Track: Soft 5 Weather: Cloudy

There are 14 runners for the 2024 TAB Ipswich Cup and they are all geldings. The 3 horses that ran the trifecta last year are all back to try again. There is one 3YO, one 4YO, three 5YOs, four 6YOs, three 7YOs and two 8YOs. Five runners had their last start in the Group 3 Premiers Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 1st June (won by Hezashocka), three in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup over 1800m at Eagle Farm on 1st June (won by Just Folk) and three in a BM90 over 1810m at Eagle Farm on 8th June (won by Princess Rhaenys), while the rest came via different races. Trainer Annabel Neasham has 2 runners.

The early favourite is Luncieswho was 5th in the Lord Mayors Cup. Second favourite is last year’s winner  Regal Lion who finished 8th in the Premiers Cup last start. Third favourite is Brookhaven who was 2nd to Princess Rhaenys 2 weeks ago. Dune Forty Five was 6th in the Premiers Cup. King Frankel covered extra ground and faded late in the Premiers Cup.  Zoumon resumed for 10th in the Lord Mayors Cup while Encoder comes off 6th in the Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 1st June. All other runners are currently over $17.

1. Luncies (4)

Was 5th in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup over 1800m at Eagle Farm on 1st June (won by Just Folk). Quality galloper who should go well.

2. Zoumon (8)

Resumed for 10th in the Lord Mayors Cup. Is better at this distance and has a very good second-up record.

3. Desert Icon (10)

Finished 2nd in this race last year. Needs to lift.

4. King Frankel (5)

Covered extra ground and faded late in the Group 3 Premiers Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 1st June (won by Hezashocka). Place chance.

5. Dune Forty Five (3)

Was 6th in the Premiers Cup and should go better back in distance. Chance.

6. Warp Speed (9)

Ran 8th in a BM90 over 1810m at Eagle Farm on 8th June (won by Princess Rhaenys), Not keen.

7. Port Philip (2)

This looks too hard.

8. Caprice Des Dieux (12)

Prefer others.

9. Encoder (14)

Comes off 6th in the Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 1st June. Has drawn the outside barrier but it wouldn’t surprise to see him run well.

10. Regal Lion (11)

Last year’s winner. He finished 8th in the Premiers Cup last start. One of the main chances.

11. London Banker (6)

Finished 3rd in this race last year. Hasn’t fired this campaign though.

12. Nikau Spur (13)

Not the worst.

13. Red Wave (1)

Got tired over the 2400m of the Premiers Cup and this suits much better.

14. Brookhaven (7)

Runner-up to Princess Rhaenys last outing and could figure in the finish.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
10 Regal Lion
5 Dune Forty Five
14 Brookhaven
1 Luncies

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	13 Red Wave
2nd	11 London Banker	0.42 length
3rd	9 Encoder	1.14 lengths
4th	5 Dune Forty Five	1.6 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratching: 8. Caprice Des Dieux.