Ipswich Preview – Friday 23 August 2024 New

Date: 23-Aug-2024

Over the coming month, the track will be given a break to be renovated but not before we host a nine-race card today.

The rail moves out to the 8m position and we will be racing on a Good 4 surface with warm weather forecast.

We’ve taken a close look at the form and provided our thoughts on each race below.

Race 1 - 11:43AM RDO EQUIPMENT Maiden Plate (2200 METRES)

1 Benzino

Benzino is having just his third race start but looks to have more upside than his rivals.

The Jack Duncan-trained son of Tarzino settled back after drawing the outside gate over 1640m at Doomben last start before working to the line strongly to finish 1.5 lengths second.

Given the way he was strong through the line, the rise in distance third-up should be to his liking.

From a low draw, Nikita Beriman can settle handy and enjoy an economical run.

Selections: 1-5-2-4

Race 2 - 12:16PM THE INDUSTRY SCHOOL Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

5 Addition

Addition has been a touch disappointing in her two starts this preparation but both those races have been on rain-affected surfaces.

The Tony Gollan-trained mare can turn things around by getting on a dry surface as she demonstrated in her first preparation when placing close thirds at Doomben and Eagle Farm.

She looked good in a recent trial where she let down nicely under her own steam to win.

Ryan Maloney takes the ride and the blinkers coming off my see her not be as aggressive in the run.

Selections: 5-10-7-2

Race 3 - 12:52PM GRASON PARK Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

3 Turn The Corner

Turn The Corner will take benefit from his debut race over 1200m at Doomben.

The Tony Gollan-trained Rubick gelding was a touch slow away so was forced to go back from the wide gate but to his credit he charged home clocking the quickest final sectionals of the race to finish second to Mystic Mac by 2.5 lengths.

That horse franked the form by subsequently winning his next race.

Ryan Maloney sticks and I’d imagine will settle closer than last start.

Selections: 3-6-8-5

Race 4 - 1:27PM LIVING TURF QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

10 Vanguard Legend

Vanguard Legend returned in good order last start over this course and distance.

The Peter Robl-trained gelding settled back after drawing the outside barrier but worked how powerfully to finish 1.3 lengths third to Mr Bianco who subsequently won again.

He’s been back to the trials where he turned in a pleasing piece of work where he found the line well to win.

From a lower draw Jag Guthmann-Chester can settle closer in the run.

Selections: 10-9-6-4

Race 5 - 2:04PM ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1700 METRES)

3 Diana’s Affair

Diana’s Affair will appreciate the drop in class after a strong effort over 1630m at Doomben last start.

The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Merchant Navy let down strongly and loomed as the winner, but he was swamped on the outside to finish 1.4 lengths fourth.

He’ll be at peak fitness and is a previous fourth-up winner at Ipswich.

Top Ipswich jockey Jimmy Orman will be able to give him the run of the race from barrier 3.

Selections: 3-7-1-2

Race 6 - 2:42PM VINCE INSURANCE Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

3 Rose Noir

Rose Noir was unlucky not to finish closer last start over 1200m at Doomben in a Saturday Open 3YO race.

The Tony Gollan-trained mare was hampered quite badly after the gates opened which saw her settle near the tail, but to her credit she fought bravely and found the line well to finish fourth by 2.3 lengths.

She’s been building through this preparation and the rise to 1350m now looks ideal.

Ryan Maloney should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 3-5-7-11

Race 7 - 3:17PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE Class 5 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 Plundering

It’s been a long time between drinks for Plundering, but he finds himself in the right race to finally breakthrough.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained son of Shooting To Win found the line strongly to finish just under a length second when resuming over 1110m at Doomben.

He was then strong through the line last start when finishing 1.4 lengths fifth over 1200m.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise to 1350m.

Jimmy Orman will give him every possible chance from the nice draw.

Selections: 1-4-6-2

Race 8 - 3:57PM THE SHED COMPANY BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)

5 Dirt Cheap

Dirt Cheap returned in great order two starts back when having his first start for Caroline Allardyce.

The son of Sepoy went straight to the front at Gatton and was never tested, racing away for a comfortable 3.3 length win.

He went to town last start and was luckless, getting held up behind the leaders when obviously having plenty to give and went to the line relatively untested to finish just under a length second.

The rise to 1350m looks ideal third-up and while he’s drawn out, Jimmy Orman will have plenty of time to get across and find a spot.

Selections: 5-16-10-1

Race 9 - 4:34PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1100 METRES)

11 Mist Of Dawn

Mist Of Dawn could not have been more impressive when debuting over 1110m at Doomben last start.

After a good getaway, he was taken back so he didn’t get caught wide before showing a tremendous turn of foot in the straight to put his rivals away in the space of a few strides to win by 2.3 lengths.

He’ll be better for the experience and strip fitter second-up.

Damien Thornton can make full use of an inside gate to settle handy.

Selections: 11-3-12-14

Best Bets

Race 5 – Diana's Affair (3)

Race 7 – Plundering (1)

Race 8 – Dirt Cheap (5)

By Craig Sheppard

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