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Meeting In Review – Friday 15 December 2023
Date: 18-Dec-2023
With Christmas parties in full swing on track, the Ipswich Turf Club was the place to be on Friday.
Unfortunately, afternoon storms saw the meeting abandoned with only six of the scheduled eight races run.
Toowoomba trained horses were in fine form on the day, winning the first three races on the program.
The Michael Nolan-trained La Vittoria finally delivered on her promise when she won the opening race, the Cec & Jan Miles Builders Maiden Handicap over 2170 METRES.
The four-year-old mare, who was having her 17th start, came from last at the top of the straight to blast past her rivals and win by 2.3 lengths eased down.
Lindsay Hatch landed a plunge in race 2 with his debutante, Lady Invader.
The daughter of Invader was sensationally backed in from $17 to $3 when markets opened.
Word circulated on course that the reason for the big move was that the filly had jumped out like a superstar ahead of her first start.
The money was right with Lady Invader charging down the outside despite doing a bit wrong to win the 800m scamper.
Hot Or Not has been racing in sublime form recently for Pat Webster.
The five-year-old mare made it four wins in a row when she fought strongly to lead all the way.
Rebecca Mollica will remember Friday’s meeting fondly as she registered her first win as a trainer.
The local conditioner was putting the saddle on just her eighth runner when Back ‘Em Black lined up in the Harmony Bathroom Products Maiden Handicap.
Wanderson D’Avila enjoyed a great run before engaging in combat with fellow Ipswich horse Darkened Destiny in the straight.
The son of Lonhro drew clear with 100m to go to salute at the monster starting price of $91.
As much as $135 was paid out on the Queensland tote to provide backers with a very nice early Christmas present!
Congratulation to Rebecca on achieving her first victory!
If there was an award for ‘Ride of the Day’ then the Queen of Ipswich, Sam Collett, would have been then the beneficiary.
Collett partnered the Lee Freedman-trained Binding in the Plumbtec Pro Tools Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1680m.
The So You Think mare started a $3.60 favourite and the result was never in doubt once the popular kiwi hoop found the front just 200m after leaving the barriers.
Collett was allowed to get away with murder in front, recording some very cheap sectionals in the middle stages of the race before bursting clear in the straight to win by three lengths.
The ride was the perfect definition of a stack and rack.
Apprentice jockey Tahlia Fenlon rode La Vittoria to victory in the opening race of the day.
She bookended the card when successfully piloting Heroic Miss in what would be the final race, the QR Legends Benchmark 68 Handicap.
Fenlon got the most out of the Chris Munce-trained mare, driving her to the line to get up by the barest of margins.
The win continued Heroic Miss’ super record at Ipswich.
Racing returns to Ipswich one last time before Christmas on Sunday the 24th.
By Craig Sheppard
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