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

The Carnival goes up another notch on Saturday with four black-type races heading a super Eagle Farm card.

The Carnival goes up another notch on Saturday with four black-type races heading a super Eagle Farm card.

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BEST BET:

HARLEM QUEEN (Race 7 No 1)

NEXT BEST:

JUST FOLK (Race 8 No 1)

VALUE BET:

HEARTS ARE BETTER (Race 6 No 9)

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Quaddie numbers are:

Race 6 - 2,6,7,9

Race 7 - 1,5,6

Race 8 - 1,2,7

Race 9 - 3,4,8,14

$144 = 100 per cent of the dividend

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Race 1 - Class 3 Plate (1200m)

Southern form is with the Annabel Neasham and Ron Archibald-trained TUNED (7) which has won three of five the most recent a Benchmark 72 at Warwick Farm. He prefers a soft track, has gate speed and with Damien Thornton can control the race.

Having his second outing since joining Tony Gollan, SICILIAN (13) gets in well under Plate conditions. A Group 3 and Listed placegetter earlier in his career, he steps up to Saturday grade but drops 3.5kg and will be on the speed for Emily Lang.

Another of the Nesham and Archibald string, MISS HELLFIRE (10) hasn’t won for a long time but has been racing in far stronger company than this and is tossed in under Plate conditions. If there is anything there, Kyle Wilson-Taylor will find it.

THANKYOU HENRY (5) has been racing well without winning finding subsequent winner John Rambo too good last start. This bigger track may suit and with a strong rider in Boris Thornton there will be no excuses.

Verdict - Trusting the track will be soft enough for TUNED (7).

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Race 2 - Benchmark 80 Handicap (2400m)

JACK DUGGAN (3) has drawn wide but has gate speed and Jason Deamer often has success with horses he brings to Queensland. The soft (7) tested him last start but he wasn’t far away, and the winner Philipsburg has franked the form. It might be his turn.

GALIFIANAKIS (2) has struck form and usually strings a few good runs together. He is yet to win beyond 2200m but Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim helps and he draws to do no work.

DILLIAN (6) was dominant on a heavy track when having his first start for the Hulberts in a midweek Class 1. This is a big jump in class, but the extra distance won’t worry him, he drops 4kg and will get the gun run with Martin Harley.

The blinkers replace winkers on MISTRESSOFILLUSION (10) which is fitter for four outings and steps up the trip at which she is three from three in the UK. Yet to win in Australia, she has shown improvement this preparation and Ron Stewart knows how to ride a stayer.

Verdict - My ticket says JACK DUGGAN (3).

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Race 3 - Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m)

Winkers come off CENTRESTONE (14) which hasn’t won for over a year but has placed at three of four outings this preparation. SHIHAB (4) has had the wood on him at their past two outings but a 2.5kg weight swing, Kerrin McEvoy replacing Kyle Wilson-Taylor and a more favourable gate can turn things around.

Matt Smith often mounts successful Brisbane raids and SCALEXTRICS (9) brings winning Sydney midweek form. He strung four together last preparation, has benefited from a recent trial and Bailey Wheeler will give him a positive ride.

Tony Gollan has DAYTONA (8) fitter for three outings, and he steps up to a winning distance. He got too far back and found trouble last start but Ryan Maloney replaces Damien Thornton and will be winding him up late.

TOJAKI (10) worked too hard and get tired when second-up here in the race won by SHIHAB (4). She improves third-up, gets the gun run with Jake Bayliss and is a smart mare on her day.

Verdict - CENTRESTONE (14) is due.

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Race 4 - Benchmark 85 Handicap (1000m)

Hard to go past a 1000m track specialist and HURTS SO GOOD (7) did things wrong but was still too good for a Benchmark 78 field here last start. This is harder but he drops 1kg, is fitter than the rest and Ryan Maloney will be powering past them late.

NAVYONTHEHIGHWAY (3) has won four of seven, has an excellent first-up record and has been readied by jumpouts. She would prefer longer but Tahlia Fenlon’s 2kg claim helps and she will be prominent for a long way.

BLACK ON BEAUTY (6) goes well fresh and looked good at a recent trial. With Angela Jones from the ace, she will get all the favours.

Winner of the Gateway, THE INFLICTOR (4) is beginning his Stradbroke campaign and has had two solid trials. This is far from his Grand Final, but he can sprint well fresh and will hit the line.

Verdict - Staying with HURTS SO GOOD (7).

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Race 5 - Listed Calaway Gal 2YOF Stakes (1200m)

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have brought HEADBANGER (5) north after she was run down late on debut at Hawkesbury. Out of a good producer, she will strip fitter from that and from the ace draw give them something to chase.

HA’PENNY HATCH (2) has looked a likely type winning both outings. He has been readied by a recent trial, likes this track and will be prominent for a long way.

Blinkers go on LISTEN SWEETHEART (13) which has looked good at her trials and John Sargent has brought her north for a reason. She will want longer but this big track suits and Kerrin McEvoy will have her hitting the line.

The other Shailer runner, ISTI STAR (9) was never in it on debut from a wide gate and pulled up lame. Her trials have been strong, a tongue-tie goes on and with a positive ride from Michael Rodd can make her presence felt.

Verdict - HEADBANGER (5) to hold them off.

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Race 6 - Listed Mick Dittman 3YO Plate (1000m)

HEARTS ARE BETTER (9) has been kept fresh by a trial since running them off their legs in the Aquis Jewel. This is harder but Nikita Beriman stays on and will be prominent for a long way.

HELLA FAST (4) has won both previous outings over this trip. She has been readied by jumpouts and gets the gun run off the speed with Ryan Maloney.

ZOUBABY (6) goes well fresh and has been readied by two trials. She has speed and will get all the favours with Kerrin McEvoy.

SEASCAPE (7) is poorly drawn but has come back in good order and won a recent trial. She gets a crossover noseband, has speed and Angela Jones will take n prisoners.

Verdict - Staying with HEARTS ARE BETTER (9).

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Race 7- Listed Princess 3YOF Stakes (1600m)

Hard to go past HARLEM QUEEN (1) which has been racing in far better company than this and hit the line strongly to place in a Group 2 at Rosehill last start. At her only previous start over this trip she beat all but Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and that form is good enough for this.

MERIDIANA (6) blew the start but finished off better than any in the South Pacific Classic. She has improvement, will appreciate this trip on a big track and draws to do no work. With a positive ride from Damien Thornton, she will be in the finish.

PHILIA (5) has had a six-week letup after pulling up unwell despite being too good for them here over this trip last start. Winkers replace blinkers and with Kerrin McEvoy from gate three will get all the favours.

HEAT MISSILE (7) is improving with racing, has speed and with Regan Bayliss will give a sight.

Verdict - HARLEM QUEEN (1) too classy.

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Race 8 - Listed Brisbane Mile (1600m)

Can’t ignore Group 1 Sydney form and JUST FOLK (1) ran in the Doncaster but didn’t handle the quick back-up from his Group 3 win at Rosehill. When last here he won the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup, gets a strong rider in Noel Callow and with the gun run will be hard to hold out.

A Group 1 winner last preparation, PORT LOCKROY (2) also ran in the Doncaster where he was far from disgraced beaten just over a length. The gate tests but a big track helps, and Ryan Maloney will have him hitting the line.

MISS JOELENE (7) returned in fine fettle mowing them down to win a Doomben over 1350m. Her second-up record is suspect, but she has a touch of class and Cejay Graham will keep her honest.

KERCHAK (15) will be improved by his first-up outing, loves this trip and with only 53kg will be strong late.

Verdict - JUST FOLK (1) maps to win.

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Race 9 - Benchmark 90 Handicap (1300m)

Tony Gollan with five acceptors and my dart has hit ROCKRIBBED (4) which is fitter for two outings and has an excellent third-up record. With Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim he won’t be far away in running and gets a chance to break through.

The stablemate WARBY (14) is a consistent performer and has come back in good order beating a Benchmark 85 field last start. He carries the same weight, is well drawn and will get every chance with Ryan Maloney.

SPACE TRACKER (8) has avoided the recent heavy tracks and been freshened after getting the job done here last start. He rarely runs poorly, will go forward and get every chance with Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

I AM ARTIE (3) strung wins together for fun last preparation and has been trialling well. He has drawn poorly but makes his own luck and Michael Rodd will have near the speed for a long way

Verdict - ROCKRIBBED (4) leads home a Gollan quinella.

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