Ipswich Preview and Selections – Saturday 13 January 2024

Date: 12-Jan-2024

While the racing world’s focus will be on the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast, we’re hosting a tasty side dish of our own this Saturday.

Seven races are scheduled to be run and won and we’ve provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 1:24PM SEVEN NEWS Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Runaround Sue (5) gave a big sight over 1000m at Toowoomba last start. The four-year-old mare led but was run down with a furlong to go suggesting the drop back to 800m here will suit. She’ll strip fitter third-up and has a fitness advantage on her rivals who are resuming or on debut. With just 53.5kg on her back and the benefit of the inside gate, she’ll be tough to beat.

Termagant (9) is on debut for the O’Dea Hoysted stable. She’s had a trial leading into this where she finished second to Vindicta. That horse impressed when winning on debut on Sunday. The well bred filly’s mum was a speedster.

Mean Approach (1) has drawn the outside gate but has shown enough in his trials to suggest he can feature. Will have improved since joining the Edmonds yard.

Rare And Reliable (10) is another on debut and enters this race on the back of a nice trial on heavy going at the Sunshine Coast. She’s a two-year-old taking on older horses but is drawn well.

On Top Selection: Runaround Sue (5)

Race 2 - 1:59PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Handicap (1680 METRES)

Sharman Pete (1) appreciated the rise to this trip last at Eagle Farm. The Lee Freedman-trained Better Than Ready gelding settled back before savaging the line to finish a head second. He’ll strip fitter third-up. He’s drawn a touch sticky but we’re in good hands with top jockey Boris Thornton.

Never Bird (3) resumes here and is also having her first start for Jack Bruce after previously racing in New South Wales. She’s had two trials leading into this with the most recent resulting in a strong win over 1200m at Deagon so she’s well prepared to kick off over a mile.

Grandcouer (12) worked to the line well after being held up to finish second by 1.5 lengths over this course and distance last start. She rose 400m that day so will take plenty of benefit from the run. Emily Lang’s claim helps.

Dark Thinker (11) was disappointing on debut but can improve second-up with the rise in distance.

On Top Selection: Sharman Pete (1)

Race 3 - 2:34PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1680 METRES)

Better Yet (2) is racing in great form for the O’Dea Hoysted stable. Two starts back she went forward and showed plenty in the run home to win over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast. Last start she was nailed right on the winning post over the same course and distance. There was over four lengths to the fourth place horse. Emily Lang can roll forward and should give them something to catch.

Sir Randolph (1) ran well two starts back when finishing a length second to Demon Darb at the Sunshine Coast. Last start he led all the way to win easily by 1.5 lengths over 1600m at Ballina. He maps to get a great run but does have to carry 62kg.

Spirit Of Beans (5) looks ready to peak third-up following two solid runs to start this preparation. Last time he was in work he won over this course and distance.

West Cork (4) is proving a hard horse to follow with very good performances mixed with horrible efforts. Four starts back he won well over this course and distance so if he runs up to that then he can feature.

On Top Selection: Better Yet (2)

Race 4 - 3:19PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 6 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Win Burn (4) disappointed over this course and distance first-up but bounced back with a solid effort last start at Doomben. The Stu Kendrick-trained gelding worked early from a wide gate to lead and despite tiring late, fought on well to finish 1.29 lengths fourth. He’ll strip fitter third-up and did win easily when having his third run back last preparation. He loves the sting out of the ground and maps beautifully.

Shamrock Lu (2) resumes here following a nice trial second to Rothfire. He’s a proven performer in stronger races than this. From the inside gate, he should enjoy a nice run but won’t want it too wet.

Renouf (1) will likely find this too short but needs the run before her grand final at the Sunshine Coast in two weeks. I dare say Sean Cormack will drop her out the back from the outside gate and let her rip in the straight. She’ll need a strong tempo.

Mehajir (10) is having her first start for Adam Campton after previously racing in New South Wales. She hasn’t been seen publicly at the trials but she will no doubt be ready to fire.

On Top Selection: Win Burn (4)

Race 5 - 4:04PM SIRROMET QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Femme Fatale (2) gave a good account of herself when finishing fourth at Eagle Farm last start over 1000m. She’ll definitely appreciate the drop in class. The Kelly Schweida-trained Better Than Ready filly can be forgiven for failing over 800m here last start when having to lump 62kg while racing deep throughout. When resuming the start prior over 1000m at Eagle Farm, she led and fought strongly to win narrowly. From the good gate, she should enjoy a nice run on speed.

Heyoka (5) led and was headed but produced plenty to win by just under a length when on debut over 1200m at Doomben. She’ll race on speed but I’m not convinced the drop in trip is ideal but I have to respect the astute stable.

Black Minto (1) will find this a lot easier than the Saturday and black-type races he’s been contesting. He’s a previous winner at the track.

She’s A Rogue (3) is in a form slump but finds the right race to bounce back. Navigating the wide gate will require a 10 out 10 ride from Brodie Loy.

On Top Selection: Femme Fatale (2)

Race 6 - 4:39PM SCHWEPPES BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Nishikori (1) will appreciate the drop in class after finishing fifth of six at Lismore when resuming last start. He looked in need of the run so will strip fitter and does boast two wins from five starts when second-up. Brodie Loy can settle handy and give him every chance.

Motomiss (4) settled too far back last start over 1350m at Doomben but worked home well to finish third by 2.5 lengths. She’s rock hard fit and just needs some luck from the wide gate.

Sleigh Queen (12) disappointed last start at the Sunshine Coast. The start prior she won by a neck over this course and distance. This is harder but she maps to get a great run and a repeat of her last run here will see her in the finish.

Twyford (10) finished at the tail of the field on a heavy 10 track here last start. He can bounce back here on drier surface. He has a great record of three wins from six starts on his home track.

On Top Selection: Nishikori (1)

Race 7 - 5:15PM RECOVERY RACES 27 JANUARY Class 2 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Crazy Brave (2) is a consistent galloper that has finished in the top three in seven of his nine starts. He was no match for Hollywood North when finishing second at the Sunshine Coast last start. That horse won on Wednesday in Class 6 company to frank the form. That was a Class 4 so he’ll love the drop in class. Two starts back Crazy Brave won by a nose over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Jag Guthmann-Chester should be able to find a forward position.

Cavaup (7) should be ready to fire third-up after two okay efforts to start this preparation. He won over 1200m here last preparation when breaking his maiden status. He maps to get a nice trail behind the speed.

The Player (9) improved second-up when finishing fourth by 1.11 lengths at Doomben. He’ll strip fitter third-up and is only lightly raced so has upside. He’ll need some luck from the barrier.

Ozarch (5) has been racing in terrific form at his home track of Toowoomba. The Kevin Kemp-trained gelding has charged home to win his past two starts. The wide gate is not ideal.

On Top Selection: Crazy Brave (2)

Best Bets:

Race 2 – Sharman Pete (1)

Race 3 – Better Yet (2)

Race 7 – Crazy Brave (2)

By Craig Sheppard

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