Ipswich Preview – Thursday 3 April 2025 New

Date: 02-Apr-2025

UPDATE: Meeting abandoned

Last Saturday’s meeting was abandoned due to inclement weather and unfortunately the rain is back and threatening Thursday’s program where nine races are scheduled to be run and won.

The rail is in the true position and with significant rain forecast for Wednesday and a possible shower on race day, we are more than likely looking at a heavy racing surface.

We’ve put the gumboots on and studied the form looking for the best wet trackers.

Race 1 - 12:10PM SEVEN Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Elrond (8)

Elrond looks close to a maiden win after finishing in the placings at his first two starts.

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding gave a good account of himself on debut at the Sunshine Coast when finishing two lengths second over 1200m.

He was forced to work early from a wide barrier to find the front last start over 1350m at Doomben which left him suspect late, but to his credit he fought gamely to hang on for a close third.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and should be able to find the front for Tahlia Fenlon a lot easier.

Selections: 1-15-7-3

Race 2 - 12:45PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Sirkel (10)

Sirkel performed well on debut in December over 1200m at Doomben where she ran on to finish a half-length second.

Trainer Jack Bruce sent her for a spell, and she recently returned at Eagle Farm over 1200m.

The daughter of So You Think took a while to pick up but finished off nicely for a length third.

She’ll appreciate the rise in distance and given both her races were on Soft 7 tracks, she should handle the wet conditions.

Selections: 5-12-8-6

Race 3 - 1:20PM RIVER 94.9FM OPEN Handicap (1350 METRES)

At Witz End (6)

At Witz End is on the quick back-up after finishing 2.8 lengths second over 1050m on the Gold Coast Poly Track last start.

Given that the Daniel Bowen-trained gelding was five weeks between runs, that hit out will have tuned him up nicely.

He has an excellent record over this course and distance which includes a win in last year’s Listed Eyeliner Stakes.

He’s a noted heavy track performer and just needs to carry the large impost to be featuring in the finish.

Selections: 1-4-5-7

Race 4 - 1:55PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

What Did You Say (2)

What Did You Say makes his long-awaited debut following five trials across four preparations.

The Neasham & Archibald-trained Rothesay gelding looked good in his most recent trial where he found the line strongly.

He’s drawn to get a great run for Jag Guthmann-Chester who has been aboard in his past three trials.

Selections: 6-11-12-10

Race 5 - 2:30PM TAB Class 2 Handicap (800 METRES)

Jenchick Boom (4)

Jenchick Boom looked good in her first preparation with a dominant 3.3 length win over 1000m at Toowoomba on debut before giving a good account of herself over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast to finish a close second at her second start.

The Tony Gollan-trained mare then spent 59 weeks in the paddock and things didn’t go to plan when she resumed at Toowoomba recently where she suffered cardiac arrythmia.

She’s been given five weeks to get over that and returns here over the more favourable scamper trip.

Emily Lang should be able to settle in a forward position given the speed she has shown in the past.

Selections: 7-1-6-5

Race 6 - 3:05PM SCHWEPPES Class 1 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Guarded Optimist (9)

Guarded Optimist looks close to a win following two very good efforts over 1800m.

The Paul Shailer-trained gelding registered the quickest final 200m of the race when running on strongly from the back two starts ago at the Gold Coast to finish a length second.

That was the same margin last start when he again let down nicely to finish second over 1800m at Eagle Farm.

He’s rock hard fit and won’t be perturbed by the slight drop in distance with top jockey Michael Rodd riding.

Selections: 2-4-3-1

Race 7 - 3:40PM GREAT NORTHERN Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Yellowhammer (11)

Yellowhammer returned in great order last start over this course and distance.

The Peter Sinclair-trained mare let down strongly but just couldn’t get past the race fit and in form Window Tapper and finished a head second.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and has a great record on heavy tracks.

Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim comes in handy and with an ounce of luck from the sticky gate, she’ll be hard to beat.

Selections: 1-13-2-3

Race 8 - 4:20PM BISHOPP Colts, Geldings and Entires BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Canavese (8)

Canavese returns to the races for the first time since suffering from poor recovery in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes in December.

The Paul Shailer-trained gelding was very good the start prior when getting through the heavy conditions powerfully to win over 1400m at the Gold Coast on debut.

He’s had one trial leading into this where he was taken to the back before working strongly under his own steam to the line.

Michael Rodd can use his natural speed to lead.

Selections: 9-13-14-1

Race 9 - 5:00PM GORDON'S GIN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1100 METRES)

Morganite (2)

Morganite has returned this preparation in great form.

The Tony Gollan-trained Written Tycoon mare won two trials before going to Beaudesert first-up where she led all the way over this distance for a 1.5 length win.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and did finish second here when on debut.

Cejay Graham can make full use of an inside barrier and drive forward to either lead or box seat.

Selections: 13-16-6-7

Best Bets

Race 6 – Guarded Optimist (9)

Race 9 – Morganite (13)

By Craig Sheppard

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