There are seven winners to be found ahead of Queensland’s major provincial meeting this Wednesday at Ipswich.
Some rain over the weekend has the track rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 6.5m.
Vendemmia is first-up for Tony & Maddysen Sears fresh from a lengthy spell. The Kiwi-bred four-year-old is a six start maiden who boasts some likable form, notably running a place at Sandown last July in a much tougher race over 1200m. By Per Incanto, his recent trial at the Gold Coast is sure to have caught the eye of a few after he stoked up out wide to hit the lead at the 100m mark with plenty left to give through the line.
Azafran showed plenty of late speed on debut for Rex Lipp last month at Doomben. The filly by Almanzor was given a patient ride in behind the speed under Boris Thornton, before shifting to the outside part of the straight where she ran on late for fourth. Watching the replay, she was really only hitting her stride over the final 100m, an effort that suggests she might be one to follow if Kyle Wilson-Taylor can find the right spot from a tricky gate.
Ichiban strikes another winnable race deep into his prep. The Chris Waller-trained gelding got a late split at Doomben a couple of weeks ago approaching the final furlong, exploding with a well-timed run through the gap to go on and win by well over a length. The form from that race has been franked with the runner-up Archers Reign going on to by a massive 11.8 length margin in his next start, and from from another inside barrier with James Orman carrying 2kg less, there’s no reason why Ichiban can’t go on with the job.
There looks to be good speed engaged in this maiden affair, which should suit David Vandyke’s filly Annie One Ready just fine. The daughter to Better Than Ready handed in a brave performance on debut at Doomben a few weeks ago, hitting the lead over the final 200m along the inside where she just found the fast-finishing Breezin’ one better. Connections have to be thrilled that with the effort, and although she’ll likely roll forward again, she could land in behind the speed and save something for the finish with James Orman dropping 2kg in the saddle.
Tiz Enuf is an intriguing runner likely to start at good odds fresh from a break. Still lightly-raced for a four-year-old, the mare by Rich Enuff was slightly disappointing in her first start for John Smerdon, seen finishing down the order at Eagle Farm last October before being quickly sent to the paddock. She hasn’t won a race in well over a year and has drawn a tricky gate, but there was a bit to like about her recent Gold Coast trial where she was seen clinging to the rail for third. Proven first-up though and suited by the short sprint trip in offer, she’s a key each-way chance if she produces her best.
Tarps was a clear winner here over the course and distance two back, before stepping out over slightly shorter at Doomben where he held his own to finish just over 1.5 lengths off. Scott Morrissey’s five-year-old is deep into his prep and likely to find this a touch easier after racing in town. Stretching out to 1200m again and likely to roll forward and dictate on his own terms, this looks the right race for him to bounce back.
Bucks Fizz won with serious authority second-up at Doomben last start for Matthew Hoysted and company. Nikita Berriman timed her run to perfection aboard the mare, stalking the speed out of the gates before improving out wide to knuckle down for a handy win of 1.89 lengths. Considering he won his maiden over further at Grafton last time in work, there’s an argument to be made that he has still has improvement to come with Berriman retaining the ride. Drawn to get back in the run from barrier 4, expect the pair to adopt similar tactics.