Eagle Farm race-by-race preview and tips for Wednesday

A big midweek meeting of nine races and there is a bit of rain around so good gates should more of a help than a hindrance at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Jovita is Graeme's best value play on Wednesday at Eagle Farm. Photo: Bradley Photos.

A big midweek meeting of nine races and there is a bit of rain around so good gates should more of a help than a hindrance at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

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BEST BET:

MOSCOW CIRCUS (Race 6 No 10)

NEXT BEST:

DAMO DAYZ (Race 7 No 4)

VALUE BET:

JOVITA (Race 3 No 7)

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Quaddie numbers are:

Race 6 – 1,2,7,10

Race 7 – 2,4,10

Race 8 – 1,2,7

Race 9 – 4,8

$72 = 100 per cent of the dividend

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Race 1 – 2YO Handicap (1400m)

Saturday form is with LOVE TO TORQUE (1) which hit the line to beat a moderate field here five weeks ago. He has been kept fresh; the extra distance is no concern and with Cody Collis’ 2kg is placed to win.

HA’PENNY HATCH (3) sat on pace and got the job done on debut in a midweek here over 1200m. He rises 2.5kg and takes on a Saturday winner but his dam won a Group 2 at this trip which stands him in good stead.

MISHANI PRINCE (4) has been racing in much stronger company than this and endured a wide run before making ground from the back in the Aquis Jewel. With a more positive ride from Cejay Graham he can make his presence felt.

MAYOR OF KINGSTON (2) gets blinkers on debut and showed improvement at a recent trial. Out of a handy racemare that won up to 2000m this trip won’t bother him and Peter Robl will have him primed for a good debut.

Verdict – LOVE TO TORQUE (1) for me.

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Race 2 – Maiden Plate (1000m)

CAPITAL BEAUTY (8) is resuming after showing ability at her first preparation. Out of a good producer and a half-sister to Magic Millions winner Real Surreal, her two trials have her ready and she can add her name to the family honour roll.

Tony Gollan has three runners, all chances. BUNDELLA (2) resumes as a gelding after being a beaten favourite last start. His trial was sound, he has speed and Ryan Maloney will test him out.

FREEDOM TO ROAM (9) has joined Tony Gollan’s stable from John O’Shea and makes her Queensland debut on the back of a solid trial. A half-sister to Randwick Guineas winner Converge she may want longer but Emily Lang’s 1.5kg helps and she won’t be far away in running.

Experience counts and while BIG DEMEANOR (1) has had more than his share of chances he did win a recent trial. By I Am Invincible out of a Tatts Tiara winner he is an embarrassment to his pedigree but with Angela Jones things can change.

Verdict – CAPITAL BEAUTY (8) to upset the Gollan applecart.

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Race 3 – Class 3 Plate (1600m)

It has been a while between drinks for JOVITA (7) which disappointed last start but is well treated under Plate conditions. She beat all but the winner here in a Stronger Class 3 Plate two starts back, drops to more suitable trip and with limited speed here, Jag Guthmann-Chester can control the race.

SHE’S GOT VEUVE (8) was brought north to win a race and got it done last start. She needs a tempo but brings the best form and Ryan Maloney will test them late.

Matt Smith’s stable is in form and while DARK VADOR (1) only brings NSW Country form he has fitness on his side, gets a 2kg claim for Cody Collis and will be handy throughout.

This trip is too short for HECTOR DE MARIS (2) but he is tossed in under Plate conditions and has had three trials to get ready. A small field suits and with a positive ride from Cejay Graham can surprise.

Verdict – JOVITA (7) overdue.

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Race 4 – Maiden Handicap (1800m)

POSSIBILITIES (6) has been brought north to get a win but keeps finding ways to get beaten and even tried unsuccessfully in the Stewards Room last start. She is well overdue but Emily Lang gets on and with a positive ride can turn things around.

CHILLAXING (1) is a five-year-old by Galileo which has been given plenty of time placing at both Australian starts. Out of a good producer and half-brother to Group 1 winner Toormore, he gets a couple of gear changes to make him more tractable and if anything is there Damien Thornton will find it.

MAN OF THE TOWN (3) is improving with racing and beat all but the winner at the Sunshine Coast last start. This extra distance won’t worry him and Georgina Cartwright will have him close enough if good enough.

CONVO (7) hasn’t shown a lot but has less convictions than most and Ciaron Maher has brought her north to find a race. By Dundeel out of a Queen Of the Turf and Doomben Cup winner she is yet to live up to her pedigree but this may not be beyond her.

Verdict – Probably POSSIBILITIES (6).

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Race 5 – Benchmark 65 Handicap (1800m)

Blinkers go on PROMISCUOUS GIRL (9) which has less convictions than most and gets to a suitable trip. She takes on some seasoned performers but by Dundeel out of a Group 3 winner she has more to offer than the rest and can take a step forward.

One win in 25 starts says it all for KIRIKAN (5) but he is rarely far away and his Sydney midweek form is up to this. Ryan Maloney replaces the apprentice Cody Collis and a stronger rider can make all the difference.

Blinkers come off HILLCREST AVENUE (6) which only whacked away at the Sunshine Coast. He finds it hard to win but drops 3kg and Cody Collis can find a way.

BOLD HOI HOI (2) wasn’t far away in a stronger Class 5 at Doomben last week and won’t fear this trip. He rises 4.5kg but with a positive ride from Danny Peisley can make his presence felt.

Verdict – Promise is with PROMISCUOUS GIRL (9).

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Race 6 – 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m)

The one knocking on the door is MOSCOW CIRCUS (10) which did everything but win here over 1200m last start. Out of a mare that won up to 2100m, this journey is no concern, she drops 1kg, Damien Thornton replaces Andrew Mallyon and can get the job done.

This bigger track helps FRATIANNO (1) which got too far back from a wide gate but hit the line better than any at Ipswich last start. Fitter for four outings this time in, he will get every chance with Martin Harley.

JOPPA LANE (2) came from a long way back to just miss at cricket score odds when resuming. This extra distance suits and Boris Thornton will be winding him up late.

DUBIAS MISS (7) has had plenty of trials but her last one was her best. Her dam won up to 1600m and this trip looks ideal for debut. With Angela Jones she will be well-placed throughout.

Verdict – MOSCOW CIRCUS (10) ready to win.

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Race 7 – Class 5 Handicap (1200m)

A track and distance specialist, the Tony Gollan-trained DAMO DAYZ (4) has been finding it hard to win but wasn’t far away at Doomben last start. Three of his five wins have been here, he is unbeaten at the trip will get every chance with Martin Harley.

Rob Heathcote has a strong hand with three chances. I AM A MARVEL (10) ran on and wasn’t beaten far when resuming here. A Class 3 horse, he can find easier but drops 6.5kg and has a good second-up record. With Cejay Graham from a good gate he will be in the finish.

BEAUTANTES (2) is resuming and has a good record with Noel Callow. His recent trial was sound and on best behaviour can test them late.

The third of the Heathcote runners KODIAK (3 is a recent acquisition and while his best efforts are on the Synthetic brings solid Victorian form. He trialled soundly, has a good first-up record and can make his presence felt for Jack Martin.

Verdict – DAMO DAYZ (4) to fend off the Heathcote trio.

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Race 8 – Class 4 Handicap (1400m)

Winkers go on OUTSMARTED (2) which raced greenly but found the fast lane and rounded them up in a Saturday Benchmark 68 last start. A three-quarter brother to Group 1 winner Music Magnate and bought for a song in an online auction last October he has won two of three since resuming after a long break, and four of five overall. Bubba Tilley replaces Michael Rodd and he is not done with yet.

INFLUENTIAL (1) was ridden out of his comfort zone last start and was found out late in Saturday grade. Back to midweek grade, over his optimum trip with Ryan Maloney replacing Andrew Mallyon he can make amends.

Blinkers replace winkers on PIONEER LASS (7) which brings Sydney form and will appreciate 56.5kg. A good gate helps and with a positive ride from Bailey Wheeler can be in the finish.

CONNEWARRE (5) found OUTSMARTED (2) too good last start but meets him 2kg better and will get the gun run with Taylor Marshall,

Verdict – OUTSMARTED (2) can win again.

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Race 9 – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m)

Tony Gollan has taken over the training of the well-bred SICILIAN (4) which brings solid Sydney form, has won first-up previously and looked sharp at a recent trial. A good gate helps and with Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim is the one to beat.

ENTERPRISE LUCIA (8) has a good first-up record, loves this trip and won a recent trial. She gives a start but the big track suits and Cody Colls knows when to press the button.

The other Gollan runner, DEVASTATING (3) is resuming and hasn’t won for a long but has been racing in Saturday grade. He is awkwardly drawn but this trip suits and with a trial under his belt Ryan Maloney will sound him out.

WRITTLE (2) gives them all weight but a good gate and strong rider in Noel Callow help. He was never on the track at Ipswich last start but is better suited over this longer trip and can make his presence felt.

Verdict – SICILIAN (4) too good.

Originally published as Eagle Farm race-by-race preview and tips for Wednesday