Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

RACE 1

Racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday should take place on a Good rated surface, a few showers are possible on race day, BOM are tipping somewhere between 0 & 10mm. We get things underway with a small field of youngsters & I’m with the debutante ATOMIC TIME who parked behind the leader in a recent Gold Coast trial before ambling past, looked to have plenty more to offer & doesn’t face too much in the way of opposition here. Should there be a danger it will likely be LOVE TO TORQUE who wasn’t far away on debut at Doomben back in October, had the benefit of a recent trial. ZOUSAIN GIRL a likely improver.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet: ATOMIC TIME TO WIN.


RACE 2

NSW visitor BARAZIN will go around a short-priced favourite here & whilst I’m not knocking his form south of the border, I just can’t take such a price about any runner in these types of races. ICHIBAN struck form last start in midweek company coming well clear in the run to the line, the trick to him is dry tracks & should he get that here I’ll side with him each-way at the better odds. JOVITA did well last week considering the farcical speed of the race, unknown at this trip however suggest will run it out & should be included.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 11 – 6

Suggested Bet:  ICHIBAN EACH-WAY (small bet).


RACE 3

Originally had JUST PRECIOUS on top here however I’ve had a change of heart & will lean to ADIELLA who has been in good form this prep coming through stronger races. She was only 2.2L behind Bubba’s Bay at Listed level before clocking in a close third last time out behind Golden Decade & Dream Hour, both would be well fancied in a race such as this. Without doubt JUST PRECIOUS is on the up & she maps well, may be looking for further now & I’ve got the time out of her last race as being only pedestrian. ALL STASHED UP no luck last start & was good the run prior, no favours at the gates here however don’t leave completely out.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 3 – 13

Suggested Bet: ADIELLA EACH-WAY.


RACE 4

Suggest 1200m is as far as CASPERNOVA wants however whilst remaining at this trip he’s well placed to win again & make it 3 from 3 this time in. Drawn favourably I’d expect Vlad Duric to have him once again up on speed, he can show a decent turn of foot when called upon & that could be the key hopefully pinching a winning break. BOOM SHOT was extremely unlucky not to finish closer last start, he’s been ultra consistent all prep without breaking through, freshened up back to 1200m I’m just not sure how sharp he’ll be however by the same token wouldn’t be the least surprised to see him win. REDZOUST in the mix.

Numbers: 10 – 8 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: CASPERNOVA TO WIN ($3 or better).


RACE 5

I’m surprised there’s no great love for last start winner CHASSAGNE in early markets. She closed off well behind the flying Torabella two back before zooming home to win at Doomben last start rising 600m. Fitter, with plenty of improvement likely still to come she’s a great each-way chance at the price on offer. HABEEBAH shoed what she’s capable off last start & again goes around with a month between starts, well drawn does map well. Big weight rise for DIABLO BOLT however he’s going so well he cannot be overlooked.

Numbers: 7 – 6 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 6

We saw Savour The Dream win impressively at Doomben last week & here we see his stablemate OUR BENEFACTOR make his return to the track having impressively won his past 2 starts before being sent for a break. They both have x-factor & I did like this one’s recent soft Gold Coast trial, at the price I’m happy to back each-way. I’ll be having a saver on PRO FORMA who sat 3 wide two back before good against the tempo his latest, he’s close to a win. Confident one of that pair will win the race.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet: OUR BENEFACTOR EACH-WAY/Saver PRO FORMA


RACE 7

GOLDEN DECADE just held on to beat DREAM HOUR here recently however in another stride the result would have been different. The latter has since had a run at Doomben when out of the money, forgive that & go with him here as his best efforts have been on this track where he was beaten less than 6 lengths in a Group 1 Stradbroke. GOLDEN DECADE will be in front of him in the run & should there be no tempo about will prove hard to gun down. DEVASTATE is the other on paced runner, any rain would enhance his chances.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: DREAM HOUR EACH-WAY.


RACE 8

Tough race. Should TENZING repeat his last start second at Doomben behind the in-form Torabella he’s going to prove very hard to beat here. That race was run in very quick time particularly the latter half & he was closing off well. Fitter third-up he should be ready to give this a decent shake. NAVAL SEAL comes out of the same last start race also found the line well, both handle the Eagle Farm surface well. Yep, you guessed it CUNNAMULLA FELLA was also engaged in the race, ran well also however just has to deal with a wide gate this time around.

Numbers: 6 – 13 – 7 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 9

The resuming CATWALK CRIMINAL has been an early market drifter however I’d be more inclined to monitor her betting moves closer to race time. She’s won a trial in good fashion, draws the inside (hopefully ok) & will carry no weight courtesy of Emily Lang’s claim. Lightly raced she has plenty of upside. MOGO MAGIC draws poorly; he’s got speed though & if able to spring the gates & get across could well take running down. The runs on horses are IMMORAL, BLUE SPINEL & HELLUVA BARTY, I’d include the lot of them in all exotics.

Numbers: 11 – 4 – 10 – 1

Suggested Bet: CATWALK CRIMINAL EACH-WAY.


RACE 10

Going to tip SET TO SHINE here however only really as I can’t find anything else to win the race. Whilst her run was very good first up getting a go on late she is a month between runs rising 200m. Now Tony Gollan has trained a few more winners than I have however I’ll be guided by her late market moves, that will give us an idea how she presents in the mounting yard. OUR MAGNUS is consistent (placed 7 of 8 this prep) however if you’re backing him to win each start you’re likely now broke. CENTRESTONE drawn out will get wide & run home in the straight, should figure in the finish.

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 12 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

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