Ipswich Preview – Saturday 16 November 2024

Date: 15-Nov-2024

The Ipswich Turf Club hosts a rare Saturday meeting this weekend where eight races are scheduled to be run and won.

Unfortunately, storms have hit the track each afternoon this week, so we’ll be racing on a Soft surface.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our top selections in each race.

Race 1 - 1:09PM GORDON'S GIN Maiden Plate (2150 METRES)

1 Jungle Jet

Jungle Jet has finished runner-up in four of his seven starts and gets his chance to breakthrough against this standard of opposition.

The David Vandyke-trained gelding has run well in two starts back this preparation and will strip fitter third-up.

When having his third run back last preparation he fought gamely despite a wide run to finish 1.8 lengths second over 2060m at Doomben.

The inside barrier ensures that he’ll enjoy an economical run.

Selections: 1-4-7-2

Race 2 - 1:44PM REE'S 60TH Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

2 Better Be Ready

Better Be Ready has been trialing since last November and finally makes his debut here.

The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Better Than Ready was shown an abundance of speed in his most recent two trials where he led from start to finish in good times and gapped his rivals.

That bodes well for this 800m scamper as does the fact that one of those trial wins was on a heavy track.

Jace McMurray’s 3kg claim is a big plus.

Selections: 2-5-7-9

Race 3 - 2:19PM MJD & TI TREE Class 3 Handicap (800 METRES)

2 Dusan

Dusan gave a good sight when resuming over 1006m at Grafton last start, but condition gave out in the final furlong, and he finish a length third.

The Samantha McGuren-trained gelding didn’t have the best of luck the only other time he raced over this shorter distance, but it should suit him given what he’s shown.

A wet track won’t faze him having won by three lengths on a Heavy 8 at Murwillumbah last preparation.

The inside barrier is a massive plus as is Jace McMurray’s 3kg claim.

Selections: 2-1-10-8

Race 4 - 2:54PM BEC FEED SOLUTIONS CLASSIC Class 4 Handicap (1666 METRES)

1 Aichi Icon

Aichi Icon (1) has come back this preparation in fine style.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding proved too strong in the heavy conditions two starts back when winning by 1.5 lengths over a mile at Scone.

He stepped up to 1800m for the first time last start at the Gold Coast and handled it beautifully, letting down strongly to win by 1.3 lengths.

He maps to get a great run on speed for Micheal Hellyer and this looks his race.

Selections: 1-5-4-7

Race 5 - 3:34PM HVAC AUSTRALIA OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)

2 Oughton

Oughton has been disappointing in three runs this preparation but did have an excuse last start when showing signs of improvement.

The Melissa Kelly-trained gelding loomed as a winning chance at Eagle Farm but weakened late to finish 2.8 lengths third with the thumps offered as the reason.

Last preparation he impressed with two wins from four starts including over this course and distance when fourth-up.

Jace McMurray’s 3kg claim comes in handy and he should enjoy a nice run behind what looks a strong speed.

Selections: 2-3-1-8

Race 6 - 4:14PM HVAC ENGINEERED FOR LIFE Class 3 Handicap (1200 METRES)

6 Critical Time

Critical Time gave a good sight when resuming over 1006m at Grafton last start but was run down late to finish just under a length second.

The Scott Henley-trained gelding will have taken benefit from the run and will strip fitter second-up.

Despite a wide run, he fought bravely when second-up last preparation on a bottomless Murwillumbah track to win narrowly over this distance.

Dan McGillivray, who claims 2kg, can settle handy.

Selections: 6-3-2-1

Race 7 - 4:49PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 1 Handicap (1100 METRES)

4 Grey Impact

Grey Impact returned in fine style last start over 1200m at Doomben with a win.

The Lindsay Gough-trained grey mare led and produced plenty when challenged late to win by a head.

He’s only lightly raced so he has upside, and he’ll strip fitter second-up.

Dan McGillivray will be able to make full use of the inside barrier and settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 4-1-2-5

Race 8 - 5:22PM TAB BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)
4 Pinkus

Besides a flat run second-up, Pinkus has performed well this preparation and looks close to a win.

The Stu Kendrick-trained gelding raced on speed two starts back over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast before being run down to finish third before storming home last start to finish a neck second over 1300m.

The wet track shouldn’t pose any problems given he finished 2.5 lengths second over 1200m in his only previous start on a Heavy 10 track.

Rob Thorburn, who claims 3kg, should give him a beautiful run from a low draw.

Selections: 4-10-5-1

By Craig Sheppard

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