Ipswich Preview & Best Bets – 18/01/2024

Ipswich Tips for Thursday, January 18

Our form expert provides Ipswich tips for today’s horse racing at Ipswich Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No.10  INSPIRED DREAM  ($5 with Unibet)

The Team Sears-trained INSPIRED DREAM is in great touch this time in and looks in the mix here for back-to-back victories today. Last start, the Divine Prophet mare finally broke through for her maiden victory when she led from barrier to box, here over 1200m. Emily Lang was aboard for the first time that day and remains the pilot for this assignment. She has gate nine today but her early gate speed has her settling better than mid-field. Now a track and distance winner, the monkey is off her back and with a clear run to the line today, she can make it two-straight here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4:  No.3  KERMANTIC  ($7 with Picklebet)

The Matt Dunn-trained KERMANTIC is three starts into this campaign and back on the country scene again, looks better placed in this company. Last start, the Kermadec gelding couldn’t match it with the city class gallopers as he finished down the track in a BM65 over 1300m at Eagle Farm. His resume shows four career wins, which have all come on country tracks. Brodie Loy rode him to his most recent victory (at Murwillumbah last preparation) and is back to steer the ship again today. He steps-up in distance today which should be more suitable for him now and Dun slips the tongue tie on for the first time as well. Look for improvement today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.6  BARBARY ROYALE  ($11 with Ladbrokes)

The Lindsay Gough-trained BARBARY ROYALE is three starts into this preparation and now looks ready to win. Last start, the Whittington mare was third-up and showed a ton of improvement when she beat all but one home in a BM60 over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. She sat outside the leader that day and took over soon after straightening but was run down by one a little better on the day. Her only start here saw her finish second in a maiden event. Emily Lang is legged aboard for the first time today and from gate seven, the mare maps to settle up near the speed. Rock-hard fit after those three runs back, she should find this contest a little easier and at odds today, be there at the finish.