Wednesday’s Eagle Farm meeting finally gets the green light after Monday’s Australia Day postponement, with extreme heat forcing officials to err on the side of caution.
Conditions are far kinder this time around, and Brisbane racing fans are set for a quality midweek program on one of the state’s premier tracks.
Eight races are set to be run under clear skies on a likely Good track with the rail out 8m.
Here’s my Eagle Farm best bets and selections.
TACITLY (6) has returned this preparation in fine style and brings excellent New South Wales form.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding opened his campaign with a 2.86 length fourth over 1400m at Randwick where he worked home well.
He caught the eye last start over 1590m at Lismore when charging late to finish less than a left second which suggests he’ll love the rise in distance.
Blinkers go on for the first time and with the benefit of the inside barrrier, Ryan Maloney should be positive early to find a forward position.
Selections: 6-4-5-1
| 6. Tacitly (1) 57kg3×42 |
OVER SPRAY (4) debuts here on the back of a stylish trial win last month.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding showed good speed to lead before cruising to a narrow victory in good time.
While that was over a month ago, Schweida is astute as they come and will have this guy ready to fire.
Cejay Graham should be able to land in a prominent position.
Selections: 4-11-10-9
| 4. Over Spray (6) 57kg |
MERCATELLO (10) is a well-bred debutante by Snitzel out of Group 3 winner Madotti.
Under the care of champion trainer Tony Gollan, she’s had three trials in preparation for her first start.
The filly has two of those three, with her most recent trial seeing her leading all the way for an easy victory over 1000m.
Emily Lang knows her well and should settle in a prominent position.
Selections: 10-9-5-7
| 10. Mercatello (4) 57.5kg |
NAILS MURPHY (2) is on the quick back-up after impressively winning over a mile at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding cut the turn entering the straight before letting down powerfully through the pack to win by 1.62 lengths.
Two starts ago he led over the same course and distance before being headed and fighting back to win by narrowly.
This is a lot easier than Saturday, so he’s been lumbered with 62.5kg but Jai Williams is back on board and his 3kg claim is a big plus.
The inside barrier should see him enjoy the run of the race.
Selections: 2-1-6-3
| 2. Nails Murphy (1)SCRATCHED: | |||
BUNDELLA (4) will appreciate dropping back to his pet distance of 1000m.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding endured a torrid three-wide run last start over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast and understandably dropped out late to finish 2.8 lengths fifth.
Her record over this distance stands at three wins and two seconds from five races, with her last win coming over it four starts ago at the Sunshine Coast.
She’s been freshened, gets nice relief from Chelsea Baker’s 3kg claim and should race on speed.
Selections: 4-3-11-7
| 4. Bundella (4) 60.5kg21665 |
CARRAVILLA (6) has come back this preparation in superb form with back-to-back wins.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare kicked off her campaign with a strong effort over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast where she let down nicely to win by 1.5 lengths.
She stepped up to 1350m at Doomben last start where she controlled the race well to win narrowly.
The daughter of Pierata will strip fitter third-up and will go forward for Cejay Graham.
Selections: 6-2-3-1
| 6. Carravilla (2) 57kg13×11 |
FIRST EMPIRE (8) looks well placed and will appreciate the drop in class.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding finished powerfully first-up over at Doomben but arrived a tick too late to finish a nose second.
He was a touch unlucky last start over 1200m here when finishing just under a length fourth after being held up for a run and forced to use the inferior part of the straight.
Third-up last preparation he bolted in by nearly four lengths when claiming his maiden over a similar distance at Ipswich.
Selections: 8-4-12-13
| 8. First Empire (1) 57kg21×24 |
HOT MAJESTY (1) looks a strong chance of sending us home with a win.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding improved second-up when stepping up to a mile here where he finished off well for a 1.8 length third.
Prior to arriving at Gollan’s stable this preparation, he raced in Melbourne with the Hayes Boys where he raced in stronger races including a runner-up finish over 2000m at Flemington.
Ben Thompson remains in the saddle and will give him every chance with an economic run.
Selections: 1-2-5-4
| 1. Hot Majesty (7) 60kg07×53 |