Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 15 January 2025 New

Date: 14-Jan-2025

Midweek metropolitan racing comes to Ipswich this Wednesday where we’ll host a nine-race card.

The rail is out 6m the entire course and with hot weather forecast, we should be racing on a Good surface.

We’ve put the hard work in to save you time and have provided our top selections in each race.

Race 1 - 1:03PM TAB Maiden Plate (2180 METRES)

2 Brief Spirit

Brief Spirit may be a six-year-old, but he’s had just three races and looks to have more upside than most in this field.

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding worked to the line well when finishing 1.7 lengths fourth over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start.

That was his best performance to date, which suggests the longer trip here might be to his liking.

Tahlia Fenlon’s 2kg claim is handy.

Selections: 2-7-4-5

Race 2 - 1:38PM GREAT NORTHERN QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (800 METRES)

5 Impervious

Impervious looks well placed to get a win over this scamper trip on debut.

The Tony Gollan-trained Farnan filly has demonstrated plenty of speed in her two trials.

In her first trial she led over 1000m before finishing third to Amosu and La Bella Boom who both have won at metropolitan level.

Angela Jones will drive forward and give them something to catch.

Selections: 5-2-6-8

Race 3 - 2:13PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

9 Acapulco Girl

Acapulco Girl debuts here for David Vandyke.

The daughter of Contributer looked super in her only public trial when cruising passed the leader to claim victory under a tight grip by Ronnie Stewart.

Stewart is aboard for the race ride and should be able to settle in a forward position.

If money comes for her on the day, then confidence will increase given stable are rarely wrong.

Selections: 9-6-4-3

Race 4 - 2:48PM VINCE INSURANCE QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

6 Hello Lovely

Hello Lovely just needs to handle a Good track as well as she does a Heavy track to give this race a big shake.

The Danny Bougoure-trained filly endured a wide run first-up at the Gold Coast but still found the line well in the heavy conditions to finish 2.3 lengths second.

Last start she worked overtime to go forward from the outside barrier over this course and distance and fought gamely to finish 1.5 lengths third.

She has increased fitness third-up and Martin Harley sticks.

Selections: 6-9-12-3

Race 5 - 3:23PM IPSWICH PARTY HIRE OPEN Handicap (1100 METRES)

3 Hardware Lane

Hardware Lane would love a wet track but he’s capable of winning on a dry surface.

The John Smerdon-trained gelding returns to the races for the first time since finishing eighth at the Gold Coast in September.

He loves racing at Ipswich, having won all three of his races over this course and distance.

The outside barrier isn’t ideal but scratchings have made things easier for him.

Selections: 3-11-1-8

Race 6 - 3:58PM RED BULL AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1690 METRES)

11 Prado

Prado has raced well in each of his four races this preparation and looks like a good each way chance here.

The Dianne Murphy-trained son of Extreme Choice will appreciate the drop in class after settling a long way back and hitting the line hard for an eight-length third to Diablo Bolt who subsequently won in town.

Two starts back he stormed home to win over this course and distance.

Justin Huxtable has been on fire at Ipswich lately and takes the ride.

Selections: 11-2-7-3

Race 7 - 4:33PM GORDON'S GIN Class 1 Handicap (1690 METRES)

2 Zinotar

Zinotar had been knocking on the door of a win for some time having placed in five of his seven races prior to last start.

The David Vandyke-trained gelding proved too strong in the closing stages last start when winning his maiden by a length over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast.

He raced well in his only previous start at Ipswich when finding the line well to finish 1.5 lengths over 1350m.

Top jockey Jimmy Orman has been booked and can give his mount a sweet run from a low draw.

Selections: 2-1-5-7

Race 8 - 5:12PM BARRIER REEF POOLS Class 3 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 Oceans Of Energy

Oceans Of Energy won’t know herself dropping back to a Class 3 Handicap after competing in much stronger races.

The Matt Dunn-trained Dundeel mare failed to beat a runner home in The Gateway last start but her form before that was good including a third placing first-up at Doomben.

She’s been freshened and looked good in a recent trial.

They should set a decent speed in front which will aid her cause.

Selections: 1-4-10-6

Race 9 - 5:50PM IMPERIAL RACING BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)

2 Sistine Explorer

Sistine Explorer resumes here on the back of two trials with the most recent producing a nice piece of work.

The John Smerdon-trained mare races well fresh, boasting two wins and two seconds from five first-up races.

Last preparation she finished a length second over this course and distance first-up before winning back-to-back races at Doomben.

Jasper Franklin, who claims 3kg, can drive forward and lead or settle handy.

Selections: 2-1-11-10

Best Bets

Race 2 – Impervious (5)