The last Group 1 for the 2023/2024 racing season, the $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara, is the main event at Eagle Farm this Saturday. With a menagerie of Listed and Group events also featuring, the Brisbane Carnival has never looked so good! Down south, Caulfield and Rosehill Gardens host tricky and competitive winter programs.
Eagle Farm Race 6
#7 Knight's Choice
Knight’s Choice is ready to win. The Extreme Choice gelding has been thereabouts throughout the campaign. I suspect this is the target race for the preparation. The step out in distance is advantageous, and he is ideally drawn in barrier two. The form around him reads incredibly well for this event, and he looks the one to beat. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune!
Naval College has been slightly disappointing this spell. Admittedly, there have been genuine excuses, and he has found a very winnable assignment on Saturday. The 2400m is in his wheelhouse, and I expect him to produce his customary turn of foot when the whips are cracking. He needs to put another win on the board!
Suggested Bet: Knight’s Choice @ $4.50
Eagle Farm RACE 7
#4 Charterhouse
Charterhouse is knocking on the door! Both runs this campaign have been ominous, and I suspect his next victory is just around the corner. His record at the trip is outrageous, and I expect him to explode third-up from a spell. The inside draw will ensure a soft trip in transit, and if he sees daylight as they run for the doctor, he can figure in the finish. He looks excellent each-way value!
Iknowastar will start favourite after racing consistently this campaign. The bold front runner should be rock-hard fit, and he finds his pet distance here. From the carpark draw he will cross and lead them a merry dance, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, the race could be over before they swing the final bend. An early-speed battle may be his undoing!
Suggested Bet: Charterhouse @ $8.00
#1 Bella Nipotina
Bella Nipotina is an owner’s dream. The forever young bonny mare doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and she has rubbed shoulders with some of the best sprinters in the world. Her form this preparation is sublime, and she looks awfully hard to beat racing against her own sex. With even luck in transit, I expect her to greet the judge before her rivals. The horrendous barrier draw is the primary concern.
Semana is ready to win. The Winning Rupert mare has been racing well against strong opposition, and I suspect this is her grand final before heading to the paddock for a well-deserved holiday. If the favourite has an off-day, and she can find an extra gear, I expect her to be there at the pointy end of the race.
Suggested Bet: Bella Nipotina $2.10
Eagle Farm Race 9
#6 Shooting For Gold
Shooting For Gold is over the odds. The big fella was luckless fresh, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forget that he went around. He is a second-up specialist and has been well supported at a price in early betting. The step out in distance is advantageous, and he looks extremely dangerous jumping from an inside draw. Watch for him late!
All That Pizzazz is too consistent to pot. All runs this preparation have great without winning, and he finds his favourite track on Saturday. His record at the distance is rock-solid, and the appointment of James McDonald puts him into all winning calculations. Barrier 12 is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Shooting For Gold @ $19.00
Caulfield Race 9
#2 Pounding
Pounding is knocking on the door! The Exceed And Excel gelding is coming off a string of narrow losses, and the heavy market support indicates that he has one hoof on the till. From barrier seven, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, the fat lady could be singing a long way from home. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Milford was luckless at his latest outing. The Savabeel gelding was an impressive winner two starts back, and I suspect he still has improvement to come for the campaign. He will occupy the box seat from barrier two, and if he sees daylight before the final furlong, he will fight out the finish. He may need some luck getting off the dulex.
Suggested Bet: Pounding @ $6.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#2 Waterford
Waterford was a good thing licked in the Scone Cup. If the big boy saw daylight slightly earlier, he would have absolutely bolted in! He looks incredibly well placed in this company, and the step out to 2000m is perfect at this stage of his campaign. Nash Rawiller already has a winning association with the enigmatic five-year-old, and the Chris Waller factor should never be underestimated. He looks hard to toss despite the tricky gate!
Bold Mac will have plenty of supporters after producing several teasing runs this preparation. The Bold One gelding has been crying out for the longer trip all campaign, and he should receive a lovely trip throughout from the middle gate. He looks ready to win, and there has been a nice push at a price for the talented six-year-old in early betting. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Waterford @ $3.70
