The 2025 Queensland Racing Carnival is only weeks away and we get a small taste of what lies ahead with two black-type races at Eagle Farm this Saturday and our Daybreak Lover Day preview has all the action covered.
The Listed Daybreak Lover and Ascot Handicap highlight a ten-race program that is set to be run on an improving track that might get to the Good range with the rail out 3m.
I have my sights set on one of the features where I’m super keen to get around a young horse I think can win a Group 1 this winter.
My Eagle Farm best bets and value tips can be found below.
Race 1 - 10:59AM AEST
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1400 METRES)
On Point Pixie (6) brings excellent form to this race and looks well placed to register her first win.
The Paul Shailer-trained filly found the line to finish a length third to subsequent city winner Dragonne Rouge over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on debut.
She then came to town last start where she fought bravely to finish 1.3 lengths second to Thee Creek over 1300m here.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get the run of the race.
1 Unit Each Way – On Point Pixie (6)
Race 2 - 11:33AM AEST
BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (2212 METRES)
Philipsburg (11) brought that New South Wales staying form north last start and it once again proved superior.
Prior to last start, he had won over 2140m at Warwick Farm five starts ago and hit the line hard over this distance for third at his most recent start.
The James Ponsonby-trained gelding let down powerfully over this distance at Doomben despite having to change course mid-straight to win by a nose.
He’s up in class but once again will carry just 52kg.
1 Unit Each Way – Philipsburg (11)
Race 3 - 12:08PM AEST
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1000 METRES)
Mighty (8) was transferred to the Tony Gollan stable from the Moody & Coleman stable after winning three starts ago over 1000m on the Sandown Lakeside track.
In her first Queensland start, the daughter of Spirit Of Boom found the line strongly from the back to finish two lengths fifth in the Military Rose at the Gold Coast.
Last start she again worked home strongly to finish 1.2 lengths fifth over this course and distance, but given she was in the wrong part of the track and suffered from poor recovery, there was plenty of merit in the run.
A likely strong speed will suit and she should be accustomed to Brisbane conditions now.
1 Unit Each Way – Mighty (8)
Race 4 - 12:48PM AEST
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Lady Lucifer (18) returned in great order with a strong two-length maiden win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
The David Vandyke-trained daughter of Hellbent returned to her home track where despite racing three-wide on speed over 1000m, she proved a class above to let down strongly and win by 1.8 lengths.
She takes on 1200m for the first time and is up in class, but she’s only lightly raced and looks have an abundance of upside.
She’s drawn to get a beautiful run.
1 Unit Each Way – Lady Lucifer (18)
Race 5 - 1:23PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600 METRES)
Depth Of Character (1) brings superior Sydney form to this 3YO Handicap at Eagle Farm.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding was no match for Evaporate in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes over this distance at Randwick last start, but finished off nicely for a 4.6 length third.
Prior to that he wasn’t too far in the G1 Randwick Guineas and finished a close second over this distance at Warwick Farm against older horses.
He was a month between runs so will strip fitter here and while he has plenty of weight to carry, this is his easiest race this preparation.
Ryan Maloney can give him an economical run from the inside gate.
1 Unit – Depth Of Character (1)
Race 6 - 1:58PM AEST
Class 3 Plate (1400 METRES)
Voracious (6) was a sick watch for his supporters last start at Doomben when he had a lot to offer but just couldn’t get clear.
In fact, I think the Tony Gollan-trained gelding is still looking for a way of the cage of emotion three weeks after the race!
Prior to that, he had been in great form with back-to-back wins including a 3.1 length victory over this course and distance.
Angela Jones replaces the apprentice and should be able to lead on settle handy.
1 Unit Each Way – Voracious (6)
Race 7 - 2:33PM AEST
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Imatruestar (10) was slow away and found himself a long way back in a stronger race over 1500m here last start but to his credit he worked to the line well for a 2.6 length fourth.
He has been in excellent form since arriving in Brisbane and joining Lawrie Mayfield-Smith’s stable.
The Star Turn gelding was beaten by a half-length in his first Brisbane race before proving too strong three starts ago over this course and distance.
He was a touch unlucky not to win two starts back over 1400m here when held up a touch before charging late to finish a head second.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid his cause given he gets back in the run.
1 Unit – Imatruestar (10)
Race 8 - 3:12PM AEST
LISTED LADBROKES ASCOT HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Wanda Rox (9) fought gamely but was no match for Steady Ready last start when finishing 1.3 lengths second to Steady Ready.
That’s the form you want given Steady Ready holds the 1000m Eagle Farm track record and recently won the King of the Mountain.
The Lindsay Hatch-trained mare has a terrific record over this course and distance having won three from four starts along with that second to Steady Ready.
Mark Du Plessis takes the ride and with just 53kg the pair may take some stopping in the Ladbrokes Ascot Handicap.
1 Unit – Wanda Rox (9)
Race 9 - 3:52PM AEST
LISTED DAYBREAK LOVER (1400 METRES)
Barry Lockwood’s “good ‘orse”, Give Me Space (1) makes his anticipated return in the Listed Daybreak Lover.
The son of Cosmic Force hasn’t had a public trial but a bold showing can be expected given he resumed last preparation over 1200m here with a 4.3 length win.
He had a cracking last campaign that boasted a win here in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate and a head second in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
They look like running along in front which will set it up for him to storm home and hopefully salute as my Daybreak Lover Day preview best bet.
2 Units – Give Me Space (1)
Race 10 - 4:28PM AEST
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Torabella (6) returns to the races for the first time since winning over a mile at Doomben in February.
That was the seventh win from just 11 career starts for the Tony Gollan-trained mare. Two of those wins were at Eagle Farm.
She warmed up for this with a 1000m Doomben trial where she worked nicely alongside speedy sprinter Liquor to finish second.
Emily Lang, who claims 1.5kg, can use her mount’s natural early speed to counter the tricky gate and lead.
1 Unit – Torabella (6)