The Brisbane winter carnival heads to Eagle Farm this Saturday. The $1,000,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby is the main event on a monster racing card, featuring a host of Group and Listed events. Around the grounds, the Listed Lord Mayors Cup will have punters flocking to Rosehill Gardens in Sydney town, while all roads in Melbourne lead to the Heath for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes.
Eagle Farm Race 6
#2 Angel Capital
Angel Capital resumes with an air of expectation. The ex-Clinton McDonald-trained Harry Angel colt missed the Group 1 Australian Guineas due to a setback, and I suspect he would have jumped a short-priced commodity if sound. His form prior is rock-solid, and I expect Chris Waller will take him to new heights this preparation. His recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm was arrogant, and his best performance here will simply be too good. Hard to toss!
Just Party is racing well without winning. The Justify gelding is knocking on the door, and he finds a winnable assignment. His performance in the Hawkesbury Guineas caught the eyes of punters, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. His versatility is his biggest strength, and he has been well supported in most all-in markets. The carpark draw and overall winning record are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Angel Capital @ $3.70
Eagle Farm Race 7
#2 pRIVATE eYE
Private Eye is watching you! The Al Maher gelding motors fresh, and he is coming off a string of impressive barrier trials. The rising eight-year-old is one classy customer, and his performances over the years, including the Everest, have been breathtaking. From barrier seven, Nash Rawiller has multiple options, and if the big boy is fully wound up for a first-up tilt, he could prove too strong in the shadows. Over the odds!
Joliestar was a brilliant second-up winner of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. The Zoustar mare has mixed her form since, and there seems to be two versions of her. Her best performance her would see her figure in the finish, while an off day would see her make up the numbers. The 1300m suits, and the current track conditions are advantageous. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Private Eye @ $9.50
#3 Statuario
Statuario has one hoof on the till. The D’argento gelding oozes class, and his current form is delicious. His record beyond 2000m is ultra-impressive, and he is drawn to perfection in a middle gate. If John Allen presents the enigmatic three-year-old with his run at the right time, I expect him to play a major role in the finish. The SA Derby placegetter is rock-hard fit, and this may be his best opportunity to taste Group 1 glory.
Firm Agreement is over the odds. The Yes Yes Yes gelding is racing better than it suggests in the bible, and he is coming off a forgive run with genuine excuses. The form around him has stood up time and again, and his best performance here would put him in the mix. He has been screaming out for the longer trip since the moon landing, and I suspect he is ready to explode. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Statuario @ $5.00
Eagle Farm Race 9
#7 Kin
Kin is ready to strike third-up from a spell. Both runs this campaign have been good without winning, and I suspect this has been the long-range target from the astute camp. The Impending mare is ready for the 1200m, and she strips fitter as a result of her recent racing. She meets similar opposition, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to be prominent inside the final furlong. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Infancy is racing well at present. Her first-up victory at Randwick was outstanding, while she was game in defeat on the Gold Coast in a hot form race at her latest outing. The Wandjina mare rarely puts in a poor performance, and she has the ability to reel off sizzling late sectionals. From barrier fourteen she will drift back and find her hooves, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the middle stages of the race, she can loom to win.
Suggested Bet: Kin @ $5.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#1 Major Beel
Major Beel looks dangerous third-up from a spell. Both runs this campaign have been ok without threatening, and I suspect he is edging towards a peak performance. He seems to grow an extra leg with his toe into the ground, and the step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his preparation. The consistent five-year-old will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, he may prove hard to run down at the pointy end of the contest.
Glory Daze returned to the winners’ circle in fine style. The Cotai Glory gelding hadn’t produced much to write home about the last 12 months, and I suspect it was a welcome relief for his supporters. The heavy track conditions play into his favour, and I suspect he will get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The flood of early money looks ominous, and his record at the trip is near perfect. Can win again.
Suggested Bet: Major Beel @ $5.50
Caulfield Race 8
#7 Niance
Niance looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive winter meeting at the Heath. The Swiss Ace mare resumes after a successful and breakthrough spring campaign, and I suspect she is ready to continue her climb to the elite level. Her victories over She’s Bulletproof and Pondalowie read incredibly well for this event, and her trainer is notching up wins for fun at present. Push the chips in!
Recommendation was brave in defeat in Sha Tin behind the superfreak Ka Ying Rising. His form prior was sensational, and his best performance here would see him figure in the finish. His record first-up must be respected, and he looks incredibly well placed in this company. With a clean break from the barriers, he will roll forward and control the tempo, and if he can stack them up before they run for the doctor, he can pinch the prize.
Suggested Bet: Niance @ $2.50
