Ipswich Preview – Wednesday 29th April 

HELL OR HEAVEN (3) started favourite on debut in a Saturday race at Doomben following an excellent trial win where he easily accounted for a subsequent metropolitan winner. 

Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan, and he was shuffled back prior to entering the straight before having to alter his course in the straight and picking up late for a 2.91 length fifth. 

The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding will be better for the experience and appreciate the slight rise in trip. 

In form jockey Ben Thompson takes the ride and should find a prominent position. 

Selections: 3-2-11-4 

DISPARATE (2) resumes here as a gelding and should appreciate coming north after starting his career in Sydney. 

The Michael Freedman-trained son of I Am Invincible never finishing worse than 2.5 lengths from the winner in three starts so looks well placed in this easier assignment. 

He appears more switched on since being gelding and was most recently seen working strongly to the line under his own steam to win a trial. 

Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, can stalk what looks like a solid speed. 

Selections: 2-3-7-8 

URBAN LAD (12) has had two race starts across two preparations and disappointed in both. 

That’s hardly an encouraging statement for his chances, however a recent trial suggested that he may be over whatever issues he’s had. 

The Chris & Corey Munce trained gelding jumped straight to the front before effortlessly braining his rivals by 7.5 lengths in good time. 

Martin Harley will push forward to counter the sticky gate. 

Selections: 12-9-5-10 

FRAGILE LOVE (6) will appreciate dropping to the midweeks from Saturday metropolitan racing. 

The Matt Dunn-trained mare was slow away over 1110m at Doomben last start and simply got too far back but to her credit she found the line well to finish 2.67 lengths sixth. 

The start prior she found the line well to finish 1.27 lengths fourth when resuming at the Gold Coast. 

She’ll strip fitter third-up and will be aided by the likely strong speed.  

Selections: 6-4-5-3 

CAPTAIN MAVERICK (5) finally draws a good gate and that might see a change in his fortunes. 

The Chris Waller-trained gelding caught the eye last start over a mile at Eagle Farm where he settled last from the wide barrier before encountering traffic in the straight and driving powerfully to the line to finish just under a length third. 

While he hasn’t won out of turn, he has finished in the placings in nearly half of his career starts, with all but his last start coming in metropolitan Sydney meetings. 

He draws the inside barrier and when he has drawn well in the past, he’s settled in a prominent position and that should be the case here.  

Selections: 5-4-7-8 

DIVINE SOURCE (6) didn’t run out a mile at Doomben last start and will appreciate the drop back to 1350m. 

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare gave her rivals a galloping lesson two starts back at Doomben over this distance, leading all the way to win by three lengths. 

She loves racing at Ipswich, having won twice and placed second once from three starts, including a 3.45-length victory just four runs ago. 

From barrier 2, Martin Harley should be able to find the front relatively easily. 

Selections: 6-8-11-4 

STRANGLEHOLD (6) has settled in nicely at Richard Laming’s Gold Coast stable after previously racing in Victoria. 

The Pierro gelding settled back from a wide barrier first-up over this course and distance before working home strongly for a 1.55 length third. 

He easily rounded up his rivals before dashing clear for a 2.26 lengths victory. 

He’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate a solid speed. 

Selections: 6-2-4-1