Meeting In Review 14 January 2023

Date: 16-Jan-2023

DJ Day attracted a good crowd at the Ipswich Turf Club on Saturday. There was a lively atmosphere on course with DJ Bose entertaining racegoers on the Viewing Terrace. While there were showers throughout the day, the eight-race card was run on a Good 4 surface and produced some enjoyable racing.

Meehan Trains First Winner

Irishman Chris Meehan has been a Brisbane-based jockey for the past few years. Midway through last year, he added training to his resume.

Meehan first put a saddle on a horse as a trainer at Gatton on 22 July 2022. He had yet to enjoy the taste of victory as a conditioner when he entered Rocked in Saturday’s FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate.

As he has done numerous times with his horses, Meehan also took on the riding duties. Rocked didn’t show a lot of early speed and settled towards the back from the inside gate. As the field passed the Great Nothern sign at the 600 metres mark, Rocked was still around seven lengths off the lead.

That forced Meehan to get moving. He saved a lot of ground by staying on the fence as they straightened. Rocked squeezed through a gap on the rail with a furlong to go before charging to the line to win by two lengths.

Understandably Meehan was excited about the win, giving the son of Fastnet Rock several pats after the winning post.

Congratulations Chris on a memorable win!

The Queen Of Ipswich Returns With A Double

Sam Collett was crowned the 2021/22 Ipswich Jockey Premiership winner, but this season hasn’t gone as smoothly.

The always smiling hoop had registered just three Ipswich wins this season prior to Saturday’s meeting.

A Christmas and New Year holiday in Europe appears to have recharged Collett’s batteries as she returned to the Bundamba circuit for the first time following her break and registered a winning double.

The day didn’t start in the best of ways for the three-time Group 1 winning jockey. Collett finished at the tail of the field in the opening race, the FOLLOW @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate, aboard $101 shot Heroic Maputo.

However, Collett hit back hard in her remaining two rides on the day, and she didn’t waste any time in doing so.

Collett piloted the Stuart Kendrick-trained Fat Fingers in the second event, the TAB Maiden Handicap over 1690 metres.

Fat Fingers was a drifter in the market, starting at $9 after opening $6. The daughter of Sweynesse was caught wide early but Collett soon found a spot, one out one back. The pair got on their bike turning for home before coming to the outside in the straight. Fat Fingers had plenty to do but responded to Collett in the final 100 metres to charge past the leaders to claim victory right on the winning post.

It was a long wait in the jockey room for Collett following her win on Fat Fingers. Her next ride was in the final event of the day some four hours later.

Collett partnered Pivotal Motion in the SIRROMET BENCHMARK 78 Handicap. A horse she has built a good combination with in the past.

The Doug Duryea-trained seven-year-old showed his customary early speed to counter the wide gate and take up the running. Collett rated Pivotal Motion beautifully in front and had her rivals off the bit approaching the run home. The duo dashed clear in the straight. While Charge On attacked late, the win was well in the bag for Pivotal Motion.

It was the fourth time that Collett had won on Pivotal Motion with three of them coming at Ipswich.

Several punters were happy to see Collett back winning at Ipswich and showed their appreciation by cheering the Kiwi jockey as she entered the winner’s stall from the members balcony.

Grinzinger Knight Puts Rivals To Sword

The Harry Richardson-trained Grinzinger Knight won at Lismore in October by a whopping 9.3 lengths.

His form in three subsequent runs was disappointing and he was sent for a short spell. He returned to racing on Saturday in THE BARN FAMILY RESTAURANT RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 Handicap over 1690 metres.

And what a return it was!

With apprentice jockey Isabella Rabjones in the saddle, Grinzinger Knight flew out of the gates to open a three-length lead by the time they had run 200 metres. Pole Volter briefly took the lead as the field hit the back straight, but Grinzinger Knight quickly reclaimed front spot with 1100 metres to go.

Rabjones upped the ante on the turn and her rivals were unable to respond. As they straightened for home, Grinzinger Knight led by two lengths. That margin only got greater as the Toowoomba galloper charged to the line to win by six lengths.

It was a similar display to when he won at Lismore with the drop in class providing a welcome return to form.

The Billionaire Banks Another Winner’s Cheque

The Lee Freedman-trained The Billionaire put the disappointment of losing the race in the steward’s room last start at Gatton behind him to claim Saturday’s GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 70 Handicap.

The striking chestnut who wouldn’t be out of place on the show circuit drove hard early in the 1100 metres contest to take up the running. The speedy son of Written Tycoon increased his lead as they made their run for home.

While the winning margin was reduced late, the damage had well and truly been done as The Billionaire recorded the fifth win of his career.

The Billionaire was jockey Paul Hammersley’s only ride of the day, making it a worthwhile trip to Ipswich from his Gold Coast base.

Next Ipswich Meeting

We’re on the quick back-up this week. We will host metropolitan racing on Wednesday 18 January.

By Craig Sheppard

Back to list