Ipswich Selections 2 March 2023

Date: 01-Mar-2023

After having a week off from racing last week, we’ll host an eight-race card this Thursday on what should be a Good 4 surface. Hot days are forecast which lends itself to the possibility of a late storm but also a fast track. The rail is out 6m the entire course.

Race 1 - 1:10PM FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB Maiden Handicap (2150 METRES)

Top Pick: Collided (3) worked home well to finish a nose second over 2100m at Lismore last start. He looked the winner but was worried out of it late. His previous form was good, suggesting that he is close to a win. He’s super fit and looks the most capable of being strong late over this distance test.

Hardest To Beat: Newmarket Miss (5) ran home well before peaking late over 1900m at the Sunshine Coast last start to be beaten a nose. There looks to be limited speed in the race which should see her go forward but the final 100m or so could be a cause for concern.

Race 2 - 1:45PM ST PATRICK'S RACES 17 MARCH QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (800 METRES)

Top Pick: Flying Rupert (2) returns to racing on the back of a solid trial. He’s an out and out short course sprinter and will enjoy the 800m scamper here. Last preparation he won two in a row over 900m at the Gold Coast. On one of those occasions, he defeated Glamborgini. He draws the inside gate for Ryan Maloney and that’s always an advantage over 800m.

Hardest To Beat: Glamborgini (1) romped in at Townsville over 1000m at Townsville two starts back. You can put a line through her performance at the Sunshine Coast last start when nothing went right. She’s a consistent galloper and gets the benefit of Bailey Wheeler’s 3kg claim.

Race 3 - 2:25PM PENNYWISE QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (800 METRES)

Top Pick: Hussy Empress (7) is on debut for Paul Butterworth. The Husson filly looked good going through her gears to win a Deagon trial in January. It was a considerable improvement from her first trial in November. The inside gate allows Kyle Wilson-Taylor the opportunity to give her the run of the race.

Hardest To Beat: Speedy Macho finished off strongly for third behind Top Fun over this course and distance on debut. He was then fair over 1200m last start, but it is clear the drop back to this distance is more to his liking. Just needs some luck from the wide gate.

Race 4 - 3:05PM SIRROMET BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (2500 METRES)

Top Pick: Kipling’s Journey (2) looks well placed against this opposition after finishing a close third to Chocolatier at Eagle Farm in a Benchmark 68 last Wednesday. The start prior he was run down late after working in the run over 2160m here. He’s drawn to get an economical run and benefits from Bailey Wheeler’s 3kg claim.

Hardest To Beat: Zelson (6) broke through for his first win at the Sunshine Coast over 2200m last start. While this is harder, the way he found the line he can handle the stronger opposition. He’s rock hard fit.

Race 5 - 3:40PM TAB RATINGS BAND 0 - 68 Handicap (1666 METRES)

Top Pick: Lately (2) was doing his best work late when finishing fifth by 5.04 lengths to Comrade Rosa at Eagle Farm over 1400m first-up. Comrade Rosa is flying which makes that a good form line for this race where he drops in class. He’s only lightly raced and may have more upside than his rivals. He’ll strip fitter and did win over a similar distance when second-up last preparation. Boris Thornton may be able to settle closer given there is a lack of speed in the race.

Hardest To Beat: Flybridge (1) looks the logical danger given he didn’t finish far behind Lately in the above-mentioned race at Eagle Farm. He should be nearing peak fitness and will appreciate coming back to the provincials. He has a good record over this course and distance.

Race 6 - 4:15PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Top Pick: Darkened Destiny (6) has come back this preparation in good style. Last start he went forward over 1350m and Doomben before being run down at the furlong and finishing third by 2.3 lengths. He’ll be reaching peak fitness at his fourth run back this preparation. From barrier 4, Cody Collis can go forward and give them something to catch. The claim helps.

Hardest To Beat: Bright Tiara (10) looks close to a win. Last start she ran on well over 1350m at Doomben to finish fourth. She was beaten by just under a length when second two starts back at the Sunshine Coast. I would have preferred over further, and the barrier is no help, but she does look to have more upside than the majority of these.

Race 7 - 4:50PM SCHWEPPES Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Top Pick: Hearsay (5) looked good when breaking through for her first win over this course and distance last start. She worked early and was strong late, suggesting she has some ability. That followed a top effort to finish second at Doomben. Now that she has got her first win, she can go on with it. She’s drawn a touch sticky, but Kyle Wilson-Taylor can go forward and find a prominent position.

Hardest To Beat: Abu Simbel (1) was good when finishing third here over 1200m first-up. She looked to be feeling it late so will strip fitter here given she was two months between runs. Her form in Victoria prior to joining David Vandyke was good enough for this.

Race 8 - 5:23PM WWW.IEEC.COM.AU Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Top Pick: The Rampant (1) led and weakened late when finishing 1.96 lengths behind Royal Performance over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start. That was a stronger race than this and he was also found to be suffering from heat stress post-race. It has proven to be a good form race with two horses from it having won since. Noel Callow comes here for just one ride and can lead from the inside gate and give them something to catch.

Hardest To Beat: Cordyceps Miracle (9) missed the start but savaged the line when resuming on the Gold Coast Poly over 1200m. He’ll strip fitter second-up after 73 weeks off the scene. The rise in trip suits.

Best Bets

Race 4 – Kipling's Journey (2)

Race 5 – Lately (2)

Race 7 – Hearsay (5)

By Craig Sheppard

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