The Punter’s Prince guides us through the 10-race card at Eagle Farm ahead of Queensland Oaks Day.
All his best bets and confidence ratings are on hand and he had narrowed down his best of the day to a filly in race four.
Eagle farm race 1
#10 oceanic flash
Oceanic Flash heads up to Eagle Farm after a last-start failure on a bog-heavy track at Rosehill over 1800 metres.
Getting back on top of the ground is precisely what he needs.
Drawn to get the good run from a middle pin and gets in with only 54kgs.
Suggested Bet: Oceanic Flash each way at $6 for the win and $2.25 for the place.
Confidence Rating: 7.5/10
eagle farm race 2
#13 smart n sexy
Smart N Sexy.
No, it’s not named after the Punter’s Prince… but, anyway.
Despite poor setups, this mare brings in some solid form after running well at her last two starts.
A better barrier and lighter should see her run towards the top three.
However, this is a low confidence race.
Suggested Bet: Smart N Sexy each way at $9 for the win and $2.60 for the place.
Confidence Rating: 4/10
eagle farm race 3
#11 political debate
Chris Waller could have a genuine freak galloper on his hands here.
This colt has yet to break maiden status, but he has been going very well by golly.
He crushed the line from an impossible position at the last start and found himself getting up in the distance, which looked ideal.
Back on dry ground and settling closer to the speed will see him prove nearly impossible to run down.
Suggested Bet: Political Debate win at $2.05
Confidence Rating: 9/10
eagle farm race 4
#1 exo lady
It was either Exo Lady or Zougotcha.
Have to settle with the filly who will bound away in the lead, which looks likely to be Exo Lady.
She is gifted with a tremendous early toe, which helps her take luck out of the equation.
She probably just found the 1400 metres last start a little too far for her, and dropping back to 1200 metres looks ideal.
Suggested Bet: Exo Lady each way at $5 the win and $2 the place.
Confidence Rating: 5/10
eagle farm race 5
#9 boomnova
Boomnova is airborne at the moment.
This mare has taken the short course by storm at her last excellent two starts and showed her supreme form by skipping with a win by 4.5 lengths at this course and distance.
She will tuck herself into an excellent on-pace position from the soft barrier.
Good luck beating her if she gets an easy lead.
Suggested Bet: Boomnova win at $2.90
Confidence Rating: 8/10
eagle farm race 6
#2 kiku
There are a host of chances in this race.
They were landing on Kiku, who draws barrier one and gets James McDonald.
She looks better served getting onto the ground, and if she gets some luck from the inside gate, it will be hard to hold out.
Tough to get confident about this race.
I would suggest letting it through to Adam Gilchrist.
Suggested Bet: Kiku win at $4.2
Confidence Rating: 3/10
eagle farm race 7
#8 never say more
Never Say More has been the bridesmaid at his last four starts.
He is becoming costly, but this race sets up well for him.
Tim Clark takes the reigns, and this horse gets a significant weight drop for the rise in class.
A model of consistency who is yet to run a bad this preparation and can use his fitness to full effect.
Suggested Bet: Never Say More win at $4.6
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 8
#9 babylon berlin
Everything went wrong for Babylon Berlin when having her first start in Australia a fortnight ago.
She was wide without cover on a track rated a soft seven at the time but was racing as a heavy.
She will find herself back on a much less treacherous track and can jump out of the ground at good odds.
Again, not a race to get too overly involved with.
Suggested Bet: Babylon Berlin each way at $9 the win and $3.30 the place.
Confidence Rating: 4/10
eagle farm race 9
#12 aravene
Aravene continues to step up to the mark every time she steps out.
She is a progressive filly who looks set to make the rise in grade to Group 1 level.
Caroline Jennings is a jet trainer and will have this staying filly right up to the mark here after a sensational win at Rosehill.
Suggested Bet: Aravene win at $4.4
Confidence Rating: 7.5/10
eagle farm race 10
#4 release the beans
Another tough race.
I am having a nibble at Release The Beans.
He was caught inside on that dog-ugly day at Eagle Farm on May 14.
He does not go on wet tracks, and he is a clear improver here getting back to a dry surface.
Huge jockey change with Tim Clark riding.
Suggested Bet: Release The Beans each way at $11 for the win and $3.5 for the place.
Confidence Rating: 5/10