The Eye Liner Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Ipswich! The Ipswich Cup, T L Cooney Stakes, and Gai Waterhouse Classic are prominent on Ipswich Turf Club’s biggest race day. Around the grounds, Royal Randwick host the Listed Civic Stakes meeting, while a competitive winter program is front and centre at Fabulous Flemington!
Ipswich Race 6
#1 Stay Focused
Stay Focused is racing in career-best form. The Cosmic Force gelding put two strong wins together before having genuine excuses at his latest outing. The consistent three-year-old looks well placed against his own age, and I suspect he will be on top of the speed with a clean break from the awkward gate. The trip won’t pose any problems, and the current track conditions suit the big boy to a tee. If he can pinch a margin as heads turn for home, he will take a power of beating.
Tuned is the obvious danger to the favourite. The Zoustar colt rarely runs a poor race, and he has been heavily supported at a decent price early doors. He had genuine excuses in the Fred Best, and his form prior was red-hot. The trip is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and if he doesn’t spend too much petrol during the early stages of the race, he can loom to win. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Stay Focused @ $3.20
Ipswich Race 7
#8 Diablo Bolt
Diablo Bolt is edging closer to his next win. The Hellbent gelding is a model of consistency at present, and I suspect he is ready to explode on Saturday. The popular four-year-old has been racing without much luck and has performed bravely in some hot form races. The step-out trip is advantageous, and the significant money trail suggests another bold showing. Over the odds!
Miss Joelene will start race favourite. The Russian Revolution mare looks suited dropping sharply in grade, and the longer trip puts her into all winning conversations. From a decent alley she will roll forward and put herself in contention, and if the go button is pressed at the right time, she can fight out the finish. The hefty weight and recent winning strike rate are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Diablo Bolt @ $7.00
#2 Warnie
Warnie is poised to strike. The Highland Reel gelding is flying at present, and he looks to have returned in better order after having the snip. The longer trip suits, and I suspect he is ready to produce his peak performance for the campaign. The inside draw will allow him to occupy the box seat throughout, and if he can see clear air as they swing for home, he will fight out the finish. I am unsure the tight turning Ipswich circuit will suit his racing pattern and style.
Xidaki represents great each way. The Zoustar gelding has been luckless all campaign, and he looks well placed dropping back significantly in grade. The step out in trip plays into his favour, and I expect his quote to shorten before the barriers open on Saturday. If the short-priced commodity spends his pennies too early, or experiences traffic issues, he can cause a boil over.
Suggested Bet: Warnie @ $2.50
ipswich Race 9
#1 Bubba's Bay
Bubba’s Bay is over the odds. Both runs this preparation have been good without winning, and I suspect she is ready to explode on Saturday. She finds her pet trip, and I expect her to lead the field a merry dance throughout with a clean break from the barriers. If the Cable Bay mare can produce her best performance, it could be a times and margins job. Dismiss at your own peril.
Gerringong will jump a short-priced favourite after producing two slashing runs for the campaign. The Blue Point filly looks progressive, and she is ready for the step up in grade. The allocated weight is luxurious, and there has been an avalanche of money for the preciouses three-year-old since acceptances were finalised. The awkward barrier draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Bubba’s Bay @ $14.00
Royal Randwick Race 9
#13 Headley Grange
Headley Grange couldn’t have been more impressive on resumption. The enigmatic four-year-old put away a red-hot field with ease, and I suspect he is in for a breakthrough campaign. The Exosphere gelding looks ultra-progressive, and he comes in extremely well at the weights with a poultry 54kg. The 1400m is in his wheelhouse, and he traditionally performs well second-up. With even luck in-transit he can continue on his winning ways.
Cool, Jakey is super honest. The Pierro gelding is racing extremely well at present, and the drop back in trip could prove a training masterstroke. His record at the journey must be respected, and I expect him to pilot the field with a clean break from the barriers. If he can dictate the speed throughout, he will look the winner as they come over the famous Randwick Rise. He tends to fare better with the sting out of the ground.
Suggested Bet: Headley Grange @ $4.40
Flemington Race 7
#6 Splash Back
Splash Back looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive winter program at headquarters. The Le Havre mare brained her opposition fresh at Caulfield, and she seems incredibly well placed in this company. The step out in trip plays into her favour, and the inside draw should give her key rivals sleepless nights leading into Saturday’s event. The 2kg apprentice claim puts her into all winning conversations, and I expect her to jump in the red. Hard to toss!
Mollynickers is ready to win. The Pierro mare has been racing well in some hot form races and finds a winnable assignment here. She is a seven-furlong specialist, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove decisive, and I suspect this has been a long-range targeted event from the inform camp. She tends to find one or two slightly better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Splash Back @ $2.00
