2024 Tatt’s Tiara Day Preview 

The Queensland Racing Carnival returns to Eagle Farm this Saturday for the running of Tattersall’s Tiara Day.   

Six black-type races are on the line, headlined by the final Group 1 of the season the Tattersall’s Tiara.  

The country also comes to the city with $200k going on the line in the Battle of the Bush final.  

We’ve analysed each of the nine races and provided our on top selections below. 

Pure Paradise (2) is having her first start for Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan after previously racing with the Kennewell and Yeomans stable. 

The daughter of Capitalist was last seen winning by a nose over 1200m at Morphettville with Blake Shinn in the saddle who retains the ride. 

The last time she raced in Queensland, she charged home in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas to finish 0.6L fourth.  

She looked slick in a recent Deagon trial where she settled back before working to the line under a hold to just miss the win.  

1 Unit – Pure Paradise (2)   

Depth Of Character (1) unleashed a powerful sprint to impressively win his maiden on debut over 1250m at Canterbury.  

The Annabel Neasham-trained Deep Field colt brought that form north last start when running on strongly to finish 2.5 lengths third in the Listed Oxlade Stakes. 

He clocked the quickest final 200m sectional of the race so the slight rise in distance suits plus he has the added benefit of increased fitness third-up. 

Gun jockey James McDonald was to ride but his illness means last start’s jockey Tom Sherry is back in the saddle. 

1 Unit – Depth Of Character (1)        

Millane (4) has been an enigmatic galloper throughout his career but appears to have added consistency to his resume. 

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding caught the eye last start charging home to finish just under a length second to Hidden Wealth, who he meets better at the weights here. 

He recorded the quickest final 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race but simply gave the winner too much start so hopefully he can settle a touch closer here with less speed in the race. 

While losing James McDonald is a loss, Tim Clark is no slouch and will give him every opportunity.  

1 Unit – Millane (4)          

Jack Be Lucky (12) won’t know himself with just 54.5kg on his back in this year’s Ladbrokes Battle Of The Bush Final. 

The Corey and Kylie Geran-trained gelding qualified for the final two starts ago with a strong 1.3 length win in the Jandowae qualifying race over 1200m.  

He tuned up for this race with a solid albeit unlucky effort at Ipswich when finishing 3.5 lengths behind Black On Beauty when carrying 59.5kg. 

He’ll be at peak fitness fourth-up and easily won the Roma qualifying race for the Country Stampede when having his fourth run last preparation.  

It comes as no surprise that there is plenty of speed in the race, which should allow Karl Zechner to slide across and settle in a prominent position. 

1 Unit Each Way – Jack Be Lucky (12)      

Princess Rhaenys (4) went within a whisker of winning this race last year and looks well placed to go one better in this year’s Tattersall’s Gold Crown. 

The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old mare raced three wide over 1810m here last start but still had the audacity to run on strongly and win by half a length. 

Brookhaven was second that day and he has since run well in the Ipswich Cup where he finished a close fifth. 

She’s at peak fitness now and while James McDonald is unavailable, she loses nothing with Blake Shinn going on. 

2 Units – Princess Rhaenys (4)  

Knight’s Choice (7) defied the market’s negative expectation of him when running a cracking race to finish second in the Group 2 Q22 last start. 

The Symons and Laxon-trained son of Extreme Choice let down powerfully and while beaten 3.8 lengths by Fawkner Park, he was clearly better than the rest, many of which he faces here slightly better at the weights. 

He will be at peak fitness now and maps to get a great run for Robbie Dolan in the Tattersall’s Cup. 

The stable have Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup aspirations so if they’re fair dinkum, he needs to be winning this. 

1 Unit – Knight’s Choice (7)     

Cottee (14) looks ready to produce a peak performance after three improving run this preparation. 

The Mark Currie-trained mare ran well in the Listed Wayne Wilson last start over this distance when despite getting shuffled back on the turn, she found the line well to finish 1.8 lengths fourth. 

She’s undefeated in two previous fourth-up races and will appreciate dropping 4kg to just 53kg. 

Angela Jones should be able to settle in a prominent position. 

1 Unit Each Way – Cottee (14)        

Bella Nipotina (1) brings premium form to this race and is weighted beautifully under the conditions of the race.  

Three starts back she won the Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 before finishing a neck second in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup. 

The Ciaron Maher-trained mighty mare came within a head of creating history when she finished second in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap last start.  

Just as she did that day, she will need to overcome barrier 17 so it will take a brilliant ride from Ryan Maloney. Thankfully, “Pug” is riding in super form at the moment.   

If she isn’t over the top and gets even luck, she’ll be hard to hold out. 

2 Units – Bella Nipotina (1)   

All That Pizzazz (2) looks set to peak fourth-up in the WJ Healy Stakes following three very good runs to start this preparation. 

The Tony Gollan-trained son of Spirit Of Boom stormed home despite a wide run to finish a half-length second in the Listed Ascot Handicap first-up before clocking the quickest final 600m when finishing third in the Bat Out Of Hell at the Sunshine Coast. 

Last start he gave them a decent start in the Group 2 Moreton Handicap but once again worked home powerfully to finish 3.8 lengths fourth to Vilana. 

There looks to be good speed in the race which should set it up for those running on like him.  

1 Unit – All That Pizzazz (2)