Ipswich Preview – Thursday 7 November 2024

Date: 06-Nov-2024

The Spring Carnival rolls on in Melbourne this Thursday with the ladies taking centre stage on Oaks Day. Here in Queensland, we host an eight-race card at the Ipswich Turf Club.

The track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 10m the entire course but with the forecasted temperature pushing 40 degrees Celsius, the track will be in the Good range.

We’ve run the rule over each of the eight races and provided our top selections below.

Race 1 - 12:42PM GREAT NORTHERN QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1710 METRES)

4 Postman’s Gap

Postman’s Gap improved significantly at his third start when stepping out over 1625m at Toowoomba two starts ago.

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 continued that upward trajectory last start over this course and distance where he led and fought gamely before being overpowered to finish second by 1.5 lengths.

He’ll go forward for Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan and could prove hard to run down.

Selections: 4-2-7-1

Race 2 - 1:22PM SCHWEPPES QTIS Two-Years-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

3 Secret Sort

Secret Sort was very good on debut in a Saturday metropolitan race at Doomben over 1050m.

The Donna Stanbridge-trained Tassort gelding gave a good sight in front before being run down in the closing stages to finish a half-length second.

He showed good speed so I don’t think the drop back to 800m is a bad move.

Cody Collis can make use of an inside barrier and drive forward.

Selections: 3-9-8-4

Race 3 - 2:02PM IMPERIAL RACING Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

9 Surprise Honey

Surprise Honey returns to the races for the first time since finishing third to Astapor over 1200m at Eagle Farm in July.

The Tony Gollan-trained filly looked super in a 1050m Deagon trial where she led before gapping her rivals while under a grip to win by 5.5 lengths.

She showed ability last preparation when finishing a close second to Matisse who finished second in the G3 Vanity at Flemington on Saturday.

Emily Lang can stalk the speed before letting her mount loose in the straight.

Selections: 9-6-7-3

Race 4 - 2:42PM RIVER 94.9FM Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

9 Ucelle

Ucelle ran well when debuting over this course and distance last start.

The Jack Bruce-trained filly jumped well but drifted back before hitting the line hard to finish 2.3 lengths fourth.

She simply had too much work to do after getting too far back so it would help if Jake Bayliss were positive from barrier 2 and settled closer in the run.

She’ll have taken benefit from the experience and strip fitter second-up.

Selections: 9-5-1-2

Race 5 - 3:22PM SPRING RACES 16 NOVEMBER BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (2210 METRES)

4 Tavieslass

Tavieslass returned in great order three starts back when leading over 1680m here and giving a good sight only to be run down in the shadows of the post.

The Gary Wright-trained six-year-old mare then fought gamely to finish 2.8 lengths third over 1890m at Toowoomba.

She enjoyed the rise to 2150m last start on her home track when dashing clear at the top of the straight to win by 1.5 lengths.

She’s at peak fitness now and will stay all day.

Chelsea Baker’s 2kg claim comes in very handy.

Selections: 4-1-3-2

Race 6 - 4:02PM TAB RATINGS BAND 0 - 62 Handicap (1200 METRES)

1 La Petite Maison

La Petite Maison has finished in the placings in all three of his races this preparation but looks to have found a suitable race to finally break through.

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding loomed as the winner over 1100m here last start but just couldn’t get past Kelly’s Landing and finished 1.5 lengths second with a big gap to third.

He’ll be at peak fitness fourth-up and maps to get a great run.

Selections: 1-8-2-6

Race 7 - 4:42PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 Sian Star

Sian Star loves this course and distance, having finished in the top three in all six of his previous starts over it.

The Darryl Hansen-trained gelding produced a great effort over the Ipswich 1350m last start when finding the line strongly for a length second behind talented type Dream Lantern.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and did win over this course and distance when having his third run back last preparation.

Jai Williams is back in the saddle, and he boasts a super record on the son of Star Turn with three wins and a second from four rides.

Selections: 1-4-6-5

Race 8 - 5:22PM RAY WHITE IPSWICH Class 1 Handicap (1710 METRES)

8 Pireonti

Pireonti was doing her best work late when having her first start for James Healy after racing in Victoria with the Busuttin & Young stable.

The daughter of Pierro settled back and picked up strongly in the final furlong to finish 2.5 lengths third over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.

She’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise to 1710m will suit given her only previous win came over this distance at Warrnambool when having her second race start.

There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Cejay Graham lob in a forward position.

Selections: 8-1-3-5

Best Bets

Race 3 – Surprise Honey (9)

Race 6 – La Petite Maison (1)

Race 7 – Sian Star (1)

By Craig Sheppard

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