Stradbroke Season rolls on to one of its most anticipated afternoons, with Queensland Oaks Day set to light up Eagle Farm this Saturday.
A quality nine-race program headlines the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Some of the best three-year-old staying fillies from across Australia step up to 2200m in a true test of class and stamina. The race often defines emerging stars, and this year’s edition looks no different, with a deep and competitive field engaged.
The Group 2 Ladbrokes Moreton Cup supports the feature. It offers a crucial final pathway into next week’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap and adds another layer of intrigue for punters and connections alike.
A strong lineup of Listed races further strengthens the card, including the Spear Chief Handicap, Queensland Day Stakes, Show A Heart Stakes and Lightning Handicap.
With Ladbrokes Stradbroke Day just around the corner, this meeting shapes as a key form reference point. Contenders look to peak at the right time, while others aim to announce themselves on the big stage.
Plenty of storylines and plenty of chances to find a winner. Here are my top tips for every race on the card.
CAVALRY MAN (17) was stiff not to win last start over 1600m at Doomben.
The Lindsay Gough-trained gelding enjoyed a great run just behind the speed and loomed up full of running, but unfortunately, he ran into multiple roadblocks and only got out late to savage the line for a 1.14 lengths fourth.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance and boasts two wins and a third from four starts over this course and distance.
His last career win came five starts ago over this course and distance and resulted in a track record.
Rachel King replaces Jordan Childs and with the light weight should give him every chance from the nice draw.
| 17. Cavalry Man (5) J: Rachel King 54kg x4534T: Lindsay Gough |
It was basically game over when NOW IS THE HOUR (9) drew the outside barrier last start but to his credit, he ran a huge race.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was forced to work overtime three-wide the trip and he over-raced at stages but still fought bravely to finish 1.61 lengths third.
He’ll appreciate a return to Eagle Farm where his record stands at two wins and a third from four starts over this course and distance.
The barrier draw was much kinder to him here which should see Tommy Berry land in a prominent position.
| 9. Now Is The Hour (3) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 1×522T: Tony Gollan |
FLYING DESTINY (2) is racing in rare form and is looking to claim his fifth victory in a row.
Following two benchmark wins, the Michael Freedman-trained gelding proved too strong in the Bat Out Of Hell at the Gold Coast where he defeated previous winner of this race, Steady Ready.
He showed a tremendous will to win last start in the Listed Chief De Beers after drawing an outside barrier.
Jamie Melham is undefeated aboard him and will give him a lovely run stalking what looks like a strong speed.
| 2. Flying Destiny (3) J: Jamie Melham 59.5kg 31111T: Michael Freedman |
GLENORCHY (6) gave every indication that he’s looking for further when finishing fifth over 1200m at Randwick on debut.
The Chris Waller-trained colt picked up nicely in the final furlong to finish 3.8 lengths fifth.
Given that he was doing his best work late and through the line, the rise in distance looks ideal second-up.
He’s drawn to get an economical run for Tommy Berry.
A win will help his chances of making the Ladbrokes JJ Atkins field next Saturday.
| 6. Glenorchy (1) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 5T: Chris Waller |
MISS FREELOVE (5) returns to Queensland for the first time since proving too strong in the Sunlight Consolation at the Gold Coast in January.
The Peter Snowden-trained filly didn’t have a lot of luck first-up but bounced back in a big way last start when finishing strongly to win the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone narrowly.
She was a month between runs so will strip fitter third-up.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Tim Clark land in a prominent position not far of it from the inside barrier.
| 5. Miss Freelove (1) J: Tim Clark 55kg x1x61T: Peter Snowden |
PINITO (2) returns to Eagle Farm for the first time since this day last year when she was nosed out in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
The Chris Waller-trained mare looks well placed to go one better after fighting strongly to win the Group 3 Magic Millions Fillies And Mares Mile at Doomben last start.
That was her second win over this distance this preparation after saluting second-up in the Group 3 Aspirational Quality at Randwick.
She was six weeks between runs last start so will have come on nicely and she meets many of the same horses better at the weights.
Ben Melham will give her every chance from the low draw.
| 2. Pinito (3) J: Ben Melham 57kg 41971T: Chris Waller |
HARRY’S YACHT (5) kicked off this preparation in fine style when fighting tooth and nail with King Of Roseau only to go down in a head bobber in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes.
The Corstens & Larkin-trained gelding settled a long way back after drawing wide last start in the Group Ladbrokes 3 BRC Sprint before charging home to finish a neck third.
While 1600m troubled him in his only start over that distance, 1500m looks ideal and he’ll strip fitter third-up.
He should get all the favours from barrier 2.
| 5. Harry’s Yacht (1) J: Declan Bates 58.5kg 31123T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
PANOVA (1) is looking to join another Chris Waller-trained filly Egg Tart and become just the second horse to win the Australasian Oaks/Queensland Oaks double.
The daughter of Trapeze Artist stormed home to claim the Group 1 feature by just under a length.
Just as Egg Tart did before her Queensland Oaks win, Waller has trialled Panova since her last start victory where she worked well within herself but produced a pleasing effort.
Along with her Group 1 title, she also boasts two Group 3 wins which sees her incredibly well weighted given she’s 12 rating points clear of her nearest rival.
Unlike many of the other fillies in the market, she draws to do no work.
| 1. Panova (3) J: Ben Melham 56.5kg x6571T: Chris Waller |
I hope we’re in front heading into the Group 2 Ladbrokes Moreton Cup as it’s a wide-open affair!
ZOU SENSATION (4) found the front with a furlong to go when resuming in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone last start, but fitness gave out late and he weakened to finish 2.81 lengths fifth.
The Corsten & Larkin-trained gelding has historically improved second-up winning three of seven races, including his second run back last preparation over this distance at Caulfield.
Declan Bates should be able to find a spot in the first few pairs and enjoy a nice run on speed.
| 4. Zou Sensation (6) J: Declan Bates 56kg 418×5T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |