“When too much sport is never enough” is a phrase made famous by the quintessential broadcasting duo, ‘Rampaging’ Roy Slaven and HG Nelson and rings true for me as I start to scribe my Eagle Farm Preview for Saturday.
11 races are set for decision at headquarters while down the road at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the same day, we have another 10 races to sink our teeth into which I have previewed here.
With old Alfie boy in our rearview mirror, we should see an improving track from the current Soft 6 rating while the rail moves out to the 4.5m position following Wednesday’s meeting.
I’ve had my nose to the grindstone and have provided my top selections for each race as well as my best bets.
Balance The Books (9) has had two trials across two preparations and won both of them.
I was particularly impressed with the Tony Gollan-trained filly’s most recent effort over 1050m at Deagon where she settled outside the lead before working well to the line under her own steam to win by 2.75 lengths.
She has the outside barrier, but Emily Lang who claims 2kg can drive forward early to find a forward position.
1 Unit – Balance The Books (9)
The Gambling Greek (1) gave a sight last start in the QTIS Jewel Prelude at Doomben where he led before being run down late to finish fourth by 1.4 lengths.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained gelding loves racing over this course and distance having won both his starts here.
That include just two starts ago when a positive ride saw him win by a head.
With Commend scratched, Courtney Bellamy who claims 3kg can find a forward position easier.
1 Unit Each Way – The Gambling Greek (1)
Anemacore (10) has returned this preparation in fine style and is one of the better bets in my Eagle Farm Preview.
The Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding opened his campaign with a win over 1400m here before finishing a close second second over a mile at Doomben second-up and returning there last start with a fast finishing 1.5 length third.
What his past two races at Doomben have indicated is that he is craving a bigger track and longer which he gets here.
He has drawn wide, but Michael Rodd would have settled back anyway.
2 Units – Anemacore (10)
Space Tracker (1) has been building to a win and looks ready to peak fourth-up.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding gave a good sight over 1350m at Doomben two starts ago but was picked off late to finish a head second.
Last start at Doomben he was forced to work early from an outside barrier to find a forward position and they took a toll late, as he weakened to finish 1.4 lengths fifth.
He’ll appreciate the drop in class and should enjoy a great run from barrier 2 for Dan McGillivray who claims 3kg.
1 Unit Each Way – Space Tracker (1)
Brereton (1) was found to have poor post-race recovery following his first-up race over 1000m here where he finished 2.7 lengths sixth.
Given that the Tony Gollan-trained son of Zoustar was able to record the second quickest closing 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race, there was merit in the run.
He’ll strip fitter and did win second-up last preparation at Doomben.
Ryan Maloney can settle just off what looks a strong speed before launching in the straight.
1 Unit Each Way – Brereton (1)
Steady Ready (1) returns to the races for the first time since breaking the track record over this course and distance 10 weeks ago.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained speedster loves this course and distance having won three of five starts over it.
He does his best work on dry tracks, so the improving surface gives me confidence not to jump off.
Cody Collis, who claims 2kg and was aboard last start, will adopt similar catch me if you can tactics.
1 Unit – Steady Ready (1)
This is a tricky race given so many are on debut and that lends itself to one of these babies jumping out of the ground with an impressive performance.
I’m going with the Impervious (2) who has an experience edge, so we know what we’re getting.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Farnan easily won over 800m at Ipswich on debut before being held up in the straight when finishing 1.7 lengths third over 1110m at Doomben last start.
She has a fitness advantage over her opposition and should enjoy a nice run for Cejay Graham.
1 Unit – Impervious (2)
Prince Levi (1) looks hard to beat in this small field of three-year-olds.
The William Kropp-trained gelding returned this preparation in dominant fashion with a three-length maiden win over 1400m at Gatton before coming to town two starts ago where he powered to the line from well back to finish a half-length second.
Last start the son of Casino Prince charged home in the fastest final 600m and 200m splits of the race to impressively win over 1650m at Doomben.
There looks to be more to come from the Toowoomba galloper and I’m keen to see what he can do as my Eagle Farm Preview Best Bet on the bigger Eagle Farm circuit.
2 Units – Prince Levi (1)
Cho Oyu (8) was well supported on debut at the Sunshine Coast and duly saluted, letting down powerfully to win by 1.3 lengths with third 2.8 lengths away.
The Barry Lockwood-trained gelding was sent to the paddock and returns here on the back of a trial that could be described as ‘simply going around’.
That was the case prior to his debut so I’m not too worried given it is the wily and astute Lockwood stable.
He’s drawn well for Luke Dempsey.
1 Unit Each Way – Cho Oyu (8)
Ser Joh (17) was a dominant winner at Ipswich three starts back when bolting in to win his maiden by 8.1 lengths.
Unfortunately, that big effort took it out of the Rob Heathcote-trained son of Capitalist at his next start and he raced a bit flat to finish 2.9 lengths fourth over 1200m at Doomben.
He bounced back last start and demonstrated he’d added a new string to his bow by settling off the speed and coming with a powerful finishing burst to win over 1110m at Doomben by half a length.
He’s drawn beautifully for Jaden Lloyd who can settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Ser Joh (17)
Sobute (8) won first-up on a heavy deck at the Sunshine Coast first-up and he’s hardly put a hoof wrong since.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding went within a head of winning over 1350m at Ipswich in back-to-back races before proving too strong in a narrow victory at the Sunshine Coast two starts ago.
Last start he fought gamely despite a wide run and being tightened late to finish 1.7 lengths third over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.
He’s rock hard fit and is never far away, so he offers excellent each way value in the final race we’ll look at in our Eagle Farm Preview.
1 Unit Each Way – Sobute (8)