The time-honoured Stradbroke Handicap is the feature event this Saturday at Eagle Farm! The Group 1 J.J. Atkins, Group 2 Q22 and Dane Ripper Stakes are also prominent on Brisbane’s biggest race day. Around the grounds, Rosehill Gardens and Sandown Hillside both host tricky and competitive winter programs with plenty of value up for grabs!
Eagle Farm Race 6
#1 Cool Archie
Cool Archie looks unstoppable at present. The Cool Aza Beel colt has been winning with one leg in the air, and he looks well placed meeting the usual suspects. The longer trip will suit, and I suspect he has more progression and upside than the majority of his rivals. He has been heavily backed since fields were finalised, and I expect him to be prominent during the race’s early stages. If he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to prove too strong late.
Grafterburners can challenge the favourite. The Graff colt is a model of consistency, and the longer trip suits him to a tee. The inside draw puts him into all winning conversations, and I suspect the appointment of the inform Craig Williams will attract further market support. He may need some luck to get off the dulex as they run for the money. Watch for him late!
Suggested Bet: Cool Archie @ $3.40
Eagle Farm Race 7
#4 Firestorm
Firestorm looks head and shoulders above her rivals. The Satono Aladdin mare marginally missed a start in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and I suspect her best performance here would be fences and panels better than the rest of the field. The 1400m is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and she strips fitter as a result of recent racing. The Chris Waller and James McDonald combination must be respected, and I expect her quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. Ready for her moment in the sun!
City Of Lights is in career best form. Her first-up run was good without winning in a hot form race, and her last-start victory was top notch. A recent trial looked ominous, and she finds her pet distance here. The talented Deep Impact mare handles all track conditions, and the perfect inside draw should give her key rivals sleepless nights leading into Saturday’s Group 2 event. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Firestorm @ $4.00
#13 Rise At Dawn
Rise At Dawn is over the odds. The Almanzor gelding has been rubbing shoulders with the country’s best, and his effort in the Group 1 Doncaster was first-class. He was good under the weight-for-age conditions at his latest outing, and I suspect he is ready to fire on the quick back-up. He drops 6.5kg under the handicap conditions, and the inside draw puts him into all winning calculations. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
War Machine will have plenty of supporters after producing a last-start romp. The Harry Angel gelding is building a picket fence next to his name, and he deserves his shot at the Group 1 level on Saturday. He should be rock-hard fit after several electric performances, and I suspect the handicapper has must him. Jumping from Doomben is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Rise At Dawn @ $12.00
Eagle Farm Race 9
#1 Fawkner Park
Fawkner Park has one hoof on the till. His efforts behind Antino and Via Sistina this campaign have been first-class, and I suspect he is ready to explode on Saturday. The Zoffany gelding has been screaming for the longer trip since George Bush was occupying the Whitehouse, and I expect the seasoned campaigner to put his rivals to the sword as they round the final bend. From the inside draw the rising seven-year-old can occupy the box seat throughout, and if Ethan Brown can put the talented galloper into clear air, I expect him to return to the winners’ enclosure.
Kovalica is ready to win. The Ocean Park gelding has caught the eyes of punters this preparation, and I suspect this has been a long-range target from the astute Chris Waller camp. The longer trip is advantageous, and I suspect he is rock-hard fit after a solid preparation to date. He tends to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Suggested Bet: Fawkner Park @ $2.30
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#5 Bear On The Loose
Bear On The Loose is knocking on the door. The Footstepsinthesand gelding has figured in the finish several times this preparation, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. The 2400m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation, and the flood of early money indicates another bold showing. The big boy will roll forward from the wide gate and pilot the field, and if he can cheat the clock throughout, he may pinch a winning break as heads turn for home. Hard to toss!
Don Diego De Vega will have plenty of supporters after producing an eye-catching first-up performance at Rosehill. The Lope De Vega gelding is a second-up specialist, and he looks dangerous stepping out in trip. The enigmatic five-year-old handles all track conditions and is perfectly drawn in barrier three. The 53kg is a luxury, and with even luck in-transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Bear On The Loose @ $3.60
Sandown Hillside Race 8
#13 Manolo Bling
Manolo Bling was a brilliant first-up winner before nearly pinching a Group 3 event in Adelaide. The Grunt filly meets easier opposition here, and I suspect she is ready to peak third-up from a spell. The drop back to 1000m could prove a training masterstroke, and the 2kg apprentice claim brings her into all winning conversations. If she can find the bunny during the early stages of the race, the fat lady could be in full chorus before they run for the judge.
Codigo is over the odds. The Ardrossan gelding is coming off a forgive run at Flemington, and his form prior was near perfect for the current campaign. The 3kg apprentice claim helps his case, and he is undefeated at the trip. I suspect he will occupy the box seat throughout from a perfect inside draw, and his record at Sandown must be respected. Dismiss at your own peril!
Suggested Bet: Manolo Bling @ $3.70
