Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: Ipswich Preview –18th October 2023
Ipswich is the venue for this week’s Queensland’s midweek metropolitan meeting, where seven races will be run and won.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail will be out 8m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a good 4.
Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.
RACE 1 - 1:48PM: GET SOCIAL @IPSWICHTURFCLUB QTIS 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1350 METRES)
There was a lot to like about the debut performance of Better Be Slick.
Stepping out for the first time over 1200m here, the son of Better Than Ready settled just in behind the speed and when the run presented, he let down nicely, really finding the line well over the final 100m.
He will have taken good natural improvement from the outing and the step to 1350m looks ideal.
Justin Huxtable retains the ride for Chris Munce and he should enjoy a soft run from barrier five.
BET NOW: Ipswich Race 1
RACE 2 - 2:23PM: CONTRACT CHIEFS AUSTRALIA FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
Final Selection resumed with an encouraging effort at the Sunshine Coast eighteen days ago.
After settling back worse than midfield she was brought to the outside to make her run and really hit the line well over the final part to find herself in the photo finish for the minor placings.
The winner of that event looks very smart, having since gone on to win again in impressive fashion.
She's drawn beautifully in barrier four, Ben Thompson sticks with her and the way she worked to the line certainly suggests the step to 1350m will suit.
BET NOW: Ipswich Race 2
RACE 3 - 2:58PM: GREAT NORTHERN COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES MAIDEN HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
Octavio produced a solid first up performance over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.
The Chris Waller trained gelding was strong to through the line but just had one get the better of him late.
In his first preparation he got out to 2200m at just his third start, so he will continue to improve as he steps out over further but with the one run under his belt he strips fitter and this looks a winnable race for him.
From the low draw he'll be afforded every chance under Jimmy Orman.
BET NOW: Ipswich Race 3
RACE 4 - 3:35PM: TAB CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Richon resumes off two nice trials.
The son of Danerich showed plenty of talent last campaign putting two back to back wins, including a Class 6 Plate at Eagle Farm during the winter carnival.
Notably, the runner up from that event then when on to win at Listed level at his next start.
A couple of significant gear changes, as he returns to the races a gelding and the blinkers have also been removed.
He boasts a terrific first up record and should find this easier than what he's previously contested.
Trainer Peter Robl has elected to go with the claim, engaging Jake Molloy to take 3kgs off and he's drawn ideally in gate three.
BET NOW: Ipswich Race 4
RACE 5 - 4:15PM: BASE METAL FABRICATION RATINGS BAND 0 - 65 HANDICAP (1700 METRES)
Hollywood Park kicked off his preparation under new trainer David Vandyke with a nice effort here over 1100m.
Formally prepared by Peter Moody, the son of American Pharaoh has solid form around the Victorian provincial tracks and should find this easier.
He has been plain in two starts following his first up run but they've both been over 1400m and he gives the impression he's looking for further.
A winner over the mile and at 1732m, he'll certainly relish the step to 1700m here and Ryan Maloney will do the steering.
BET NOW: Ipswich Race 5
RACE 6 - 4:53PM: TIACS FOUNDATION CLASS 1 PLATE (1350 METRES)
Hurts So Good caught the eye when powering his way through the field at the Sunshine Coast.
The son of So You Think resumed over 1000m and was eased back in the early part, he had plenty of traffic in front of him but did well to finish fourth in the $100k feature Class 1 event.
Only lightly raced with the three starts to his name, the Mark Currie trained gelding looks to have plenty of upside.
On that first up effort you'd expect the 1350m will suit and he's drawn to get the right run under Robbie Dolan.
BET NOW: Ipswich race 6
RACE 7 - 5:30PM: #THISISACONVERSATIONSTARTER BM70 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
He's Heaven will make his second appearance under new trainer Desleigh Forster.
The four year old has only posted the one win and one placing from eleven starts but when you look closely at his record, it's certainly better than the figures suggest.
A stakes winner at just his second start, he then when on to finish fourth in both the Group 3 McNeil Stakes and the Group 2 Stutt Stakes.
Whilst he didn't quite measure up to the top level, he should be able to work through his grades here in South East QLD.
The regally bred son of Zoustar kicked of his campaign with solid effort at Eagle Farm and will have taken good benefit from the run.
He drops slightly back in grade and his lone win was second up.
Jim Byrne returns to races after a stint on the sidelines as he recovered from surgery and he'll team up with the gelding.
