Ipswich Cup day in Queensland this weekend. Ipswich was rated a Heavy 10 on Thursday and with sunny weather forecast, Ipswich could border on Slow/Heavy on raceday.
The ATC meeting will be held at Rosehill on Saturday. The track was rated a Slow 7 on Thursday, and with fine weather in Sydney, the track should be on the better side of Slow on raceday.
In the Sky Gai Waterhouse Classic (Ipswich Race 6, 1350m), Peron is a deserved favourite having won 3 of the past 4 starts. Her last start victory over this distance at Doomben was a tough win. However, I believe the Peter Snowden-trained Classics is most effective on Heavy track. Her 1st up 5th on a Slow track at Eagle Farm over 1200m was a great run as she fought on strongly and was only beaten one length by Detours. Classics has good 2nd up record and has won 3 from 6 over 1350m. Currently at $6.00 fixed odds, she looks a good bet on a difficult day.
In the feature race, the Ipswich Cup (Ipswich Race 7, 2150m) Voila Ici is by far the class runner in this race. His record includes an eight length 13th to Green Moon in the Melbourne Cup last preparation. This Peter Moody-trained 8YO is getting to a suitable distance indicated by his last start 3rd in the 2200m Eagle Farm Cup. He has a great record over 2150m and in wet condition. Barrier 19 may not be too big a disadvantage on Heavy track. Even with 60kg on his back, Voila Ici still comes up on top in rating in the Ipswich Cup.
In the Lui Cicco Memorial BM82 (Rosehill Race 4, 1400m), I like the David Pfieffer-trained Cradle Me. This 4YO mare has been racing consistently. She won over this distance three starts ago at Warwick Farm and she ran out of ground at Rosehill last start beaten only by a length on a Slow track. Back to 1400m will suit her on Saturday. She is currently at $5.00 in the fixed odds market and that’s about her right odds.
In the Sydney Markets Ltd Handicap (Rosehill Race 5, 1400m), top weight Kontiki Park has been racing in good class races. He also has a great record 1st up and over 1400m. However I am cautious that he has only won once from 11 starts at Rosehill. Chris Waller has three runners in the race and I like Said Com the most. He also has a pretty good record over 1400m and has never been unplaced over 7 starts on Dead/Slow going. From barrier 4, Waller has indicated that Said Com will settle closer to the lead on Saturday. Said Com looks a good winning chance.
By Owens Wong, Editor
