Ipswich Selections 13 July 2023

Date: 12-Jul-2023

Racing returns to Ipswich this Thursday for the first time in July.

Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on what should be a beautiful winter’s day. The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 8.5m the entire course.

We’ve provided our top selections for each race below.

Race 1 - 11:52AM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Plate (2200 METRES)

Pressfal (3) showed significant improvement last start when stepping up to 1680m here.

The Bevan Laming-trained five-year-old gelding settled back before working to the line powerfully to finish a head second to Never Dance.

That was just his second race start so he will benefit from the experience and will also strip fitter third-up. The rise to this distance should suit.

Hardest To Beat: Crimson Reward (1)

Race 2 - 12:27PM TAB QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

This is a tricky race to work out given the majority of the field are on debut and some haven’t been seen publicly at the trials.

Kesalul (3) is a first starter who is in his second preparation after two trials in December. The John Smerdon-trained gelding looked good working to the line in his most recent trial at Doomben.

He has drawn the inside gate which is always an advantage in these 800m scampers.

Hardest To Beat: Enflamed (2)

Race 3 - 1:07PM WWW.IEEC.COM.AU QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Yalla (3) was very good last start over this course and distance when racing wide throughout but still finding plenty to run on for a two-length second to Thorpe.

The Tony Gollan-trained filly races very well at Ipswich having won her maiden here on debut.

She should be at peak fitness fifth-up and draws to get a great run for Angela Jones.

Hardest To Beat: Twyford (1)

Race 4 - 1:42PM CONTRACT CHEFS AUSTRALIA Class 2 Plate (1700 METRES)

Contribute (4) is a former kiwi now trained by Stewart and Tayla Mackinnon.

The five-year-old mare found the line strongly two starts back when finishing third at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m. She worked to the line strongly last start to finish fourth in the Gatton Cup.

She’s well weighted under the conditions of the race and gets further relief with Cejay Graham’s claim. She should be at peak fitness fifth-up after a long break.

Hardest To Beat: Birague (1)

Race 5 - 2:17PM SIRROMET QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Queen Of Thoughts (11) is on debut for Queensland’s leading trainer Tony Gollan.

The So You Think filly has had two trials in preparation for this first-up assignment and won both of them. The first of the two was particularly impressive but on both occasions, she worked home strongly after settling back from wide gates.

Angela Jones takes the ride and no doubt a forward showing can be expected.

Hardest To Beat: Conti (1)

Race 6 - 2:57PM GREAT NORTHERN Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)

First Son (9) loomed in the straight at the Sunshine Coast but was tightened for room and dropped out to finish 5.7 lengths ninth in a similar standard race to this.

It was a touch disappointing, but he’ll improve second-up and Garnett Taylor has sent him back to the trials.

He looked good sitting wide and running on under his own steam to win. He has a good record particularly on dry tracks which he gets here. Cejay Graham’s claim helps.

Hardest To Beat: Sea Palling (6)

Race 7 - 3:34PM SCHWEPPES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Money Bear (2) was unsuited by the tight Kilcoy track last start so did well to finish 2.7 lengths fourth over 1200m.

The start prior the Chris Munce-trained gelding found the line strongly to break his maiden status at Dalby.

He’s super fit and will appreciate the rise to 1350m. Justin Huxtable can give him a great run from barrier 3.

Hardest To Beat: Rockin’ Artie (5)

Race 8 - 4:12PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Hasten Delight (7) resumed in fine style at Murwillumbah over 1200m.

The Peter Robl-trained three-year-old gelding raced outside the lead before sprinting hard to win by just under a length.

That was just his third start after two very good runs where he won at Goulburn on debut and placed at Wyong at his second start.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and should race in a prominent position. Blinkers go on for the first time.

Hardest To Beat: Sergeant Hulka (1)