The 2025 Queensland Racing Carnival gets underway this Saturday with the running of Queensland Guineas Day at Eagle Farm.
Racing in Queensland will take centre stage over the coming months with a plethora of black-type racing starting with the Group 2 Queensland Guineas and Victory Stakes plus the Listed Dalrello Stakes on the weekend.
I’m particularly keen on several interstate stars including a youngster that can reclaim his star status with a win in the Victory Stakes.
I’ve run the rule over each of the nine races and have provided our top selections below.
Croupier (11) is an up-and-coming New Zealand galloper that has won two of three starts and aspires of competing in the G1 Queensland Derby.
The Andrew Campbell-trained son of Ace High found the line strongly two starts back over 1400m at Trentham to break his maiden status.
He then overcame the outside barrier last start when storming home to win over 1600m at Ellerslie.
He’ll more than likely settle in the second half of the field for Mark Du Plessis, but a strong speed will aid his cause.
1 Unit Each Way – Croupier (11)
Floozie (4) was excellent last start when having her first start for Tony Gollan.
The daughter of Zoustar raced three-wide over this course and distance but still managed to let down powerfully to win comfortably by 2.1 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and once again looks well placed here.
Angela Jones can stalk what looks a decent speed from barrier 4.
2 Units – Floozie (4)
Deep Respect (5) returns to the races for the first time since an unlucky run over 1400m here in January.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding looked super in a recent trial when working powerfully to the line under his own steam.
He produced a great run when resuming last preparation with a 1.4 length fifth over 1110m at Doomben despite being held up for a large portion of the straight.
He’s a classy galloper so just needs to put it all together and he gets his chance behind a decent speed.
1 Unit – Deep Respect (5)
Victory Win (5) is four weeks between runs after winning over 1600m at Doomben last start.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding let down powerfully despite racing three-wide to win by a head.
Last preparation he won at the Sunshine Coast over a mile second-up before taking on this course and distance when finishing third by 2.9 lengths after being slightly held up.
He’s drawn to get an economical run for Craig Williams.
1 Unit – Victory Win (5)
Tavs (10) is on the quick back-up after impressively winning over this course and distance.
The Mark Currie-trained son of Dundeel was well backed, producing a strong turn of foot to win by 2.3 lengths.
He’s undefeated in two starts over this course and distance and drops in weight with the slight rise in class.
He may settle closer from a better draw.
2 Units – Tavs (10)
Torque To Be Sure (2) returns to the races for the first time since a very good first preparation.
The Matt Dunn-trained son of Shamus Award went within a head of winning The Debut at the Gold Coast before finishing 1.3 lengths second in the Gold Nugget the Sunshine Coast despite racing greenly.
He’s had two trials leading into this and has found the line strongly under his own steam on both occasions to finish second then win his most recent piece of work.
They should run along which will give him his chance to finish over the top of them.
1 Unit – Torque To Be Sure (2)
Churchill’s Choice (16) returned in great order last start in the G3 James Carr Stakes at Randwick.
The Nathan Doyle-trained filly didn’t have the clearest of runs but really picked up strongly in the closing stages to finish 1.1 lengths fourth.
She was excellent in her first preparation, winning all three of her races including once over this distance.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to get a nice run.
1 Unit – Churchill’s Choice (16)
Coleman (14) resumes here for new trainer Chris Waller and looks set for a bold showing.
The three-year-old Pierata colt has had two trials in preparation for this and on both occasions has looked incredible motoring to the line under his own steam.
He races well fresh having won two of three first-up races with his only non-win coming in the G1 Moir Stakes last preparation when finishing 1.4 lengths sixth.
Bailey Wheeler can settle in a prominent position and give his mount every chance to unwind.
1 Unit – Coleman (14)
Snack Bar (2) will strip fitter second-up after a solid first-up effort over 1100m at Warwick Farm.
The James Cummings-trained son of Frosted let down strongly from the back to finish just over a half-length third.
He’ll strip fitter and will appreciate the rise in distance given he went within a neck of beating Lady Shenandoah over a similar trip when second-up last preparation.
He maps to get a sweet run for Craig Williams.
2 Units – Snack Bar (2)