Eagle Farm tips are ready for a 10-race card this Saturday. The track is rated a Soft 5, and fine weather late in the week could lead to some improvement.
The rail is out 5m. The early races should help shape the speed map and show us how the track conditions are playing.
It shapes as a massive day for Big T-Dawg Tony Gollan, who looks an excellent chance to train at least five winners on the card. That is, of course, if this tipster has done the form correctly!
Two Jack Bruce-trained runners headline the card. Grinzinger Champ is chasing a fourth consecutive win, while Everybody Rise is aiming for six straight victories.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the meeting. These Eagle Farm tips cover the form, fitness and race shape for all 10 races.
There are plenty of intriguing runners to assess, so let’s see where the best plays lie.
SPIRIT OF BARTY (4) drops back to 1000m following a short let-up.
Tony Gollan will be thanking his lucky stars that his mare does not have to face Grinzinger Champ for a third time after finishing runner-up to the winning machine in her past two races.
On both occasions over 1200m at Doomben, she hit the front before being swamped late.
Bella Youngberry claims 3kg and should be able to settle in a prominent position, giving her mount every chance to break a run of three consecutive runner-up finishes.
| 4. Spirit Of Barty (3) 55.5kg17222 |
SARAH’S SONNET (11) has displayed good staying potential during her young career.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained mare opened this preparation with back-to-back placings, going down by just a nose second-up over 1800m at the Gold Coast.
She stepped up to this distance two starts ago and handled it with aplomb, easily putting her rivals away by 1.33 lengths under hands-and-heels riding.
She came to town last start and produced a top performance for Mark Du Plessis to finish second, beaten 1.44 lengths, behind Diamond Show, who franked the form by winning a stronger race last Saturday.
| 11. Sarah’s Sonnets (5) 55kgx3212 |
PURE ALPHA (6) will appreciate the significant drop in class after competing in Class 6 company over this distance at Doomben last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding improved on his first-up showing to work soundly to the line and finish fourth, beaten 2.18 lengths.
He will strip fitter third-up, and the blinkers go back on. They had a positive effect almost two years ago when he finished a close third at Caulfield.
Brisbane’s leading jockey Ben Thompson takes the ride, and I think Pure Alpha will appreciate having a senior jockey aboard.
| 6. Pure Alpha (7) 58.5kg50×04 |
EXCEED THE SALE (1) is attempting to win her third race in a row and is unlucky that she is not chasing four straight victories after having little luck when resuming.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly settled a touch closer over 1200m here two starts ago before producing an impressive finishing burst to win by 1.53 lengths.
She then recorded the quickest final 400m of the race to put her rivals away in a 1.21-length victory over 1350m at Doomben.
Chelsea Baker’s 3kg claim comes in handy, and she should enjoy a nice run behind what looks like a decent speed.
| 1. Exceed The Sale (5) 57kg311 |
STRADA VARENNA (16) had no luck when resuming for new trainer Tony Gollan at Doomben last start.
The Street Boss mare was forced to settle near last from the wide gate before finding herself four deep in the run. She still worked home fairly under the circumstances to finish seventh, beaten 3.14 lengths.
Ben Thompson replaces the apprentice, and she will strip fitter second-up.
She has drawn much better in barrier 2, which should allow her to settle further forward and enjoy a far better run.
| 16. Strada Varenna (2) 57kg758×7 |
THE FIXER (6) was stiff not to challenge for the win when resuming over this course and distance last start.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding enjoyed a great run behind the leader, Everybody Rise, but could not get clear in the straight until it was too late and finished second, beaten 1.41 lengths.
He meets the winner 2.5kg better at the weights and will strip fitter second-up.
Ryan Maloney takes the ride and should give him every chance from the good gate.
| 6. The Fixer (5) 59kg5x3x2 |
GRINZINGER CHAMP (6) rises to 1400m for the first time but gives every indication she will love it as she chases a fourth consecutive win.
She has enjoyed a new lease of life since joining Jack Bruce’s stable, with her most recent race seeing her charge home from the tail to win over 1200m at Doomben by 2.09 lengths.
The Wootton Bassett mare’s finishing strength, particularly last start, suggests the bigger Eagle Farm track and rise in distance will play into her hands.
She has drawn well for Ben Thompson and may settle a touch closer than she has in recent runs, which will make her hard to hold out.
| 6. Grinzinger Champ (6) 58.5kgx4111 |
POLYGLOT (5) ventures north with excellent Sydney form, including two wins from his past three starts.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding won a tight finish at Rosehill three starts ago before having no luck in his next run, where he never got on the track.
He bounced back to winning form over 1100m at Rosehill last start, enjoying a sweet run before proving too strong late.
The race book says this is a harder-class race, and he carries 7kg less than last start. I am not convinced this is significantly harder, so he looks well weighted.
Ben Thompson will give him the run of the race from the inside barrier.
| 5. Polyglot (1) 53kgx7181 |
LIVALITTLE (5) is a little ripper who boasts an impressive record of five wins and six placings from 13 starts.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding registered the quickest closing sectionals when resuming over the unsuitable distance of 1200m at the Sunshine Coast to finish second, beaten half a length.
He impressed two starts ago over this course and distance, letting down powerfully to defeat Automne Tree by just over half a length.
Unfortunately, an outside barrier cost him a chance last start, forcing him to settle last before he was held up in the straight. He still stormed home to finish third, beaten three-quarters of a length.
Daniel Moor replaces the 3kg claimer and gets the benefit of an excellent barrier, which should allow him to settle closer.
| 5. Livalittle (2) 57.5kg1×213 |
SURPRISE HONEY (12) had been building towards a win, and it came last start over this course and distance.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled in the box seat before letting down powerfully to put her rivals away easily and salute by 2.16 lengths.
This race sets up in a similar fashion, with her drawing well and likely to land in a prominent position.
She is rock-hard fit, and Eagle Farm is her track, with five top-three finishes from six starts.
| 12. Surprise Honey (4) 55.5kg57541 |