Shane Ciurleo’s preview & best Ipswich Cup Day

Ipswich Turf Club Saturday, 16 June 2018

 

Rail Position: True Entire Course

Track Condition: Soft 5

Weather: Fine

 

 

Best Bets:

WIN R1 N12 A MIST OPPORTUNITY

EACH WAY R8 N2 RELIGIFY

 

 

Race 1

I’m keen on the favorite to get us off to a winning start, with 12 A MIST OPPORTUNITY. She has progressed nicely in 3 runs this campaign, with a close up 2.5L 5th at Group 3 level last time out. She looks to get a nice in transit from a good gate and is the clear horse to beat. 6 FIT FOR PURPOSE put up another flashing light run last time, but slightly disappointed when had his chance in weaker grade the start before. 1 BERGERAC & 20 BLUEBROOK can fill the minor numbers.

Numbers: 12 – 6 – 20 – 1                            

Bet: WIN 12 A MIST OPPORTUNITY

 

Race 2

 

6 TIME LORD coming back in trip from the 2200m of the G3 Grand Prix last start, to a trip he won at 2 starts back. He can settle in the first half dozen here, get a nice run in transit and is a leading hope. 1 SABKHAT goes up 5kg in weight for his last start win at Doomben. He looks to roll forward again here, races on pace and is a chance also. 14 ZAMEX gets in well at the weights against his main rivals here, and with the addition of blinkers has to be a hope. He has drawn well in gate 5, so he shouldn’t have to settle to far back, and with a good steer he looks a pretty good each way play at the price.

Numbers: 14 – 6 – 1 – 8                             

Bet: EACH WAY 14 ZAMEX

 

Race 3

Should be good speed here, with a number of these on speed including the favorite 1 PARKO. He was super impressive last start, travelling strong and destroying his rivals. He looks to be able to get on the speed here and will be very hard to beat.  4 SPENDING MY TIME was an impressive all the way winner last time in class record time, and despite the wide draw is a hope. 13 TIPPING really hit the line hard when winning on debut, with natural improvement and a step up in trip, he is one I could entertain at the big odds.

Numbers: 13 – 1 – 4 – 5                              

Bet: EACH WAY 13 TIPPING

 

Race 4

6 KAY KAY BOY (**disclaimer I have a share in him) has been impressive in all 4 Australian runs, including winning the Gatton Cup last start in good time. He will roll forward from the gate and give them something to catch.  4 READY FOR DANGER looks the horse to beat, should get a good run from a nice gate and if the speed is too hot upfront, he will be the one getting home hard late. 14 EVOLO has a task here coming here 6th start in its first prep but wasn’t far away at Group 3 level last time. I think the winner comes from those 3, leaning 4 READY FOR DANGER just ahead of 6 KAY KAY BOY, as the barriers give 4 READY DANGER a softer run.

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 14 – 2                              

Bet: WIN 4 READY FOR DANGER

 

Race 5

Wide open race, with a number of good chances.  Hard to know where to look here, and I don’t have a lot of confidence.  14 UNLIKELY STORY was a strong winner 2 starts back, before stepping up in grade and flashing home behind WINTER BRIDE last time.  He should be able to settle closer to the speed here, get a nice run and get into the money. He looks a decent each way play in a hard race.

Numbers: 14 – 15 – 9 – 5                            

Bet: EACH WAY 14 UNLIKELY STORY

 

Race 6

2 SWORD OF JUSTICE is up in weight on his last start effort, where it took a good one in TYZONE to run him down late. He will be on speed here again and looks hard to get past.  5 MANIAS trialed in good style for this, he is a nice horse on his way through the grades and can expect a good run here. Although he is hard to catch, if the pace is on watch for 7 RINGOS A ROCKSTAR flashing late. He was a good winner 3 back and drops back from Group 2 level last time.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 7 – 9                                

Bet: EACH WAY 2 SWORD OF JUSTICE

 

Race 7

Certainly doesn’t look a vintage IPSWICH CUP on paper, with the favorite 2 TRADESMAN an odds on favorite. He looked good in running second to Egg Tart last time, although the race lack depth, his run was good. While I have him on top, he is short and I’d be happy to bet at $2 or better.  2 ECUDOR looks the leader and gives them something to chase. 10 SMART AS YOU THINK can run a race down in the weights, along with 8 SEARGENT BLAST who is having his first go at the trip.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 10 – 8                              

Bet: WIN 2 TRADESMAN

 

Race 8

2 REGLIFY comes here off the back of 2 good 1000m trials and looks perfectly placed first up here. He has won at this level in QLD previously, and I expect him to race on the speed and be hard to beat here. 4 MOSS N DALE is a model of consistency, and with his racing pattern maps to get a good run here. He was dominant in a decent Flemington win last time out and is a leading chance.  11 TYZONE steps up again in grade here but is racing well and get home into the minor money.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 11 – 7                 

Bet: EACH WAY 2 RELIGIFY

 

Race 9

Expecting 2 PLUCKY GIRL to jump to the front here from the draw and be hardest to beat. She’s certainly got enough pudding to carry with 58.5kg and is a skinny enough price at $3.70 but find it hard to tip against her. 7 POMELO will likely push forward from the gate and is a hope. 11 OUR BEEBEE is a horse I was really keen to back at 1350m for the first time this prep, unfortunately she has come up with gate 17 here. I’m still going to have something 1 x3 EACH WAY, because I think she is going well. She will need a lot of things to go her way, but she has the ability to be in the finish.

Numbers:  2 – 11 – 7 – 1                                         

Bet: EACH WAY 11 OUR BEEBEE

 

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