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

Competitive card at Eagle Farm on Saturday and with the track still rain affected, I’ve tried to stick with horses proven when getting their toe in the ground.

Competitive card at Eagle Farm on Saturday and with the track still rain affected, I’ve tried to stick with horses proven when getting their toe in the ground.

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BEST BET:

THAT’S MOLLY (Race 5 No. 4)

NEXT BEST:

ROLLER COASTER (Race 3 No. 3)

VALUE BET:

THE GAMBLING GREEK (Race 9 No. 5)

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Quaddie numbers are:

Race 7 – 7,9,12

Race 8 – 5,6,15

Race 9 – 1,5,6,7

Race 10 – 5,6,8,13

$144 = 100 per cent of the dividend

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Race 1 – 2YO Handicap (1300m)

The only winner in the field is PROFOUNDLY (2) which franked his earlier trial form with a dominant win here over this trip last outing. He rises 1kg but has trialled soundly since and with Damien Thornton staying on will be hard to beat again.

Scratched from the midweeks, THEE CREEK (1) has done nothing wrong at his two outings, being runner-upon debut in the Jewel Prelude and just missing the placings in the Jewel itself. Mark Du Plessis stays on, he has speed and will be prominent for a long way.

ON POINT PIXIE (7) backed up a trial win with a solid debut at the Sunshine Coast. The extra distance suits and she will be strong late.

ZARLA (8) didn’t do a lot at her trial but is out of a Group 2 winner and Rob Heathcote knows how to get them ready. With Bailey Wheeler she can make her presence felt in a race without depth.

Verdict – PROFOUNDLY (2) to go on with it.

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Race 2 – Class 3 Handicap (1805m)

This trip suits PEROVIC (4) which put the writing on the wall in a midweek Class 5 when narrowly beaten by Smart Legend over 1640m at Doomben. Now third-up, Damien Thornton stays on, he draws to do no work and will be hard to hold out.

FIOPROSPERO (3) franked the NSW form, took the shortcuts and was too good for them in a Benchmark 70 here last start. He carries the same weight with Bailey Wheeler staying aboard and a repeat is on the cards.

MANNERHEM (5) has been brought North to win one and wasn’t beaten far by Fioprospero last start With Emly Lang’s claim he meets him 4kg better and a positive ride can turn things around.

DIVAKARA (2) disappointed when a well beaten favourite behind Fioprospero last start but his previous form was better than that. Winning ride Kyle Wilson-Taylor hops back on and that may make a difference.

Verdict – PEROVIC (4) is ready to win.

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Race 3 – Benchmark 70 Handicap (2200m)

ROLLER COASTER (3) has been putting in honest efforts in higher Benchmarks than this. He has won here previously; the trip won’t worry him and with regular rider Michael Rodd can round them up.

The one with fewest convictions is KAYLEEN’S PROFIT (12) which is bred for this trip and has shown potential jumping from a Maiden win to just miss in a much stronger Benchmark 65 last start. With only 52.5kg and Ron Stewart retaining the ride she can make her presence felt.

BEDFORD SQUARE (1) doesn’t win often but will appreciate this Benchmark and Cody Collis’ 2kg claim. A dour type he will be whacking away when the others are looking to lie down.

CALM SEEKER (4) led and was dominant here last start. This is harder but he drops 0.5kg, the extra distance is no concern and Courtney Bellamy can control the race.

Verdict – ROLLER COASTER (3) is due.

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Race 4 – Benchmark 85 Handicap (1500m)

IMATRUESTAR (6) has been in good form since joining Lawrie Mayfield-Smith and came from a long way back to just miss to Space Tracker at Eagle Farm. The extra distance suits, he drops 2.5kg and with a positive ride from Robbe Dolan can get it done.

RED DEFCON (8) has found how to win and is staring at a hat-trick. She gets back but Cejay Graham has the key and knows when to start the motor.

TOESONTHENOSE (3) got it done when favourite at the Gold Coast and will appreciate this longer trip on a bigger track. Damen Thornton gets back on and will have him hitting the line.

AMICUS CURIAE (4) hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation and led them up before being run down by Space Tracker and IMATRUESTAR (6) last start. He drops 3.5kg and Courtnet Bellamy will control proceedings

Verdict – IMATRUESTAR (6) to maintain his form.

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Race 5 – Open Handicap (1805m)

Hard to go past a mare in form THAT’S MOLLY (4) was too strong late at the Gold Coast and will appreciate getting n to a bigger track. Lawrie Mayfied-Smith has been having a good run of late and can add to it here.

Chris Waller brings them North to get a win and CABOCHE (3) has been improved by two outings fighting on well to place behind THAT’S MOLLY (4) at the Gold Coast. He saves his best form for Queensland and Kyle Wilson-Tayor will have him close enough if good enough.

ANEMACORE (5) hasn’t quite finished off his races at his past two outings. Jim Byrne replaces Michael Rodd, he drops 2kg and a more patient ride can pay dividends.

GRINZINGER KNIGHT (6) likes to lead and from gate one with Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim will give them something to chase

Verdict – THAT’S MOLLY (4) is the best of the day.

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Race 6 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m)

Class is with the resuming AVONE (8) which has warmed up for this with two trials and looked a mare of potential when going back-to-back last preparation. A good gate helps and with Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim she will be in the box seat throughout.

ARISPHERE (14) got too far back when resuming but was making ground late. She won her only previous start here over this trip and with Emily Lang a more positive ride is expected.

SUPER DAISY (11) was far too good when resuming and has built a good record of five wins from ten stats. This is her trip and while drawn wide Nikita Beriman knows what to do.

HURTS SO GOOD (9) loves this trip and from the good gate with Ryan Maloney will sit off the speed and have the last crack.

Verdict – Can’t beat class, AVONE (8).

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Race 7 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m)

The interesting runner is the import TRUE TO FORM (7) which achieved back-back provincial wins at his first preparation of four outings for Ciaron Maher. His recent trial was sound, two of his three wins have come when first-up, he has speed and Ryan Maloney can overcome a bad gate.

CENTRESTONE (12) has been improved by three outings and beat all but SHIHAB (9) at the Gold Coast. He meets him 1kg better and will get a good run with Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

SHIHAB (9) had support and beat them all at the Gold Coast continuing Lawrie Mayfield-Smiths fine run of recent form. He rises 6kg and is poorly drawn but Robbie Dolan knows what to do.

ANAVINCI (16) gave too much start but made ground over 1200mhere last start. She hasn’t lived up to her pedigree but has less convictions than most and can improve for Jag Guthmann-Chester.

Verdict – TRUE TO FORM (7) has more to offer.

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Race 8 – Class 6 Plate (1200m)

Form is with TOWN CRIER (6) which has beaten Certainlycan and Adiella at his two outings since resuming and both subsequently won. He is awkwardly drawn but has gate speed and Jack Martin will ensure he is near the front throughout.

SUBSTANTIAL (5) showed he was up to this company winning a Class 6 during his first preparation for Tony Gollan. His recent trial was sound and with Emily Lang’s 1.5kg claim he won’t be far away in running.

When last here RHYTHM OF LOVE (15) ran second in the Group3 Fred Best. He resumes on the back of two solid trials and is well treated under Plate conditions. With Andrew Mallyon his best will test these.

MINTAKA LAD (11) has been finding it hard to win but has speed and will be prominent for a long way.

Verdict – TOWN CRIER (6) to call the tune.

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Race 9 – 3YO Quality Handicap (1200m)

Fitness counts for plenty in these and THE GAMBLING GREEK (5) hasn’t done much wrong in his four outings since resuming. He has speed, is well treated under Quality conditions and will give them something to chase.

Promise is with BENZOU (7) which put away a similar field a fortnight ago. He steps up in trip and is poorly drawn but Cejay Graham stays on and will have him hitting the line.

Several of these met in the Jewel and the one making all the ground late was SAMMY CONQUERS ALL (6). This bigger track suits, Ron Stewart replaces Ryan Wiggins and he will be rounding them up late.

There is touch of class about SUPERALLOY (1) whose only win was in Listed company and was beaten a length by Broadsiding in the Sires Produce. He gives them all weight but has a trial under his belt and Ryan Maloney will keep him honest.

Verdict – Some value with THE GAMBLING GREEK (5).

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Race 10 – Open Handicap (1200m)

Nick Walsh doesn’t bring them to Brisbane on a whim and HELL (13) is a speedster from up North which made a name for himself winning three on end in town last preparation. He resumed with a win at Rockhampton, will have benefited from that and with Emily Lang, no weight and a low gate will be hard to pass.

COMPELLING TRUTH (6) has done nothing wrong at his two recent Brisbane outings. The step up in distance helps and he will be prominent for a long way.

BACCHANALIA (5) has been struggling to beat one home at recent outings but has won far stronger races than this and was dominant at his last trial. With Damien Thornton and anything like his A-game he will test these.

Fitter for two outings, MANHOOD (8) likes this track and distance, He has speed and Kyle Wlson-Tayor can overcome a wide gate.

Verdict – HELL (13) to run them off their legs.

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