Looking for a cheeky long shot to back in Brisbane? Check out Saturday’s best roughies for Eagle Farm right here at Ladbrokes.
After a couple of week’s hiatus – spent doing the form across the ditch with our Kiwi counterparts ahead of the spring – we return this weekend with another round of underrated roughies getting around in the sunshine state.
We say goodbye to another winter carnival and see out the Group 1s for the season with the Tatt’s Tiara shining bright on the Brissy card.
The top two in that look tough to knock off but we’ve got a double-figure fancy for an Each Way play on the girls’ only showdown.
Two other Group status races accompany the Tiara, and we have also combed over the fields to unearth the value.
Ladbrokes “value whisperer” Lucy Henderson’s got the inside word—see her top-pick roughies for Saturday’s races below.
Eagle Farm Race 5 (2:07PM ASET) – Group 3 $200,000 Tattersall’s Cup (2400M)
EACH WAY: No. 6 MANZOICE ($10 at time of publish)
Think the Chris Waller trained MANZOICE (7) at double-figures ticks a few boxes to return to winning form after a good performance when third last time out over the two-miles here in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup.
He was brave in that running on pace throughout before eventually crossing four lengths behind CAMPALDINO who has the Melbourne Cup in sight.
Should appreciate the drop back from 3200m to 2400m now.
Expected to settle back this time with the blinkers going on giving him every chance to get into his rhythm and be there in the finish.
The now five-year-old former VRC Derby winner hasn’t been first past the post since his 2022 Derby success but continues to run well.
That’s some winning drought, however he has the class to handle this diminutive field.
He has run top three in three of his four most recent, is a previous Melbourne Cup performer and gets in well weight-wise.
Can surprise.
PLACE: No. 9 MR WATERVILLE ($16 at time of publish)
MR WATERVILLE (6) is another stayer from the Waller stable forgotten in the Tatt’s Cup markets lining up as one of the meeting’s genuine roughies.
The Irish bred son of Camelot has Kerrin McEvoy coming aboard for the ride replacing Reece Jones who was in the saddle last time out when fourth in the Brisbane Cup, which looks a good form race to follow into this.
Prior to that he was a well-beaten eighth here in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup in a forgivable run on a Heavy (8) track following a previously eye-catching Listed Gosford Cup third at 40/1.
Back to the 2400m on firmer going he is in this.
The European expat is winless down under with the punters losing confidence, but don’t think a Top 3 run is out of the question.
Another predicted backmarker with blinkers going on to help that sharp improvement which is needed but very possible.
Give another chance.
Eagle Farm Race 8 (3:58PM AEST) – Group 1 $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400M)
EACH WAY: No. 14 ZASZOU ($14 at time of publish)
ZASZOU (17) is drawn wide in the Tiara field but brings in the confidence of a lead-up win at the track when narrowly defeating TASHI in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in a photo-thriller.
That form was franked with the runner-up going on to also run second only a half-length off FLOOZIE (who is our tip to win this Group 1 on Saturday) in the Group 2 Dane Ripper.
Prepared by Phillip Stokes, she is a progressive four-year-old daughter by ace sire Zoustar, and the step up to 1400m now is ideal as she boasts a commanding record at the distance (4:2-0-1).
Building a good record with five wins and four placings overall from her 14 starts, proven here at the course fresh and has improvement fitter for the winning Black-Type run.
The flying Ryan Maloney comes aboard second-up in another positive for this consistent mare who looks overs.
Each way value for sure.
Eagle Farm Race 9 (4:35PM AEST) – Group 3 $200,000 W.J HEALY STAKES (1200M)
EACH WAY: No. 9 METALART ($7.50 at time of publish)
For a touch of value in the Group 3 WJ Healy to close out the card, I’m siding against the favourites and have landed on METALART (3) who continues to catch the eye each time out.
This Kelly Schweida trained local, a four-year-old by Better Than Ready, presents as a genuine winning chance, coming off a strong third-place finish in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m) here behind VODKA MARTINI.
His impressive Eagle Farm record (4:2-0-1) suggests he thrives on this track, and the step up to 1200m is a significant plus, given his superb strike rate over the distance (6:4-0-1).
He’s actually undefeated at this track and trip and could easily become the one to beat.
Having won convincingly at Doomben carrying a significant weight in easier grade two starts back, he handles all track conditions and gets in well with 54.5kg, while the booking of the flying Jason Collett from an ideal barrier three adds further appeal.
He’s doing plenty right to suggest he can upset at nice odds.
PLACE: No. 6 THE BIG GOODBYE ($31 at time of publish)
For the real Eagle Farm blowout on Tiara Day, I don’t hate THE BIG GOODBYE (15) at those big odds for veteran Brisbane horseman Rob Heathcote.
The seven-year-old Host gelding has his 46th start on the weekend and has plenty of decent form at his local course (15:3-5-0).
The 1200m is definitely his pet distance and he’s a seven-time winner at the six furlongs.
Last year’s run in this same event at slightly more conservate odds didn’t end well when he ran second last (15th) to ZARASTRO carrying 58kg.
This marks his third attempt in the race after he also ran second to PRINCE OF BOOM in the quinella two years ago.
Think he has the potential to atone for his performance 12 months ago and run something closer to his 2023 effort.
Returned off a three-month spell to run a nice fourth fresh under two lengths behind MANHOOD at Doomben on May 24 in the Listed Chief De Beers with 57kg.
Back in weight again with 56.5kg on the weekend and Billy Egan comes aboard.
Drawn wide which is a concern but he’s a two-time stakes winner who showed a little something fresh boxing on well on the Slow going to suggest he’s not done just yet.
Happy punting!