A quality nine-race program awaits at Eagle Farm on Saturday, complimenting a huge day of racing right around the country.
We’ve analysed the entire card and offer our best bets below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 11:30AM – Mekka Races 26 September Class 6 Handicap, (1835m)
Champagne Aunty is on the quick seven-day backup following her demolition job over a similar distance last weekend.
The Steve Tregea-trained mare gapped her rivals by over two lengths from a forward showing and she shouldn’t find Saturday’s company that much tougher.
Given the short price about her, I’m happy to steer clear of this race.
Race 2 – 12:05PM – Racecourse Village BM72 Handicap, (2206m)
Sciconic is three weeks between runs and is coming off an impressive trial win on the Gold Coast on Monday where he made up big ground to run last to first.
The Freedman-trained galloper loves this trip and has turned in a couple of decent runs since he was sent to Queensland.
The five-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice was seen doing his best work late at the Sunshine Coast two runs back, and providing he doesn’t miss the start, he should prove tough to beat.
Race 3 – 12:42pm – Mount Franklin Fillies and Mares Class 3 Plate, (1200m)
Far from an easy race between the fillies and mares.
Jubai Pride and Lasting Kiss are the current joint favourites, and I’m the leaning the way of the latter as she steps up to Saturday grade for the first time following a narrow win at Doomben three weeks ago over the same trip.
I like the fact she’s been kept fresh for this run, and the way she’s risen through the grades recently suggests she’s up to this.
Race 4 – 1:18pm – BRC Membership One Metro Win Handicap, (1400m)
This looks another lovely race for Rock Amore following his dominant all-the-way win over the same track and distance three weeks ago.
The Fastnet Rock five-year-old made every post a winner under apprentice Leah Kilner, and this race doesn’t look that much tougher with little speed engaged.
Dropping 3kg’s, he’s the one to beat.
Race 5 – 1:57pm – Sky Racing Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 3 Plate, (1200m)
Big watch on the Tony Gollan-trained Whozyadeeler, who returns to the races following a dominant start to his career earlier in the year.
The Dundeel five-year-old won by a whopping five lengths on debut over this track and trip over the summer and backed it up with another dominant win over further on a Heavy 10 at Doomben.
He’s clearly a horse of ability, and with a couple of impressive trials leading in, I’m sure his talent will shine through.
Race 6 – 2:37pm – Country Music Weekend 10-11 September QTIS 3YO Handicap, (1400m)
Release The Beans rates highly to claim his hat-trick following a comfortable win at Doomben two weeks ago over a touch shorter.
Luke Dittman rode him a peach that day just off speed before the pair quickened coming out of the turn to put paid to the rest of the field.
Fitter for three runs back, this race really doesn’t look any tougher, and the fact he’s won at Eagle Farm previously is obviously a huge plus.
Race 7 – 3:17pm – XXXX Dry BM78 Handicap, (1600m)
Wide-open race here over the mile with a case to be made for a handful.
Word For Word has proven costly plenty of times in the past, but the form she’s shown in two runs back reads well for this.
The mare by So You Think was strong through the line in her second run back two weeks ago where she finished a clear runner-up to Avowal. Her late splits suggest she’ll appreciate the step up to the mile now, a distance she’s placed at eight times previously.
Barrier 4 should see her track the speed again and I can’t find any reason why she won’t be winning.
Race 8 – 3:57pm – No Metro Wins Handicap, (1000m)
Really hard to get away from the lightly raced So Clever.
The five-year-old son of Choisir burst onto the scene back in June with a dominant three-length win on the Gold Coast before making it a double with another impressive victory here at Eagle Farm.
His last two placings at Doomben have been full of merit and the fact he gets in carrying just 52kg’s under apprentice Jaden Lloyd is a bonus.
With the blinkers on for the first time, I think he’ll take a power of beating.
Race 9 – 4:33pm – Spring Carnival On Sale Now BM90 Handicap, (1000m)
Another open race to wrap up the day, but I’m happy to side with the favourite Le Palmier given his outstanding first-up record of two wins and two placings from four starts.
Tony Gollan’s gelding contested much tougher races than this during the autumn, and although he doesn’t win out of turn, he does save his best for Eagle Farm.
The Spirit Of Boom five-year-old is a two-time track and distance winner and appeared in great order at his Doomben trial two weeks ago.
With next to no weight on his back, he’s going to be charging late.
