News
Ipswich Preview and Selections – Friday 15 December 2023
Date: 15-Dec-2023
Christmas is fast approaching so why not start the celebration early at Friday’s Ipswich Turf Club meeting!
Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on a good track with the rail out 3.5m the entire course.
We’ve cast our eye over the form to help fill your stocking.
Race 1 - 1:15PM CEC & JAN MILES BUILDERS Maiden Handicap (2170 METRES)
Tricky way to start the day with a stayers maiden where all runners have shown an aversion to winning. Nassau County (1) looks closest to a win and I’ll side with him. The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained five-year-old ran well three starts back when finishing second by a length over 2210m here. He then ran well for fourth over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast and endured a torrid run here last start when battling on for third. The tendon boots coming off the front legs is a positive.
La Vittoria (7) has promised a lot but has yet to deliver. Three starts back she went within a nose of winning over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast. Apprentice Tahlia Fenlon rode that day and she is back in the saddle.
Fit And Proper (2) loomed two starts ago over 2000m at Toowoomba but was outgunned late to finish a close third. He beat La Vittoria that night. If he dictates the speed in front, he may prove hard to run down.
Keyless Go (3) has been solid in races around the Northern Rivers area and that form can hold up here.
On Top Selection: Nassau County (1)
Race 2 - 1:50PM SCHULZ'S WHOLESALE MEATS QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)
Jet Stream (8) is on debut for the O’Dea Hoysted stable. The daughter of Spirit Of Boom is starting her second preparation and while still doing a lot wrong in her trials and jump outs, she looks an improved horse. A crossover noseband goes on for the first time and that should improve her manners. She has the speed to give this a shake with just 54kg on her back following Emily Lang’s claim. There is an element of bias with this selection given the writer is one of the owners.
Balletto (7) was belted in her first two trials but improved out of sight in her most recent piece of work. Blinkers go on for the first time and the 2kg claim is beneficial.
Win And Tonic (5) resumed with a 2.4 length fourth on the Gold Coast Poly track last start. That was over 1100m and given he weakened late, the drop back to this scamper trip may not be a bad thing. He’ll strip fitter second-up.
Araceli (6) resumes here for new traines Toby and Trent Edmonds. She’s had two trials to prepare for this first-up assignment and draws to get a sweet run for Sam Collett.
On Top Selection: Jet Stream (8)
Race 3 - 2:26PM K&R PLUMBING SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)
Hot Or Not (3) is racing in a purple patch of form with wins in her past three starts. Following two strong victories over 860m at Gatton, the Pat Webster-trained speedster settled handy before cruising by her rivals to win over this course and distance by a length last start. She rises in weight but drops in class.
Devil’s Rite (4) resumed in strong fashion at Toowoomba last start. The Lindsay Hatch-trained gelding hit the line hard to miss the win by a nose over 870m. She meets the winner of that race 1.5kg better at the weight and should strip fitter second-up.
Destiny’s Republic (6) will take improvement from his first race in Queensland when resuming over this course and distance. He gave a good sight in front but was run down late by Hot Or Not. He has won second-up previously.
Maiori (7) defeated Devil’s Rite when winning two starts back at Toowoomba. She showed good speed last start but weakened late over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast so the drop in trip will suit. Draws the coveted inside gate.
On Top Selection: Hot Or Not (3)
Race 4 - 3:06PM HARMONY BATHROOM PRODUCTS Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)
Whiskey And Beer (2) put in eye-catching performance when resuming over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast last start. The Symons and Laxon-trained got back and savaged the line to finish a head second. The rise to 1350m looks ideal with increased fitness second-up. A solid speed will help his cause.
American Phireball (8) resumes here and is also having his first start for Les Kelly after previously racing in Victoria. He looked good storming to the line to finish second in a recent trial.
Suspicious Time (1) is having his first start this preparation and will take benefit from the run given he raced over much further when last in work. You always have to respect the Gollan stable and if the speed is on, this guy will be finding the line.
Firebolt (10) resumes here and should have a good level of fitness following two trials. She won the most recent of these. She showed glimpses of ability last preparation so just needs to overcome the tricky barrier.
On Top Selection: Whiskey And Beer (2)
Race 5 - 3:46PM PLUMBTEC PRO TOOLS BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1680 METRES)
Binding (9) looks close to a win following two encouraging performances. Two starts back she fought hard over 1600m at Eagle Farm but was overpowered late to finish second by a head. Last start she led over 1660m at Doomben but faded late to finish fourth by 1.2 lengths to Fleur Du Monde. She should be at peak fitness fourth-up and should find a forward position.
Burnt By Bernie (13) will appreciate the drop in class after finishing 5.2 lengths behind the winner over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast last start. He should be at peak fitness now and draws to get a great run.
Raging Pole (6) gave too much of a start when running on well for a 2.4 length fourth over a similar distance here last start. He was five weeks between runs so will strip fitter.
Silver Warrior (4) easily won over 1540m on the Gold Coast Poly. He needs to convert his Poly form to the grass with all four of his wins coming on the synthetic surface.
On Top Selection: Binding (9)
Race 6 - 4:26PM QR LEGENDS BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Heroic Miss (11) enjoys racing at Ipswich and that was apparent last start when winning over this distance. The Chris Munce-trained mare went to the front and was never headed, dashing clear to win by 2.5 lengths. Tahlia Fenlon, who claims 1.5kg, has been building a good relationship with the daughter of Heroic Valour and is again in the saddle.
Get What You Give (4) has come back this preparation in fine style. The Adam Campton-trained gelding has won both his starts on the Gold Coast Poly. If he can transfer that form over to the grass then he can give this a shake.
Casrock (13) will enjoy returning to Ipswich where she’s been in the top three in all five starts and won her only previous start over the course and distance. That win was just four starts ago.
Harlequin Field (1) resumes here and has been dealt the visitor’s draw. He won over this distance at Doomben when first-up last preparation. He’ll just require some luck.
On Top Selection: Heroic Miss (11)
Race 7 - 5:08PM WE ARE KSB Fillies & Mares RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Euromantic (4) finished 1.6 lengths fifth last start at the Sunshine Coast. She has a good record at Ipswich including four starts back when finishing second after working early in the run. That is a possibility again but she gets the services of Group 1 winning jockey Damien Thornton.
Jungle Shadows (6) is only lightly raced so has upside. She broke through last start for her first win when holding on against Whiskey And Beer at the Sunshine Coast. She should be at peak fitness now.
Dream Entity (8) has responded well to the riding of Jaden Lloyd with the mare placing second in each race the young jockey has been in the saddle. Last start she was held up but found the line well when second at Warwick over 1200m. The rise in trip should suit.
Is Sweet (10) resumes here without a trial. She finished last preparation in good form with a win at Grafton and a nose second over this course and distance. She maps to get a great run.
On Top Selection: Euromantic (4)
Race 8 - 5:38PM TAB Colts, Geldings & Entires RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Dragon Pins (7) returns to the scene of his last win. The Lindsay Hatch-trained eight-year-old stormed home to win over this course and distance three starts ago. There was a good speed set that day and that could be the case again here.
Midnight Gun (2) will strip fitter second-up after having his first run in a year last start at Warwick where understandably he weakened late. Last preparation he won when second-up at Inverell.
Mr Wandji (8) has gotten better with each run this preparation and should be at peak fitness now. He stepped up to 1300m last start and it produced his best performance so the 1350m will suit.
So You Knew (9) resumes here and will probably need the run given his best was over further. He’ll get back and look to run on.
On Top Selection: Dragon Pins (7)
Best Bets
Race 4 – Whiskey And Beers (2)
Race 6 – Heroic Miss (11)
By Craig Sheppard
Back to list