Ipswich Preview – Thursday 24 October 2024

Date: 23-Oct-2024

We’re racing again this Thursday at Ipswich where seven races are scheduled for decision.

The temperature will be pushing 35 Degrees Celsius so the track will be in the Good range with the rail out 3m the entire course.

After much deliberation, our top selections in each race can be found below.

Race 1 - 1:45PM TAB Maiden Plate (2180 METRES)

2 Smelter

This is a really tough way to start the day with none of the entrants really showing any inclination to want to win.

Smelter is the most consistent and looks the most likely to break through for an elusive first win after placing in his past four starts.

One of those placings came three starts back over this course and distance when he chased hard but couldn’t reel in the leader and finished second by 1.5 lengths.

The inside barrier should afford him an economical run.

Selections: 2-1-5-4

Race 2 - 2:25PM SCHWEPPES QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1690 METRES)

2 Postman’s Gap

Postman’s Gap improved significantly at his third start when stepping out over 1625m at Toowoomba last time out.

The Mark Currie-trained Heroic Valour colt settled second and gave a good kick in the straight but just could fend off Malecon and finished just under a length second with 4.5 lengths back to third.

He should be at peak fitness now and I’d suggest he’ll be strong late when others will be sucking in the big ones.

With limited speed in the race, Noel Callow will likely go forward and try to dictate proceedings.

Selections: 2-1-8-6

Race 3 - 3:05PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 1 Handicap (800 METRES)

3 Yemean

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

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare was snagged back early from a wide gate and hooked across to the rail before then having to get to the outside in the straight at which point she stumbled before charging powerfully late to finish third by a length.

Robbie Dolan replaces the apprentice and was the pilot when she won first-up over this course and distance.

She’ll appreciate dropping from a Class 3 to a Class 1 and should enjoy a great run from the inside barrier.

Selections: 3-4-5-7

Race 4 - 3:40PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

2 Peaceful Prince

The first-up run of Peaceful Prince can only be described as sickening.

The David Vandyke-trained son of Invader loomed along the fence full of running over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast only to be held up badly the majority of the straight.

To his credit, he produced an amazing turn of foot once clear to finish two lengths third.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and can settle closer in the run from the good draw with the rise in distance.

Selections: 2-3-12-10

Race 5 - 4:15PM GORDON'S GIN BM62 Handicap (1690 METRES)

9 Wanda’s Outlaw

Wanda’s Outlaw doesn’t win out of turn but looks close to another victory following two very good efforts.

The Chris Anderson-trained mare found the line strongly two starts ago to finish third by 0.6L over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast.

Last start she stormed home over this course and distance, recording the quickest final 600m of the race, to finish 1.25 lengths second to Johnny Dash.

They should run along which will aid her cause and hopefully see her finishing over the top.

Selections: 9-2-3-6

Race 6 - 4:55PM IMPERIAL RACING Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

12 Dream Lantern

Dream Lantern was scratched from a winnable race at Eagle Farm on Wednesday for this so we must respect Lindsay Hatch’s decision.

The daughter of Rich Enuff was last seen fightly bravely over 1300m at Toowoomba on Weetwood Day to finish a head third.

She will appreciate the return Ipswich where she won her only previous start over this course and distance when resuming this preparation with a 3.5 length win.

Blinkers go on for the first time and he draws well in barrier 3.

Selections: 12-1-7-5

Race 7 - 5:30PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH BM62 Handicap (1200 METRES)

3 Twyford

Twyford saves his best racing for his home track where he has won or placed in six of 14 starts.

The John Hubbard-trained gelding bounced back to form last start over this course and distance where he shot through a tight gap on the rail to find the line strongly only to be picked off late and finish a head second.

Landan ‘Pilot’ Sykes takes the ride and his 3kg claim comes in handy.

He’s drawn well and I’d expect him to settle handy and get every chance.

Selections: 3-10-11-9

Best Bets

Race 4 – Peaceful Prince (2)

Race 6 – Dream Lantern (12)

By Craig Sheppard

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