Ipswich Selections – Thursday 18 January 2024

Date: 17-Jan-2024

There’s plenty of racing taking place at the Ipswich Turf Club this month and we’re back again this Thursday for a seven-race card.

We’ve studied the form and provided our top selections in each race below.

Race 1 - 1:45PM THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT Maiden Plate (2200 METRES)

2 How Ya Been Anyway

How Ya Been Anyway was unlucky last start when finishing fifth over 2040m at Doomben.

The Paul Jenkins-trained five-year-old gelding was held up badly in the straight and only got clear late and should have finished a lot closer than the 1.37 length margin.

That followed a very good run at the Sunshine Coast over this distance where he was beaten by just a head.

Martin Harley takes the ride and should be able to settle handy from the low draw.

Selections: 2-5-7-4

Race 2 - 2:25PM RECOVERY RACES 27 JANUARY QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (800 METRES)

9 She’s Pushy

With all bar one horse on debut and three of them not having been seen publicly, this race is one that is probably left alone.

However, if you are inclined to get involved then She’s Pushy could be the way to go.

The John Thomas-trained Rothesay filly sat three deep in a recent Toowoomba trial yet still worked strongly to the line to win in good time.

Selections: 9-6-5-1

Race 3 - 3:05PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)

4 Grey Effects

Grey Effects was no match for Vienna Rose on debut at Ballina but ran on well to finish 3.8 lengths second.

The Indiana Turner-trained three-year-old gelding will have taken benefit from the sun and will strip fitter second-up.

Given he was doing his best work late, he’ll appreciate the rise to 1200m.

Selections: 4-5-7-1

Race 4 - 3:40PM TAB Class 4 Handicap (1700 METRES)

3 Kermantic

Kermantic should be ready for a peak performance fourth-up.

The Matt Dunn-trained five-year-old gelding ran well in his first two starts back this preparation before a disappointing effort in a stronger race at Eagle Farm last start.

He races well when the track is rain-affected and did win by a massive 5.5 lengths when fourth-up on a Soft 7 track at Murwillumbah over 1550m last preparation.

Brodie Loy has been combining well with the Dunn stable lately and should be able to settle in a handy position.

Selections: 3-6-1-7

Race 5 - 4:15PM IEEC.COM.AU BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1700 METRES)

5 Martini Dancer

Martini Dancer improved out of sight when finishing second to Enviable at Gatton last start.

The Jake Capewell-trained mare ran on strongly but was run down in the closing stages of the 1600m contest to finish a head second.

She comfortably had the measure of those behind her who she meets again here.

She’ll be at peak fitness now and gets the services of Ben Thompson who can settle handy.

Selections: 5-3-2-4

Race 6 - 4:50PM SEVEN NEWS BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (1200 METRES)

10 Inspired Dream

Inspired Dream finally broke through for a well-deserved but overdue win last start over this course and distance.

The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained mare went within a nose of winning two starts back at Toowoomba before putting it together last start.

She worked early to find the front from a wide gate before dashing clear in the straight to win by a length.

Emily Lang was aboard that day and retains the ride with her 1.5kg claim coming in handy.

Selections: 10-8-9-5

Race 7 - 5:30PM SIRROMET Class 2 Plate (1100 METRES)

4 Rainbow Connection

Rainbow Connection is extremely well placed under the set weight conditions of the race.

The Matt Dunn-trained son of Choisir will appreciate the drop in class after racing wide throughout in a Class 6 Handicap at Doomben first-up.

The stable obviously has an opinion of him as they’ve consistently run him in significantly harder races including a Benchmark 78 Handicap that he won two preparations ago.

He’ll strip fitter second-up and is drawn to get a great run for Brodie Loy.

Selections: 4-7-3-6

Best Bets

Race 1 – How Ya Been Anyway (2)

Race 7 – Rainbow Connection (4)

By Craig Sheppard

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