. She ran well for second over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last preparation when first-up. She went on to run well in stronger races than this. Prefers the sting out of the ground but if she can settle midfield or better, she’ll fight out the finish.

Torun (1) found very little after enjoying a nice run when resuming at Doomben. He’ll strip fitter second-up and the addition of blinkers is a positive. Just under a year ago he won over this course and distance in this class. Drawn well.

Xtra Gear (3) jumped straight to the front and dashed clear to win easily at Beaudesert over this distance last start. This is harder but she draws the inside gate and will give a good sight in the straight.

On Top Selection: Jungle Beat (9)

Best Bets

Race 1 – Galifianakis (2)

Race 5 – Kipling's Journey (3)

By Craig Sheppard

Back to list