Race Preview
Back a winner at Ipswich
Midweek racing heads back to Ipswich and here's the rundown from the Racing and Sports team.
RACE 1
GOLD PUMA (3) is a consistent conveyance who has hit ther top-five in ten of 11 career starts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Nicely placed in this contest and looks the testing material. CANADIAN EXPRESS (1) has placed over this track and trip and gets a stack of weight relief with the claim. Better than recent efforts suggest and can improve enough to feature in the finish. The penny has dropped for MISHANI EMPIRE (6) who has won two of her past three and it's hard to knock mares in form. Winning hoop Kendal sticks and rates a genuine top-three contender. ACE'S IN BLOOM (5) has been thereabouts at the past couple and may earn some minor money with luck in running. RED COBRA (4) best of the rest.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Gold Puma.
New winner for #AlabamaExpress!
Yulong-bred and -sold, Gold Puma (ex Argentinian Gold) pulls away to claim his maiden win for @EthanTEnsby95.
Congrats to owner, M R Graham and all involved!#aworldofopportunity pic.twitter.com/EFc1VjvkY2
— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) October 19, 2025
RACE 2
ZOU BIG BOY (4) has been just behind the placegetters in both runs this campaign and will be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination and can make his presence felt against this line-up. MAN OF THE TOWN (3) has won over this distance range, draws low and gets 3kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes for a race like this. EL PENSADOR (5) is one from one over this track and trip and strips fitter third-up. Watch for a better showing. The well-related LENAPE VIBE (1) (half to G2 winner Snitzanova) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and must be respected out of the champion Waller yard. Include in calculations. SAXON KING (2) next in line.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Zou Big Boy.
RACE 3
MR PLAYTIME (3) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough for a race of this calibre. Revved up for this with a recent trial win and only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the finish. PRUCIA (10) has hit the frame in both starts to date and gets the services of Jones in the irons. Should push forward and will give backers a sight. MISHANI HERCULES (2) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at his past couple over this sprint trip. Top-three aspirations. Former NSW galloper EXCESS CAPITAL (7) is having her first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what she faced down south. Respect any market confidence. AIR CONTROL (1) makes some appeal from the favourable draw.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 3,10,2,7.
RACE 4 - RACING AND SPORTS BEST BET
STORM MERCHANT (4) was well in the betting when facing the starter for the first time and didn't let supporters down with a dominant Gold Coast victory. Is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that win and can go back-to-back to start the career. EXCELOQUENT (6) returned in good order with a strong win over this track and trip before just running into one better here last time out. Drawn to get a gun run in transit from the inside alley and looms as the main danger. METALCRAFT (2) got the maiden win out of the way before being tipped out for further time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a recent trial and can run a big race while fresh. TENGUN JESSIE (8) looked good saluting here on debut and winning rider Hellyer sticks in the saddle. Has definite top-three claims. SEVEER (1) next best with the claim.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Storm Merchant to win again.
RACE 5
TAJAWAL (2) has been thereabouts in harder company this time in work and will appreciate the drop back in company here. Strips fitter third-up from the break and gun hoop Maloney stays on top. Will be right there when the whips are cracking. TEWKESBURY (3) has placed two of three over this staying journey and looks to be working up to another victory. Don't discount lightly. FOREVER FORTUNE (1) has won two of his past three and is racing with a lot of confidence of late. Top-three credentials. MAD ANA (9) is one from one around this circuit, draws the inside marble and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim. Plenty to like about her prospects. MAKING EYES (12) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 2,3,1,9.
RACE 6
FAMILY OF LEAGUE (1) resumes here but was in cossistent form prior to the spell and does boast a win over this distance range. Gets 2kg off with the claim and can run a big race while fresh. ECHO HUNTER (6) has been thereabouts at the past few outings and will be rock-hard fit for this. Has to be included. LADY ZAYDI (3) has hit the top-five in 11 of her past 12 starts and rarely puts in a poor one. A must for the multiples. RESOLUTE LADY (4) was well in the betting at the latest effort and didn't let backers down with a solid Kilcoy victory. In the mix. BRODIES VOYAGE (5) rounds out the selections in a race with only a handful of chances.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 2,3,1,9.
RACE 7
Competitive affair to close out the card. LAND BANK (8) wasn't too far away when having the first start for the Gollan barn and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Looks the runner in this field with the most upside and should be going very close. AMBASSADORS (1) returned in fine fashion with a dominant win over this track and trip and gets a stack of weight relief with the 3kg claim. Can go back-to-back to start the campaign. CHAYSE 'N' PENNY (4) resumes here but showed enough when last in work to warrant consideration in a race like this. Top-three commodity while fresh. TOO MANY THOUGHTS (2) strips fitter third-up from the break and looks a must for the multiples. BOOMROUX (7) best of the rest from the inside alley.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Leaning towards Land Bank.
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