The Group 1 racing spotlight shifts to Eagle Farm this Saturday for the running of the Queensland Derby and the Kingsford Smith Cup. With the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes and a menagerie of Group 3 events also featuring, the Brisbane Carnival is starting to heat up! Down south, Caulfield and Rosehill Gardens host tricky and competitive winter programs.
Eagle Farm Race 5
#1 Broadsiding
The flying Broadsiding looks a good thing despite the carpark draw. The Too Darn Hot colt is chasing a hatrick of victories, and the progressive type is building an impressive career record early doors. The talented two-year-old has never missed a top-four finish, and he looks well placed dropping back to the 1400m. Watch for the classy customer late!
El Morzillo is one speedy customer. The Star Witness filly will appreciate the step out in trip, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on her rivals after a lengthy campaign. From barrier four she will sit a couple of pairs back on the dulex, and if she sees daylight as they run for the doctor, she will figure in the finish.
Suggested Bet: Broadsiding @ $3.50
Eagle Farm RACE 6
#10 Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol can run well at double-figure odds. The Contributer gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and the enigmatic three-year-old looks poised to strike after a little freshen up. The big boy excels first-up and finds his pet distance on Saturday. The awkward gate is his biggest obstacle.
Stefi Magnetica looks perfectly placed, dropping back to her own age group. The All Too Hard filly has been racing consistently well at the elite level, and she will appreciate the seven furlongs at this campaign stage. Barrier two will give her a soft run in transit, and if he is presented with her at the right time, she will loom to win. The camp might be going back to the well too often.
Suggested Bet: Snow Patrol @ $21.00
#10 In Secret
In Secret raced extremely well during the spring without winning. The I Am Invincible mare has raced at the top level for the majority of her career, and I suspect racing fans will be excited to see her back at the track. Her recent barrier trials leading into the first-up assignment looked ominous, and if she is fully wound up, I expect her to fight out the finish on Saturday. The 1300m is perfectly fresh, and she should get the run of the race from barrier four. Hard to toss!
I Wish I Win was beaten in the shadows at his latest outing. The Savabeel gelding possesses a tremendous turn of foot, and he is in the upper echelon of sprinters in the world. The step-out-in trip will suit him at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect the camp will be out for redemption after being on the wrong side of a developed print result. I am unsure barrier one will suit his racing pattern and style.
Suggested Bet: In Secret @ $3.50
Eagle Farm Race 8
#18 Autumn Angel
Autumn Angel could start the shortest-priced favourite of the meeting. The Autumn Sun filly was good at her latest outing, coming off a freshen up down in trip, and her form this year is simply elite. The step back out to 2400m is advantageous, and her form around the world-class Orchestral and Zardozi is too tasty to ignore. The current track conditions will suit her, and with even luck in transit, she looks a monty.
Tannhauser has returned to racing in fine style. After losing his manhood recently, he seems more focused and back on track. The Dundeel gelding turned heads first up, and he put a strong field to the sword a long way from home. Barrier three will allow the precocious three-year-old a cosy trip in transit, and if he has taken any benefit from his fresh performance, he can figure in the finish. The longer trip is the slight query.
Suggested Bet: Autumn Angel @ $2.50
Caulfield Race 7
#3 Jimmy The Bear
Jimmy The Bear is ready to break through. Both runs this preparation have been excellent without winning, and I suspect he has been trained to explode third-up from a spell. His record at the mile is outrageous, and he looks perfectly placed jumping from barrier five. The drop in class plays into his favour, and the flood of early money indicates another bold performance—outstanding each-way value.
St Lawrence was good and fresh without threatening in a hot-form race. The Redwood gelding is undefeated second-up, and he finds a very winnable assignment here. From barrier three, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can run out a strong 1600m, he will figure in the finish. The step up in grade is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Jimmy The Bear @ $8.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#6 Sir Lucan
Sir Lucan is poised to strike. The Camelot gelding was only beaten by a smart one in the shadows last start at Newcastle, and he looks well placed in this company. His record at the distance must be respected, and he will get all the favours in the run from the perfect inside draw. He traditionally performs well at this campaign stage, and the flood of early money should give his rivals sleepless nights leading into the event.
Star Of India is over the odds despite the long layoff. The Group 1-performed galloper will appreciate meeting easier opposition, and he is a proven first-up performer. His recent barrier trials were suspicious, and I am expecting a forward showing on Saturday. It may pay dividends to keep an eye on any significant market support. Too classy to pot!
Suggested Bet: Sir Lucan @ $5.50
