It’s shaping up to be a fun-filled day both on and off the track at Eagle Farm this Saturday, with the popular Teddy Bears Picnic At The Races Day adding a family-friendly twist to a competitive nine-race program.
While the kids enjoy a disco, face painting, and their very own marquee, punters can look forward to starting the new racing season with a strong card featuring benchmark contests, open sprints, and emerging talent.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, with the rail out 3 metres the entire circuit.
Let’s dive in and see if we can find a few Eagle Farm winners to brighten what looks like a bleak Saturday!
Habeebah (5) returned in great order over the unsuitably short 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled back before letting down strongly to finish just over a half-length third, recording the fastest final 200m of the race.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and while a mile is still short of her best, she’ll appreciate the rise in distance.
Angela Jones takes the ride and shouldn’t have to settle to far back given the small field.
Sicilian (10) capitalised on some good form to break through for a well-deserved win last start over 1110m at Doomben.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled handy before finding the line strongly to win by 1.3 lengths.
She’s rock hard fit and should appreciate the rise in trip at this stage of her preparation after finishing third over this course and distance second-up.
Ben Thompson, who has just returned from Hong Kong, can give her a lovely run on speed from barrier 4.
Vindicta (8) returned in super order over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last start.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding led before giving a strong kick in the straight to dash clear and win by 3.8 lengths.
While that was a Class 1 and he now jumps to a Class 3, the race has fallen away greatly after scratchings and he’s always shown promise.
Damien Thornton should be able to find a forward position.
Victory Command (6) had run well in his first three runs back this preparation and was building to a stellar performance.
That came last start over this course and distance for the Barry Lockwood-trained gelding when he let down strongly to easily win by 1.3 lengths.
He’s at peak fitness now and loves the 1815m at Eagle Farm having won two from three.
Luke Dempsey retains the ride and should enjoy an economical run from the low draw.
Tuff Tu Mas (1) is building an impressive picket fence and is looking to win his seventh race in a row.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding looked a class above last start over 1600m at Doomben when storming home to win by just under a length.
He rises to this distance for the first time, but it should suit given the way he’s been finding the line and he’s at peak fitness.
Ryan Maloney is back in the saddle and should give him every chance to run the trip out strongly with a beautiful run from barrier 3.
Vivika (9) demonstrated her class on debut in the QTIS Jewel Prelude when finding the line strongly to finish a head second to subsequent multiple black-type winner, Sunrays.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was given a good break before returning recently at Grafton where she made short work of a wide barrier to sit outside the lead before dashing clear to arrogantly win by 2.5 lengths.
She had a lot more in the tank and will strip fitter second-up.
Cobi Vitler, who claims 3kg, will use the inside barrier to advantage and race on speed.
Cho Oyu (7) has come back from a short freshen-up in fine style.
Following a fast finishing third at Ipswich two starts ago, the Barry Lockwood-trained gelding proved too strong despite working hard early to defeat Big Boy George and win by a length over this course and distance.
He’ll strip fitter and won his only previous third-up race.
The consistent performer has upside and should be tough to beat again.
Metalart (1) is a beauty from the Kelly Schweida stable that has won eight of 14 starts with 4 minor placings.
The son of Better Than Ready was last seen winning the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes where he let down beautifully to salute by just under a length.
His form prior was excellent with a close third in the Ladbrokes Lightning and a win over 1110m at Doomben three starts back.
I don’t mind him dropping back to 1000m given he’s now five weeks between runs after being scratched due to the putrid conditions last Saturday.
The use of Corey Sutherland’s 3kg claim is an astute move by Schweida and should be storming home off a hot speed.
Pereille (13) looks well placed in his first start for Tony Gollan after previously racing for James Cummings.
The son of Fastnet Rock was last seen finding the line strongly to finish a half-length second in the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final over this distance at Flemington.
As a multiple Listed runner-up, he is incredibly well weighted under the set weight conditions of the race.
Angela Jones can stalk what looks a decent speed.