A nine-race card at Eagle Farm gives punters plenty to work through this Saturday.
Fine weather is forecast, while the track holds a Soft 5 rating and the rail moves out 3m. Those track conditions should give punters a solid setup to assess.
Still, Eagle Farm can make horses work. Runners may struggle if they cover ground or settle too far back.
That puts extra focus on the speed map and early positioning. Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
Punters heading trackside can find ticketing information through the BRC website.
Here is our race-by-race preview.
THINK LIKE PADDY (9) has been building nicely this preparation and should be ready to show his best.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding gave a good account of himself over this course and distance last start, finding the line well to finish third, beaten 1.57 lengths. He went across the line with Diamond Show, who won on Wednesday.
Two starts back, he settled a long last after drawing the outside barrier over 1400m at Grafton before storming home to finish second, beaten 1.78 lengths.
The wide draw is less than ideal, but we get Jimmy Orman, who is having his first ride back since returning from Hong Kong and replaces the 3kg apprentice.
| 9. Think Like Paddy (9) 59kg0x723 |
LENNOX (4) was held up entering the straight and took some time to get going but was strong through the line when finishing 2.44 lengths fourth over 2200m here last start.
He’s been building nicely through this preparation with back-to-back placings including a head second over 2000m at Doomben prior to that.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding looks ready for 2400m now that he’s at peak fitness.
Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should give his mount every chance with an economical run.
| 4. Lennox (4) 57kgx6324 |
THE FIXER (2) returns to the races for the first time since clocking the quickest final sectionals from last to finish second, beaten 2.15 lengths, over this distance on Sunshine Coast Cup Day.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding has a terrific fresh record, having won three of five first-up runs.
He has had one trial against Open Class horses in preparation for this first-up assignment.
There looks to be plenty of speed in the race, which should see Emily Lang settle just off them from the good draw.
| 2. The Fixer (2) 56.5kg15x3x |
BOONIE BOOM (4) started her career in perfect fashion with a win over this course and distance.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly showed excellent speed to cross and lead from the outside barrier before getting clear late to win by 1.06 lengths, with 2.66 lengths back to third.
The third and sixth-placed horses both subsequently won two Wednesdays ago to frank the form.
There is no doubting Star Of Jamaica’s class, but this girl meets him 8kg better at the weights, and given she will most likely be out in front, I would prefer to have her and Ben Thompson on my side.
The booking of Tommy Berry is significant, particularly given many of his rivals will be partnered by country jockeys.
| 4. Boonie Boom (6) 52.5kg1 |
MANPOWER (10) comes to town a last-start winner after showing a clean set of hooves to lead all the way over 1000m at Grafton.
The Adam Campton-trained gelding has been back to the trials following that win and produced a pleasing effort, easily accounting for his rivals under his own steam.
This is the second time he has raced at Eagle Farm, with the first seeing him suffer from heat stress, so there was merit in his 1.85-length third.
Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should make full use of the inside barrier to lead.
| 10. Manpower (1) 57.5kgx8x31 |
IRAMA (12) resumed in terrific order last start at Toowoomba, where he let down strongly with 60kg to win over 1200m by 1.8 lengths.
The Nick Keal-trained gelding will strip fitter second-up and should appreciate the rise in distance.
That was the case last preparation when he went within a head of winning over a similar trip at Doomben.
There does not look to be a great deal of speed in the race, which should see Jake Bayliss land in a prominent position.
| 12. Irama (2) 53.5kg307×1 |
LIVALITTLE (1) is a little ripper that boasts an impressive record of five wins and five placings from 12 starts.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding registered the quickest closing sectionals when resuming over the unsuitable trip of 1200m at the Sunshine Coast to finish a half-length second.
He impressed last start over this course and distance when letting down powerfully to win and defeat Automne Tree by just over a half-length.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and once again must overcome an outside gate but gets the benefit of Leah Martyn’s 3kg claim.
| 1. Livalittle (9) 61kg11×21 |
COSMO CENTAURUS (2) resumes here looking to keep his excellent fresh record intact.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding has won three of four first-up races, with his only loss coming last preparation when settling too far back over 1000m before flying home for fourth.
Six furlongs is a much better distance for him, and he won over this course and distance in a stronger race last preparation.
He tuned up for this with a decent trial and gets the services of Ben Thompson.
| 2. Cosmo Centaurus (8) 59.5kg4115x |
ANEMACORE (1) looks well placed to send us home with a win, and for that reason I am making him my best bet on the card.
The Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding drew the outside barrier over this course and distance last start and found himself a long last before storming home to finish second, beaten just under a length.
That followed a neck third in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, so he is primed for a massive performance.
He has not drawn this well for some time, and I would expect Michael Rodd to settle closer in the run.
| 1. Anemacore (2) 60kg22532 |