Carnival Capers: Eagle Farm’s dodgy sand trap, Doomben Cup tips

ALTHOUGH Ben Dorries was denied a punt on Thursday night at the new Eagle Farm track, he did see enough in Azkadellia’s run to confirm favouritism in the Straddy.

First official trials at Eagle Farm. Picture: Annette Dew

NATHAN: Well Ben. I finally found the perfect race day for you at Eagle Farm. A race day where you couldn’t bet. Must have felt good walking out all square on Thursday night?

BEN: I tried to get on Azkadellia in her heat but those soft bookies wouldn’t let me on. To my eye she looked like a deserved Stradbroke favourite. However, the biggest talking point was the Eagle Farm surface. A few jockeys thought it was like quicksand between the 800m-600m. Hopefully the track compacts before Oaks Day on June 4, because the whole country will be watching.

Nathan: No doubt it will be better as time goes on and I’m sure in 12 months it’s going to be one hell of an asset for Queensland racing. Jockeys love the new layout, with the camber, although the 1000m start could cause some problems with the old chute gone. Look, the simple fact is it’s a new track and will take time. But I still reckon most connections will take that option on the bigger track than being confined to the tighter spaces across the road.

Azkadellia won her heat at Eagle Farm. Picture: Annette Dew

Ben: Anyway, there is two weeks to win big at Doomben before we return to Eagle Farm. I’m on the It’s Somewhat bandwagon in the Doomben Cup. Thought he was an enormous run sitting wide in the Hollindale. No doubt you will revert to your usual, boring method of tipping the favourite?

Nathan: Yes, a bit monotonous isn’t it? Maybe Godolphin have run out of options with Hauraki going for the blinkers this time, but I’m convinced the Doomben layout will suit him. He has a lovely turn of foot, then pulls up. With the softest of runs off the inside, I think he will be too good. It is an interesting betting affair though and I suspect you will get better than the $3.60, as they are going to back quite a few runners.

Ben: The Group 1 has the prestige but the Fred Best is the race I’m most looking forward to tomorrow, giving the winner a free ticket into the Stradbroke. I think this race is more open than my wallet whenever we go out to dinner, but my dart has landed on Chris Waller’s impressive type Sir Bacchus who I think can make it three wins in a row.

Nathan: Yes. Open to prove you have nothing left after another stripout. I don’t subscribe to it being open. I think the market has it right, with Sir Bacchus and Rageese the two standouts and Queensland filly Sold For Song the knockout. But to offset your view of me tipping only favourites, I have gone with the local Trubia in the BRC Sprint. I know Michael Cahill found it a very difficult choice to stick with the favourite Artlee, so Trubia looks a ripper gamble.

Ben: Mick is a great bloke, but perhaps he’s still concussed from his fall last Saturday.

Originally published as Carnival Capers: Eagle Farm’s dodgy sand trap, Doomben Cup tips