Midweek racing comes to us from Ipswich where the track on Wednesday is rated a Soft 5. However it is set to be 34 degrees today so the track should dry further but could be sticky. When it’s this hot, storms are always a possibility but at this stage none have been forecast. The track The rail is out 5.5m.
Race 1
The Tony Gollan stable has been running hot lately and they can notch up another win in the opening event. Dame Van Winkle (1) had her 1st start here 2 weeks ago and put in a decent showing. After being slow away she settled back before finishing off well. She has drawn well and Jim Byrne keeps the ride so with a cleaner getaway she should be right in the finish.
Other Hopes:
Steal A Diamond (4) hasn’t been too far away in her past 2 starts over 1200m. Last start she ran on well suggesting the rise in distance here will suit.
Shiba Sakura (3) has been in the placings her past 2 starts without really threatening. Distance will suit and should be handy in the run.
Race 2
This isn’t the strongest maiden with many of these showing very little. For that reason I’m going with the horse on debut, Fallada (4). This colt of Tony Gollan’s is a half-brother to the very good Sheiswhatsheis. He hasn’t been seen at the trials but as we have seen recently, Gollan can get them to fire 1st up. He’s drawn barrier 8 for Tegan Harrison who will go forward in a race with not a great deal of speed.
Other Hopes:
Storm Anchor (10) put in a good showing last start when leading over 1400m at the Gold Coast before being hauled down late. A repeat of that performance will see him right in the finish. Senior jockey Jeff Lloyd goes on and will be handy.
Gravity Force (7) is a former Mick Price trained gelding having his 1st start in QLD. Will probably need the run 1st up and will be better over longer however as stated before, this isn’t a strong race.
Flanders Field (2) can be forgiven when on debut after rider lost whip on the home turn. Drawn wide but blinkers go on and we could see sharp improvement from this Rob Heathcote gelding.
Race 3
Trainer’s Pocket (10) looked good when resuming at the Sunshine Coast last start. She battled for the lead in the home straight with Miri Miri before that horse pulled away late. Miri Miri has since won again. She’ll take benefit from that race and be fitter 2nd up here. From barrier 3 Jimmy Orman can go forward and take up a handy position before coming home strongly.
Other Hopes:
Shoreline (9) has been around the mark in her past 3 starts. Drawn well and will race handy.
Remembering Frank (3) is on debut and hasn’t been seen at the trials. Has some good quality relatives including Excellantes who is a full brother. Drawn well and blinkers on could see this guy here to play.
Reverse Logic (4) resumes here. 2 starts prior to a spell were ok but probably is a place chance at best here.
Race 4
Catenaccio (7) should be suited by a decent speed here courtesy of a few of his rivals jockeying for the lead. He won 1st up to break his maiden before stepping out in a very strong 3 year old race at Doomben last start. On each occasion he found the line late. The rise to 1350m will suit.
Other Hopes:
War Baby (1) has been racing in very good form lately. He was run down right on the line last start here over this trip but won well the 2 starts prior. Will go forward from the nice gate.
Mock Me Not (4) runs hot and cold. Ordinary when finishing last by a space last start but won 3 starts back. Can show up if mind is on the job. Claim helps.
First Rain (3) resumes here and has won fresh previously. Has done her racing mostly over longer but will be finding the line.
Race 5
Kwanza (1) performed well when having his 1st start in Qld following his time with Mick Price. He found the line quite well at Doomben a couple of Saturday’s ago. That would have to be considered a stronger race than this. He has a super 2nd up record with 2 wins from 3 and the rise in distance will suit. He’s drawn well in barrier 2 for Sam Payne who claims 2kg. He’ll be able to race just off the speed.
Other Hopes:
Kingtantes (2) ran on well when resuming here last start. The step up in distance will suit and he races well at the track.
Massive Attack (9) will take full advantage of barrier 1 and look to lead. Has been around the mark in similar grade races recently.
Code One (6) ran on well when winning here last start. He beat home Kingtantes that day. Light weight and will go forward.
Race 6
They’ll go like last week’s pay here over the 800m. I thought the run of Sassy Tycoon (4) last start over the same trip was full of merit. She drew the outside gate that day which is horrendous from this starting point. However while she raced wide and on the speed, she never gave in and was only beaten by 1.1 lengths. She’s been freshened up and importantly she’s drawn barrier 2. Luke “Sausage” Rolls can either lead and run them into the ground or take the box seat.
Other Hopes:
Malachite (6) is a former Kris Lees horse resuming. She has a good record and her form down south while not fantastic, would be good enough for a race like this. Drawn well.
Zagazig (9) won 2 starts back here over this trip. Disappointed last start over a longer trip and will appreciate the drop back to this distance where she is undefeated. Sticky draw could pose a problem.
Frequendly (7) looked to show some talent early in her racing career. Struggled last prep and has drawn poorly. However if can reclaim best form then would be a major player.
Race 7
Dame Destiny (14) found the 1350m and the class too much for her last start. She’ll appreciate the drop back to 1200m here. While she takes on the boys here, her form against her own sex has been super. She won here over 1100m by 3.3 lengths 3 starts back and then narrowly went down in town over 1200m. She’ll get a top run on the speed from barrier 4.
Other Hopes:
Mr Cha Cha (3) has resumed in terrific order. He just missed out 1st up before putting a class 2 field to the sword. While he was a fair way off them, he did compete in Group races last preparation so stable obviously has an opinion. Will go forward.
Royal Occasion (1) has drawn wide but will go back anyway. Is undefeated in 4 starts here and will be finding the line.
Great Inagua (9) found things a bit tough in city class last start. However was competing well in similar standard races to this prior to that. Drawn well.
Race 8
Whatalovelyday (4) was ok last start when racing in town. She’ll appreciate the drop back in class here. Two starts back she was 2nd to Elegant Composure who is a horse I have a heap of time for. Barrier 9 could be tricky but she has sufficient early speed to take up a forward position.
Other Hopes:
Caillebotte (1) resumed last start after more than a year off the scene. He won easily at Ballina that day in what was nothing more than a confidence boosting run. Connections would be looking to see further improvement 2nd up. Will race on the speed.
Red Cent (2) is undefeated in 3 starts over this track and distance. Drawn wide but should be finding the line strongly.
Surface Tension (3) is 9 years old and rarely wins. However he’s always around the mark and did win 2 starts back.
Best Bets
Race 3 – Trainer’s Pocket (10)
Race 4 – Catenaccio (7)