Eagle Farm sets the scene for a 10-race card this Saturday, with sunny weather expected to produce a Good track.
The rail is out just 0.5m, so runners should get a fair opportunity across the afternoon. Even so, the speed map and early tempo will remain important around the expansive Eagle Farm circuit.
The track conditions should give us a clean look at the form. Our race analysis focuses on the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
Let’s get this bread!
ANGEL LADDER (5) looks well placed to make a winning return.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has had two trials leading into this, matching motors with speedster Steady Ready in her first before winning and defeating Stradbroke Handicap winner Spicy Martini in her most recent piece of work.
She loves this course and distance, having won back-to-back races, including one in this class last preparation.
Tahlia Fenlon can use her mount’s early speed to take advantage of the inside gate and drive forward.
| 5. Angel Ladder (1) J: Tahlia Fenlon 58kg 1156xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Half-sister to Group 3 winner The Novelist. Mare back from a spell of three-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation sixth of 13 at Doomben Darby Mccarthy May 23 over 1110m, soft track; 3 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 54kg at $9. First up last campaign second in a small field at Sandown-Hillside Bm66 January 28 over 1000m, 0.5 len behind Croatian Art carrying 54kg at $4.60. Looks all set for a positive return. | |||
MOULIN MISS (4) will appreciate dropping back to 1000m after going toe-to-toe with Let’sfacethemusic in front and weakening to finish fourth, beaten 2.12 lengths, over 1110m at Doomben last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare did not have the easiest of runs two starts ago over this course and distance but proved strong enough to win by a whisker.
She has a good record over the Eagle Farm 1000m, having finished in the quinella four times from six attempts.
She drops in weight and should lead the small field for Emily Lang.
| 4. Moulin Miss (5) J: Emily Lang 55kg 12414T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Last start 4th of 8 in a Cl6-Sw at Doomben on August 22 over 1110m, 2 len behind Let’sfacethemusic with 56.5kg at $6.50. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a nose at this track on July 15 over 1000m defeating Action King carrying 54kg at $1.85. Great chance to atone. | |||
CHILLAXING (2) has been racing in great form this preparation, and given he has been in work since March, the month between runs may benefit him.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding worked home strongly to win narrowly over this course and distance last start, defeating several of the horses he faces here.
Three starts back, he showed real toughness to win over 2000m at Doomben.
The wide barrier is not ideal, but Daniel Moor should be able to work across and settle in a prominent position.
| 2. Chillaxing (9) J: Daniel Moor 60kg 54131T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Most recently won by a nose at this track on August 8 over 2400m defeating Benzino with 58kg at $7.50. Before that came from midfield; 3rd of 10 in a Bm78 at this track on July 25 over 2200m, 2.25 len behind Tapildoodledo carrying 58kg at $6.50. No reason why he cannot get the job done again. | |||
As you would expect with a 0-65 Handicap on a Saturday metropolitan card, a real mixed bag has been assembled in the hunt for higher prize money.
THATS ARCHIES GIRL (7) has been racing in great form this preparation and is now at peak fitness fourth-up.
The Nick Keal-trained mare rocketed home in the fastest final 200m of the day to finish fourth, beaten 1.56 lengths, over 1350m at Doomben.
Prior to that, she placed in back-to-back races at Toowoomba first-up and then Doomben.
The bigger Eagle Farm track should suit, and Jai Williams’ 2kg claim will help her launch late.
| 7. Thats Archies Girl (8) J: Jai Williams 56kg 4×234T: Nick Keal | |||
| At the latest run 4th of 8 in a F&M Cl3-Sw at Doomben on August 15 over 1350m, 1.5 len behind Celtic Sin with 60kg at $5.50. The race before that 3rd of 9 in a F&M Cl3-Sw at Doomben on August 1 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Grinzinger Champ with 60kg at $21. Rates highly and is sure play a major role. | |||
MIRRA IMPACT (4) resumed for new trainers Corey & Kylie Geran with a win at Toowoomba and has continued to race well.
The son of Lonhro was very good last start over a mile at Doomben, where he raced three-wide for most of the race but still fought gamely to finish fourth, beaten 1.4 lengths.
He is rock-hard fit and looks ready for this distance, having previously run well over 1900m at Canterbury, where he finished just 1.38 lengths from the winner.
Gary “5G” Geran should be able to slot in midfield or better and give him an economical run.
| 4. Mirra Impact (6) J: Gary Geran 57.5kg x1454T: Corey & Kylie Geran | |||
| Full-brother to Group 3 winner and dual-Group 1 placed Mirra Vision. Most recently 4th of 13 in a Nmw at Doomben on August 22 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind Larrikin Rogue carrying 57kg at $14. The run before that 5th of 10 in a Bm78 at this track on August 8 over 1600m, 3 len behind Golden Cross carrying 58kg at $26. Can improve again. Rates highly and is sure play a major role. | |||
PRECISE STAR (7) has been low flying since joining the Tony Gollan stable this preparation.
Formerly with Chris Waller, the Zoustar gelding had not won a race in seven starts but has been undefeated in three runs since coming north.
After winning his Maiden narrowly first-up, he led all the way for a 3.95-length win at the Gold Coast before putting on a clinic over a mile at Ipswich last start with a four-length demolition.
He has drawn perfectly in barrier 1 for 3kg claimer Bella Youngberry, who should enjoy the run of the race.
| 7. Precise Star (1) J: Bella Youngberry 56kg 6×111T: Tony Gollan | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Last start favourite; won by 4 len at Ipswich on August 19 over 1680m defeating Wounder carrying 56kg at $2.10. The start before that favourite; scored a big 4 len win at Gold Coast on August 1 over 1400m defeating Monte Carlo Miss carrying 60.5kg at $4.80. | |||
FUKUBANA (1) will appreciate the rise in distance after savaging the line first-up over 1110m at Doomben.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding settled last over the unsuitable sprint before rocketing home in the fastest final 400m of the meeting to finish second, beaten 1.28 lengths, behind Let’sfacethemusic.
He will strip fitter and has a very good second-up record, having won both of his second-up races in Brisbane.
Anna Roper claims 1.5kg and should not land too far off the lead, given there does not look to be a great deal of speed in the race.
| 1. Fukubana (4) J: Anna Roper 60.5kg 590×2T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after 10 months ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 8 in a Cl6-Sw at Doomben on August 22 over 1110m, 1.3 len behind Let’sfacethemusic carrying 57kg at $13. Previously second-up 9th of 11 in the LR Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick on October 25 over 1500m, 5 len behind Transatlantic with 56kg at $26. | |||
BRINDAVAN (6) returned in top order last start with a strong win over 1350m at Doomben.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding let down with intent, producing the quickest final 400m of the race to put his rivals away easily by three-quarters of a length.
He will have come on nicely since that run and won his first Australian start when second-up last preparation.
The import rises in class but gets some nice weight relief, dropping 4kg to 55kg.
| 6. Brindavan (2) J: Daniel Moor 55kg 143×1T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after four months won by 0.7 len at Doomben on August 22 over 1350m defeating Ser Joh with 59kg at $6. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len at Doomben on January 14 over 1615m defeating Noble Conqueror carrying 58kg at $1.75. | |||
MARIA CLARA (12) produced an eye-catcher two starts ago over 1000m here, settling near the tail before being impeded and shuffled back on the turn. She was then held up badly in the straight but stormed home once clear to finish third, beaten just under a length.
That effort put the writing on the wall for last start, when the Tony & Maddy Sears-trained filly charged home after racing three-wide to salute by just under a length.
Jockey Mark Du Plessis was so impressed by the win that he put his hand up to ride her during next year’s Queensland Winter Carnival.
She remains down in the weights with just 54kg and draws to settle in a prominent position.
| 12. Maria Clara (5) J: Mark Du Plessis 54kg 3131T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start ran on from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Doomben on August 22 over 1200m defeating Huggie carrying 52kg at $6. The run before that 3rd of 11 in a 3yo Hcp at this track on August 8 over 1000m, 0.8 len behind Queen Olympias with 51.5kg at $14. | |||
AMUSEANTES (16) returned in magnificent order last start with a win over this distance at Doomben.
The Rob Heathcote-trained mare looked good at the trials and took that form to the races, showing an impressive turn of foot to put her rivals away by 2.45 lengths and reward Taylor Marshall for a peach of a ride.
She will strip fitter second-up and is a previous winner over this course and distance.
This is quite a bit stronger than last week’s midweek race, but she gets the benefit of carrying just 52kg.
| 16. Amuseantes (1) J: Taylor Marshall 52kg 960×1T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months ran on from midfield and won by 2.5 len at Doomben on August 26 over 1200m defeating Bluish Hue carrying 57.5kg at $3.40. Previously second-up 2nd of 11 in a Bm78 at this track on January 3 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Hell with 55.5kg at $9. Sure to go well again. | |||