The final Listed race on Ipswich’s card is, as the first two also are, a hard affair for punters with yet another capacity field. A case could be made for a majority of entrants here and accordingly, the market is a wide open affair with only three runners Dance on Stars ($3.30), Conservatorium ($6.00) and Jetset Lad ($9.00) under double figure odds.
Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet
1. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (1)
Fantastic two starts back behind the in-form Platelet in the G1 Goodwood Handicap, beaten ½ length second and reproduced a similar effort when nosed out on the line in the G2 QTC Cup by Galah a fortnight ago. Fantastic run in the QTC Cup from a wide gate and gave the winner 3.5kgs. Should be able to hold a position from gate 1 and be in the finish.
2. PHELAN READY – G Colless (13)
Still searching for that elusive third career win and in both runs back this time in, has finished well in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (beaten 1.9 behind Famous Seamus) and G3 BRC Sprint (beaten 2.4 behind Belltone). Will get back but and run on but not sure the Ipswich circuit will be to his liking.
3. JETSET LAD – (15)
Ran second (beaten a neck) to Belltone in this race last year carrying 58.5kg (56.5kgs this year). Found the G1 BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 too rich before enjoying the drop in grade and a nice run in transit when finishing fifth (beaten 1 ½ lengths) behind Tokamak in last week’s Strawberry Road Stakes.
4. MAHISARA – (20)
Excellent from a wide gate in the Prime Minister’s Cup (fourth) and again drew poorly in the G3 BRC Sprint but led and beat all bar Belltone home. Finally drew a gate but the slow conditions were against him last start when he finished a weakening twelfth in the G2 QTC Cup. Needs a dry track and, even though he’s drawn poorly again, capable of giving them plenty to catch if those conditions prevail.
5. MORNING CAPTAIN – J Byrne (12)
A model of consistency is this 4yo by Danbird who, at his two most recent starts in the G3 BRC Sprint and G2 QTC Cup, has drawn poorly but recorded a fourth (beaten 1 ¼ length) and sixth (beaten ¾ length) respectively. Drawn wide again but is nothing if not a trier and would have to go in amongst the better hopes.
6. GUNDY SON – R Wiggins (14)
Back-maker who has had two runs back from a spell for a fifth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) behind Benny’s Buttons over 1000m and then, made good ground late for a second to Pentasia in the Listed Chief De Beers (1100m) last start. Good record at this trip and being third up suits. Needs the pace and a touch of luck around the Ipswich track but with both falling his way, will be in the finish.
7. STEEL ZIP – (16)
A good effort in the Gold Coast’s Prime Minister’s Cup, second up from a nine week break indicated that this 5yo was set to produce his best this prep however, in his two starts since, the G3 BRC Sprint and G2 QTC Cup, he’s been a well accounted for. On those efforts and a poor draw here, would expect him to struggle.
8. CELTIC DANCER – G Cooksley (9)
Has had four runs back this prep with the pick of them being his third placing in a Sunshine Coast Open (1300m) two starts back. His most recent effort was when he led the field in the G2 QTC Cup but weakened late to run eighth, beaten 3.4 lengths. Three of his four career wins have come on heavy ground.
9. TOO MANY REDS – L Cassidy (2)
Magic Albert gelding who was in fine form last prep, winning three from six starts and running a nose second to Famous Seamus in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Randwick however, in three runs back from a break he has finished eleventh, fourteenth and tenth in similar races to this. Can’t have him on that kind of form.
10. MEET GEORGE – E Wilkinson (17)
Another who showed good form last prep including, as a 30/1 shot, a nose second to Tiger Tees in the BRC Sprint. He has had three runs back from a break with the pick of them being his most recent – a third to Fire Up Fifi in the Spear Chief Handicap. Needs to improve again on that effort but will find it hard from a wide gate.
11. BENNY’S BUTTONS – M Cahill (8)
As a 3yo, he was competitive in all the right races during the Winter Carnival of 2011 but injury saw him sidelined from close to two years. In a miraculous training effort by Kelso Wood, he resumed with a head win in a Eagle Farm Open race defeating Excellantes. Finished well down the track at his next and most recent start in the Listed Chief de Beers and needs to lift substantially on that effort.
12. DOUBTFUL JACK – (6)
A former handy galloper whose last recorded a win in October 2011 at Victoria’s Mornington track, nineteen starts ago now. His last start was his first for seven weeks and resulted in a head second in an Open class race at the Sunshine Coast. Drops three kilos to 54kgs today and will no doubt be fitter but needs a wet track to produce his best.
13. METALLURGICAL – (7)
First up from a spell, the 6yo flashed home from the tail of the field to run second to River Lad in the Listed Bribie Handicap, suggesting that he was set for a good campaign. His two subsequent starts however, haven’t lived up to that fresh run and he’s finished well down the track in the Hinkler Stakes and last start, the Chief de Beers. He’ll get back and run on but not going well enough for mine.
14. NEW DAY RISING – T Bell (5)
Ran a head third in the Weetwood at Toowoomba three starts back before producing a tough on pace effort to score a neck win in a Class 6 over 1200m at Doomben. His last start saw him settle handy to the speed but weaken badly in the run home, finishing fourteenth behind Peron in a Class 6. Will go forward again and drops nicely in the weights but will find it hard to hold the challenges off over the final stages.
15. DANCES ON STARS – B Avdulla (1)
Very good first up in the Gold Coast Guineas when third to Academus before drawing the widest and using too much gas to get to the lead in the G3 Fred Best Classic and finishing tenth behind Platinum Kingdom. Ridden much quieter last start in the Qld Guineas and tracked Sizzling from the 600m but fell a neck short, finishing second. That’s good form for here and with a bit of luck from his inside draw, will be in the mix.
16. BAQABA – M Hellyer (10)
He has had four runs back from a nineteen month spell and started 100, 150, 200 and, at his most recent start in a Toowoomba BM 85 race, 14 to 1 and ran accordingly in each event. Not here.
17. MR. ARMSTRONG – (19)
He was in much need of the run first up when eleventh in the Hinkler Quality (beaten 6 ¾ lengths) before, from gate 1, holding his position in the race and finishing seventh (beaten 2.4 lengths) in the Listed Chief de Beers behind Pentasia. Better effort last start but needs to lift again and will find it hard to do that from out wide.
18. PELLEGRINI – (18)
Front runner who held on by a long neck two starts back to win a Sunshine Coast Open class race over Doubtful Jack, Celtic Dancer and Tokamak before Tokamak was able to turn the tables at their next start, finishing over the top of Pellegrini who, after leading again, ran seventh (beaten 1.9 lengths). Back to the 1350m helps and will give them something to chase.
19. EASY RUNNING – P Hammersley (3)
Desleigh Forster trains this 4yo who, when resuming in a BM 85 on the Sunshine Coast, was well supported and started 13/8 favourite however, he let punters down running sixth. His next start was as a 30/1 chance in the Listed Chief de Beers where he finished off well enough to record a sixth placing, 2 ¼ lengths from the winner Pentasia. Fitter again but been a while now since we’ve seen his best.
Odds: $51.00
20. TAX EVADER – (11)
4yo by Ad Valorem who has won three from six this time in and last start, chased home the smart Peron in a Class 6 race, running second by a long neck. Improving with each run but a race of this quality might be a step up that may prove beyond him.
Odds: $21.00
OVERVIEW
Mahisara only knows one race to race and that’s from the front, he’ll cross from his wide draw. Connections may be hoping the second emergency Pellegrini gets a start as it also leads and would provide the perfect trail to Mahisara if he gets a start. On a dry surface, he’s capable of giving them plenty to chase but it is hard to go past Conservatorium – the only runner with G1 form and who has drawn perfectly, as the one to beat. Should one be able to better him, it could well be Morning Captain who is in good form or the 3yo Dances on Stars. Drawn perfectly in one and Avdulla can place him to advantage from the jump.