Search

show me:

Eagle Farm race-by-race preview - 1st June 2024

3 minute read

Racing And Sports form analyst Brenton Le Grand provides his selections for a bumper nine-race card at the Eagle Farm this Saturday, brought to you by tab.com.au

JUST FOLK looks a solid each-way prospect in the Lord Mayer's Cup
JUST FOLK looks a solid each-way prospect in the Lord Mayer's Cup  Picture: Steve Hart

Two quality Group 1's are set to be contested at Eagle Farm this weekend with full fields and plenty of value on offer at tab.com.au 

We've landed on a three-year-old filly and a seven-year-old stalwart for our best bets on the nine-race card. 

Race 1 - The Star Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m) @ 11.43am 

Looks an open affair to kick off the card. Tenzing (7) couldn't have been more impressive saluting at Doomben at the latest effort and winning hoop Schiller reunites. Is yet to miss a drum in four attempts over this course and distance and is racing with a lot of confidence. Will prove very tough to hold out. Poison Chalice (5) is a bit of a hit or miss type but wasn't too far off them in the Straight Six at Flemington and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Can improve enough to feature in the outcome. Sunset Soiree (16) is a three-time winner here and will be near her peak now third-up from the spell. Top-thee hope. Hollywood Hero (1) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Never Been Kissed) and doesn't know how to run a bad race. A must for the multiples. Tojaki (8) was a touch plain last start but go on the strong win here two back. Worth another chance.

Tip: Backing Tenzing @ $5 with TAB 

Race 2 - HKJC Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) @ 12.18pm 

The well-related Warby (10) (half to G1 winner and stallion Captivant) has been right there in both runs this preparation and looks to be nearing another victory. Boasts a win and a placing from just two outings over this track and trip and should be cherry-ripe now third-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. Madame Odette (15) resumes here but has won first-up before and will get a cosy run in transit from the inside alley. Expect a forward showing while fresh. Former Hong Kong galloper Oughton (3) returned to form at Warwick last time out and will be full of confidence following that easy victory. Respect. Star Of Chaos (13) will find this task easier than the recent Listed effort and gets Berry on from a favourable draw. Ticks a few boxes. Centre Bounce (16) saves her best form for this distance range and cannot be discounted.

Tip: Siding with Warby @ $4 with TAB 

Race 3 - Living Turf Premier's Cup (2400m) @ 12.53pm 

The $200,000 Group 3 Premier's Cup. Group 2 winner Hezashocka (6) made up some steady ground behind Bois D'Argent in the Group 1 Doomben Cup last weekend and now steps up to the 2400m on the quick back-up. Drawn perfectly in gate three and should appreciate the drop in grade here. Can return to the winner's stall. Goldman (5) has always shown ability and looks to have returned to a semblance of form this campaign. Boasts a win over this staying journey and will strip fitter third-up from the break. Has to be considered. Spirit Ridge (1) got the job done in the Chariman's at the latest outing and gets Shinn on third-up. Top-three commodity. Captain Envious (4) brings different formlines to the table and may make his presence felt. Regal Lion (12) best of the rest.

Tip: Hezashocka to win @ $3.70 with TAB 

HEZASHOCKA winning the *BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY* BUTERIN L'ESTRANGE GOSFORD GOLD CUP
HEZASHOCKA winning the *BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY* BUTERIN L'ESTRANGE GOSFORD GOLD CUP Picture: Steve Hart

Race 4 - Sky Racing Lord Mayor's Cup (1800m) @ 1.28pm 

The $200,000 Group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup. Multiple Group 2 winner Just Folk (2) got the chocolates by the narrowest of margins at Hawkesbury two back before running into a red-hot Numerian at the Sunny Coast on the quick back-up. Has a win and three seconds from six attempts at the trip and winning hoop Rawiller reunites. Expected to be there when the judge calls a halt. Waterford (12) has returned in fine fashion with a first-up win at Rosehill before a solid second in the Scone Cup. Will be at his peak now third-up and rates a serious danger. Shock 'Em Ova (15) has won three of his past four and is racing with a lot of confidence. Shapes as a key player. Adelaide River (3) is an interesting import and any market support must be noted. Luncies (4) next best.

Tip: Just Folk each-way @ $6.50 with TAB 

Race 5 - Aquis Stallions Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) @ 2.03pm 

The $1 million Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes. The penny has dropped for Broadsiding (1) now who got the job done two back in the Listed Fernhill before an impressive victory in the G1 Champagne at Randwick last time out. Gets Kah on board to navigate from the sticky alley and has been given a bit of a freshen up to drop back to the 1400m here. Expected to prove hard to toss. El Morzillo (16) just ran into one better at the latest effort and Williams stays on board from the favourable draw. Looms as the main danger. Brutal Bowler (14) was dominant in breaking the maiden status on the Sunny Coast last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Can go right on with the job now. The well-related Angel Capital (12) (half to G2 winner Berkeley Square) will take a lot out from that last start effort and can improve enough to feature. Bittercreek (2) is improving with racing and cannot be ignored.

Tip: Going with Broadsiding @ $3.70 with TAB 

BROADSIDING winning the MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES
BROADSIDING winning the MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

Race 6 - Mullins Lawyers Fred Best Classic (1400m) @ 2.38pm 

The $300,000 Group 3 Fred Best Classic. Stefi Magnetica (17) wasn't disgraced first-up in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 when a close-up fifth behind Bella Nipotina and will appreciate the drop back to her own age here. Drawn to get a nice suck run from the gate two and has placed two from three when racing second-up. Should be hitting the line with gusto. Schwarz (7) got his Group victory at Hawkesbury last time out and is two from two over this distance range. Will be at his peak and rates a leading contender again. Corniche (4) is yet to miss the top-five in nine starts at a high level and always gives a sight. Top-three credentials. Steparty (3) was a touch plain first-up but will take a lot out from that hit-out and has a very solid winning strikerate. Worth another chance. Abounding (15) is another who is usually thereabouts and may trouble the judge.

Tip: Stefi Magnetica @ $3.30 with TAB

Race 7 - Eva Air Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) @ 3.13pm 

The $1 million Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup. Sticking with Bella Nipotina (9) here who got her well-deserved victory in the Doomben 10,000 last time out after not having much luck in the runs prior. She grows a leg for Williams who again won't spend a penny from the low draw. No reason why she can't go back-to-back. Magic Time (11) returned to form winning the All Aged last time on a bottomless surface. Does handle it on top of the ground too and trust the Begg camp to have her spot-on for this. Serious threat. I Wish I Win (1) again draws the inside alley which is not really his go. Gets Nolen back on board though and there's no doubting his class. In the mix. Think About It (2) is two from two around this circuit and may return to a semblance of form. In Secret (10) next in line in a cracking contest.

Tip: With Bella Nipotina @ $6.50 with TAB

Race 8 - Queensland Derby (2400m) @ 3.52pm 

The $1 million Group 1 Queensland Derby. Autumn Angel (18) was a strong ATC Oaks winner in April before being given a bit of a freshen up to drop back to the 2000m last time out. Made up plenty of ground in the Rough Habit and now gets back out to her winning distance of 2400m. Draws ideally in gate one and should be right there at the business end again. Tannhauser (1) defeated Autumn Angel last time but is yet to be proven at the trip. Is sure to have taken some confidence from that last start win however and shapes as a leading hope. Warmonger (2) brings South Australian formlines to the table and is a little bit tricky to line up. Respect any moves in betting. Kiwi First Innings (12) was dominant at Ipswich and cannot be discounted. Bullets High (9) next best from the Pride barn.

Tip: Autum Angel @ $2.70 with TAB 

AUTUMN ANGEL winning the THE STAR AUSTRALIAN OAKS
AUTUMN ANGEL winning the THE STAR AUSTRALIAN OAKS Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

Race 9 - Magic Millions Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) @ 4.28pm 

Looks a race with plenty of chances. Group 2 winner Coeur Volante (4) resumes here but the form she showed when last in work was more than good enough to feature in a race like this. Only just missed the placings at Group 1 level before the spell and goes well for Shinn who has two wins from just three steers. Can return in winning order. The well-bred Moesha (19) has just been finding one better of late but draws low for Kah and looks ready to hit winning form. Must be included. Revolutionary Miss (1) has a bit of class over this field and no surprises if she returned in strong fashion. Facile (10) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks a definite top-three candidate. Comrade Rosa (2) best of the rest in a wide open affair.

Tip: Coeur Volante @ $5 with TAB 

EAGLE FARM BEST BETS 

Bet of the day: Race 6 #17 Stefi Magnetica at $3.30 with TAB.com.au*

Each-way play: Race 4 #2 Just Folk at $6.50/2.30 with TAB.com.au*

*All odds correct at 3.00pm, 30/5/24


Racing and Sports

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au