While the spotlight shifts south for the Black Caviar Lightning, first Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival, and a strong black-type program at Randwick, there’s still plenty to keep Queensland punters engaged at Eagle Farm this Saturday.
The track is already a Soft 6, and with predictions varying from patchy rain to a proper soaking, the surface is something of an unknown heading into race day.
I’ve dissected the form, mapped out how each race should unfold and identified my best bets for Doomben.
Now it’s time to see if we can turn that into a winning day.
SWIFT DRAGON (1) has the benefit of race experience over all bar one of his rivals.
The Liam Birchley-trained gelding proved too strong on debut over this distance at Rockhampton when dashing clear to win by 1.84 lengths.
He was spelled after that run and resumes here on the back of an impressive trial where he led all the way to salute by just under 10 lengths.
With the benefit of the inside barrier, Ryan Wiggins can drive forward and either take up the running or box seat.
Selections: 1-8-3-9
| 1. Swift Dragon (1) 59kg1x |
LARADO (8) has tasted defeat just once in four starts and has started this preparation in perfect fashion.
The Matt Hoysted trained gelding returned two starts ago over this distance at the Sunshine Coast where he settled back before unleashing a powerful finishing burst to charge past his rivals and win comfortably by 1.8 lengths.
Last start over this course and distance, he settled off a solid speed before letting down powerfully to win by a neck.
There looks to be plenty of speed in the race which will aid his cause and should see Daniel Moor enjoy a nice run just off it.
Selections: 8-1-6-7
| 8. Larado (4) 56kg12×11 |
REZONE (3) could not have settled in better at Mark Currie’s stable after previously racing in Victoria with Price & Kent Jnr.
The Dundeel gelding kicked off his preparation with a comprehensive 3.44 length victory over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast before returning to that course and distance two starts ago where he was heavily backed and proved his backers correct with a strong win.
He took on a mile here last start and let down nicely to salute by a neck which suggests to me that he will enjoy stepping up further in trip.
He’s at peak fitness and maps to get the run of the race for 3kg claiming apprentice Rob Thorburn.
Selections: 3-2-7-10
| 3. Rezone (2) 61.5kg5×111 |
SAVAGERY VIBE (12) will appreciate the rise to 1200m in her third start for Tony Gollan.
The former Victorian mare got too far back last start over 1000m here before charging home in the quickest closing splits of the race to finish 2.35 lengths third to Larado.
This is just the second time she’s competed over 1200m with the other seeing her finish sixth in the Listed Crockett Stakes at The Valley early in her career.
Ryan Maloney retains the ride and shouldn’t be too far off them in the run.
Selections: 12-4-7-13
| 12. Savagery Vibe (5) 57.5kg27×33 |
MRS GOLDBERG (8) has started her career in fine style with two wins from three starts and looks to have plenty of upside.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly took on this distance for the first time at the Sunshine Coast last start and handled it beautifully with Cejay Graham leading and controlling the race to win by half a length.
Fabulantes was second that day and subsequently won as a hot favourite at Doomben last Saturday.
Graham is again the saddle and will look to control the race again with just 52kg.
Selections: 8-9-3-6
| 8. Mrs Goldberg (5) 52kg1×41 |
TACITLY (4) has settled into the Archibald stable since moving north from Sydney.
The Wootton Bassett gelding opened his campaign with a 2.86 length fourth over 1400m at Randwick where he worked home well before catching the eye last start over 1590m at Lismore when charging late to finish less than a length second.
Blinkers did the trick last start over this course and distance where he bolted in by 3.26 lengths with the margin potentially being a lot great if not for him being eased down.
While this is a considerable step up in class, he’s rock hard fit and looks to have plenty of upside.
Selections: 4-2-1-7
| 4. Tacitly (7) 57.5kg3×421 |
GREEN FLY (1) has 60kg to carry but is the class galloper in this field.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding resumed last start in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick where he was held up but picked up strongly late to finish 1.23 lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter and has won two from six when second-up.
The son of Frankel enjoys getting his toe in the ground and will appreciate a decent speed.
Selections: 1-4-11-7
| 1. Green Fly (9) 60kg468×4 |
NAILS MURPHY (6) looks well placed to make it three on the bounce.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding settled near the tail over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast last start before slicing through the field on straightening and finishing over the top to score by 1.62 lengths.
Two runs back he showed a different string to his bow when leading over the same course and distance, getting headed and kicking back to win narrowly.
That versatility is a big asset from the awkward draw and with little genuine tempo engaged, Ryan Maloney should be able to land within striking distance.
Selections: 6-7-9-1
| 6. Nails Murphy (7) 59kg23211 |
TIGER TIE (7) ran her rivals ragged over this course and distance last start to win by 1.75 lengths.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare carried just 51kg which is what she’ll carry here.
She’s stepped up nicely through the grades and won her only previous third-up race.
Tahlia Fenlon will look to adopt the same tactics as last start from the inside barrier.
Selections: 7-3-1-2
| 7. Tiger Tie (1) 53kg15×11 |
PRESS LINK (8) returned to Brisbane in emphatic fashion with an impressive win over 1000m here last start where he stormed home from the tail of the field.
The son of Press Statement raced with Rob Heathcote as a three-year-old where he won his first three starts before placing twice at black-type level.
The owners sent him to Hong Kong where he suffered leg issues and as a result he spent over a year in the paddock before returning to Australia and Heathcote.
He’ll take great benefit from his first-up hit out and will appreciate the rise in distance given he’s undefeated over the course and distance.
Selections: 8-15-13-14
| 8. Press Link (9) 58kgx08x1 |