The racing spotlight shifts to Ipswich this Saturday for the running of the Ipswich Cup! With the Eye Liner Stakes and Gai Waterhouse Classic also featuring on the program, a bumper crowd is expected to be trackside for this sensational stand-alone meeting.
Ipswich Race 6
#2 Swiss Exile
Swiss Exile will start favourite after a consistent campaign to date. The Pariah colt meets easier opposition here, and from barrier five, he can sit just behind the hot, predicated tempo. His best form reads well for this event, and there has been a flood of money for him in early betting. Big watch!
Fashion Legend is ready to peak. Both runs this campaign have been full of merit, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. His victory over Yellow Brick at the Magic Millions is still fresh in the memory bank, and a repeat performance here would be enough to claim this event. Barrier eleven is the primary concern.
Count Da Beans is racing in great spirit. The Spill The Beans gelding looked good in a recent barrier trial, and if he can get some cover from the tricky gate, I expect him to figure in the finish. His record at the distance must be respected, and the Tony Gollan polish puts him into all winning conversations.
Suggested Bet: Swiss Exile @ $2.50
Ipswich RACE 7
#1 Numerian
Numerian is knocking on the door! He has been racing consistently without winning at the top level, and he will appreciate the significant drop in class on Saturday. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his campaign, and if he is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, the race could be over at the top of the straight. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Desert Icon will have supporters after an impressive run at Randwick over 2400m. From barrier two, the Sea The Stars gelding can box seat; if the gaps appear at the right time, I expect him to make his presence felt late. Is the drop in distance advantageous?
Rousseau can threaten at a decent price. The So You Think gelding has been racing with little luck, and with a change of fortune, he can be there when the whips are cracking. From barrier three, he can roll forward and sit on top of the speed, and if he doesn’t spend too much petrol early, I expect him to be fighting out the finish. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Numerian @ $3.30
Ipswich Race 8
#12 Blaze A Trail
Blaze A Trail is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The Criterion gelding chased home a smart one last start at Eagle Farm, and he strips fitter here. 1400m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and he should get the run of the race from the perfect inside draw. The 54kg is a luxury, and he looks one of the better bets on a tricky program. The class rise is his biggest test.
Gravina will have supporters despite promising the world and delivering an atlas this preparation. The Sebring gelding loomed to win last start. However, the wide run in transit took its toll late. His best form reads well for this event, and the James Cummings polish must be respected. Take on trust!
Irish Songs looks over the odds. The Shamus Award gelding has been racing well without threatening, and a peak performance for the preparation is just around the corner. He is a genuine winning chance if the rising eight-year-old doesn’t get too far out of his ground early. He needs to bring his best barrier manners.
Suggested Bet: Blaze A Trail @ $4.60
Ipswich Race 9
#11 Snapped
Snapped was a brilliant last-start winner at Morphettville. It ended a frustrating run of outs for the Not A Single Doubt mare, and she looks well placed to make it back-to-back victories on Saturday. Her record at 1200m is near faultless, and she can stalk the speed from barrier one. If she can angle out off the rail at the right time, she is the one to beat. The short and tight Ipswich home straight maybe be her undoing.
Sneaky Five is racing well without winning. The Fastnet Rock mare will appreciate the class drop, and she should be rock-hard fit at this stage of her preparation. From a middle gate, she can drift back and find her feet; if she is presented with her run at the right time, she can figure in the finish. Her record at the distance is the primary concern.
Russian Conquest was solid first-up at the Sunshine Coast. Her recent barrier trial win will have her cherry ripe for her second-up assignment, and she has been heavily backed in early betting. She traditionally races well at the trip, and I expect her to roll forward from barrier three. She looks poised, and it may pay dividends to watch for any further significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Snapped @ $6.00
