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Meeting In Review – Wednesday 22 May 2024
Date: 23-May-2024
Another midweek metropolitan meeting was run at Ipswich on Wednesday, and once again it was jockey Jimmy Orman who starred.
Not content with riding a winning Ipswich treble last Wednesday, the talented hoop helped himself to another three wins this week.
Orman’s winning day started in the opening race when he teamed up with the Tony Gollan-trained Costner.
The three-year-old gelding was having his first start for Queensland’s leading trainer when he lined up in the 1100m maiden.
He enjoyed a beautiful run in the box seat before Orman shook him up prior to straightening.
The son of Trapeze Artist let down powerfully to draw clear late for a two-length victory.
He will no doubt win more races for Gollan as he steps up to more suitable length races.
The dynamic duo was at it again in the Class 6 Plate over 1200m when they combined with Pizarro.
The five-year-old gelding has taken to life in Gollan’s stable well, winning both his races since arriving.
Just as he did here three weeks ago, Pizarro produced a devastating finishing burst to win by a head.
Pizarro’s victory was Gollan’s 23rd scalp at Ipswich this season and increased his lead to nine wins.
With just eight meetings to go in the 2023/24 season, Gollan looks unstoppable as he heads towards an eighth Ipswich premiership.
Orman completed his treble in the following race over 1200m with the David Vandyke-trained Betterletmedance.
The three-year-old filly drew the outside barrier in the field of 13, but that didn’t perturb Orman who drove forward to sit outside the lead with relative ease.
Betterletmedance and co-leader Taltarni Fields went stride for stride in the straight, but it was the urging of Orman that got his mount up when it counted right on the line.
It was a masterful display by Orman and clearly demonstrated why he sits eight wins clear at the top of this season’s Ipswich Jockey premiership.
The QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 2180m looked like a fascinating contest on paper with a number of runners looking to book their spots in the Queensland Derby and Oaks.
The race didn’t disappoint with New Zealander First Innings firmly raising his hand as a serious Derby contender.
The Andrew Forsman-trained gelding settled a long last after drawing the outside barrier.
With 600m to go, nine-time Ipswich leading jockey Jimmy Byrne performed his trademark tactic and started his move around the outside of the field.
Despite the sustained and wide run, First Innings finished off like a freight train to put his rivals to the sword to effortlessly win by 2.17 lengths.
He was no doubt suited by the strong tempo that was set, but there is no doubt the Kiwi is a genuine stayer and it’s doubtful he’ll go around at such massive odds next start.
Majestic Boom kept his unbeaten record intact when he saluted in the Class 3 Handicap over 1100m.
The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith trained son of Spirit Of Boom had a battle on his hands, and it took all the straight to get past Spiritchaser.
Thanks to Adin Thompson’s vigor he got up in the shadows of the post and took his record to four wins from four starts.
It was a pleasure for the club to have 73x Group 1 winning jockey Craig Williams riding at Wednesday’s meeting.
The champion hoop had to wait until the final race of the day to register a win, but the way his mount Aldeenaary decimated the field more than made the wait worthwhile.
The Chris Waller-trained six-year-old gelding was well backed to win the Winter Provincial Stayers heat and he didn’t let his supporters down.
‘Willo’ was happy for the race to unfold in front of him as he settled at the back in the 2180m test of stamina.
As they turned for home, Williams slowly advanced through the field and by the time they straightened he was level with the leaders.
At that point the race was as good as over, with Aldeenaary dispatching his rivals quickly and dashing clear for a 6.14 length win.
It was another great day of racing at Ipswich, and we’ll do it all again on Thursday the 30th of May.
By Craig Sheppard
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