This is a very open race and a tough way to start the day for punters. I am not overly keen to get involved in this race as you can make a case for just about every horse, but Marksfield does represent a touch of value if connections elect to send him to the race. He returned to the races with a tough front-running performance at Toowoomba and he is a horse that is capable of a spike performance on his day, which would be good enough to win this race.

1 Unit Marksfield

Another race that is a tough one for punters. William Wallace does look like a false favourite, but finding the horse to beat him is easier said than done. Assertory was only narrowly denied by the promising Criquette last start. This is one of the easiest races that she has contested in some time and she does have upside that the majority of this field do not posses.

1 Unit Assertory

Flying Light has raced in much stronger company than this for the majority of his racing career in Melbourne and there was plenty to like about the way that he found the line first-up at the Gold Coast. The big step-up from 12000 metres to a mile is not ideal, but there is no doubt that this is a much more suitable race for him than his first-up assignment. The wide barrier draw is an advantage as he will get back and is good enough to finish over the top of them.

1.5 Units Flying Light

Godolphin have sent Revenire north following his strong debut win at Gosford and a tough effort at Rosehill Gardens. He really does not meet the strongest field in the Bundamba Plate and if he is able to replicate his New South Wales form he should prove far too strong for this field. The $5.50 currently on offer is well and truly over the odds and I doubt that it will last.

1.5 Units Revenire

There is an argument to be made that this is actually the most interesting race of the day as this field is packed full of talent. The most interesting horse in the race is the resuming Sundance and he heads into his racing return off the back of a nice barrier trial win at Doomben. Sundance has always had a great deal of ability and if he is able to return to the races at anywhere near his best he will be very tough to beat. Jeff Lloyd has an excellent record when he combines with Toby Edmonds and nobody rides this Ipswich track better.

2 Units Sundance

Allzin is a progressive stayer on the way up and he goes into this race as a deserved favourite, but this is a step-up in class and it is tough to get him as short as his current quote. The problem is that there really is not a great deal between the other leading contenders in this race and there is no real value to be found in this race.

No Bet

Benzini has been rock-solid since arriving in Australia and he really does look well-placed in the Ipswich Cup. He was only narrowly denied in the Premier’s Cup at Eagle Farm and she made up good ground against the pattern of the race in the Brisbane Cup last weekend. I expect them to go quicker than they did in the Brisbane Cup last weekend, with Sort After taking up the running, and that will give Benzini the chance to finish over the top of his rivals late.

1.5 Units Benzini

This is an open edition of the Eye Liner Stakes, but the top-weight Shiraz really does stand out at his current price of $9. It has been a while between wins for Shiraz, but this is the easiest race that he has contested for some time. His effort in the Octagonal Handicap was better than it looks on paper and a repeat of that rating would have him right in this race. He is well worth a gamble at the current price of $9.

1 Unit Shiraz

The Gai Waterhouse Classic is another open race with plenty of winning chances. Maternal did not have any luck in running last start in the Helen Coughlan Stakes, but she did have genuine excuses. She will need plenty of luck from the wide barrier draw again this weekend, but she does like a wet track and she is a horse that generally performs at a consistent level. Dee Nine Elle is another horse that had excuses in the Helen Coughlan Stakes. She is not the most consistent galloper, but she is capable of a spike performance on her day and she does have solid form in the wet.

1 Unit Maternal

1 Unit Dee Nine Elle