Eagle Farm presents Stradbroke Handicap Day as the Punter’s Prince finds all the best bets on a big day of racing.
The best of the day comes up in the JJ Atkins with a star two-year-old colt ready to take the next step.
Eagle farm race 1
#6 bank maur
Tough race, but going with Bank Maur, who looks a very progressive type for Richard Laming after winning doggedly on debut.
The stable is starting to hit some good form, and there has been market support for his runners over the last fortnight.
He is sure to have come on from his smart debut win and only needs to improve two to three lengths to be very competitive here.
Suggested Bet: Bank Maur win at $4.6
Confidence Rating: 5/10
eagle farm race 2
#8 charmmebaby
Going for a slightly different form reference in this race with minimal confidence.
Here, the fresh horse on the scene is Charmmebaby, ridden by Craig Williams.
She has been trekking towards full fitness, and being third-up here will see her peak.
They should enjoy a relaxing run from the inside gate and can run a place at the bare minimum.
Suggested Bet: Charmmebaby each way at $10 for the win and $2.8 for the place.
Confidence Rating: 3/10
eagle farm race 3
#3 irish sequel
There was a lot to like about the win of Irish Sequel last start.
This Chris Waller-trained stayer is ready to peak, heading into what looks to be a grand-final race.
He is now fully conditioned to run a full 3200 metres and races on the quick backup, which is a vital sign this horse is flying.
James McDonald takes the ride.
Suggested Bet: Irish Sequel win at $4.4
Confidence Rating: 6/10
eagle farm race 4
#3 battleton
Battleton produced a solid effort when running second up.
The Bjorn Baker galloper has to contend with a wide gate and still did a great job to run third at Eagle Farm in the main lead up form for this race.
Big booking with Nash Rawiller hopping off Kiss Sum to ride this horse.
He gets the suck run from barrier six and will look like the winner at some stage.
Hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: Battleton win at $3.8
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 5
#8 ranges
I’m avoiding all the Queensland sprinting that makes up this race and going with Ranges.
Peter & Paul Snowden send this five-year-old gelding over to Eagle Farm off a lovely resuming run at Scone over 1100 metres.
I think he will be better served heading up in the distance to 1200 meters and taking a midfield to sit with some cover to sprint hard late in the race.
Suggested Bet: Ranges each way at $8.5 for the win and $2.70 for the place.
Confidence Rating: 4/10
eagle farm race 6
#3 huetor
We could have found the next weight-for-age star in Australian racing.
Huetor put his name on the map when defeating Zaaki in the Doomben Cup last start and looks poised to make consecutive wins here.
The way he sprinted through the line suggests the extra 100 metres distance is going to be right up his alley.
Should be out of trouble from barrier 10 and will have full momentum hitting the home straight.
Suggested Bet: Huetor win at $3
Confidence Rating: 7/10
eagle farm race 7
#4 political debate
Political Debate could be a genuine freak.
This horse has had circumstances against him at almost every start but has defied all the factors to run brilliantly.
He won The Phoenix when taking the step up to 1500 metres off a 1200-metre foundation.
He showed a lovely turn of sustained speed, and his fitness will be peaking.
He looks a real Caulfield Guineas/Golden Rose type of horse and can notch up his maiden Group 1 victory here.
Suggested Bet: Political Debate win at $4.6
Confidence Rating: 8.5/10
eagle farm race 8
#4 eleven eleven
A low-confidence race.
Eleven Eleven springs off the page as the on-top selection, but there are many horses you can make a case for.
He has been building towards a peak run this preparation, and Gregory Hickman has set an excellent platform here.
There are plenty of chances in this field, but if you had to twist the arm, this is the horse to be with.
Suggested Bet: Eleven Eleven wins at $4.8.
Confidence Rating: 2/10
eagle farm race 9
#15 najmaty
Hasn’t Najmaty hit a purple patch of form?!
She is low-flying at the moment, with two wins from her two runs this campaign.
Powering to the line and sticking her neck out has become part of her CV.
Her last-start win was off the charts given how far back she settled, and she will be much closer in the run this time.
It could be a monty if she gets clear running.
Suggested Bet: Najmaty win at $3.20
Confidence Rating: 8.5/10
