Super Saturday is front and centre at Eagle Farm this weekend! The Group 1 Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, and Kingsford Smith Cup are the feature events on a mouthwatering program of racing. Around the grounds, Royal Randwick and Flemington both host tricky and competitive winter programs.
Eagle Farm Race 7
#10 Joliestar
Joliestar was a brilliant second-up winner of the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. The Zoustar mare can mix her form, and sometimes there seems to be two versions of her. Her best performance here 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. Cometh the mare, cometh the moment!
Kimochi is over the odds. The Brave Smash mare is a model of consistency, and she finds her ideal setup on Saturday. The key appointment of Craig Williams is advantageous, and barrier three should give her key rivals sleepless nights leading into the event. A recent barrier trial was first-class, and she has been specked at a price in early betting. Must include in all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Joliestar @ $3.00
Eagle Farm Race 8
#2 Philia
Philia is flying! The All Too Hard mare is winning for fun at present, and she is building a nice little picket fence next to her name. The enigmatic three-year-old meets the usual suspects here, and she is rock-hard fit after producing an undefeated preparation to date. The longer trip suits, and I suspect the Kerrin McEvoy factor will attract further market support before the barriers open. Jumping from a different postcode is the biggest deterrent.
Benagil was a hard watch for her supporters at her latest outing. She was blocked for a run at a crucial event stage and only saw daylight when the bird flew. The form around her has repeatedly stood up, and I suspect the camp are out for redemption on Saturday. The 2200m plays into her favour, and barrier five gives her every opportunity to chime in when they run for the doctor. She will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Philia @ $4.20
#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 is first-class, and his best performance here would put him in the finish. 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 10
#6 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
Royal Randwick Race 8
#2 Front Page
Front Page is one classy sprinter. The Magnus gelding was ok without threatening in The Quokka, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in class on Saturday. He traditionally performs well third-up from a spell, and his record at the trip must be respected. The current track conditions will suit him to a tee, and the significant money trail looks ominous. His performance in the Galaxy is still fresh in the memory bank, and he seems one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive program. Hard to toss!
The Novelist was good without winning fresh. The Written By gelding strips fitter because of his first-up performance at Scone, and he looks well placed in this company. The talented four-year-old is a winner second-up previously, and the handicapper has been generous with a luxurious 54kg. Barrier two will allow the Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper to pilot the field with a clean break, and if he can find the bunny uncontested, this event could turn into a cakewalk. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Front Page @ $4.00
Flemington Race 5
#5 Oh Too Good
Oh Too Good is ready to win. Both starts this campaign have caught the eyes of punters, and I suspect she is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The form around Hughes and Mollynickers reads well for this event, and she has been screaming out for the mile since Joe Biden was in primary school. The consistent and lightly raced All Too Hard mare is building an impressive career record, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to figure in the finish. The awkward gate is the primary concern.
Jimmy The Bear is back in form. The Jimmy Creed gelding was braver than Mel Gibson fresh behind the Stradbroke bound War Machine, and he was an impressive second-up winner at the heath in a strong form race. His record at the distance is outrageous, and he has been heavily supported since fields were finalised. His record at headquarters is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Oh Too Good @ $2.60
