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 |
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 (4) J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg 3×9T: Jarred Coetzee |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 (1) J: Benjamin Osmond 61.5kg 1×964T: Kris Lees |