In partnership with the Ipswich Turf Club, here's our rundown on the chances for Friday's card.
RACE 1
ELROND (1) only went down by a narrow margin last time out and looks to be working up to a maiden victory. Bellamy stays on board following that last-start runner-up finish and again gets the benefit of her 3kg claim. Rates the testing material. LA GRACIA (3) has hit the top-five in seven of her past eight starts and will be at peak fitness now fourth run back. Looms as the main danger. PARISIENNE PIPER (2) has hit the frame at her past three outings and is another to get some weight relief. Top-three credentials again. The well-related POWER REECE (4) (half to 3xListed winner Snitzkraft) just missed the placings at the latest effort and looks to be improving with racing. Respect from the Gollan camp. SHIP HAPPENS (5) next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 1,3,2,4.RACE 2
SMART SHAZZA (6) was a dominant winner at the Sunny Coast last time out and is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that two length victory. Winning hoop Maloney sticks and should be going very close again. GELATIN (1) hails from a handy family (half to G3 winner Felines) and gets the reliable Gollan/Jones combination. Has been knocking on the door of late and rates a genuine top-three contender against this line-up. GAMBINO (2) has a win and a placing from three attempts over this distance range and should be able to sit up on speed from the low draw. In the mix. KINGSLAND (5) is yet to miss the top-four in seven career outings and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. A must for the multiples. CHAMPAGNE ROUGE (9) best of the rest while fresh.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Quinella 6,1,2.RACE 3
Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade CRASH THE PARTY (6) resumes here but got up to Listed level in her first campaign and certainly wasn't disgraced against a smart one in the form of Autumn Boy. Tuned up for this with a recent trial win and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. FORGOTTEN SPIRIT (1) just missed the placings when resuming and will have taken a lot of benefit from that hit-out. Can feature with natural improvement. GALACTIC STAR (3) is on debut but has shown ability at the trials and any market support must be noted. The well-related EXCELBOOM (2) (half to G3 winner Shiki) has been right there in both starts to date and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside marble. In the mix. EGYPTIAN GODDESS (11) rounds out the selections.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Crash The Party to return a winner.RACE 4
CARDONETTE (4) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up in both starts to date and strikes a very winnable contest here. Thompson stays in the stirrups and should be going one better against this lot. YOUMEANDDUPRE (5) resumes here but the form he showed last campaign was good enough for a race of this calibre. Revved up for this winning two recent trials and should be right there at the business end. OUR GIRL SCARLETT (11) just missed the placings in town when resuming and will have come on with that run now in the locker. Top-three candidate. The well-bred CELTIC BRAVE (1) (dam was a Listed winner and G3 placed) is on debut but looked handy winning a recent trial and is sure to be well-educated out of the Bruce yard. Keep safe. ELUSIVE DOMINA (9) best of the rest while fresh.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Cardonette to shed the maiden tag.RACE 5
BETTA BEING SINGLE (5) is back from a lengthy spell but looks up to the mark for this with two recent trial hit-outs and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim. Only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the outcome. EXCELOQUENT (10) didn't measure up in the rich Magic Millions debut race before being tipped out for time to furnish. Has since won her past two trials and will find this assignment much easier than that debut effort. Keep very safe. HELLARIOUS (13) was well in the betting when facing the starter for the first time and where there's smoke there's fire. Worth following up. Former Victorian GUNNIE GUNFIGHTER (2) is having his first run for the new stable and any market support must be noted. HASANA (14) strips fitter second-up from the break and may earn some minor money.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Betta Being Single.RACE 6
SMART ACTION (8) has been plying his trade in harder races in town of late and will find this task much more to his liking. Maps ideally for this from gate two and should give backers a sight. Former NSW galloper TAJAWAL (3) is first-up for the new stable but will find this easier than what he faced down south. Respect with Maloney on top. The consistent BOVIDAE (7) got the job done over this track and trip last time out and will have taken some confidence from that overdue victory. Top-three credentials. The very well-related MARENARO (5) (half to 2xG1 winner and stallion Home Affairs) is better than recent efforts suggest and can bounce back without surprising. MEDICAL AUTOCRAT (9) next in line from the inside alley.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 8,3,7,5.
