Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Ready to Win
Ipswich, Listed TAB Ipswich Cup, $175,000, 2150m
So You Win (So You Think {NZ}) has been racing well without winning this time in. The Chris Waller-trained gelding looks well placed here stepping up from 1600 metres on the quick back-up. He maps to get a lovely run with cover from barrier five and is capable of notching up a well-deserved victory.
Laure Me In (Ad Valorem {USA}) lost no admirers last start when finishing 3.2l ninth in a competitive Group 3 at Eagle Farm. Before that, he was an impressive winner over 1600 metres at Scone. The 6-year-old will improve stepping out over further ground here and will be hitting the line with intent late.
Laure Me In | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In Good Health (Congrats {USA}) knocked up late at Eagle Farm last start after working too hard out in front.
She drops back in class for this event and can dictate proceedings out in front while OTI gelding Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) will appreciate dropping back in trip after failing to beat a runner home over 2400 metres at Rosehill last fortnight.
Boy all class
Ipswich, Listed City Of Ipswich Eye Liner S., $175,000, 1350m
Amish Boy (Star Witness) is the clear class runner in this field. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt has been right around the mark against some of the country’s best 3-year-old sprinters throughout his career and can account for his rivals here if he brings that form. The only knock is that he has only won once from 15 career starts.
Axe (Written Tycoon) looks right up to the challenge here despite drawing out in barrier 13. The Michael Costa-trained 4-year-old can take luck out of the equation by rolling forward and using race fitness to his advantage.
The progressive prospect has proven he is up to this level having finished 1.3l in third behind Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) and subsequent G1 Stradbroke H. winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) last start in the G3 BRC Sprint.
Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) was nailed on the line at Eagle Farm last start. He drops back 150 metres in trip for this event but could be posted wide without cover from barrier 15, while Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom) presents in good order third-up after finishing second at Eagle Farm last fortnight.
Lillemor in fine order
Ipswich, Listed Ipswich Turf Club Gai Waterhouse Classic, $150,000, 1200m
Lillemor (Hallowed Crown) returned in fine order when winning over 1100 metres at Randwick last month. The way she hit the line there and her impressive record over 1200 metres suggest she’s right in the mix for a race of this calibre. Talented young hoop Ben Thompson has been booked to ride and should have an easy time of it from barrier seven.
The ever-consistent Boomtown Lass (Spirit Of Boom) is another who has returned in fine fettle. The Chris Anderson-trained 5-year-old has finished in the top three at 21 of her 29 career starts and can again measure up with a good steer from barrier one.
Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt) wasn’t disgraced despite finishing out of the equation at her most recent run.
She has since won a trial over 1000 metres at Doomben and can return to the winner's stall stepping out over a more suitable trip, while Intrepidacious (Shooting To Win) is well placed, dropping back in class for her first start under new trainer Lee Freedman.
Award shooting for three
Flemington, Listed AR Creswick S., $140,000, 1200m
Curran (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) accounted for opposition of similar class when winning here over 1100 metres last fortnight and prior to that he chased home boom gelding Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) with a gap to third.
He is yet to miss the top two from four attempts over this distance and has already ticked off the straight track box.
Award Winner (Exceed And Excel) is shooting for three on the trot when she steps out here. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly rises in class but is capable of measuring up in her first stakes race attempt.
Aidensfield (Dissident) matched motors with Group 1-winning filly Odeum (Written Tycoon) during the spring before failing to fire in one start during the autumn.
She will improve for the run here but has the class to figure prominently while Capriccio (I Am Invincible) attacked the line with intent at this track and trip last month.
Stockman in the mix
Rosehill, Listed XXXX W J Mickell Cup, $150,000, 2000m
Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was right around the mark when contesting three races in three weeks. He presents here two weeks between runs and drops back from 2400 metres. Barrier one should be of benefit and see him right in the mix once again.
Yonkers (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) remains in a rich vein of form after winning his most recent start at Caulfield. The ever-consistent Chris Waller-trained gelding has only finished in the top three once from five attempts at Rosehill. However, he boasts a strong 2000 metre record having finished in the money at five of six attempts.
Yonkers' stablemate Wu Gok (Sebring) drops back from 2400 metres here and will be suited by the likely Heavy conditions on offer, while Parry Sound (Pierro) is knocking on the door after finishing second at his three most recent starts.
Sheza danger
Belmont, Listed WAROA-Belmont Guineas, $100,000, 1600m
Billy Ain’t Silly (I’m All The Talk) has hardly put a foot wrong to date, having finished in the top three in all bar one of his 10 career starts. He draws in barrier eight for this event and will relish stepping back out over 1600 metres after finishing second behind a smart filly here last fortnight.
Sheza Chalmer (Vital Equine {Ire}) presents as the key danger after missing by the narrowest of margins here last start. The flashy filly presents here fifth-up, rock-hard fit and ready to fire in her first attempt at this trip.
Tri For Us (Vital Equine {Ire}) is another progressive talent who hasn’t put a foot wrong to date.
She will need to rise to a new level to be winning but has runs on the board at this track and trip while Dark Assault (Statue Of Liberty {USA}) secures the services of star hoop William Pike to help offset drawing barrier 11 of 12.
