Firm tracks have proven to be the undoing of Billionair Baby this preparation, but with the Ipswich surface still retaining some give after recent heavy rain, conditions should be far more suitable for the gelding to bounce back to the winners’ list.
Trainer Robert Heathcote will saddle three runners in the Racing and Sports Class 5 Handicap (1200m), with metropolitan-performed Billionair Baby joined by stablemates Party Spirit and I Am A Marvel.
“Billionair Baby and I Am A Marvel just will not run on the firm tracks we’ve had these last two months,” Heathcote said.
“Ipswich was a Soft 5 on Thursday morning, and even if it dries out with another 30-degree day, it still won’t be a firm road like Eagle Farm tends to get so quickly.”
Billionair Baby has not won since December 2024, but Heathcote remains convinced that firm surfaces have been the key obstacle, an opinion that has been echoed consistently by the jockeys who have partnered the six-year-old this campaign.
“If you have a look at Billionair Baby’s form, you’d think he’s going terrible, but he’s not,” Heathcote said.
“Every rider is telling us the same thing — he just wants a track he can get his toes into. He hasn’t been getting that.
“He’s not getting any younger at six and he’s only won four from 30, but his last five runs have been seventh, sixth, seventh, fifth and fourth, beaten between two and five lengths in each.
“He’s been thereabouts, but every rider comes in and says the same thing: the horse is travelling like a winner but won’t let down on that firm ground.”
Party Spirit steps out second-up after a strong runner-up finish at Ipswich over 1100m on October 17, while I Am A Marvel is likely to adopt forward tactics again in search of a sixth career victory.
“I Am A Marvel has good gate speed, and we’ll use it,” Heathcote said.
“Party Spirit has raced really well at Ipswich in the past and that’s why we’re going there.
“Emily Lang is brilliant out of the gates, and from barrier three there’s every chance Party Spirit will be sitting one–two with I Am A Marvel in the run.”
