Spirit House hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but she showed decent ability during a short debut prep and can break her maiden at Ipswich this afternoon. The Spirit Of Boom filly stamped herself as one to watch with a smart trial prior to making her debut, and ran a close-up second on the Gold Coast only a few days later. She’s performed well and trials again leading into this and is ready to win.
Exdream has been a model of consistency this time and will be tough to beat at Ipswich this afternoon. The Kris Lees-trained gelding has missed a place only once in four starts since resuming in June, and was last seen finishing on the winner’s heels here at Ipswich. He’s ready to peak in form and has the advantage of Ryan Maloney in the saddle.
Back Up #2 Devils Marbles
Devils Marbles looks set to jump the odds-on favourite, so I’m going to open the punters toolbox and use Back Up.
Checkmate Lad will take plenty of benefit into his second campaign target at Ipswich today and will take beating. The son of Strategic Maneuver was forgotten in the market here at Ipswich first-up but mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to finish third. Mark Du Plessis can emulate those tactics from barrier 8 and will be hard to hold out.
Joymaker will enjoy a drop in class into the last at Ipswich today, and looks ready to do something third-up. The Kelly Schweida-trained mare has improved for her two hit-outs so far this time and was last seen finishing off well to place sixth at Doomben. She’s drawn well in barrier 6 and the $6.50 on offer at publish does look over the odds.