3 minute read
While the Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Golden Eagle steal the focus of the racing world this Saturday, there’s nine winners to be found at Eagle Farm and we’re here to help with that!
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The rail is out 1m the entire course and with a positive weather forecast for race day suggesting we'll be racing on a surface that will give all contestants their chance.
We've scrutinised the form for each race and provided our top selections below.
Race 1 - 1:28PM: QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1000 METRES)
Cuddles For Kimmy (1) won a 650m Toowoomba trial impressively and took that hot form to the races when debuting over 1050m here two weeks ago.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained daughter of Spirit Of Boom enjoyed a nice run but struggled for clear air in the straight, however once the gap came, she fired through it to win by half a length.
With the majority of the field on debut, that race experience will prove invaluable.
Cody 'Chip' Collis retains the ride and the use of his 2kg claim is astute given she'll carry the minimum weight from the inside barrier.
2 Units – Cuddles For Kimmy (1)
Race 2 - 2:08PM: BM90 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Nikau Spur (1) has been building through this preparation which culminated in an impressive win in the Queensland Cup.
Two starts back, the Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding let down powerfully from the back to record the quickest final 200m of the Toowoomba Cup to finish a head second.
The son of Prosir stepped up to 2400m for the first time last start here and handled it beautifully, dashing clear to win by three lengths.
When this guy strikes form, he stays red hot and with Cody Collis' claim he'll carry the same weight as last start.
2 Units – Nikau Spur (1)
Race 3 - 2:48pm: BM68 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Aerial Dancer (7) is on the quick back-up after going to the line untested last start over a mile at Doomben.
The Matt Hoysted-trained mare enjoyed a great run in third but got trapped on the fence and never saw clear air.
Prior to that she had been racing well with a strong win first-up before giving a good account of herself in a stronger race at Doomben when finishing 2.3 lengths second.
She should enjoy a nice run on speed and Ronnie Stewart should be able to get her out and running on the bigger Eagle Farm track.
1 Unit – Aerial Dancer (7)
Race 4 - 3:28PM: QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1500 METRES)
Apuntar (1) showed his appreciation for a bigger track and stepping up in distance last start with a strong win.
The Kevin Kemp-trained son of The Mission let down powerfully at the end of 1400m to win a similar race by 1.3 lengths with third a further two lengths away.
He's at peak fitness now and the slight rise to 1500m will only benefit him.
They should roll along in front which will aid his cause as does Cody Collis' 2kg claim.
1 Unit – Apuntar (1)
Race 5 - 4:08PM: BM85 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Appin Girl (4) proved her class when resuming over this course and distance last start with an impressive win.
The Matt Hoysted-trained mare settled at the tail of the field after drawing wide before letting down powerfully clocking 32.2 seconds for the final 600m despite being held up.
She'll strip fitter second-up after a long break and placed third in the G3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington when having her second run back last preparation.
Boris Thornton can settle closer in the run from the inside barrier which should see his mount be hard to beat.
2 Units – Appin Girl (4)
Race 6 - 4:53PM: Class 3 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Transatlantic (2) returns to the races for the first time since finishing down the track after a tough run in the G2 Queensland Guineas.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Snitzel looked incredible in a recent Deagon 1050m trial where he led all the way with the jockey having him under double wraps.
While he'll be better over further, he can fire fresh given he has a class edge as shown by his effort to finish a head second in the Listed Daybreak Lover last preparation.
Emily Lang, who claims 2kg, can settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Transatlantic (2)
Race 7 - 5:28PM: BM78 Handicap (1805 METRES)
Naval Seal (10) ran well in his first Queensland race last start when just peaking on his run late to finish 0.7L third over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Snitzel was eight weeks between runs so will no doubt take a lot of benefit from the hit out and the second horse, New Joy won its next start last Saturday.
Two starts back he was seen finding the line strongly to win by a length over this distance at Hawkesbury.
While he's up in class, he drops to just 54.5kg and is drawn to get an economical run.
1 Unit – Naval Seal (10)
Race 8 - 6:10PM: BM78 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Ocean Zar (9) resumed last start over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast and looked in need of the run as she loomed in the straight before finishing a neck fifth.
The Matt Hoysted-trained Zoustar mare has since been back to the trials and turned in a pleasing effort that will have brought her along nicely.
She's undefeated second-up and boasts three wins from five starts over this course and distance including two starts back when proving too strong.
Nikita Beriman, who will ride in the Melbourne Cup for the first time on Tuesday, can settle handy in a race that doesn't look to have a great deal of speed.
1 Unit Each Way – Ocean Zar (9)
Race 9 - 6:40PM: OPEN Handicap (1400 METRES)
Substantial (6) has settled in well at Tony Gollan's Eagle Farm stable after previously racing in Victoria.
The seven-year-old gelding resumed with a hard-fought head third over 1350m at Doomben before convincingly winning over this course and distance last start.
He rises in class but drops big time in the weights and will carry just 52kg following Emily Lang's claim.
From barrier 5 he will get a great opportunity to race handy and add to his impressive record over the course and distance.
1 Unit – Substantial (6)