Eagle Farm trainer Desleigh Forster tells punters to discard Doomben form when heading across road

THE woman who knows Eagle Farm like the back of her hand has warned punters to wear flak jackets when racing returns to headquarters on Saturday.

Not ideal: Weather forecasts suggest up to 25mm of rain could fall in Brisbane at the Eagle Farm reopening on Queensland Oaks Day. Picture: Jono Searle

THE woman who knows Eagle Farm like the back of her hand has warned punters to wear flak jackets when racing returns to Queensland headquarters on Saturday.

Trainer Desleigh Forster, who has had Eagle Farm stables for more than a decade, says form will go out the window and has forecast a brace of upsets.

Another X-factor is weather forecasts which suggest up to 25mm of rain could fall in Brisbane on Queensland Oaks Day, potentially making the new track more unpredictable.

Regardless, Forster says many horses which have been impressive on the tight, turning Doomben track will struggle to adapt to the expansive Eagle Farm surface.

“Half of them (horses) are going to get stitches running at Eagle Farm and a lot of them will be beaten out of sight,’’ Forster predicted.

“You might as well throw the form from Doomben totally out the window, because it won’t mean much.

“There are a lot of horses who are used to kicking off the corner around Doomben and then running down the hill. At Eagle Farm, they will be going around the corner and up a hill into a big straight.

“The other thing is that Doomben has been a rock-hard, fast racing surface, whereas the Eagle Farm track will be beautiful and soft. Some of the (Doomben) form will be totally reversed.’’

Eagle Farm course manager Sean Bridges is confident the new track will hold up even if it rains heavily on Saturday.

“The track will take time to consolidate, and I would prefer no rain,” he said.

“But I’m sure it will be fine even if there is heavy rain.’’

Eagle Farm, Brisbane’s premier racing venue, has been closed for racing since August 2014 while it has undergone a $22 million upgrade.

Trainer Desleigh Forster says punters should be wary about the merits of Doomben form when betting at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Mark Cranitch

One horse almost certain to be suited by the return to Eagle Farm is equal Oaks favourite Provocative, although Tony Pike’s Kiwi filly remains on the precipice of getting a start.

With Provocative 19th in order of entry, she needs one withdrawal to take her place in the field.

Chris Waller is sitting on the fence with Mount Omei, who had a soft hitout when she finished fourth behind Flamboyant Lass in a Warwick Farm trial on Monday.

Waller indicated he would leave an Oaks decision until Wednesday morning.

Lights, cameras, action: The new super screen at Eagle Farm. Picture: Annette Dew

Pike has also nominated Provocative for the Eagle Farm Cup on Saturday and if there is not an Oaks scratching, the filly will use the Eagle Farm Cup as a lead up to the Queensland Derby a week later.

Meanwhile, Waller has foreshadowed a potential change of plans with Queensland Derby favourite Mackintosh.

Groundsmen check out the track surface between trials at Eagle Farm recently. Picture: Jono Searle

The Kiwi-bred three-year-old only just lasted in the 2200m of the Grand Prix last weekend, with Waller now considering running Mackintosh in the Queensland Guineas over 1600m.

“Originally the Derby was always the main goal but if we felt his stamina was lacking over the 2400m distance, then the Queensland Guineas would be a suitable option, albeit worth $200,000 less in prizemoney,’’ Waller said.

‘’I have discussed with the owners that this option is available to us.’’

Brisbane Racing Club chief executive Dave Whimpey checks out the transformed Eagle Farm venue. Picture: Patria Jannides

Originally published as Eagle Farm trainer Desleigh Forster tells punters to discard Doomben form when heading across road