3 minute read
Metropolitan midweek racing returns to Ipswich this week where nine races are scheduled to be run and won.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail is out 6m the entire course with a Soft 5 surface and a sunny day forecast.
We've provided our top selections for each race below.
RACE 1 - 11:59AM: Maiden Handicap (1100 METRES)
Mehretu (6) makes her debut here for Tony Gollan and Blacksoil Bloodstock.
The daughter of Deep Field looked good twelve months ago when winning a Doomben trial despite sitting three-wide the trip.
She must have had an issue as she has been in the paddock since then, but returns here on the back of another nice trial where she worked home well under a hold at Deagon to finish a close second.
In a telling move, Gollan has booked Craig Williams to ride who is in great form after winning Saturday's Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000.
1 Unit – Mehretu (6)
RACE 2 - 12:33PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Click Click Boom (1) returns for his second preparation after a solid effort in Magic Millions The Debut race at the Gold Coast in January.
The Sharryn Livingstone-trained colt drew the outside gate in that stronger race and was forced to work early while being caught wide, so given that, he boxed on well to finish sixth by five lengths.
He looked good in a recent trial where he sat on speed and worked to the line well under his own steam to win.
Justin Stanley should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Click Click Boom (1)
RACE 3 - 1:08PM: QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Midori Mover (9) returns to the track after a decent first preparation.
The Chris Meagher-trained Toronado filly was solid on debut at Eagle Farm before picking up strongly late over this course and distance to finish a half-length second.
She warmed up for this first-up assignment with a nice piece of work where after being held up and forced to get to the outside, she let down nicely to finish 1.2 lengths fourth over 1000m in a Doomben trial.
Jimmy Byrne takes the ride from the good gate that should see her enjoy a sweet run.
1 Unit – Midori Mover (9)
RACE 4 - 1:43PM: Class 3 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Barassi (6) returned over 1000m at Eagle Farm with a solid effort where he used plenty of gas to find the front before boxing on well to finish third by 1.9 lengths.
The Toby Edmonds-trained son of I Am Invincible has since been back to the trials where he jumped straight to the front in the 1000m Doomben hit out and dashed clear under a hold to win by 4.8 lengths.
He'll strip fitter and was ultra impressive when second-up last preparation with a 4.5 length demolition job in the Magic Millions Maiden.
Top jockey Jimmy Orman can use his mounts early speed to cross and take up a forward position.
2 Units – Barassi (6)
RACE 5 - 2:18PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1690 METRES)
Starzam (6) was unlucky not to finish closer than his 2.4 length fifth last start over 1600m at Eagle Farm.
The Kelly Schweida-trained five-year-old gelding was held up in the straight and it proved costly as others with better momentum were able to run past him.
Tenzing was just ahead of him that day and that horse has since won impressively in town to frank the form.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Jimmy Byrne settle just off them before coming with a strong run.
1 Unit – Starzam (6)
RACE 6 - 2:53PM: Class 6 Plate (1200 METRES)
Pizarro (6) was very good when resuming last start over this course and distance for new trainer Tony Gollan.
The former Sydney galloper looked a class above as he powered home to easily win by half a length.
He'll strip fitter second-up and while he rises in grade, the set weight conditions of the race are in his favour and he does drop 3kg.
Jimmy Orman retains the ride and should be able to give him every chance from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Pizarro (6)
RACE 7 - 3:28PM: QTIS Three-Years-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Within Reason (7) looked a different horse when having her first start for Tony Gollan after previously racing with Desleigh Forster.
The daughter of Spirit Of Boom settled handy over this course and distance before fighting strongly to finish a length second to Russian Sub who has since run well for second.
She'll strip fitter second-up and did finish two lengths third to Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Abounding when having her second run last preparation.
Craig Williams can settle in a handy position from an inside barrier.
1 Unit – Within Reason (7)
RACE 8 - 4:03PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (2180 METRES)
Time and time again, we've seen Chris Waller-trained horses successfully come north and turn their form around against easier opposition.
That was the case last start with Dulcet (3) who found the line strongly to win by half a length over 1666m here last start.
The three-year-old gelding has since been back to the trials where he was given a classic Waller trial of cruising around at the back before working to the line well under double grips.
He'll strip fitter given he was nine-weeks between runs and maps to get an economical run.
1 Unit Each Way – Dulcet (3)
RACE 9 - 4:37PM: BENCHMARK 72 Handicap (2180 METRES)
Shezadandi (5) proved too strong when winning over this course and distance last start.
The Jason Patton-trained mare appreciated the drop in class after a top effort to finish third in a Benchmark 78 Handicap at Eagle Farm the start prior.
She loves racing over this course and distance, boasting two wins and a head second from three races.
She rises 2kg from last start but this race looks no harder and Kyle Wilson-Taylor sticks.
1 Unit – Shezadandi (5)
