Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 22 May 2024

Date: 22-May-2024

Metropolitan racing returns to Ipswich for the second week in a row this Wednesday when we host a nine-race program.

Conditions look near perfect for racing with the sunny day forecast and the track rated a Good 4.

It is great to see one of Australia’s best jockeys, Craig Williams who is fresh off winning Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 riding at our meeting.

We’ve cast our eye over the form and provided our thoughts on each race.

Race 1 - 11:59AM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)

6 Mehretu

The Tony Gollan-trained looked an exciting prospect when winning a Doomben trial 12 months ago despite sitting three-wide throughout.

For whatever reason, she then spent a year off the scene before returning recently in a Deagon trial where she was given an easy time, cruising around for a 1.8 length second.

She looks ready to make her debut here from a good gate.

It must be respected that Gollan has booked Craig Williams to ride.

Selections: 6-1-2-7

Race 2 - 12:33PM SUNTORY - 196 DOUBLE PEACH QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

1 Click Click Boom

Click Click Boom was last seen finishing five lengths sixth in the Magic Million The Debut race at the Gold Coast.

It was a credible effort from the Sharryn Livingstone-trained colt after he drew the outside gate and was forced to work in the run.

A recent Doomben trial where he sat on speed and worked to the line well under his own steam to win will have him tuned up nicely for a bold first-up performance.

Justin Stanley will go forward and give try to give them something to catch.

Selections: 1-3-7-10

Race 3 - 1:08PM BROOKVALE UNION DARK 6% QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)

9 Midori Mover

Midori Mover looks ready to build on a solid first preparation when she returns in this 1350m contest.

The Chris Meagher-trained Toronado filly was last seen running on strongly over this course and distance in February to finish a half-length second with a further 2.5 lengths back to third.

She looked good in a recent 1000m Doomben trial where she finished off strongly despite being held up for a 1.2 lengths fourth.

Nine-time Ipswich premiership winning jockey Jimmy Byrne should give his mount a great run from the nice gate.

Selections: 9-2-11-8

Race 4 - 1:43PM JAMESON WHISKEY READY TO DRINK Class 3 Handicap (1100 METRES)

6 Barassi

Barassi created quite an impression when winning the Magic Millions Maiden by 4.5 lengths in January.

He was sent for a spell and returned recently over 1000m at Eagle Farm where the Toby Edmonds-trained five-year-old fought on gamely to finish 1.9 lengths third after having to work overtime early to find the front.

He has since been back to the trials where he jumped straight to the front in the 1000m Doomben hit out and dashed clear under a hold to win by 4.8 lengths.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and Jimmy Orman should be able to either lead or settle handy.

Selections: 6-3-1-7

Race 5 - 2:18PM XXXX BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1690 METRES)

6 Starzam

Starzam probably should have finished closer than the 2.4 length margin last start over 1600m at Eagle Farm.

The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Starspangledbanner looked to have something to offer in the straight but was held up which allowed those on the outside to charge past him.

The form has been franked from the race with third placegetter Tenzing, who was just 1.3 lengths ahead of him, winning his next start at Doomben.

He’s drawn a touch sticky but there looks to be good speed in the race which should see him able to slide in a better than midfield position.

Selections: 6-15-4-1

Race 6 - 2:53PM BUNDABERG CAMPFIRE BOURBON BARREL Class 6 Plate (1200 METRES)

6 Pizarro

Pizarro started his career with new trainer Tony Gollan in style when winning over this course and distance last start.

Formerly with John O’Shea, he brought good Sydney form north and that transferred to the track as he let down powerfully to win by half a length.

He’ll have come on since that run and looks well placed under the set weight conditions of the race, carrying 3kg less than last start.

Reigning Ipswich jockey of the year Jimmy Orman should be able to give him a lovely run from barrier 2.

Selections: 6-5-9-7

Race 7 - 3:28PM ANGELS ENVY QTIS Three-Years-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)

7 Within Reason

Within Reason gave a good account of herself when resuming for new trainer Tony Gollan over this course and distance.

The daughter of Spirit Of Boom settled handy before working to the line well to finish second by a length to Russian Sub who ran well on Tuesday at Warwick.

She’ll strip fitter and ran extremely well when second-up last preparation to finish two lengths third to Abounding over 1200m at Doomben.

Abounding would go on to win the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas so on her day Within Reason can produce a top effort.

The booking of Craig Williams is a big plus and should ensure she enjoys a great run from barrier 4.

Selections: 7-3-13-14

Race 8 - 4:03PM PEPPERJACK, HOLD YOUR HORSES QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (2180 METRES)

3 Dulcet

Dulcet brought solid Sydney form to Ipswich last start but the drop in class really agreed with him.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding found the line strongly and never looked in doubt of losing when claiming the 1666m contest by half a length.

He gave the indication that he would love a rise in distance, and he gets that here.

Given that he was nine-weeks between runs, he has since been back to the trials where he was given a classic Waller trial of cruising around at the back before working to the line well under double grips.

He’s drawn to get an economical run and looks excellent each way value with Jimmy Orman to steer.

Selections: 3-2-13-6

Race 9 - 4:37PM TAB WINTER PROVINCIAL STAYERS - HEAT - BENCHMARK 72 Handicap (2180 METRES)

5 Shezadandi

Shezadandi continued her love affair with the Ipswich Cup distance last start when proving too strong with a half-length victory.

That took the Jason Patton-trained mare’s record over the course and distance to two wins and a nose second from three starts.

The writing was on the wall last start after she ran well to finish third in a significantly stronger race in a Saturday metro Eagle Farm race.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor was bullish about her chances last start and he sticks.

Selections: 5-12-2-14

Best Bets

Race 4 – Barassi (6)

Race 6 – Pizarro (6)