Eagle Farm sets the scene for Saturday’s Brisbane racing, with 10 races to assess and fine weather forecast.
The track is rated a Soft 5, while the rail will be out 4.5m.
There’s a full program to work through, and early positioning could be important from that rail placement. Our race analysis looks at the speed maps and key runners to identify the main winning chances and betting angles across the card.
Read our Eagle Farm Preview for Saturday 3rd October and see which runners make the shortlist.
APOSTLE (1) is on the quick back-up after going within a neck of winning the Toowoomba Guineas last Saturday.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding settled towards the rear from an outside barrier before making a sweeping run on the turn and letting down powerfully, only to be overhauled by Ashkirk.
In his first preparation, he won back-to-back races, including over 1300m here when defeating the talented Martist.
Given the way he found the line, the rise to 1500m looks ideal. I suspect he’ll settle in a prominent position with the lack of speed.
| 1. Apostle (5) J: Jace Mcmurray 58.5kg 11×92 T: Pat Webster | |||
| Went within a long neck of Ashkirk at Toowoomba last week, settling rearward before moving into the race and just being pipped late. That was a sharp lift on his ninth at Doomben, and he is now fitter third-up with blinkers applied for the first time and a 1.5kg claim. Built nicely and the rise in trip looks perfect for him now. | |||
I must be a sucker for punishment, putting my faith in CAPTAIN MAVERICK (3).
The Chris Waller-trained gelding always runs a good race but just can’t land the knockout blow, as his record of two wins and 19 placings from 33 starts clearly demonstrates.
That was the case last start over 2200m at the Gold Coast, where he was shuffled back to last on the turn and then held up for clear running. He charged to the line but missed the win by a whisker.
The small field will hopefully help him avoid bad luck, with Ryan Maloney potentially settling forward given the lack of speed in the race.
| 3. Captain Maverick (3) J: Ryan Maloney 58kg 23322 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Beaten a nose by Demarcay at Gold Coast when sent out favourite, and the run had merit after he was held up approaching the 400m before finishing strongly. He also went close at this venue over 2400m two back on soft ground, despite beginning slowly and racing keenly. Has frustrated punters but finds another suitable assignment and is the one to beat with Maloney reuniting. | |||
GLOBAL ECLIPSE (1) chased home subsequent winner Metaphorically at Ipswich when resuming for new trainers Chris and Corey Munce, finishing 3.32 lengths second.
The Pierata gelding went one better last start over a mile at Doomben. Despite racing three-wide for the first half of the race and rolling forward to sit outside the lead, he fought gamely to win by half a length.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise in distance, having won several times over 2000m.
Inside barriers are a big plus from this starting point, so Martin Harley should give him every chance.
| 1. Global Eclipse (2) J: Martin Harley 60kg 34×21 T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Made it two strong runs this campaign by winning a Class 2 over 1640m at Doomben, beating Toro Strike by just over half a length despite racing wide from the 900m. That followed a soft-ground Ipswich second as favourite in CG Class 2 company. Proven enough at the trip and looks the one to beat. | |||
LAST COMMAND (1) was luckless last start over a mile at Doomben and can bounce back with a return to Eagle Farm.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding dropped out to the tail from a wide gate and looked full of running in the straight, only to run out of room along the fence. He went to the line untested for a 1.53-length sixth.
He loved racing over this course and distance last preparation, winning by 1.24 lengths at his fifth run back before missing by a head at his next start.
He’s drawn a much kinder barrier here, and I’d expect Jace McMurray, who claims 1.5kg, to settle closer to the action.
| 1. Last Command (3) J: Jace Mcmurray 60kg 3×476 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Had excuses when sixth to Liberty Park at Doomben last start, beaten a length and a half after being held up from the 150m before picking up nicely late. The start prior in Benchmark 85 grade at this track was also better than the bare result after he jumped awkwardly and covered ground. With the claim, he looks the horse to beat. | |||
ANOTHER CASHIE (12) returned in magnificent order over 1110m at Doomben last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding settled a long way back after being taken back from the outside barrier, then rocketed home with the quickest closing sectionals of the day to finish a head second.
This is a rise in class, but connections considered him capable of competing at black-type level last preparation.
He’ll strip fitter and has won second-up before.
They should run along in front, which will aid his cause, while Andrew Mallyon can settle further forward from the good gate.
| 12. Another Cashie (2) J: Andrew Mallyon 56kg 600×2 T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Produced the strongest recent pointer when second in a Class 2 at Doomben first-up, beaten a neck by Boss Mode after being slow away, wide from the 800m and awkward near heels around the home turn. His G2 Queensland Guineas run in the autumn can be put to one side at 1600m, and his 1200m record reads well. Back at 1200m with upside, he sets the standard. | |||
It’s been two years since SCRIPTED (11) won, but she gets a great opportunity dropping in class.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare was last seen storming home over 1500m at Rosehill to finish just over half a length fourth.
It was a similar story at her previous start in a stronger Rosehill race, where she placed, beaten just under a length.
She gets in well under the set-weight conditions and has the services of top Brisbane jockey Ben Thompson.
| 11. Scripted (5) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg 2×434 T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Has the right profile after a close fourth in a 3yo+ Benchmark 78 at Rosehill, beaten just under a length by Silvanito after beginning awkwardly and finishing hard from well back. Two back she was third, again beaten just under a length, in a 3yo+ FM Benchmark 78 despite becoming awkwardly placed near the 350m. Race fit, suited at the trip and looks the one to beat. | |||
BRINDAVAN (2) returned in top order two starts ago, scoring 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’ll appreciate the rise in distance after a very good second-up run, when he again worked home in the best closing sectionals to finish a neck second.
A tick-over trial since that race will have tuned him up nicely, and he’s a previous third-up winner in the United Kingdom.
He boasts a class edge and, with the lack of speed, Ryan Maloney should be able to cross from the outside barrier and find a prominent position.
| 2. Brindavan (8) J: Ryan Maloney 58kg 43×12 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Went within half a length of Kintyre at this track last start after travelling well behind the leaders, and that followed a Benchmark 85 win at Doomben where he beat Ser Joh despite knuckling at the start. Proven at 1600m and looks a major winning threat. | |||
MOONAN QUARTZ (3) gave a tremendous sight when resuming over this distance at the Gold Coast.
The Mick Lakey-trained mare worked early to find the lead from a wide gate and gave a great kick in the straight before the fitter Metaphorically ran her down. She finished a neck second.
She’s undefeated second-up, including a 2.29-length win over this course and distance when having her second run back last preparation.
Barrier 2 is ideal and should see Justin Stanley enjoy a sweet run on speed.
| 3. Moonan Quartz (2) J: Justin P Stanley 57kg 11172 T: Michael Lakey | |||
| Went very close in a CG Benchmark 78 at Gold Coast, leading them up and looking the winner before Metaphorically grabbed him late, the margin only half a length. His previous seventh at this track in a 3-4yo Open was also better than it reads, beaten just under three lengths after being swamped late. In career-best touch and looks the one they have to beat. | |||
MOULIN MISS (11) is flying and could prove awfully hard to run down with just 52kg on her back.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare left her rivals in her wake last start over this course and distance, leading all the way to win by 1.36 lengths in slick time.
She’s won three of her past four starts over the Eagle Farm 1000m, with her only defeat a head second.
A recent trial win, in which she accounted for Yellow Brick, will have tuned her up nicely.
Angela Jones takes the ride.
| 11. Moulin Miss (5) J: Angela Jones 52kg 24141 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Led and kicked strongly to win a Class 6 at this track on soft ground last start, beating Fleetwood by a length and a half while near the top of betting. She was overrun late over 1110m at Doomben before that, so the return to 1000m clearly suited. Strong track-and-trip record and Angela Jones add to the case. | |||
Winners win, and I don’t see a reason to jump off GRAM (5) as he strives for his seventh consecutive victory.
Tony Gollan has placed the son of Exceed And Excel perfectly, from his maiden win by more than five lengths through to last start, when he settled handy before putting his rivals away easily over 1110m at Doomben.
He steps up to 1200m for the first time, but he’s rock-hard fit. Given how well he worked to the line last start, the extra distance should pose no fear.
Bella Youngberry, who claims 3kg and is undefeated in four rides on him, will use his early speed to lead or settle in the second pair.
| 5. Gram (3) J: Bella Youngberry 56.5kg 11111 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has built an excellent winning sequence and was dominant as favourite in a CG Benchmark 78 at Doomben, beating Mean Approach by two and a half lengths after settling handy despite an awkward start. He had won at this track over 1000m the run prior and is unbeaten in three starts this season. Is absolutely airborne and finds another suitable contest. | |||