Ipswich Preview & Best Bets – 18/08/2023

Ipswich Tips for Friday, August 18

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.1  BOODUA ROMANCE  ($2.55 with BoomBet)

The Lindsay Gough-trained BOODUA ROMANCE has found the podium in both runs back this preparation and looks ready to win now. Last start, the Love Conquers All gelding had no luck early when finishing third in a Class 1 Plate over 1200m at Doomben. Settling worse than mid-field (after striking trouble at the start), the five-year-old finished strongly enough to cross the line less than half a length from the winner. Michael Murphy returns today for his fourth ride on the gelding, having ridden him to victory on debut. With a trouble-free run today, he looks the one to beat here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.5  ONIKA  ($6.75 with Picklebet)

The Kris Lees-trained ONIKA is third-up today and sporting a major gear change, looks in the mix for a victory here. Last start, the Written Tycoon mare showed some improvement when finishing just behind the placegetters in a BM70 Hcp over 1050m at Doomben. Lees puts the blinkers on the five-year-old today and returning to provincial class, should find this contest a little easier. Placed when third-up last preparation and fitter for two runs back, she can give this a real shake at odds today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.1  GOSSIP TORQUE  ($6 with bet365)

Sunshine Coast galloper, GOSSIP TORQUE, loves racing here and second-up today looks a genuine winning chance again. Last start, the Capitalist mare resumed off a six-month absence when she did well to finish third in a BM62 Hcp, here over today’s 800m trip. She missed the jump but recovered enough to lead on settling and only a lack of race fitness saw her grabbed near the line, beaten just over a length. Jai Williams picks up the ride here and brings a 2kg claim with him today. Drawn well in gate six, she maps to lead them again and fitter from that first-up run, should take catching again.