It’s a double whammy worth of meetings crammed into one when we get all the main races from the abandoned Doomben Cup meeting in tandem with the Queensland Derby.
The Punter’s Prince goes through the race-by-race preview to find all the best bets and confidence ratings for the big 10-race card.
eagle farm race 1
#1 barb raider
Barb Raider has the barrier and fitness on her side to be finding winning form.
She is a genuine Group 1 horse who ran a ripper in the Australasian Oaks behind Glint Of Hope.
Craig Williams is on, and she is the one to beat.
Suggested Bet: Barb Raider win at $2.90
Confidence Rating: 7.5/10
eagle farm race 2
#15 soprano supreme
Had a month between runs and ran a strong race in the 2400-metre lead-up.
She has a strong starting price profile from her last start over a handful of these runners, and she gets in with the lightweight.
Kerrin McEvoy to ride, and she represents an each-way play in a tough race.
Suggested Bet: Soprano Supreme each way at $9 the win and $3 the place.
Confidence Rating: 4/10
eagle farm race 3
#7 bigboyroy
Bigboyroy is following a very similar path to his big winning run at the Gold Coast back in January.
He is fourth-up over 1800 metres here as he was when winning at the Magic Millions meeting.
Barrier 12 does not really pose too many issues given James McDonald will press forward and ascertain a front-running role.
Ready to peak.
Suggested Bet: Bigboyroy win at $3.80
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 4
#1 twin stars
Twin Stars has done nothing wrong in his career to date.
Was a smart winner of the SA Sires Produce over 1400 metres last start when running around as a $2.7 elect.
He now has strong conditioning to run well over this distance range given it was his first attempt at 1400 metres last start.
Should enjoy a comfortable run from the gate and looks value at the double-figure odds.
Suggested Bet: Twin Stars each-way at $10 the win and $3.50 the place.
Confidence Rating: 5/10
eagle farm race 5
#9 polly grey
This could be a crazy analysis, but Zaaki can be beaten here.
Have a look at the run of Polly Grey in behind Zaaki during the Hollindale Stakes, and you will know why.
The Chris Waller-trained mare stuck on the game entirely behind this star weight-for-age champion despite having a gap between runs.
A few runners here can soften up Zaaki in the lead and leave it for Polly Grey to chime in over the top.
Suggested Bet: Polly Grey each way at $8.5 the win and $2.10 the place.
Confidence Rating: 6/10
eagle farm race 6
#16 startantes
Nothing went right for Startantes last start.
She was heavily backed in the betting and was way too far back on a heavy track to make any impact.
Gets drier conditions as well as a handy jockey change with Jamie Kah hopping aboard.
She is a super talented horse who ran a big race in the Group 1 Surround Stakes behind Hinged only three starts ago.
Happy to forgive her and make her the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Startantes each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place.
Confidence Rating: 8.5/10
eagle farm race 7
#5 soxagon
Soxagon returned with a booming win over 1200 metres.
He is a horse who always promised a lot and we might be seeing the best of him this preparation based off the first-up effort.
He is going to get a perfect run in this race from barrier six and will be much fitter for the resuming run three weeks ago.
Tough to see him missing a place at the very worst.
Suggested Bet: Soxagon each-way at $6 the win and $2.25 the place.
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 8
#12 paternal
Paternal looks a real progressive type of stayer for the Chris Waller stable.
The three-year-old gelding gets a great set up here off a slashing effort last start in Rough Habit Plate.
He stormed home on a heavy track and now has a great base to run a strong Derby.
Four weeks between runs probably left him a little short of fitness to win, but he is now ready to rock ‘n’ roll heading into what looks to be his grand final.
Massive jockey booking with Hugh Bowman being appointed to guide him around.
Should settle much handier in the run than last start and that makes him a live winning chance.
Suggested Bet: Paternal each-way at $5.5 the win and $2.15 the place.
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 9
#16 brooklyn hustle
Your eyes probably rolled when you saw Brooklyn Hustle as the tip.
Hear it out.
This is based purely on the price we are getting for the type of horse she is; get-back-run-on.
She has been slammed in the betting throughout her last few Group 1 races, so there has to be a big race in her soon.
She seemed to really enjoy her racing in Queensland last year and returns to a track she has had good success at.
Jamie Kah remains aboard and she is worth an each-way gamble.
Suggested Bet: Brookyln Hustle each-way at $17 the win and $5 the place.
Confidence Rating: 5/10
eagle farm race 10
#20 tahitian dancer
Hoping Tahitian Dancer gets a run in this race.
She is listed as second emergency and will need two scratchings, but her form reads very well for this.
Since being acquired by Tony Gollan, she has been building to a return to form and her last start put the writing on the wall.
She rocketed home from a mile back in the Bright Shadow Quality over 1200 metres and should land in a much closer position in the run from barrier six.
Suggested Bet: Tahitian Dancer each-way at $6 the win and $2.25 the place.
Confidence Rating: 6/10