Ipswich Selections 31 March 2023

Date: 31-Mar-2023

An early morning storm on Thursday saw the abandonment of yesterday’s Ipswich Turf Club meeting. Thankfully fine weather followed which enabled us to have another go at hosting our eight-race card today.

The track is rated a Heavy 8 but with fine weather forecast, we should see improvements through the day. The rail is out 5m the entire circuit.

For our best bet in each race, read below.

Race 1 - FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (800 METRES)

There isn’t a lot of exposed wet track form here which makes it hard. Yellowstone Beth (8) is on debut for Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch.

The Territories filly showed an abundance of speed to win a recent 650m trial by 7.8 lengths in good time. In fact, she was 1.3 seconds quicker than Trickateer who finished second as a $1.50 on debut at the Sunshine Coast recently and is in the market this Saturday at Doomben.

She’ll be suited by the 800m scamper and should be hard to run down.

Race 2 - TAB Class 1 Plate (2180 METRES)

Cristalino (5) settled last over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast last start before finishing off strongly to cross the line in second. The final margin was just a nose.

The Kris Lees-trained mare was powerful through the line suggesting the rise to 2180m here will suit.

There looks to be a lack of speed in the race which could see Michael Cahill settle closer than normal. Those tactics worked when she broke through for her only win three starts back at Eagle Farm.

Race 3 - GREAT NORTHERN OPEN Handicap (1350 METRES)

At Witz End (1) has come back this preparation in great form. The Owen Glue-trained seven-year-old resumed with a half-length second to Magic Charlee over this course and distance. There was plenty of merit in the run given he was forced to work early and was also caught three-deep for most of the trip.

Last start he settled a long way back after drawing wide at Doomben. He caught the eye finishing off strongly for fourth behind Animate.

Queensland’s top jockey Jimmy Orman will go forward on him and that looks advantageous in a race with limited early speed.

Race 4 - TAB IPSWICH CUP NOW ON SALE Maiden Plate (1100 METRES)

Asteria (10) is having her first start for David Vandyke after previously racing in Sydney with Mark Newnham.

She created quite an impression recently when bolting in to win a trial by 11 lengths. Her previous form suggests she can aim up here. When first-up last preparation she ran on well for a close third at Hawkesbury over 1000m on a soft 7.

She’ll go forward for Jimmy Byrne and if she runs up to her trial, she’ll be hard to run down.

Race 5 - SIRROMET QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

Dystopian (9) led when resuming over 1200m at Eagle Farm but condition gave out in the final furlong and he faded to finish 2.89 lengths sixth.

Tony Gollan has removed the blinkers and put a tongue tie on in the hope of improving him second-up. Regardless, he’ll have improved physically heading into this race.

He looks the likely leader and in a race with limited speed, he may prove hard to run down.

Race 6 - EASTER RACES 10 APRIL Fillies and Mares Class 3 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Aureus Angel (6) impressed over this course and distance when having her first start for Chris Munce.

She drew wide which forced Kyle Wilson-Taylor to settle further back than perhaps he would have liked. He circled the field on the turn before sprinting hard and fast to win comfortably.

She’ll strip fitter here second-up and draws to get a much better run.

Race 7 - SCHWEPPES Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 3 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Unfortunately, this race has been hit hard by scratchings and we’re left with just the six starters. Barry Lockwood has a strong hand with the two favourites in the race and I’m going with one of them.

Striking Plains (4) is a newcomer to the stable who previously plied his trade in Victoria. He comes here in good form having won at Camperdown over 1400m last start. That was ten weeks ago and he has since trialed where he got to the line nicely.

The stable are flying and he gets the services of Jimmy Orman. He maps to get a great run.

Race 8 - THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

Elliez Star (10) looks close to a win after finishing in the placings three of her past four starts.

Last time out the Adam Campton-trained three-year-old filly jumped well but was forced to settle back when she couldn’t get in from barrier 11. Despite that she finished off well for second, 1.3 lengths behind Aureus Angel.

The rise in trip looks ideal and Mark Du Plessis should be able to give her every chance from the inside gate.

Best Bets

Race 1 – Yellowstone Beth (8)

Race 6 – Aureus Angel (6)

Race 8 – Elliez Star (10)

By Craig Sheppard

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