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Black Book

Graeme Carey's preview and tips for Ipswich: Wednesday, April 24

Aqua Rosa (circled) was forced to make a long, searching run at Doomben last start and the mare can improve sharply at a big price at Ipswich. Aqua Rosa (circled) was forced to make a long, searching run at Doomben last start and the mare can improve sharply at a big price at Ipswich.

Sizeable fields and uncertain weather make this a tricky midweek meeting at Ipswich, with the leading trainers and riders dominating the early markets - but I have found a couple from lesser lights that offer some value.

Clearing weather on a soft track with the rail out six metres gives an advantage to on-pacers.

BEST BET

RUSSIAN SUB (R8 No.3)


NEXT BEST
   
RADIANT REMI (R9 No.4)


VALUE BET
   
AQUA ROSA (R6 No.10)


QUADDIE NUMBERS
Race 6: 9,10,13,14
Race 7: 4,10
Race 8: 3,6,8
Race 9: 4,10,11
72 combinations

RACE 1: Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1100m)

A watch the market affair with most unraced or resuming. The most experienced one is VIALE (12) which had support, took on older horses and was only narrowly beaten at Grafton when resuming. Her only previous outing was in Saturday grade and from gate one with Kyle Wilson-Taylor she may be too seasoned.

The Brazen Beau colt BALASTIER (1) over-raced at his only run at the Gold Coast but his trials were much better than that. He is poorly drawn but with Ryan Maloney steering, a moderate Maiden such as this should not be beyond him.

Bred for speed PLAY IT AS IT LAYS (9) didn't show up in his trial but gets a tongue-tie and has drawn well with 3kg claimer Tahlia Fenlon. Chris Munce has a good record with two-year-olds and can spring a surprise.

SIVO (5) has been gelded, gets blinkers and his dam has been a good producer. With Noel Callow he will be tested right out.

VERDICT: Experience is VIALE (12).


RACE 2: Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1110m)

Another race with little revealed form but more depth than the previous. The Tony Gollan-trained BOOMTOWN BOSS (1) had support on debut in Saturday grade and Jim Orman has stuck with him. A brother to good performers Boomtown Lass and Tick Tock Boom, the gate tests but he has speed and will be prominent for a long way.

A half-brother to Group 3 winner Quantico, the stablemate THREE TEES (6) is bred for speed, has had two quiet trials and will be given every chance by Ryan Maloney.

WILL IT SNOW (8) was only found out late on debut at Grafton. He will be improved and gets the gun run with Michael Cahill.

Chris Munce can get them ready and WALSH BAY (12) has looked useful at trials winning his most recent by a space. The full-brother has won three of his first four starts and he can follow the trend.

VERDICT: A market watch but a Tony Gollan quinella likely.


RACE 3: Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1690m)

A moderate field gives RASHFORD (2) his chance after placing at all three outings this preparation. He protested unsuccessfully when a beaten favourite at the Sunshine Coast last start but with Kyle Wilson-Taylor staying on will be perfectly placed on the speed and can make amends.

Rex Lipp has brought two down from Toowoomba on the quick back-up. CRYPTIC SOUND (4) is fitter for two outings and will appreciate this extra distance. She was never on the track last week but from the ace draw Robbie Dolan will put her in the box seat.

The stablemate BORN FEARLESS (1) over-raced and disappointed last week but was a beaten favourite when just missing the placings over 1600m at Eagle Farm four starts back. This race looks suitable and he will appreciate Cejay Graham's 1.5kg claim.

MERCHANT FLYER (3) has less convictions than most and wasn't helped by a wide gate here last start. His dam won up to 2400m and from the better gate Jim Orman will ride positively.

VERDICT: Several chances but RASHFORD (2) the one to beat.


RACE 4: Benchmark 68 Handicap (2180m)

Some solid recent form in this. The lightly-raced JETPACK VERDI (2) is fitter for two outings in Saturday grade and gets up to his right trip. He has struggled since a pair of dominant wins early in his career but Tony Gollan and Jim Orman have been carrying all before them this season and get another chance to add to the tally.'

HELEVA DEEL (1) relished a return from Saturday grade to get it done narrowly when favourite at Toowoomba last start. She has a decent impost but won her only previous start here and will be well-placed throughout.

ALIRAAJ (3) races well here and followed up a win in similar grade with sound runner-up effort. He makes his own luck and with winning rider Jason Taylor back on won't want for anything.

Winkers go back on BRINGME (4) which has found some form and is looking at a hat-trick. This is harder but Karl Zechner stays on and will be strong late.

VERDICT: JETPACK VERDI (2) ready to strike.


RACE 5: Class 4 Handicap (1690m)

The Gollan/Orman juggernaut can strike again with RISING PACIFIC (1) which placed in a Saturday Class 6 last start and will enjoy the return to midweek company. He won his only previous start here and under similar conditions a repeat is on the cards.

VALANTINO ROC (4) got things wrong at the start and disappointed last outing after a strong first-up win. A longer trip suits and with not much speed in this Jake Bayliss can give them something to chase.

DEMON DELIVERA (3) found trouble when having a crack at Saturday grade and has won up to 1625m. He was dominant at his two previous Toowoomba outings and from the ace draw Kyle Wilson-Taylor gets the gun run.

COOL ENCOUNTER (2) is fitter for three outings and has won previously here albeit in a race where there was a riderless horse and three were declared non-runners. He drops 2.5kg and a senior ride can help overcome the wide draw.

VERDICT: Gollan and Orman yet again.


RACE 6: Maiden Plate (1690m)

Very little to excite here and AQUA ROSA (10) wasn't disgraced behind the talented Ichiban last start in a much stronger race than this. Her best efforts in five starts have been around this trip, she has gate speed and with Bailey Wheeler's 2kg claim can run them off their legs.

There are some well bred but hitherto disappointing ones here including The Autumn Sun filly MIRACLE SEVEN (13) which is out of an I Am Invincible mare that placed at Listed level. She got too far back at debut but passed a few late and will be improved. This trip suits, blinkers go on and from a good gate with Mark Du Plessis won't get a better chance.

Winkers replace blinkers on THE HINDUSTAN (9) which is another well-bred one by Savabeel that hasn't shown a lot in five outings but now with Tony and Maddy Sears will get his chance.

Winkers go on the Dundeel filly VIDYA (14) which struggled at three outings for Bjorn Baker in NSW but now with Maryann Brosnan beat more than half the field home at her first outing on the Gold Coast polytrack. Back on turf from the inside draw she will get all the favours with Cejay Graham.

VERDICT: AQUA ROSA (10) won't find an easier one.


RACE 7: Maiden Handicap (1350m)

Chris Waller has had JONNY DA WOLF (4) for three outings and is backing him up quickly after his placing behind Velozes at Doomben. He can over-race but just missed here two starts back, gets a bit change and with Jim Orman there will be no excuses.

STORM DREAMER (10) does plenty wrong but hit the line hard last start at the Sunshine Coast when resuming. Justin Huxtable replaces the apprentice Tahlia Fenon and from a good gate the stronger rider can keep her focused.

KILNA (5) came from a wide gate and wasn't beaten far on debut here over this trip. Readied by a trial he has drawn poorly again but the David Vandyke/Ryan Maloney combination is too prolific to ignore.

NITROGEN (1) didn't give a yelp when resuming on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast. He should strike a better surface here and his previous form is good enough for this.

VERDICT: JONNY DA WOLF (4) to break through.


RACE 8: Class 1 Plate (1350m)

Several here that have promised more than delivered. RUSSIAN SUB (3) can do things wrong and cost himself the race last start when run down late. He has won a trial since, gets a gear change and with the more experienced Cejay Graham replacing Sophie Wilcox that may be enough.

Fitter for two outings, MILITARY AWARD (8) was competitive in better fields than this before coming North to join Matt Dunn. Ryan Maloney stays on, a nose roll goes on and from a good gate we will find out what he has.

BOOMING LAD (6) has got too far back and disappointed at both outings since resuming. He was competitive in Saturday grade last preparation and this extra distance suits. With Damien Thornton and on firmer ground than last start, he can make his presence felt.

BRASCO (2)'s only win came when second-up with Jim Orman and he didn't get much room when beaten less than two lengths at Doomben when resuming. He steps up in trip but fitter now, history can repeat.

VERDICT: RUSSIAN SUB (3) with Cejay Graham can get it done.


RACE 9: Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m)

Tony Gollan loves to drop them back to midweek grade and RADIANT REMI (4) will strip fitter after taking on Saturday grade over 1000m. She is yet to win at this trip but from a good gate with Tahlia Fenlon's 3kg claim will get every conceivable chance.

HELIKEDEMPRETTY (11) has been in fine form since resuming but found Typhoon Taavi too speedy last start. Noel Callow stays on and she will be well-placed throughout.

CASROCK (10) likes this track and wasn't far away when resuming. With Cejay Graham she will get every chance.

A bad gate tests I AM TAKING THELOT (9) but she will be improved by her first-up outing, drops 1.5kg and will hit the line for Jim Orman.

VERDICT: RADIANT REMI (4) hard to hold out.

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