While the racing world focuses on the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, Eagle Farm hosts a 10-race card this Saturday.
Heavy rain forced the meeting to move from Doomben. Eagle Farm drains far better, but the track is still rated a Heavy 10. The rail is out 1m.
Proven heavy-track form could prove decisive. Our race analysis covers the speed map, track conditions, key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities.
There’s a real chance the meeting won’t go ahead. If it does, let’s find the runners ready for the slog at Headquarters.
Like all bar one horse in this race, SHE HAD A PLAN (7) heads to the races for the first time.
Being from the powerful Tony Gollan yard, we can safely assume that she’ll be well educated and ready to fire.
The Spirit Of Boom filly showed good speed to lead a recent Sunshine Coast trial before putting her rivals away easily for a 3.14-length win.
Being out of a Commands mare, she should be equipped to handle the wet track.
| 7. She Had A Plan (4) 54.5kg |
TARAVIA (5) looks close to another win after finishing second to Captain Maverick in his past two starts by a neck and a head.
Two starts ago, in a stronger race over this course and distance, he went for home a touch early and it was the difference between winning and running second by a head, with The Captain picking him off late.
Prior to joining the Todd Pollard stable, he won his only previous start on a heavy deck.
He’s on the quick back-up and should settle in a prominent position for Ben Thompson.
| 5. Taravia (5) 58kg31522 |
READY FOR AIMEE (9) has raced in good form this preparation, with two wins and a second from four starts.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare is looking for back-to-back wins after finding the line strongly, having been held up early in the straight, to salute by just under a length over 1350m at Doomben.
While she is yet to place in three Eagle Farm races, none of them were over this trip, which she’s finished in the quinella over on all five occasions.
Bella Youngberry can use her mount’s early speed and good gate to settle in a prominent position.
| 9. Ready For Aimee (4) 53kg01241 |
GAULTIER (10) has been racing well since coming back from a long break and looks well placed in Brisbane.
The son of Exceedance opened this campaign with a close second at Hawkesbury before breaking his maiden status at Goulburn.
Chris Waller brought him north two starts ago, where he was picked off in the final strides to finish a nose second over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
He’s at peak fitness and should enjoy a nice run in the first few pairs for Ryan Maloney.
| 10. Gaultier (3) 58.5kg21523 |
TWISTED QUEEN (17) has placed in all three races since joining the Jack Bruce stable and looks close to a breakthrough win.
The Hallowed Crown mare worked well to the line last start over 1650m at Doomben, but All Kinds Of Folk was a touch stronger, seeing her finish just under a length second.
Prior to that, she finished third to the flying Lockyer and second to Perfect Play over this distance.
She’s on the quick back-up and will carry just 53.5kg with Emily Lang in the saddle.
| 17. Twisted Queen (6) 53.5kg35322 |
STRADA VARENNA (16) gets blinkers on for the first time, and that looks like a winning play.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare drew level with Mercian last start over this course and distance and just didn’t want to go on with it, which allowed her rival to bob her on the line.
She’s been racing in great form, with a win over this course and distance three starts ago before finishing a head second at Doomben.
Being by Street Boss, her breeding suggests she’ll handle the heavy track, and she’ll carry just 54.5kg following Bella Youngberry’s claim.
| 16. Strada Varenna (4) 54.5kgx7122 |
COOL GENT (1) will be better for the run after finding the line well over 1000m here last start when resuming.
The Adam Barling-trained gelding’s chances increase with the heavy conditions, as was the case last preparation when winning the Listed Oxlade Stakes.
On that occasion, he settled a long last over this course and distance before rocketing home like he was shot out of a cannon to salute by three-quarters of a length.
There looks to be plenty of speed engaged, which will aid his cause.
| 1. Cool Gent (3) 60kg419×8 |
FLEETWOOD (1) has finished in the placings in each of his past three races and looks ready to win.
Two of those placings have come over this course and distance, where on each occasion the Tony Gollan-trained gelding chased home the speedy Moulin Miss to finish just over a length second.
A wet track won’t faze him, given he boasts an undefeated record in heavy going.
Jade Hampson’s 3kg claim is a plus, and by this stage of the day, the wide barrier may not be such a concern as the inside could be chopping up.
| 1. Fleetwood (8) 58.5kgx4232 |
GET READY LASS (8) ran a cracking race last start over this course and distance when finishing 1.64 lengths second.
The Chris Anderson-trained mare drew wide and was unable to find cover, racing three and four wide throughout. Despite that, she showed plenty of heart to find the line strongly.
She has a good record over this course and distance, including a win just two starts ago.
She’s drawn well for Mark Du Plessis, who should be able to land in a prominent position.
| 8. Get Ready Lass (4) 56kg79312 |
ALL KINDS OF FOLK (14) looks an excellent chance to end the day on a high for us, with conditions to suit.
The Todd Pollard-trained mare hit the line with gusto last start to win with something in hand over 1600m at Doomben.
She’s undefeated in heavy going, having won first-up last preparation at the Sunshine Coast and impressing at Randwick when saluting to end that campaign.
With just 52kg on her back, she’ll take some holding out.
| 14. All Kinds Of Folk (7) 52kg21×51 |