Eagle Farm stages a special ANZAC Day meeting this Saturday, headlined by a competitive nine-race program that blends quality fields with the occasion’s traditional significance.
It’s a special day on the racing calendar that honours the sacrifices and bravery of the men, women and equine heroes who have fought for Australia and New Zealand.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, and while showers are forecast, conditions should remain fair and provide all runners their chance.
Feature racing on the card includes four Listed races, the Brisbane Handicap, Calaway Gal Stakes, Mick Dittman Plate and Princess Stakes.
The clear highlight is the return of Doomben Cup winner Antino, who resumes in the Brisbane Handicap.
There’s plenty to work with across the nine races, so let’s get stuck in and find a few winners.
SAVAGERY VIBE (5) has not run a bad race since joining the Tony Gollan stable from Melbourne, winning or placing in all six starts.
The Brutal mare will appreciate returning to Eagle Farm after finishing runner-up in her past two starts at Doomben.
Four starts ago she found it hard to get clear over this course and distance but once she did, she let down powerfully to win by a half-length and was unlucky not to go back-to-back over the same track and trip when going down by a whisker.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see her hitting the line hard for Martin Harley.
Selections: 5-10-11-3
| 5. Savagery Vibe (8) J: Martin Harley 59.5kg 31222T: Tony Gollan |
It was expected that DAGGERS (8) would find 1000m too short first-up and that was how it panned out.
Now in the care of Tony Gollan, the I Am Invincible gelding was doing his best work late to finish 1.11 lengths second.
He’ll have taken benefit from the hit out and will appreciate the rise in distance having won over 1200m at The Valley when having his second race start.
Tommy Berry takes the ride and will be able to stalk what looks like a solid speed.
Selections: 8-3-5-9
| 8. Daggers (5) J: Tommy Berry 59kg x35x2T: Tony Gollan |
MOULIN MISS (12) returned in great order last start over this course and distance with a win.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled handy before dashing hard and fast to the line to win by 2.87 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter and won second-up last preparation.
While she steps up in class, she drops to just 53.5kg which should make her hard to catch with Angela Jones piloting.
Selections: 12-7-1-11
| 12. Moulin Miss (1) J: Angela Jones 53.5kg 215×1T: Tony Gollan |
LUPINE (2) is racing in a purple patch of form and is shooting for his fourth win in a row.
The Billy Healey-trained gelding is looking to remain undefeated over this course and distance after winning his past two races over it.
On both occasions, he charged home from the back to salute last start against stronger class opposition.
He’s drawn wide so he’ll get back again but a decent tempo will aid his cause.
Selections: 2-13-12-6
| 2. Lupine (10) J: Jace Mcmurray 60.5kg x0111T: Billy Healey |
ESPERANZA (1) returns to the races for the first time since finishing second in the QTIS Jewel 2YO at the Gold Coast.
The Rex Lipp-trained filly was beaten by the car park draw that day, forced to settle a long way back before running on strongly to get with 1.11 lengths of the winner.
That followed a close second over 1000m here and a win on debut at Doomben.
She looked good in a recent trial where she led all the way to smoke her rivals by just under six lengths.
Angela Jones can stalk the likely hot speed.
Selections: 1-8-5-6
| 1. Esperanza (5) J: Angela Jones 56.5kg 122T: Rex Lipp |
HATCHET (1) has been freshened after finishing down the track in the Gold Jewel at the Gold Coast.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding was in red-hot form prior to that with three wins in a row.
That included a 1.78 length victory over this course and distance two starts ago in a similar race to this.
Vlad Duric has built a great association with him and will give him every chance from barrier 1.
Selections: 1-6-4-8
| 1. Hatchet (1) J: Vlad Duric 60kg 41110T: Robert Heathcote |
AKAYSHA (5) was desperately unlucky when resuming over 1100m at Rosehill last start.
The Peter Snowden-trained filly was held up for the majority of the straight when full of running but had to settle for a 2.8 length fifth.
Bad luck has plagued her but when she gets a proper opportunity to compete, she’s run super as shown by close runner-up finishes to the subsequent Group 1 winner Marhoona and two-time Group 1 placegetter My Gladiola.
There looks like an abundance of speed which will give her chance from an inside draw.
Selections: 5-1-8-6
| 5. Akaysha (2) J: Chad Schofield 55kg 4x5x5T: Peter Snowden |
SMEXY (2) was in need of the run when getting too far back first-up over 1200m.
The Nat McCall-trained filly improved second-up when letting down powerfully to win over 1350m at Doomben.
Given how strong through the line she was, the rise to a mile looks ideal.
She boasts a second placing to Ninja in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at this track so is certainly up to this.
Selections: 2-1-5-8
| 2. Smexy (3) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg 22×61T: Natalie Mccall |
COTE ATLANTIQUE (10) was beaten by the wide gate and poor barrier manners last start over 1350m at Doomben.
The Henry Dwyer-trained gelding reared at the start which saw him a long way back in the run and despite being forced to make a long, wide run he found the line well to finish a neck second.
He was five weeks between runs so he’ll have come on nicely since then.
The rise to a mile suits given he won the Seymour Cup over the distance last preparation.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Jace McMurray settle in a prominent position.
Selections: 10-1-3-4
| 10. Cote Atlantique (5) J: Jace Mcmurray 53kg 13×22T: Henry Dwyer |