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 (4) J: Bella Youngberry 55.5kg 17222T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 9 in a F&M Cl3-Sw at Doomben on August 1 over 1200m, 0.7 len behind Grinzinger Champ with 55.5kg at $4.40. The start before that sat on the pace when 2nd of 12 in a 3yo F Hcp at Doomben on July 18 over 1200m, slow going 1.2 len behind Grinzinger Champ carrying 55kg at $5.50. Racing in great heart and is expected to be in the finish again. | |||
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) J: Mark Du Plessis 55kg x3212T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd of 9 in a Cl3 at Doomben on August 5 over 2060m, 1.4 len behind Diamond Show with 54.5kg at $3.70. The run before that won by 1.75 len at Gold Coast on July 25 over 2233m in soft going defeating Southby carrying 54kg at $4.80. One of the chances down in the weights. | |||
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 (9) J: Ben Thompson 58.5kg 50×04T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran last of 11 in a Bm70 at this track on July 29 over 1400m, 10 len behind Meldubious carrying 57.5kg at $10. Second-up 4th of 8 in a Cl6 at Doomben on August 15 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Cool Music carrying 54kg at $6. On the improve and the blinkers back on might be significant. | |||
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 (6) J: Chelsea Baker 57kg 311T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.2 len at Doomben on August 15 over 1350m defeating Metal Boss carrying 55kg at $3.50. The start before that favourite; won by 1.5 len at this track on July 29 over 1200m defeating Iskenderun with 53kg at $3.10. Rates highly. The testing material. | |||
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) J: Ben Thompson 57kg 758×7T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months settled back and ran on when 7th of 12 in a F&M Cl1 at Doomben on August 5 over 1200m, 3 len behind Geitz with 58kg at $4.60. Previously second-up ran second last in a small field in a F&M Bm72 at Canterbury on November 28 over 1100m, 6 len behind Bremel with 58.5kg at $4.60. Fitter and is expected to do much better. | |||
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) J: Ryan Maloney 59kg 5x3x2T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Having second run back today. Last run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 11 in a Nmw at this track on August 8 over 1000m, 1.4 len behind Everybody Rise carrying 56.5kg at $5.50. At only start last preparation 3rd of 10 in a Bm78 at Sunshine Coast on January 24 over 1000m, 2.25 len behind Power Of The Brave carrying 59kg at $20. Genuine galloper and is one of the better hopes. | |||
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) J: Ben Thompson 58.5kg x4111T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by 2 len at Doomben on August 15 over 1200m defeating Nepravda carrying 58kg at $1.80. The race before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.7 len at Doomben on August 1 over 1200m defeating Spirit Of Barty carrying 60kg at $1.90. Relishing life in Queensland and is the one to beat again. | |||
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) J: Ben Thompson 53kg x7181T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a long-neck at Rosehill on August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Off The Press carrying 60kg at $6. The start before that 8th of 13 in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 1 over 1100m, slow going 3.5 len behind Annie’s Rose with 60kg at $7.50. Drops sharply in the weights and brings that gilt-edged Sydney form north – can score again. | |||
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) J: Daniel Moor 57.5kg 1×213T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 10 in a Bm78 at this track on August 8 over 1600m, 0.8 len behind Golden Cross with 58kg at $4.80. The race before that won by 0.6 len at this track on July 25 over 1600m defeating Automne Tree carrying 54.5kg at $4.60. Racing in great heart this prep and looks a big chance to add to his fine record. | |||
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) J: Daniel Moor 55.5kg 57541T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by 2.25 len at this track on August 8 over 1200m defeating Ser Joh carrying 53kg at $6.50. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 10 in a 1Mw at Doomben on July 18 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Taltarni Fields with 52.5kg at $4.40. Draws well and another big run is in store. | |||