You can tell the Queensland Racing Carnival is right around the corner with four black-type races this Saturday at Eagle Farm and it’s all covered in our Brisbane Mile Day preview.
The $300k Listed Brisbane Mile headlines the nine-race program but is ably supported by the Listed Calaway Gal, Mick Dittman Plate and Princess Stakes.
Most races look a real battle for punters but I’m confident my best bet, a southern filly who gets in beautifully at the weights, can make her presence felt in the Listed Princess Stakes.
I’ve laid out all the information you need below so you can play it out on Saturday at Eagle Farm!
Tuned (7) ventures north following a strong Warwick Farm win over this distance.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained three-year-old colt took on older horses, as he does here, settling outside the lead before fighting strongly to win by a nose.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and won his only previous third-up race which was over 1300m at Hawkesbury last preparation.
He maps to get a beautiful run on speed for Damien Thornton.
1 Unit Each Way – Tuned (7)
Dillian (6) made a great first impression when resuming for new co-trainers Peter & Will Hulbert last start.
The son of Camelot made short work of the heavy conditions at Doomben to let down strongly and win the 2050m contest by 2.2 lengths.
This is harder, but he raced well in stronger races in Melbourne and he’ll strip fitter second-up.
Martin Harley retains the ride and should give his mount an economical run from the low draw.
1 Unit – Dillian (6)
Shihab (4) was backed off the map two starts ago over 1400m at the Gold Coast and duly saluted for his backers.
The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained gelding settled back before taking a tight gap in the straight and exploding to the line to win by 1.5 lengths.
He backed that super effort up last start when storming home from the back to win over this course and distance.
The son of Zoustar is racing in great form and does his best work on rain-affected tracks having won three of five in heavy going.
Robbie Dolan will settle back from the barrier, but a solid speed should be to his benefit.
1 Unit Each Way – Shihab (4)
Navyonthehighway (3) returns to the races for the first time since finishing fourth in the Listed Recognition Stakes in November.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare had an excellent preparation with win back-to-back wins to kick things off before going to Sydney where she ran well for fourth in the G2 Hot Danish Stakes.
She’s unbeaten fresh and while she hasn’t had a public trial leading into this, the stable will have her primed for a big showing first-up.
She maps to get all the favours for Tahlia Fenlon, who claims 2kg.
2 Units – Navyonthehighway (3)
Listen Sweetheart (13) was scratched from Newcastle on Wednesday in favour of making her debut in the Listed Calaway Gal.
That’s a good push, but the John Sargent filly also reacted positively to blinkers going on in a recent trial where she produced an impressive piece of work.
The daughter of Pierro led over 1050m at Randwick before dashing clear late under her own steam to win by 2.5 lengths.
Kerrin McEvoy rides and I’d imagine he’ll settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Listen Sweetheart (13)
The Listed Mick Dittman Plate is another wide-open affair where I’ll be with the resuming Cosmic Fire (1).
The Billy Healey-trained was last seen winning the Sunlight Consolation at the Sunshine Coast in January.
He races particularly well fresh, having won two of three first-up races including an Open 3YO race at the Sunshine Coast last preparation with Saturday’s rider Andrew Mallyon in the irons.
He looked super in a recent trial where he cruised around in front while his rivals were being hard ridden.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will hopefully aid him in sliding across from his sticky gate into a spot off the speed.
1 Unit Each Way – Cosmic Fire (1)
Harlem Queen (1) looks well placed in the Listed Princess Stakes under the set weight conditions of the race.
The Nathan Doyle-trained filly has come back this preparation in fine style, finishing powerfully to finish a length third over 1400m at Randwick first-up before charging to the line for a 1.9 length third in the G2 Emancipation Stakes.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and finished second to Lady Shenandoah over this distance in the G1 Flight Stakes when having her third run back last preparation.
She’s drawn well and should appreciate a strong tempo.
2 Units – Harlem Queen (1)
Miss Joelene (7) returned in magnificent order last start and for that reason I’m happy to support her in the Listed Brisbane Mile.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare let down strongly over 1350m at Doomben first-up to win by 1.6 lengths and with something in hand.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise in distance given she placed in the G2 The Roses and G1 Queensland Oaks last winter.
Cejay Graham can settle in a prominent position and give her every chance.
1 Unit – Miss Joelene (7)
Warby (14) returned in good order two starts ago over this course and distance where he worked to the line well to finish a length fourth to Termagant.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding appreciated the rise to 1400m here and a kind draw last start when settling closer in the run and letting down strongly to win by just over half a length.
It’s been five weeks since that run so I don’t mind the slight drop to 1300m and you can bank on Gollan keeping him up to the mark.
Ryan Maloney has a tremendous relationship with the horse and should adopt similar tactics that produced a win last time at the races.
1 Unit – Warby (14)