Ipswich Preview – Thursday 3 October 2024

Date: 02-Oct-2024

For the third Thursday in a row, we’ll host a provincial meeting at Ipswich.

Eight races are scheduled for decision with a near perfect weather forecast presenting us with a Soft 5 racing surface.

Our top selections for each race can be found below.

Race 1 - 12:45PM SCHWEPPES Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)

9 Chamierro (4)

Chamierro returned in good order over 1110m at Doomben last start.

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained son of Pierro settled a long way off the leaders after being bumped and squeezed out of the gates but worked home nicely to finish fourth by 4.2 lengths.

Given the way he worked through the line, the rise to 1350m looks ideal second-up.

Martin Harley can settle closer and this looks a good opportunity for the lightly-raced three-year-old to get his first win.

Selections: 9-10-12-1

Race 2 - 1:20PM GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Plate (1690 METRES)

6 Autora

Autora returns to Ipswich after a solid run over this course and distance last start that saw her finish 1.8 lengths third.

Jimmy Orman elected to come around them on the home turn which allowed You Kay Squeeze, who she meets better at the weights here, to hug the inside and gain an advantage.

The Chris Waller-trained mare didn’t look comfortable on the Gold Coast Poly track over 1540m two starts back but still picked up strongly late to finish three lengths second.

There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Orman settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 6-11-3-8

Race 3 - 1:55PM TAB Class 4 Handicap (1690 METRES)

7 Schoona The Better

Schoona The Better should be close to peak fitness fourth-up following nearly two years in the paddock.

The Liam Birchley-trained gelding produced a strong effort last start at the Sunshine Coast over this distance where he led and fought gamely to finish third by 1.1 lengths.

In his only previous start at the track, he clocked the fastest final 600m of the race when running on from the back after drawing wide to finish 1.2 lengths third.

There does not look to be many horses that go forward engaged so Sam Collett should take advantage of a low draw and settle handy.

Selections: 7-4-1-6

Race 4 - 2:35PM CONGRATS JOSH & EMILY Class 3 Handicap (800 METRES)

4 Dawyn’s Choice

Dawyn’s Choice kicked off this preparation with a strong win over this course and distance when overcoming a wide barrier.

The Greg Cornish-trained mare has a good record over the Ipswich 800m scamper of two wins from four starts.

She added a 1.3 length second to her stats last start when jumping from barrier 11 and giving a big sight despite racing three-wide outside the lead.

She draws better here and maps to get a great run on speed.

Selections: 4-7-8-1

Race 5 - 3:10PM GORDON'S GIN Class 2 Plate (1350 METRES)

3 Millward

Millward returned in great order over this course and distance last start.

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding recorded the quickest final 200m of the race when charging home to finish second by a neck.

He will have come on since that run and has won second-up previously.

He has only been out of the top three once in five races over this course and distance and looks well placed to continue that record from a good barrier.

Selections: 3-10-2-9

Race 6 - 3:45PM BARRIER REEF POOLS BM58 Handicap (1350 METRES)

1 Quest Of Quests

Quest Of Quests worked to the line well when finishing 1.9 lengths third over 1100m at Beaudesert.

The Olivia Cairns-trained son of Spill The Beans improved last start when letting down powerfully to win over 1200m here by 1.3 lengths.

Ryan Maloney replaced the apprentice that day and in a positive sign remains in the saddle.

He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a beautiful run.

Selections: 1-6-5-9

Race 7 - 4:25PM SEVEN NEWS 0 - 58 Handicap (1690 METRES)

2 Nippa’s Nightcap

Nippa’s Nightcap tends to need luck in his runs as he gets back, but he finds a suitable race here.

The Kelly Schweida-trained Sebring gelding settled a long way back over 1660m at Doomben last start but let down strongly to finish 1.8 lengths fourth.

He will appreciate the drop in class and will enjoy returning to Ipswich where he finished second first-up and is a previous winner.

Jimmy Orman is back in the saddle and has been the rider when he won both his races.

Selections: 2-5-4-9

Race 8 - 5:05PM TIACS RACEDAY 18 OCT ON SALE RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap (2190 METRES)

1 Kenshin Maru

Kenshin Maru broke his maiden status over this course and distance three starts back when producing plenty late to salute by 1.3 lengths.

The Louise White-trained gelding then raced well out of his class when finishing down the track at Doomben before bouncing back last start with a solid effort to finish 4.3 lengths fourth over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast.

He will appreciate the drop in class and gets Boris Thornton back in the saddle who was aboard for his last win.

This is a wide-open race to end the day and, in a contest, where most have their convictions, he looks as good a chance as any.

Selections: 1-3-2-5

Best Bets

Race 4 – Dawyn's Choice (4)

Race 6 – Quest Of Quests (1)

By Craig Sheppard

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