Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 15 May 2024

Date: 14-May-2024

There has been an abundance of racing at Ipswich recently and it continues this Wednesday as we host an eight-race metropolitan program.

The rail is out 4m the entire course and we should have a near good racing surface given the favourable weather forecast.

We’ve done the hard work for you and provided our top picks in each race.

Race 1 - 12:33PM QUEENSLAND TAXI BOWLS Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

13 Tessatori

Tessatori had no luck when debuting over 1110m at Doomben and can hit back at her second race start.

The Chris Meagher-trained daughter of Territories was forced to work overtime to find the front after getting caught wide from an outside barrier.

To her credit, she didn’t shirk her task and boxed on fairly to finish 3.5 lengths fourth.

The two-year-old takes on the older horses but looks up to it given she gets in with just 51.5kg after Melea Castle’s claims.

She can take full advantage of barrier 3 and can prove hard to catch.

Selections: 13-9-10-7

Race 2 - 1:08PM GRASON PARK Class 3 Handicap (1680 METRES)

3 Kenyada

Kenyada should have finished closer than the 3.5 length margin last start in the Listed Princess Stakes at Eagle Farm.

After drawing wide, the Chris Waller-trained daughter of Kermadec settled a long way back and looked to be working into the race well but was held up in the straight.

Two starts back she gave a good account of herself in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes when finishing fourth by 2.2 lengths so she should find this race easier.

Ipswich’s leading rider Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should be able to settle closer from barrier 4.

Selections: 3-1-6-4

Race 3 - 1:43PM AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY TRADE COLLEGE Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

1 Impendor

Impendor returns to racing following a 22-week spell looking to win his first race after coming so close on numerous occasions last preparation.

Last start the Matt Dunn-trained three-year-old gelding was unlucky when second over 1200m at Doomben given he was bumped, but stewards didn’t agree that it cost him the win.

Two starts back he went within a nose of beating Press Link who has since placed third in the Listed Daybreak Lover and Group 2 Queensland Guineas.

He warmed up for this with a soft trial at Beaudesert where he looked to be working well within himself.

Selections: 1-3-5-2

Race 4 - 2:18PM INFIELD FESTIVAL FEATURING RESTRICTED QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)

8 Cryptoshare

Cryptoshare started his career in impressive fashion when bolting in by 4.5 lengths on debut at the Sunshine Coast.

Unfortunately, the Chris Munce-trained gelding dropped out to finish last in a strong Saturday three-year-old race at his second start.

He resumes for his second preparation here and looks to have come back a more furnished horse based on two recent trials.

He led all the way to defeat Weigall Tiger in the first trial before impressively sitting three wide the trip and winning the second easily.

Justin Huxtable rode him in his debut win and reacquaints with the son of Overshare.

Selections: 8-2-5-3

Race 5 - 2:53PM TAB Class 1 Plate (1200 METRES)

6 Cunnamulla Fella

Cunnamulla Fella heads to the races for the first time since finishing a nose second to Femme Fatale in a stronger race at Eagle Farm in November.

The Rob Heathcote-trained son of Better Than Ready looks ready for a bold showing based on a recent trial where he led before cruising to the line effortlessly.

He will appreciate returning to Ipswich given his only win came over this course and distance when second-up last preparation.

He shouldn’t be too far away in the run with Martin Harley riding.

Selections: 6-12-7-1

Race 6 - 3:28PM GREAT NORTHERN Fillies and Mares BM65 Handicap (1350 METRES)

6 Touch Of Gracie

Touch Of Gracie never runs a bad race and enters this race looking to win her third race in a row.

The Corey and Kylie Geran-trained mare proved too strong when winning two starts back at Toowoomba over 1300m.

She then went to Rockhampton last start where she stormed home to win by a length, again over 1300m much to the joy of the KO Racing crew.

There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid her cause given she is drawn a touch sticky and possesses a booming finish.

Selections: 6-2-5-15

Race 7 - 4:03PM TAB IPSWICH CUP 22ND JUNE Colts, Geldings and Entires BM65 Handicap (1350 METRES)

3 Anemacore

Anemacore raced in terrific form last preparation with two impressive wins and two placings from his four starts.

The Shaun Dwyer-trained four-year-old gelding has come back in similar form, going down by a nose when resuming at the Sunshine Coast last start.

He hit the front in the straight in the 1200m contest, but fitness and the heavy track caught him out and he was picked off in the shadows of the post to finish a nose second.

He'll strip fitter second-up and the drier surface will be to his liking.

Regular jockey Michael Rodd remains in the saddle and should find a great spot in running.

Selections: 3-10-1-11

Race 8 - 4:38PM SCHWEPPES Class 5 Handicap (1200 METRES)

3 Maid To Fit

Maid To Fit (3) resumes here on the back of a soft trial where she cruised around behind the likes of Prince Of Boom and Yellow Brick.

The Kelly Schweida-trained daughter of Snitzel raced in terrific order at the start of last preparation, winning her first four starts.

One of those races was over this course and distance, which was in a similar strength race and her only previous attempt at this course and distance.

She has the early speed to cross and either lead or settle handy for Jimmy Orman.

Selections: 3-2-9-7

Best Bets

Race 5 – Cunnamulla Fella (6)