2014 Ipswich Auction Series Reaches Semi-Final Stage
Ipswich will again take centre-stage late on Saturday evening with four semi-finals of the Group Two Ipswich Auction Series taking place.
With only five heats last week, almost all dogs get another crack this week at making the $40,000 final.
Here's a look at the top chances in each of the semi-finals.
Group Two Ipswich Auction Series Semi-Final One (Race 5 at 9:11pm)
Oh That's Nice (8) is undefeated in three starts and the only dog in this heat who won her race last week. She has a best time of 30.61 and has won her last two from this box. She should go close to winning again.
Cosmic Melody (2) is a little hit-and-miss but has won two here with a best of 30.74. She may benefit from the inside draw.
Commando Charles (4) has won four from 12 at Ipswich and ran a good second last week. Has a best of 30.72 at the track and looks one of the main dangers.
Part The Sea (3) has an ordinary strike-rate but is a consistent place-getter at the track and could feature in the placings.
Group Two Ipswich Auction Series Semi-Final Two (Race 6 at 9:34pm)
Royal Albert (7) was the only dog in this semi-final who won last week. The son of Bit Chilli – Yes Mistress (Go Wild Teddy – Raven Poldar) carved out a time of 30.68 for Dulguigan trainer Des Gilroy and looks the one to beat here.
Margiris (6) has won three at Ipswich and sizzled in 30.48 here in the past, albeit last December. If he can find anywhere near his best he will be right in this but his recent form is a worry.
Serious Tate (3) looks the only other hope but was beaten four lengths by Royal Albert last week.
Group Two Ipswich Auction Series Semi-Final Three (Race 7 at 9:56pm)
Not The One (8) for Greenbank trainer Robert Essex is not only the only heat-winner in this semi-final from last week but is also the only dog in this race that has won at this track and trip. He ran 30.69 from a wide draw last week and looks capable of replicating that.
Golden Lotus (6) has a terrific career strike-rate and ran third behind Not The One in her first look at Ipswich. She could be the improver.
Elite Alanna (7) has good form over the shorter 431 metre trip here and, if she can covert that to 520 metres, could be in the finish.
Coach Little (4) is a perennial place-getter over this journey with six placings from eight attempts. Expect him to be in the placings again.
Group Two Ipswich Auction Series Semi-Final Four (Race 8 at 10:17pm)
Are Eight (4) set the time standard last week with a scorching 30.59. The son of Lochinvar Marlow – Long Long Mama (Vesuvio – Eyre Intent) has five wins from 16 attempts at this trip and is the obvious top pick here.
Dooley's Lock (6) was the other winner from last week. She registered the time of 30.78. It was her first win in six race appearances. She may need to improve slightly to win this.
Brodie's Memory (5) is a young bitch who ran a good second in her heat last week. She looks the only possible danger to the other two.