Eagle Farm hosts Wednesday’s midweek program, the third metropolitan meeting in the past week at the track and on the quick back-up from Saturday.
With the rail out 10m, on-pace runners may hold a slight advantage, although the long straight should still give most horses their opportunity if the tempo is genuine.
I’ve laid out my Eagle Farm best bets below for you to play it out on Wednesday.
CHERRY BOMBSHELL (12) needs two horses to be scratched to gain entry into this race, but if she does then she looks awfully hard to beat.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained filly has the benefit of race day experience over her rivals after a strong effort in the Magic Millions The Debut.
She enjoyed a nice run just off the speed but was held up for the first half of the straight before getting to the line well for a 5.15 length fifth.
Ben Thompson will give her every chance from a low draw.
Selections: 12-10-6-3
| 12. Cherry Bomshell (3) 56kg5 |
AMORE VELOCE (3) has been freshened since dropping out after leading over 1200m here in a stronger Saturday race.
The Rob Heathcote-trained mare will appreciate dropping back to 1000m given she went down by a whisker over this distance first-up this preparation at the Sunshine Coast.
She looked good in a recent 1000m trial here where she comfortably led all the way to win by 1.46 lengths.
Vlad Duric will look to dictate the race from the inside gate.
Selections: 3-6-1-2
| 3. Amore Veloce (1) 56kg9×200 |
HERMIONE PRANCER (14) ventures north from Sydney looking for an easier assignment to break through for her first victory.
The Chris Waller-trained filly was unlucky not to finish closer than 4.8 lengths from the winner last start over 1300m at Newcastle when chopped out just as she was hitting top gear in the straight.
She’s at peak fitness and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor is fresh off a Saturday win for the stable.
The inside barrier is a big plus and should see KWT settle in a prominent position.
Selections: 14-9-5-8
| 14. Hermione Prancer (1) 56.5kg2×577 |
COOL MOON (7) returned in great order last start in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate.
The Toby Edmonds-trained filly found the line strongly to finish 1.15 lengths fourth.
Given she was doing her best work in the final furlong, the rise in distance suits.
She’s finished runner-up in four of her seven starts so looks awfully close to a maiden win and gets another great chance here courtesy of an on-pace ride.
Selections: 7-1-6-2
| 7. Cool Moon (6) 56kg422×4 |
SO LONG FAREWELL (5) will find this considerably easier than the Benchmark 72 Handicap over this distance at Kensington she contested.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding settled a long last before running on fairly but simply got too far back.
Two starts back he was held up over 1600m at Gosford but still proved too strong to win narrowly.
Jai Williams, who claims 3kg and is fresh off a metro four-timer on Saturday, can land in a handy position.
Selections: 5-6-9-7
| 5. So Long Farewell (2) 60kgx2419 |
MORAVIA (9) is the best weighted horse I have seen in a very long time.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding is 23 ratings points better than his nearest rival and finds himself in a set weights race with the added bonus of a 3kg claim for gun apprentice Jai Williams.
He gave a massive sight last start in the Magic Millions Cup where he led and was swamped in the closing stages to finish just under a length third.
The multiple Group placegetter draws perfectly in barrier 1 and should take a power of running down.
Selections: 9-10-7-8
| 9. Moravia (1) 58.5kg24×93 |
SWAG (11) returned in good order in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate where despite settling back after being bumped early and racing wide, he worked to the line well to finish 3.07 lengths fourth.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding took bad luck out of the equation last start over 1400m at the Gold Coast when going straight to the front and dashing clear to win by 1.54 lengths with third 3.5 lengths away.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and the rise to a mile looks suitable.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but as we saw last start, he has the early speed to roll forward for Ben Thompson.
Selections: 11-1-6-12
| 11. Swag (10) 59kg24241 |
STEIN (12) had been building to his first win and got the job done last race at her third start.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained filly finished third on debut before finishing 3.15 lengths second to subsequent winner Hunter’s Mate at Ipswich.
She started a $1.35 favourite last start over this course and distance and gave her backers no qualms as Tahlia Fenlon controlled the race in front to salute in quick time by just under a length.
With just 53.5kg on her back and the benefit of an inside gate, she should give a tremendous sight.
Selections: 12-6-10-1
| 12. Stein (2) 55.5kg321 |