Overview
Ben Thompson and Jack Bruce have won ten of their 17 Ipswich races together, and they team up again with Luconi in Thursday’s opener.
That partnership is the loudest number on a modest six race card, but it is not the whole story. The finale has two horses chasing a third straight win, Herald Angel arrives off a last start win to take on Luconi in Race 1, and T J Gollan has six runners spread across the program at a track where the stable has trained 26 winners.
The track is rated Good To Soft and racing runs from 1:45PM to 4:50PM over trips between 1,100m and 1,690m. These Ipswich racing tips go race by race with a clear pick, the danger and a staking line in each, then pull it together into a NAP, a value play, a banker and an each-way bet. The first three races were priced at the time of writing. Races 4 to 6 were not, so treat the back half of the card as a form read rather than a price call.
What Ipswich gives us today
A Good To Soft surface on a Thursday provincial card usually suits horses who have already shown they can handle a bit of give, and a few of today’s runners have done exactly that here. Course form is patchy overall, with most runners having one or two Ipswich starts, but a handful have enough visits to count.
| Horse | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulong | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 50% |
| Piertaga | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 17% |
| Sir Beveridge | 3 | 1 | 3 | 33% | 100% |
| Cryption’s Desire | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 100% |
| Heroic Chief | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33% | 33% |
| Catfish | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% |
The riders are where the real volume sits. Ben Thompson has ridden 113 times at Ipswich and won 26 of them, which is the standout record among today’s jockeys.
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Thompson | 113 | 26 | 66 | 23% | 58% |
| Ryan Maloney | 41 | 9 | 23 | 22% | 56% |
| Kyle Wilson-Taylor | 32 | 5 | 16 | 16% | 50% |
| Angela Jones | 41 | 9 | 18 | 22% | 44% |
| Taylor Marshall | 55 | 8 | 24 | 15% | 44% |
| B Lerena | 109 | 16 | 46 | 15% | 42% |
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Hoysted | 35 | 5 | 21 | 14% | 60% |
| Jack Bruce | 69 | 16 | 40 | 23% | 58% |
| T J Gollan | 118 | 26 | 64 | 22% | 54% |
| Chris & Corey Munce | 63 | 10 | 30 | 16% | 48% |
| C J Waller | 78 | 12 | 36 | 15% | 46% |
| William Kropp | 29 | 6 | 13 | 21% | 45% |
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Ipswich race by race
Race 1: Tab Hcp (C4), 1:45PM, 1,690m
Herald Angel is the one. The horse won last start, has run first or second at each of its last three starts, and has finished in the first three in all three runs over the past 90 days. That is a horse in form, and M J Dunn’s runner is drawn in barrier 1 with A Mallyon aboard, so it can take the shortest way round without having to do any early work.
The problem is Luconi, and it is a proper problem. Luconi has run third in two of the last three, placed in three of four runs over the last 90 days without winning, and has Ben Thompson riding for Jack Bruce. That pair have won ten of 17 together at this track, which is a remarkable return, and the market has noticed: Luconi is the $3.00 favourite with Bet Right.
Herald Angel at $4.80 with Bet Right is the better bet. Luconi‘s numbers belong to the connections more than to the horse, while Herald Angel is the one actually winning races. Sir Beveridge is worth a mention as well, having placed in all three Ipswich starts, including a win, and $5.00 with Bet Right is fair each-way money for a horse that keeps turning up here.
Win bet on Herald Angel, small saver on Luconi.
Race 2: Great Northern Mdn Plate, 2:20PM, 1,200m
Hard to have a confident view in a three-year-old maiden where most of the field has had one or two starts. Twice Better is scratched, Fearless Victor is unraced, and Defiant Code and Star Rouge are favourites on the strength of a single run each, a sixth and a fifth.
If forced, Hit A Lick is the experienced option. Five runs in the last 90 days for two placings, and the most recent was a third, so it has at least shown it can finish in the money. His two Ipswich starts produced nothing, which tempers the enthusiasm, and Ashley Butler has won two of 43 rides here. At $4.20 with Unibet it is not overpriced. Tramca, second two runs back, is the other one with a placing on the board at $4.80.
Watch race. A small each-way on Hit A Lick if you must have a bet.
Race 3: Ipswich Tribune Today (Bm65), 2:55PM, 1,100m
The market has Frostnip as favourite at $3.20 with Unibet, and that price is hard to square with a seventh at its only run in the last 90 days. M J Dunn’s stable has won ten races here, but the form line does not justify being shortest in the market.
Urban Lad makes more sense, having been to Ipswich twice, won once and placed in both, and the last start was a third. Archie McColm has won three of ten rides here and Urban Lad carries the lightest weight in the race for the Munce stable, so it gets every chance. Urban Lad is $4.00 with Unibet.
Life After Love, also $4.00 with Unibet, is the clear danger. It has placed at both runs in the last 90 days and was third last time, and Ben Thompson rides for T J Gollan, a pair who have won three of 14 together here.
The price to take, though, is Mercatello at $8.00 with Unibet. Mercatello won at its only Ipswich start, ran second last time, and has a win and another placing from five runs over the past 90 days. Gollan saddles both Mercatello and Life After Love, and at double the price of the stablemate it is the one I want on side.
Win bet on Urban Lad, each-way on Mercatello.
Race 4: Cruice Creations Mdn Hcp, 3:35PM, 1,350m
Scratchings have thinned this out. Tivacious, Lawes Road, Yukon Ready, Mystic Meadow and Spirit Falls are all out, and that leaves a maiden handicap where two horses have done enough to sit on top.
Worthy Stunnah is my pick. His form has improved with every start, finishing seventh, fourth, second and then third, it has placed at both runs in the last 90 days, and placed at its only Ipswich start. Ben Thompson takes the ride for Michael Morrison, and that sort of booking for a maiden going the right way is worth paying attention to.
Veomas is the one to beat. Veomas was second last start, has placed in two of four runs over 90 days and has been placed at both Ipswich visits, with Angela Jones riding for Gollan. Angela Jones has won nine of 41 rides here.
The two Chris Waller runners, Xami and Pink Dogwood, are unknown quantities. Waller has won 12 races here from 78 runners, so neither can be dismissed, but they have one run between them.
Worthy Stunnah to win, with a quinella saver to Veomas.
Race 5: Precinct Urban Planning Hcp (C1), 4:10PM, 1,350m
Keep It Real has the top weight because the horse has earned it. Keep It Real won last start after a second two runs earlier, and over the past 90 days it has a win and two placings from three runs. M Rodd rides for J W Healy, who has won with two of eight Ipswich starters, a small sample but one that hits the frame half the time. Simply Fun‘s scratching takes one more runner out of the way.
Brumal is the danger, with two Ipswich starts for a win and a placing and was third last time, with Ben Thompson again on board. The Munce stable has won ten races here from 63 runners, and Brumal carries a lot less weight than the top weight.
Then there is Tulong, the most experienced Ipswich horse on the card. Six starts here, three placings, no wins. Tulong ran second last start and keeps hitting the frame without winning, so I’d take Tulong for a place rather than the win.
Win bet on Keep It Real. Tulong for a place.
Race 6: Vince Insurance Plate (C2), 4:50PM, 1,690m
Does the better barrier decide it? King Emperor and Kobability both arrive on a winning run of two, their recent numbers are close to identical, and only one of them has drawn to get a soft run.
Kobability gets my vote. The horse has won its last two, finished third the run before, and over the past 90 days it has won twice and placed in three of four starts. It placed at its only previous Ipswich start, and barrier 6 gives Cejay Graham options. The MS O Cairns stable places with half its runners here from a small sample of 12.
King Emperor‘s form is every bit as good on paper: two wins from three runs over 90 days and a win at its only Ipswich start. The catch is barrier 13 over 1,690m. Taylor Marshall will need to find cover early or King Emperor will be wide and working, and that is the difference between the two on the day. These two have never met.
The third horse to think about is Cryption’s Desire, with three Ipswich starts for three placings and no wins, and a second last time out. B Lerena has won 16 races from 109 rides here. That profile is made for the place market.
Wedding Vow and Oakfield Montana have each won at their only start here, but neither has been in the same form as the top two lately.
Win bet on Kobability, King Emperor in the exacta, Cryption’s Desire each-way.
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Where the money goes
NAP: Kobability (Race 6, 4:50PM). Two wins in a row, three placings from four runs in the last 90 days and a better gate than its main rival. Kobability is the most complete profile on the card.
Value: Mercatello (Race 3, 2:55PM). $8.00 with Unibet for a horse that won its only Ipswich start and ran second last time is too big, especially when the stablemate is half the price.
Banker: Herald Angel (Race 1, 1:45PM). Three runs in 90 days, three finishes in the first three and two of them wins. From the inside gate it is the safest leg for a multi, and $4.80 with Bet Right is a good price for that.
Each-way: Cryption’s Desire (Race 6, 4:50PM). Three Ipswich starts, three placings and a second last time. It does not need to win to pay.
Course angle: Ben Thompson and Jack Bruce. Ten wins and 14 placings from 17 Ipswich rides together. They only have Luconi today, but anyone betting at this track should know that partnership.
If Thompson and Bruce keep winning at that rate here, their Ipswich runners will keep starting at short prices.
Ipswich racing tips FAQ
What time does racing start at Ipswich today?
Race 1, the Tab Hcp (C4) over 1,690m, jumps at 1:45PM. The last of the six races, the Vince Insurance Plate (C2), is at 4:50PM. The track is rated Good To Soft.
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Ipswich?
Ben Thompson leads today’s riders on Ipswich numbers, with 26 wins from 113 rides and 66 placings. T J Gollan has trained 26 Ipswich winners from 118 runners, and Jack Bruce has 16 winners from 69 runners and places with almost six in every ten.
What are the best bets at Ipswich today?
Kobability in Race 6 is our best bet after two straight wins. Herald Angel in Race 1 is the banker, Mercatello in Race 3 is the value at $8.00, and Cryption’s Desire in Race 6 is the each-way play after placing at all three Ipswich starts.
Where can I find the best odds for Ipswich races?
Compare the bookmakers in our table above. At the time of writing, Bet Right had Herald Angel at $4.80 and Luconi at $3.00, and Unibet had Mercatello at $8.00 and Urban Lad at $4.00. Races 4 to 6 were not yet priced.