Racenet’s Queensland form expert Graeme Carey previews the seven-race card at Ipswich on Wednesday, presenting his best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis.
Some spring rain is about that Graeme doesn’t expect that to have much impact on a modest midweek meeting at which the Tony Gollan juggernaut will be prominent.
With the rail out eight metres, being on-speed will be an advantage.
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BEST BET NEXT BEST VALUE BET
LAY OF THE DAY
Race 6 No.10 CHERISH THE DAY ($2.70): Got it done in the Stewards Room last start in a Class 1 and only been first past the post once in eleven outings and that was over 1000m. Takes on seasoned winners here and wanting better than $5.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 3,4,5
Race 5: 6,9
Race 6: 2,3,9
Race 7: 9,10,11
54 combinations
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Some dour ones here. The one with least convictions is PISTON REBEL (5) which has a bit more dash than the rest of these and hit the line strongly when winning his Maiden. It is always hard going to a Class 1 but his dam won over this trip; Bubba Tilley stays on and he has a bit to offer.
HURRICANE ROSIE (8) has been finding it hard to break through this preparation but beat all but the winner at Grafton. Jaden Lloyd gets back on and from the ace draw can set a tempo to suit.
TRUMP CARD (7) is a one-pacer but is rarely far away and with Jag Guthmann-Chester may be the last man standing.
SACRED TED (6) was too keen over the shorter trip at Kilcoy but may be better suited here. Jackson Morris has made some gear changes and back in the saddle there will be no excuses.
VERDICT: PISTON REBEL (5) the one with upside.
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RACE 2: Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate (1100m)
Most of these are resuming without having shown a lot. The most seasoned is the Tony Gollan-trained IMMEDIATE (4) which worked hard from a wide gate before fading at Eagle Farm last start. Fitter for two outings she is drawn better here and in a moderate field Ben Thompson can get the breakthrough.
David Vandyke and Ryan Maloney combine on ELLTITUDE (3) which trials well but didn’t produce when debuting on a heavy track. A better surface helps, and she can make her presence felt.
All the gear comes off the other Gollan runner, BOMBARD (2) which – as a sister to Madam Fleiss and half-sister to Cifrado – has been disappointing to date. From the ace draw with Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim, she won’t get a better chance.
ABSOLUTELYSMASHING (1)‘s trials have been sound. Her dam has been a solid producer and with Jag Guthmann-Chester will be primed for a good debut.
VERDICT: IMMEDIATE (4) the one to beat.
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RACE 3: Colts, Geldings & Entires Maiden Plate (1100m)
Some flash pedigrees here but most are resuming and have little in the way of revealed form. WATERTIGHT (4) wasn’t beaten far on debut and has won both trials since. By I Am Invincible out a very fast Group 3 winning mare he has a pedigree and can account for these.
Visors go on VALEDICTORIAN (12) which brings NSW form and wasn’t beaten far when resuming as favourite at Kembla Grange. An expensive colt, by Zoustar out of a Group 3 winning mare, he meets a modest group here and with Ben Thompson from a good gate will get every chance.
ENCRYPTED FEELING (6) won his most recent trial with Angela Jones and will get his opportunity from a good alley.
The tongue-tie comes off TORO CHASE (11) which has drawn poorly and may have had respiratory issues at his only outing. Both trials have been sound and with a quiet ride from Andrew Mallyon will hit the line better than any.
VERDICT: WATERTIGHT (4) for me.
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A ‘flutter’ and a good gate helps ENUFF PILLS (5) which found Saturday grade too much but beat a similar field here two starts back. PALAWA KANI (3) had her measure at two Gatton outings but this is her track and Angela Jones can turn the tables.
PALAWA KANI (3) is a specialist having won her past four and ran out the 1000m to win at Dalby last start. Yet to win at this track she won’t get a better chance from the ace draw with regular rider Olivia Webb claiming 3kg.
MAGURO (4) loves this track and trip winning five times here. A wide gate tests but he has gate speed, drops 3kg and Jag Guthmann-Chester has won on him before.
MAXIMUM OUTPUT (1) doesn’t make winning a habit but showed is capable at these short sprints winning at Bundaberg two starts back. The 3kg claim for Jace McMurray helps and he been competitive against much better horses than these.
VERDICT: ENUFF PILLS (5), track and distance specialist.
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Tony Gollan with the whip hand. Blinkers replace winkers on the SURPRISE HONEY (9) which has placed at both outings since resuming and was only found out late in Saturday grade last start. She won her only previous start here, this trip suits and with Angela Jones replacing Emily Lang will be hard to run down.
The stablemate GILIANA (6) was dominant when resuming and has won here previously. Emily Lang stays on and whilst this trip is her limit will have her in the finish.
NO NAME FRANK (3) is resuming, goes well fresh and has benefited from a recent trial. He was competitive in Saturday grade last preparation and will get every chance with Georgina Cartwright.
KELLY’S LANDING (7) was supported when resuming in Saturday grade but didn’t give a yelp. This is easier, she gets some gear changes and where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
VERDICT: A Gollan quinella.
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Having had two outings since joining Jack Bruce, SUNLORD (2) returns to the track where he won four starts back. This extra distance won’t worry him and with a positive ride from Luke Dempsey will be hard to hold out.
VICTORY FLAME (3) will find this easier than Saturday grade and was unsuited by the tempo at Doomben last start. He will find this trip to his liking, and Jag Guthmann-Chester knows how to ride him.
Hard to pass a mare in form and TOROS (9) has won three of five since resuming. She rises 3.5kg but Angela Jones stays on and will have her on the bunny throughout.
CHERISH THE DAY (10) won a similar race here last start in the Stewards Room. Winning isn’t a habit but she hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation, Ryan Maloney stays aboard, and from the ace draw will get every chance.
VERDICT: SUNLORD (2) is due.
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A promising mare, ZOUFANI (10) came from a wide gate and got the job done in a Benchmark 65 at Doomben last start. Better drawn here, she gets a lugging bit and with Cejay Graham gets all the favours from the ace draw.
The other Gollan runner, VELOZES (9) was too keen in Saturday grade last start and may not have enjoyed the soft surface over 1400m. She will find this more suitable and with winning rider Angela Jones back on, will be near the speed throughout.
FLYING SHELLY (11) hasn’t put in a bad one since resuming and ran ZOUFANI () close last start. She drops 1kg, Ben Thompson replaces Justin Huxtable and from a good gate will be given every chance.
JOPPA LANE (6) is maintaining form, placing in Saturday grade last start and both previous wins have been here. He is poorly drawn, but Luke Dempsey stays on and can make his presence felt.
VERDICT: Another Gollan quinella.