With Stradbroke Season wrapped up for another year, attention turns back to the midweek ranks at Eagle Farm where an eight-race card awaits on Wednesday. The track was rated a Soft 6 on Tuesday, and it would be no surprise to see it stay somewhere in that soft range on race day.
The rail is out 9 metres, which can bring race shape and early positioning into play, though we did see plenty of riders getting away from the inside late in the Carnival. It will be worth keeping an open mind early and assessing whether that pattern continues, or if those on speed are able to build momentum around the spacious Eagle Farm circuit.
The carnival may be over, but there are still angles to work through as we look to find a few winners across the Eagle Farm program in our below Brisbane midweek racing preview and predictions.
LOVE REBEL (7) should have finished closer first-up over 1100m at the Gold Coast after being held up, although she did settle too far back.
The Matt Hoysted-trained filly improved second-up at the Sunshine Coast, where she let down nicely despite racing wide to finish a head second.
She’ll be fitter third-up and the rise to 1350m looks ideal given how strong she was late last start.
There’s good speed drawn wide which may see Daniel Moor enjoy a nice run from the low draw.
| 7. Love Rebel (3) J: Daniel Moor 58kg 25×72T: Matthew Hoysted | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming eased back early on 7th of 10 at Gold Coast Mdn on May 22 over 1100m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Fortysecondstreet with 58kg at $21. Second-up made ground from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Sunshine Coast Mdn on June 7 over 1200m, on a slow track; head behind Ardie Three with 57kg at $13. Nice draw and worth thought. | |||
CANYA BERICH (8) worked home strongly from well back on debut to finish 2.27 lengths third over 1110m here.
Unfortunately, not much has gone to plan for the four-year-old mare as she’s had several setbacks that now sees her having just her third race start nearly two years later.
That bad luck continued when the Jarred Coetzee-trained mare resumed over 1350m at Doomben last start.
She was full of running late but was disappointed for a run inside the final 100m, finishing 4.16 lengths from the winner when she should have been much closer.
That suggests the rise to a mile will suit with increased fitness second-up.
| 8. Canya Berich (5) J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg 3×9T: Jarred Coetzee | |||
| Third race start. Promising on debut 3rd of 11 at Doomben 3yo F Mdn-Sw on September 18 2024 over 1110m, 2.25 len behind Bollinger Miss carrying 58kg at $4.50. Returned from break 9th of 11 at Doomben Mdn-Sw on June 17 over 1350m, slow going 4 len behind Tinklejazz carrying 56.5kg at $3.30. Fitter and looks set to improve sharply. | |||
HIGH DANDY (3) resumed last start in terrific style for new trainers Chris & Corey Munce.
The son of Ace High settled handy over 1400m at the Gold Coast and took a little to getting going in the straight but once he did, he let down powerfully to win by just under a half-length.
He’ll strip fitter and has won two from three second-up races, both wins coming over this distance.
Courtney Bellamy, who claims 3kg, can give her mount every chance from the inside gate.
| 3. High Dandy (1) J: Courtney Bellamy 59.5kg 4x0x1T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Having second run back today. Last run won by 0.5 len at Gold Coast Hcp June 13 over 1400m on a heavy track defeating Blitzburg with 53kg at $7. At only start last preparation sat on the speed throughout before fading ran second last of 13 at Moruya Moruyacup Bm91 on January 5 over 1425m, 7 len behind Alottosay carrying 58kg at $9.50. The one they have to beat. | |||
OUR HUNTRESS (11) ventures north looking to find an easier assignment to get that breakthrough maiden win.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly has placed in all six career starts in stronger Sydney races, including four runner-up finishes.
She looked good in a recent Gold Coast trial where she cruised around working well within herself to finish a close third.
Her only previous third-up race saw her lead over 1250m at Canterbury before being run down late to finish a head second.
Ben Thompson takes the ride and can settle on speed.
| 11. Our Huntress (6) J: Ben Thompson 56kg 22×23T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 2nd of 8 at Hawkesbury Super Mdn on May 14 over 1100m, slow going 1.5 len behind Dirty Summer carrying 61kg at $1.45. Second-up raced on the pace when 3rd of 7 at Warwick Farm 3yo F Mdn-Sw on June 3 over 1300m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Beneath The Rock carrying 56kg at $2.40. Big chance this time around. | |||
MOONAN QUARTZ (4) returned in great order last start at the Sunshine Coast with a win.
The Mick Lakey-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run stalking the leader before letting down strongly to dash clear for a 2.94 length victory.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance as he did when easily winning his only previous second-up race at the Sunshine Coast last preparation.
Bella Youngberry’s claim will see him carry just 54kg and he could prove hard to run down in a race with limited speed.
| 4. Moonan Quartz (4) J: Bella Youngberry 57kg 143×1T: Michael Lakey | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3 len at Sunshine Coast Bm58 June 21 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Custo with 59kg at $4.60. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Sunshine Coast 4yo+ Mdn November 4 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Twilight Steps with 59.5kg at $9. Worth following up. | |||
SIESTA (6) resumes here and is having her first start for Tony Gollan.
The daughter of Invader has warmed up for this first-up assignment with two trials with the most recent producing a pleasing piece of work to win.
She won first-up last preparation at Geelong when with the Price & Kent Jnr stable despite racing three-wide and greenly.
From the inside barrier, Cejay Graham should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 6. Siesta (1) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 1256xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of eight months. Finished off last preparation when last in a small field at Randwick 3&4yo Bm64 November 4 over 1300m, soft track; 7 len behind Equerry with 58kg at $8. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.3 len Geelong Mdn-Sw September 12 over 1225m slow track defeating Act Natural carrying 57.5kg at $2.30. Can run a race while fresh. | |||
FRAGILE LOVE (7) returns to the races for the first time since finishing well for a close second over 1200m at Ipswich in April.
Now in the care of Tony Gollan, the No Nay Never mare worked well against some speedy types in a recent trial to prepare for this.
She races well fresh and is a previous winner over this course and distance.
They should get along at a good clip in this 1000m sprint which will aid her cause, but Ben Thompson may settle closer than normal with the benefit of a good barrier.
| 7. Fragile Love (2) J: Ben Thompson 59.5kg x462xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first-up. Finished off last preparation second of 8 at Ipswich Cl5 April 29 over 1200m, soft track; 0.7 len behind Click Click Boom with 55.5kg at $3.70. Previously first up; fourth of 12 at Gold Coast Bm78 March 14 over 1100m, soft track; 1.3 len behind Flying Destiny carrying 56kg at $8. Looks all set for an effective return. | |||
VALOROUS POWER (2) is an import who looks ready to hit his straps with a rise to 1800m.
Following two fair efforts in Sydney over distances well short of his best, Kris Lees brought the son of Frankel to Doomben last start where he didn’t have much luck early in the mile contest but rattled home to finish just over a half-length fourth.
He won two of his five starts in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien so has ability and this is a slight drop in class to last start.
Ben Osmond, who claims 2kg, can give his mount an economical run from the low draw.
| 2. Valorous Power (2) J: Benjamin Osmond 61.5kg 1×964T: Kris Lees | |||
| Last start 4th of 11 at Doomben Bm70 on June 17 over 1650m, slow going 0.7 len behind Jemoma Alpilage with 58.5kg at $21. Before that 6th of 9 at Randwick Kensington Bm78 on May 13 over 1400m, 6 len behind Theblade with 58kg at $101. Leading prospect. | |||