Ipswich Preview – Saturday 9 March 2024

Date: 08-Mar-2024

We’ll host a monster 10-race card this Saturday for our Women In Racing Raceday.

The rail is out 10m the entire course and with a mostly sunny day forecast, we should see close to a good racing surface.

We’ve delved deep into the form and provided our top selections for each race below.

Race 1 - 11:14AM CELEBRATING WOMEN IN RACING Maiden Plate (2200 METRES)

8 Tavieslass

Tavieslass looks close to a breakthrough win following three runner-up finishes in her past three races.

The Greg Wright-trained mare was doing her best work late when finishing 4.5 lengths second over 1890m at Toowoomba.

She’ll appreciate the rise back to this distance given she finished strongly despite being held up here two starts ago to finish a length second.

She maps to get a great run with the light weight thanks to Alisha Donald’s 2kg claim.

Selections: 8-4-1-7

Race 2 - 11:49AM THE SHED COMPANY IPSWICH BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (800 METRES)

1 Underhand

Underhand is a short course specialist who returned in great order last start.

The O’Dea Hoysted-trained four-year-old mare made full use of the inside gate to lead all the way for a nose victory.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and did win over 860m at Gatton when having her second run back last preparation.

She’s drawn a touch sticky and could get posted three wide, but she has fitness on her side.

Selections: 1-3-5-4

Race 3 - 12:29PM ROSE JENSEN KENT LAWYERS QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1350 METRES)

2 The Punisher

The Punisher capitalised on some good form to breakthrough for a win last start over 1200m here.

The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained son of Sidestep was narrowly beaten by Femme Fatale over 1100m here three starts back before giving a good sight over this course and distance two starts ago when finishing second.

Last start he came with a wide run to charge home and get up on the line for a nose victory.

He’s rock hard fit now which is a big advantage against his key rivals in this race.

Selections: 2-5-1-3

Race 4 - 1:04PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

6 Beachside Babe

Beachside Babe resumed last start for new trainer David Murphy in fine style on the Gold Coast Poly track.

The Sidestep filly worked early to sit outside the lead before pulling away powerfully in the straight to win the 1050m contest by three lengths.

This is her first time racing on grass but she should have no problems and she will strip fitter second-up.

She maps to get a great run for Andrew Spinks.

Selections: 6-7-1-5

Race 5 - 1:39PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)

4 Storm Force Ten

This maiden is an absolute lottery and it wouldn’t surprise if something wins it at huge odds.

I’m going with Storm Force Ten who is resuming following a 19-week spell.

The Stu Kendrick-trained three-year-old has been gelded during the break and that might just be the key to switching him on.

He’s drawn to get a great run and did show glimpses last preparation when finishing in the placings at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast.

Selections: 4-2-6-13

Race 6 - 2:14PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)

3 Clubhouse

Clubhouse was very good when resuming over 1015m at Grafton last start.

The Marcus Wilson-trained son of Spieth settled back after drawing a wide gate but worked home powerfully down the middle of the track to finish a head second.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the slight rise in distance.

Jai Williams, who claims 1.5kg, can settle closer from the inside gate.

Selections: 3-1-9-11

Race 7 - 2:49PM IMPERIAL RACING Class 2 Plate (1100 METRES)

1 Brookhaven

Brookhaven is weighted beautifully under the set weight conditions of the race.

The Chris Munce-trained four-year-old gelding is having his first start since finishing fourth in the Group 3 Gunsynd Class.

While this is short of his best, he can fire fresh over a shorter a trip just as he did last preparation when missing the win by a nose over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.

If Noel Callow can get him clear air in the straight, he’ll take some holding out.

Selections: 1-4-3-8

Race 8 - 3:24PM TAB BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1350 METRES)\

2 Sian Star

Sunshine Coast trainer Darryl Hansen and the connections of Sian Star must be wondering what they have to do to draw a decent gate.

Despite drawing wide and experiencing less than favourable runs in his past two starts over this course and distance, the gelding has stormed home to win well.

He should be in peak condition as he strives for three wins on the trot.

Jai Williams will again be in the saddle and his 1.5kg claim is a plus.

Selections: 2-10-1-13

Race 9 - 4:04PM BANK OF QLD WINSTON GLADES Class 1 Plate (1350 METRES)

1 Connecticut

Connecticut is having his first start for Corey and Kylie Geran after previously racing in Victoria with Michael Moroney.

The son of Written Tycoon was last seen finishing 1.3 lengths second over 2100m at Benalla.

That was five weeks ago so the let up will do him the world of good dropping back to this trip.

He’s been competing in stronger races and gets the benefit of the inside gate so a bold showing here can be expected.

Selections: 1-3-9-7

Race 10 - 4:47PM LIVING TURF OPEN Handicap (1100 METRES)

3 Mill Rossa