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Eagle Farm race-by-race preview - 8th 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

AEMELIUS can get us off to an early start
AEMELIUS can get us off to an early start Picture: Steve Hart

Group 1 racing again awaits us in the sunshine state with the running of the $700,000 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday. 

We try and build a bank early with a shortie in race 3 and then aim to close out the card on a high in the Group 2 Moreton Cup. 

We've broken down each race below to give you a head start on the form. 

Race 1 - Mittys Benchmark 90 Handicap (1810m) @ 11.43am 

Promising import Age Of Sail (10) resumes here but showed more than enough in his first local preparation to warrant serious consideration in a race like this. Tuned up for this with two NSW trials and gets Williams on from a middle draw. Can return in winning order. The well-related Princess Rhaenys (7) (full to G1 winner Jon Snow) has been thereabouts in Group and Listed company this campaign and should find this assignment slightly easier. The extra furlong will suit and she looms as the main danger. Sunset Soiree (14) is two from two over this track and trip and will be high on confidence from that last-start victory. In the mix. Nikau Spur (5) has a win and a placing from two attempts at this course and distance and looks one for the multiples. Torrens (1) next best in a race with only a handful of chances. 

Tip: Backing Age Of Sail @ $3.10 with TAB 

Race 2 - U&U Recruitment Class 6 Handicap (1200m) @ 12.18pm 

Group 3 placegetter Millane (4) wasn't disgraced in the ATC Cup on the Sunny Coast last time out and should find this assignment much more to his liking. Has only missed a drum once in six attempts over this track and trip and gets McDonald on to navigate from the sticky draw. Looks very hard to toss on best form. Vodka Martini (8) was a touch plain here first-up before showing sharp improvement at Doomben at the latest effort. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and gets some weight relief with the claim. Should prove hard to stop. Pizarro (5) has gone bang bang to open this campaign with Orman in the irons for both victories. Racing with a lot of confidence and cannot be ignored. Hidden Wealth (12) has been thereabouts of late and is one for the exoctics players. My Snow Queen (14) next in line from the Vandyke barn.

Tip: Siding with Millane @ $4.40 with TAB 

Race 3 - Nova 106.9 The Phoenix (1500m) @ 12.53pm 

Aemelius (8) showed good progress at just her second race start to get the job done at Randwick and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Gets Kah on from the favourable draw and this is not the strongest Listed race you'll ever see. Can go right on with it now. Canara (9) is still a maiden but has hit the top-five in all six starts to date and looks to be nearing an elusive win. A strong showing wouldn't surprise. Imperialist (5) gets the deadly Waller/McDonald combination and cannot be ignored. Respect any market confidence. Due Calzini (2) broke through last start and has earned his shot at this level now. Top-three conveyance. Italian Dancer (4) has been in the mix in all three starts so far and may earn some minor money again.

Tip: With Aemelius @ $1.75 with TAB 

Race 4 - Lightning Handicap (1000m) @ 1.28pm 

Golden Boom (7) showed he had come back in good order with a slashing win in the Listed Chief De Beers at Doomben and simply doesn't know how to run a bad race. Winning hoop Williams sticks in the saddle and has won two from three when racing second-up. Looks very hard to toss in this line-up. Xtravagant Star (10) wasn't too far away in the Listed Bright Shadow at the latest effort and gets Kah on from the low draw. Rates a serious danger. Shalaa's Moment (12) has strung three wins together on the bounce this time in including two over this sprint trip. Can keep the ball rolling. Vodka Martini (14) strips fitter third-up from the break and may trouble the judge. Group 3 winner Shooting For Gold (1) resumes here but is yet to miss a place in seven first-up attempts. Draws awkward but has to be included while fresh.

Tip: Going with Golden Boom @ $3.20 with TAB 

GOLDEN BOOM winning the IMPRESSU DARBY McCARTHY
GOLDEN BOOM winning the IMPRESSU DARBY McCARTHY Picture: Michael McInally/Racing Queensland

Race 5 - Nuturf Spear Chief Handicap (1500m) @ 2.03pm 

Group 3 winner Yellow Brick (3) has been right there in both outings this preparation and saves his best form for this circuit with two wins and two seconds from just four attempts. Strips fitter third-up from the spell, draws low and gets J Mac on top. Ticks plenty of boxes. Wategos (8) is a bit hit or miss but returned to the winner's stall last time out and Orman sticks. Is another to draw favourably and can certainly give them something to think about over the concluding stages. Group 2 winner Coastwatch (4) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Mighty Boss) and got the chocolates at Scone by the barest of margins last start. Worth including on that form. Kalino (6) gets up to the right trip now and should be near his peak third-up. Can bounce back to form. Gravina (7) best of the rest.

Tip: Yellow Brick @ $2.80 with TAB 

Race 6 - Ascot Green Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) @ 2.38pm 

Group 2 placegetter Hedged (1) grows a leg for Kah who has two wins from as many steers and brings quality formlines from down south. Has placed two from three over this distance range and has a bit of a class edge over this field. Looks the hardest to run down. Inhibitions (6) is yet to miss a drum in seven attempts at the trip and gets J Mac on to navigate from the wide draw. Expected to play a role in the outcome. Moravia (2) just missed the placings at Group 3 level when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Top-three candidate. Fortuneer (14) was a touch disappointing first-up but the three wins to start the career were full of merit. Worth another chance. Ostraka (4) has placed three of four over the journey and Shinn is in form. One for the exotics.

Tip: Backing Hedged @ $2.50 with TAB 

HEDGED winning the Evergreen Turf Handicap
HEDGED winning the Evergreen Turf Handicap Picture: Colin Bull / Sportpix

Race 7 - Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) @ 3.13pm 

Dual-Group 1 winning Kiwi La Crique (1) lobs here bringing quality form from across the ditch and strikes a winnable contest in this $500,000 affair. Has three wins and two placings from six attempts at the mile journey and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Handles all going and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. Fall For Cindy (7) is a model of consistency and got the job done in the Group 3 Dark Jewel last time out. Drawn to get a gun run from the inside marble and should be in this for a long way. Foxy Frida (2) is one from one over this course and distance and can make her presence felt on her day. Top-three hope on best form. Konasana (12) is a bit of a hit or miss type but cannot be ignored if she brings her A-game. Osmose (3) rounds out the selections.

Tip: La Crique @ $2.30 with TAB 

Race 8 - Seven Queensland Oaks (2200m) @ 3.52pm 

The $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Progressive filly Scarlet Oak (4) is still in her first preparation but continues to take that next step on an upwards trajectory. Was impressive saluting in The Roses last time out and now steps up to the 2200m which looks ideal. J Mac sticks and shapes as a top prospect again. Molly Bloom (1) is another Kiwi who has been thereabouts in both local runs this campaign and will be at her peak now third-up from the break. Should be right there at the business end. Ahuriri (9) wasn't too far off them in the SA Derby and the form out of that race has stacked up. In the mix. Mare Of Mt Buller (11) flashed home last start and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Cannot be ignored. Moonlight Magic (5) is on the quick back-up and may earn some minor money.

Tip: Going with Scarlet Oak @ $3.60 with TAB 

SCARLET OAK winning the ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS THE ROSES at Doomben in Australia.
SCARLET OAK winning the ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS THE ROSES at Doomben in Australia. Picture: Racing Queensland/Michael McInally

Race 9 - The Star Moreton Cup (1200m) @ 4.29pm 

The $300,000 Group 2 Moreton Cup. Vilana (3) hails from a handy family (half to 5xG2 winner Savatiano) and should be ready to peak now third-up from the spell. Has three wins and a second from six goes at the trip and is drawn to get a suck run for McDonald from gate three (now two with the scratching of Deepour). Looks the hardest to toss. Opal Ridge (15) was a touch off last preparation but returned in fine fashion with a strong Scone win in the Ortenisa. Will pay to stick with her. now Mazu (2) is the class runner of the field and will be prominent if he is anywhere near his best. Insurrection (8) has a solid second-up record and draws the inside alley. Top-three commodity. All That Pizzazz (5) doesn't know how to run a bad race and is one for the multiples.

Tip: Siding with Vilana @ $4.60 with TAB 

 

EAGLE FARM BEST BETS 

Bet of the day: Race 3 #8 Aemelius at $1.75 with TAB.com.au*

Each-way play: Race 9 #3 Vilana at $4.60/1.90 with TAB.com.au*

*All odds correct at 2.00pm, 6/6/24


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