The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival heats up this Saturday at Eagle Farm with the running of The Gateway Raceday.
For the first time in the race’s history, The Gateway will be open to three and four-year-olds with a spot in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap going to the winner.
Other highlights on the ten-race card include The Bribie, Tails Stakes and Ladbrokes Just Now which are all black-type features.
We’ve put the form for each race under a microscope and provided our top selections below.
Formula Rossa (9) didn’t have the best of luck when debuting over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Spirit Of Boom was caught wide early and snagged to the back and still raced three-deep but despite that, she recorded the quickest closing sectionals of the race to finish just over a half-length third.
Given how strong through the line she was, the rise to 1200m is ideal.
1 Unit – Formula Rossa (9)
El Pensador (8) has been racing in great form this preparation with two wins from five starts.
The Rex Lipp-trained gelding bolted in by 3.8 lengths second-up before winning at Doomben at this third start.
He settled a long way back last start over a mile at Doomben before hitting the line hard to finish a half-length second.
This race looks no harder and the rise to 1800m suits now that he’s rock hard fit.
1 Unit – El Pensador (8)
Simply Refuse (10) enjoyed the drop in class last start when powering home to win over this course and distance by 1.6 lengths.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding defeated Bedford Square that day who subsequently on easily in this class at his next start.
Two starts back Simply Refuse was slow away in the Listed Queensland Cup and proved costly with him finishing 3.3 lengths fifth to Nikau Spur who then went to Newcastle and won a feature.
While he’s deep into his preparation he’s a month between races and maps to get a economical run.
1 Unit Each Way – Simply Refuse (10)
Ned’s Gully (2) drops in class following an excellent performance in the Listed Keith Noud Quality.
The Paul Wallace-trained gelding settled a long way back before savaging the line to finish a nose second to Bubba’s Bay.
He enjoys racing over this course and distance having won two of three races.
He’ll settle back in the run but there looks to be plenty of speed engaged which will help him rocket home.
Cody Collis’ 2kg claim is a big plus.
1 Unit Each Way – Ned’s Gully (2)
Cigar Flick (3) is dual accepted at Rosehill but looks awfully hard to beat if she races here.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was held up last start in the G3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield before finding the line strongly once clear to finish two lengths fifth.
She was a dominant winner over this course and distance when having her only previous start here three starts ago.
Bailey Wheeler can give her a great run just off the speed.
2 Units – Cigar Flick (3)
Bettcha The Crown (4) is racing in a purple patch of form this preparation.
The Desleigh Forster-trained gelding finished a head second over 1350m at Doomben first-up before running on strongly to defeat I Am Artie and win over the same course and distance by a head.
Last start he stalked the leader over a mile at Doomben before taking an inside run entering the straight and dashing clear to win by just over half a length.
Sam Collett has built a great relationship with the horse and can give him a lovely run just in behind the leaders from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Bettcha The Crown (4)
Transatlantic (2) could not have been more impressive when bolting in last start at the Sunshine Coast by 4.8 lengths.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding led the 1400m contest in heavy conditions before putting his rivals to the sword in the straight.
He enjoys racing at Eagle Farm having won by 3.3 lengths over 1500m second-up last preparation before finishing a head second over this course and distance in the Listed Daybreak Lover.
The inside barrier almost guarantees he’ll get the run of the race.
2 Units – Transatlantic (2)
Zarastro (2) returns to the races for the first time since giving a big sight in the G3 Aurie Star where wouldn’t settle in front but held on to finish a length second.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of I Am Invincible loves racing at Eagle Farm having won five of seven starts including the G3 WJ Healy Stakes just two starts ago.
He looks tuned up for a bold first-up showing after leading a recent trial all the way for a 3.75 length win.
Angela Jones will drive forward and give them something to run down.
1 Unit – Zarastro (2)
Give Me Space (2) is on the quick back-up after finishing three-lengths third in the heavy conditions at Doomben last Saturday.
He was backed as if unbeatable first-up here over 1200m and so it turned out with the Barry Lockwood-trained gelding bolting in by 4.8 lengths.
The son of Cosmic Force handled the rise from Maiden company to an Open 3YO Handicap with aplomb two starts back when despite being badly held up, he exploded to the line to win by a neck.
As long as last start’s run in the heavy conditions doesn’t flatten him, he’ll be tough to beat.
2 Units – Give Me Space (2)
Bullion Boy (2) gave a good account of himself last start over a mile on a Heavy 8 Sunshine Coast but is much better placed dropping back to this distance.
The Lindsay Gough-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run over this course and distance two starts back before letting down nicely to win by a neck with 2.8 lengths back to third.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Cody Collis, who claims 2kg, settle in a forward position.
1 Unit – Bullion Boy (2)