Ipswich Cup betting guide with form, odds and free tips, June 17
THE Brisbane winter carnival moves to Ipswich this Saturday where the Ipswich Cup will take centre billing.
It might not be the strongest Cup field ever assembled – with only two last-start winners in the field, but it should make for an even betting contest which should be the case for most races on the premier card.
The Eye Liner should generate plenty of interest with punters and the likes of The Virginian and Shiraz have already attracted some market movement.
Conditions aren’t ideal, but that’s to be expected at this time of the year and punters are getting some insurance to start the day with Sportsbet which will make things easier.
If your horse runs second or third in the first four races at Ipswich, Sportsbet.com.au will give up to $50 in bonus bets.
Race 1 – Bundaberg Rum R75 Handicap (1350m)
Barnsley was a good winner at the Sunshine Coast last start and that form should carry over. The Gary Duncan-trained four-year-old extended its winning record to four wins from 13 starts and two of those wins have come on rain-affected tracks. The son of Showcasing is bred to handle the conditions and it’s the current $5.50 favourite in an open race.
Eljetem doesn’t have a great winning record of three from 29 starts, but it comes over from Victoria to the Kelly Schweida stables and punters should expect improvement in Queensland. The son of Jet Spur has the ability to win at this level, but must rebound after finishing last at Pakenham last start. $7 suggests it could run a race.
Race 1 tip: Barnsley to win ($5.50) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Ray White Ipswich R75 Handicap (1350m)
Kiwi runner William Wallace finally showed its real talent when winning last start. The Bull-trained gelding showed good ability in New Zealand, but after finishing eighth at the Sunshine Coast, punters were left wondering why it came over, but an easy win last start showed why. The son of Darci Brahma will get back and run on stylishly at odds of $3.70.
Cornrow is an enigmatic type which has won only twice, but has amassed over $350,000 in stakes money. The five-year-old won its only start at Ipwich which is a positive and it’s dropping back in grade after contesting a benchmark rating 95 at Eagle Farm last start when fresh up. Second-up form reads poorly, but the $19 is a fair price.
Race 2 tip: William Wallace to win ($3.70) at Bet365.com
Race 3 – XXXX Gold Ipswich Mile (1666m)
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Flying Light has drawn deep in barrier 14, but the recent Queensland acquisition has good barrier speed as it showed in Melbourne. Now with Barry Baldwin, the son of Exceed And Excel finished third at the Gold Coast last start and the rise up in distance is ideal. Expect Michael Hellyer to be positive out of the gates with the $5.50 chance.
Call The Captain has shown good ability in a limited career. The Liam Munro-trained gelding won its second maiden race at the Sunshine Coast two back before running a quality second in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill behind Zamex. It stays down at a luxury weight of 54.5kg here and it has been well-backed into $5.50.
Race 3 tip: Flying Light to place ($2.15) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – Sirromet Bundamba 2YO Plate (1100m)
Darktown Strutter couldn’t have been more impressive when winning at Ipswich last start. The Schweida-trained filly scored by six lengths over 800m which is an incredible feat. Its debut performance came behind Champ Elect which is strong form for this and it should be able to dictate the play from an inside barrier. Current second favourite at $5.
The favourite is Initialize scored by 2.3 lengths last time out and it looked to have plenty of ability. The Paul Duncan-trained filly finished eighth behind Taking Aim in the Ken Russell and it has since placed at group one level. It has shown the top grades are a stretch too far, but this is much easier here and the $4.80 available is a value price.
Race 4 tip: Initialize to win ($4.80) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 5 – Schweppes T.L. Cooney Handicap (1100m)
Sundance is fresh up for Toby Edmonds and the market support has come. The son of I Am Invincible was a classy winner at the Sunshine Coast last December, but it has raced only once since and this isn’t the easiest fresh up target. Most of its winning form has come in easier grades, but respect the $3.80 with bookmakers.
Sir Donald is a professional winner which has now won five of its eight starts. The three-year-old showed its adaptability when winning from the front last start and similar tactics could be used again to run this field into the ground. This will be its fourth run at Ipswich where it has won twice and that track experience will do it plenty of good.
Race 5 tip: Sir Donald to win ($4) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 6 – Queensland Times Cup Winter Provincial (2150m)
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Allzin opened up as the $2.70 favourite, but it has drifted out to $2.90 after drawing barrier 17. The Graham Hoy-trained gelding has rattled off three consecutive wins and it has experience running in the Highway Handicap series in Sydney. It placed at its only start on this track and we’ve seen better staying fields so it could capitalise.
Hot Money fought back from off the canvas at the Gold Coast last start and despite what its breeding suggests, it could win a staying race. The Kurt Goldman-trained gelding by Written Tycoon likes to put itself in the race and although it has been frustrating for some punters in the past, it should give a good account here at $6.
Race 6 tip: Allzin to win ($2.90) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 7 – Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m)
Sort After is a quality mare which is coming off a placing at Morphettville in the Centaurea Stakes. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained mare hasn’t won in four starts this campaign which is the concern, but it faces a much easier field for this and it could be taking advantage. Expect the four-year-old to settle in a handy position and be tough to beat at $3.50.
Benzini is an 11-win gelding which ran on stoutly in the Brisbane Cup last week. The Bull-trained seven-year-old has been around the mark without winning this campaign and it has a solid record in the wet. It does rely on luck after getting back in its races, but if the pace is on up front expect to see Benzini finishing off strongly. It opened at $4.40 and has drifted out to $4.60.
Race 7 tip: Sort After to win ($3.50) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 8 – City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m)
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The Virginian is a capable type for Toby Edmonds which is coming into this having run fourth in the Moreton Cup. The son of Hinchinbrook won the Chief De Beers at Doomben last month and that came on a heavy track so conditions will suit perfectly for this. The 2016 Stradbroke Handicap placegetter is getting back to that form and it’s currently paying a value price of $6.50 with bookmakers.
Acatour has shown some inconsistencies this campaign, but punters believe it has the class edge at $4.80. The Snowden-trained colt won the Carbine Stakes at Randwick in April, but did nothing in the Packer Plate last start as the $2.10 favourite. It was considered good enough to run in the Randwick Guineas and that should be respected, but it’s too inconsistent for our liking to take at that price.
Race 8 tip: The Virginian to place ($2.40) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m)
Kinshachi is a Darren Beadman-trained mare which has placed four times over this distance and it was running on well last start. The four-year-old hasn’t won since December, but it loves running in the wet and it’s going to get ideal conditions on Saturday. It opened at $5.50 before firming into $5, but it has since drifted back out to its original price.
I Am Zelady is a three-time winner from 19 starts and it’s looking to rebound after a disappointing run at Eagle Farm. The Joe Pride-trained mare finished second behind Nieta on a heavy track in April and that form should stack up nicely. It hasn’t won for awhile which is the big concern, but it has a fair amount of ability.
Race 9 tip: Kinshachi to win ($5.50) at CrownBet.com.au