The curtain comes down on another successful Ladbrokes Stradbroke Season this Saturday at Eagle Farm, with Tattersall’s Tiara Day taking centre stage.
The $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara headlines the nine-race card, with the fillies and mares feature again serving as the final Australian Group 1 of the racing season.
There is plenty to get through outside the main event as well, with six black-type races across the program, while the Ladbrokes Battle of the Bush Final gives Queensland’s country gallopers their chance to chase a big payday in town.
I’ve assessed every race on the Eagle Farm card and provided my tips, best bets and value plays below.
SWORD OF LEGACY (2) can be forgiven for finishing near the tail last start in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes, where she raced keenly and was posted wide throughout.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly drew the car park that day, which was also the case two starts back in the Darby McCarthy, where she went back before hitting the line strongly to finish just under a length away in third despite being held up.
She showed what she can do from a good draw three starts ago, settling handy before letting down powerfully to win her maiden over 1000m at this track.
Dunn has called on his go-to man Nash Rawiller, and the top jockey should be able to settle her in a prominent position from the low draw.
| 2. Sword Of Legacy (5) J: Nash Rawiller 57.5kg x2130T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Most recently 14th of 17 at this track in the LR Qld Day on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 55kg at $26. The start before that 3rd of 13 at Doomben Darby Mccarthy on May 23 over 1110m, slow going 0.9 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 54kg at $14. Best form stacks up so give her another chance. | |||
ISTOLEA MERC (13) returned in terrific order last start, winning over 1100m at Canterbury.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding settled worse than midfield after jumping awkwardly and being bumped early, but he produced an excellent turn of foot to weave through the pack and score by 1.16 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and should appreciate the rise to 1200m, a distance he has won over previously.
There looks to be an abundance of speed engaged, which should allow Ash Morgan to settle just off the tempo before launching in the straight.
| 13. Istolea Merc (8) J: Ashley Morgan 58.5kg 423×1T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months favourite; won by 1.2 len at Canterbury Bm88 June 8 over 1100m defeating Ready To Shine carrying 54.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 6th of 10 at Randwick Bm78 on November 1 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Pokerjack carrying 58kg at $2.60. Consistent sprinter who should hold that form. | |||
TANNIN (6) is an impeccably bred colt who created a big impression on debut.
The Michael Freedman-trained son of Exceed And Excel showed a lovely turn of foot to charge past his rivals and win easily by 1.42 lengths at Gosford.
The rise in distance looks ideal, and Tommy Berry sticks.
He jumped well on debut before taking a sit to avoid being caught wide, so from a nice gate here, Berry should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 6. Tannin (3) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 1T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, won favourite; won by 1.4 len at Gosford Mdn-Sw June 11 over 1200m in soft going defeating Pharland carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Much harder this time but can only improve. | |||
Last year’s Ladbrokes Battle Of The Bush winner, Peshwa (4), returns to defend his title.
The grey was trained by Lindsay Hatch when producing a mammoth effort to win last year, having raced wide before being hampered in the straight.
He carried 53kg that day and rises to 56.5kg this time, but that is still considerably less than the weights he has been lumping recently.
Now back with Ben Waldron, the gelding was last seen carrying a hefty 62.5kg to a narrow win over Roll Up in the Cunnamulla qualifier.
Two starts back, he let down powerfully to win the Quilpie qualifier, so he could hardly arrive at the Final in better form.
The booking of Tommy Berry is significant, particularly given many of his rivals will be partnered by country jockeys.
| 4. Peshwa (3) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg x3011T: Ben Waldron | |||
| Last start won by a neck at Cunnamulla Sw June 6 over 1200m defeating Roll Up with 62.5kg at $3.20. The start before that won by a nose at Quilpie Hcp May 9 over 1200m defeating Mon Pierre with 58kg at $5.50. Prepared to overlook. | |||
SUN WORSHIPPER (4) produced an eye-catching performance last start in the Listed Ipswich Cup, running on strongly to finish 2.39 lengths away in third.
The Matt Kropp-trained mare is on the quick back-up and showed she relishes that setup earlier this year when winning the Magic Millions Shoot ut over this course and distance.
Many of her rivals are stepping up from a mile, but she is rock-hard fit after contesting races over 2000m or further in her past three starts.
Ben Thompson takes the ride and just needs to give her clear air in the straight for her to give this a big shake.
| 4. Sun Worshipper (6) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg x6503T: Matt Kropp | |||
| Last start 3rd of 12 at Ipswich in the LR Ipswich Cup on June 20 over 2150m, slow going 2.5 len behind Kaluakoi carrying 53kg at $21. The start before that ran second last of 14 at this track in the G3 Prem Cup on May 30 over 2400m, slow going 17 len behind Alalcance carrying 54kg at $31. Can feature on the quick back-up. | |||
FUTURE HISTORY (2) looks ready to win after two very good runs to start this preparation.
Now in the care of Greg Hickman, the eight-year-old gelding fought on gamely first-up in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben, where he raced wide throughout before finishing 1.76 lengths away in fourth.
Last start, he picked up strongly late to finish a neck third in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup, finishing ahead of Encoder, who subsequently just missed in the Ipswich Cup.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance and gets in well under the set weights conditions of the race.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but it’s only a small field and Nash Rawiller should be able to find a forward position given the lack of speed in the race.
| 2. Future History (8) J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg 14×43T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran on from midfield; 4th of 13 at Doomben in the G3 Chairman’s Hcp on May 16 over 2000m, slow going 1.75 len behind Middle Earth carrying 60.5kg at $20. Last start 3rd of 13 at this track in the G3 Lord Mayors Cup on May 30 over 1800m, slow going head behind Athanatos with 58kg at $8. Should be peaking at the third run back. | |||
SUN GOD (2) returned in impressive fashion two starts ago at Scone, where he found the line strongly to win the Listed Luskin Star Stakes by a nose.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding settled near the tail last start in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap before charging home and hitting the front, only for War Eternal to fight back and claim the win by a head.
War Eternal is airborne and is chasing a fourth straight win, but Sun God meets him 2kg better at the weights and should take further improvement third-up.
While he won’t want the track too wet, he’s drawn to enjoy a great run stalking War Eternal.
| 2. Sun God (1) J: Nash Rawiller 58kg 31×12T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up won by a nose at Scone LR Luskinstar May 16 over 1300m defeating Point And Shoot carrying 53kg at $15. Second run from a spell 2nd of 11 at this track in the LR Spear Chief on June 6 over 1500m, head behind War Eternal with 59kg at $4.80. Very honest and gets all the favours from an inside gate. | |||
MANAAL (3) was stiff not to win the Group 2 Moreton Cup when resuming last start.
The Michael Freedman-trained mare enjoyed a nice run in transit but struggled to secure clear air in the straight, and when she finally did, she was squeezed inside the final 100m by the eventual quinella horses before finishing 1.23 lengths away in third.
She has an excellent second-up record, boasting three wins and a second from five starts, with all three victories coming at Group 2 level.
The rise in distance is ideal, and she won the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ over this trip earlier in her career.
Ben Melham should be able to land in the first half of the field and give her every chance.
| 3. Manaal (9) J: Ben Melham 57kg 229×3T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 3rd of 11 at this track in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Uncommon James carrying 56kg at $7. Previously second-up 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 0.8 len behind Verona Rose carrying 59kg at $3.40. Honest mare who will be thereabouts again. | |||
OAK HILL (6) produced a ripping effort last start in the Group 2 Moreton Cup, charging home along the inside in the quickest final 200m of the race to finish a neck second.
He didn’t have much luck in his two runs prior and should have finished much closer on both occasions.
That was certainly the case two starts ago in the Group 3 BRC Sprint, where the Team Hayes-trained gelding ran on from well back before striking dead ends late when full of running, eventually finishing 2.38 lengths away in seventh.
He’s drawn well, so if Daniel Stackhouse can have him within striking distance entering the straight, he should be fighting out the finish.
| 6. Oak Hill (3) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57.5kg 08872T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Last start 2nd of 11 at this track in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, long-neck behind Uncommon James carrying 57.5kg at $31. The start before that 7th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 23 over 1350m, 2.5 len behind Abounding carrying 57kg at $31. Went close last time. Back in form and should be in the finish again. | |||