Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Ipswich Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Opening race on Ipswich Cup Day is a competitive looking Class 3 Plate where I’m hoping the consistent mare SPIRIT QUEEN can come with a big burst from off speed. Strong to the line winning fresh she closed from last into 3rd spot second up & with a likely solid tempo here won’t be far away at a value price. No knock FLYING MIKKI, winning form is good form & he’s got plenty of that, clearly his toughest test to date though. FIRE LANE in the mix from the good alley.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 5 – 12

Suggested Bet: SPIRIT QUEEN EACH-WAY.

RACE 2

Each & every year this Provincial Stayers Final is one of the toughest going around. This year looks a little different as there appears to be a standout on form being the Anabel Neasham trained CHASSAGNE who is racing very consistently & will only relish stepping up to the 2500m trip. Consistency isn’t something most of his rivals are known for, I’ll put TAVISTORM & THE RIGHT WAY into the placings.

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet:  CHASSAGNE TO WIN.

RACE 3

Leading trainer Tony Gollan holds a strong hand in this race with TENZING & MADAME ODETTE. I’m leaning to the latter who just gave away too much start first up before making a little late ground. She does tend to improve second-up & that can be the case once again today. TENZING was a dominant winner two back before excuses the latest, big weight however can overcome that. For a horse with a big finish EVOCATOR draws a lot of inside gates, same deal again here will need luck getting through in the straight.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 8 – 13

Suggested Bet:  BACKING TOP TWO SELECTIONS TO WIN.

RACE 4

MAJESTIC BOOM is unbeaten & from an ideal draw I can’t see any reason as to why he won’t prove very hard to hold out once again. He’s raised the bar consistently, is a winner on this track & has had his runs spaced which has kept him on the fresh side. BEAUX RUMBLE & ROCKRIBBED are both fresh & will race on pace, market moves crucial for both. NAVAS TWO ran ok first up, he gets back however can find the line.

Numbers: 12 – 6 – 9 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 5

Was super keen Fancify here however she’s racing in the Eye Liner later in the day. WARBY now goes on top, he’s becoming a little costly & yes he will give away a decent start here however you can’t knock his consistency & he’ll be powering home late, strictly each-way. SAILOR’S SECRET draws well & will land on speed, third-up should be ready now. OUGTON has struck form & must be included.

Numbers: 15 – 2 – 10 – 5

Suggested Bet: WARBY EACH-WAY.

RACE 6

Good quality race with some nice 3yo’s doing battle. The Victorian duo HEDGED & MISS ARIA clearly have the best form lines & I’m not knocking either. I’m a big fan of FORTUNEER though & this is her big chance to repay my faith & likely a few others. She draws well, can take up a prominent position & from there make a run for it in the straight & let the other pair give chase & try to run her down. All sounds good in theory! GOLDEN DECADE an improver.

Numbers: 12 – 2 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet: FORTUNEER EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

The Ipswich Cup looks an open race on paper & in the markets. Top jockey Ryan Maloney will steer around the well fancied LUNCIES who the most consistent horse in the race at a better level. They land a good draw, should get the right run & from there he’ll get his chance in the straight. Thought DUNE FORTY FIVE dropping back in trip could improve whilst last year’s winner REGAL LION is in the mix, he’ll need luck though as his pattern is to get back. 2, 3 & 4 are all chances on their day, is today their day though as they are all racing below their best.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 10 – 3

Suggested Bet: LUNCIES TO WIN (small bet).

RACE 8

The Eye Liner is always a super competitive race for the sprinters. WATEGOS looks the obvious on paper off his strong win two back & last start second behind Yellow Brick. He does drop back in distance though (150m) & the inside gate if he becomes buried could end up a train wreck. I’m having a real ‘throw at the stumps’ putting AT WITZ END on top, he’s a model of consistency who had excuses the latest, yes he’ll need things to pan out from the wide gate however at the price is worth a small bet.

Numbers: 9 – 7 – 3 – 14

Suggested Bet: AT WITZ END EACH-WAY (small bet)

RACE 9

The Gai Waterhouse Classic winds up a big day & it’s a wide-open affair marketwise. I’m a fan of BEZIQUE & yes she’s going to need things to pan out from her wide draw, she won’t lead as her stablemate TYPHOON TAAVI has abundant speed & will look to run them all into the ground. Should BEZIQUE get across ok & trail with cover though she can certainly figure in the finish late. EAGLE NEXT in the mix from the good draw.

Numbers: 3 – 13 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

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