Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

RACE 1

Final Group 1 of the season at Eagle Farm on Saturday with the running of the Tattersall’s Tiara for the fillies & mares. Track likely to be in the soft range however only barely. Keen on the chances of (2) SWORD OF LEGACY in the opener race who had absolutely no luck at all last start in Listed company. Prior run was a strong placing in a better race than this & from the good gate should gain a much more economical run. (4) FASVARA is a lightly raced type with a good record, may want further however will be strong late.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 13 – 7

Suggested Bet: SWORD OF LEGACY TO WIN.


RACE 2

Right down near the bottom of the page (17) SCHEHERAZADE gets the nod here. Going for 5 straight wins last start in a Doomben midweeker she failed by the barest possible margin. Yes, this is a tougher race however she looks well up to it & the bonus is she drops significantly in weight off all recent runs. (5) TOWN CRIER has come back to racing in good order this prep, will go forward which suggests the wide gate isn’t ideal, needs luck. (16) ZOUFANI is also racing in good form & should be included.

Numbers: 17 – 5 – 16 – 1

Suggested Bet: SCHEHERAZDE EACH-WAY.


RACE 3

I’m sticking with (2) COOL GENT who put in a huge finishing burst to win here on Stradbroke Day coming from a tailed off last to go home right over the top of the leaders. He had been threatening in easier races running home strongly however as a $31 chance the win did come as a surprise. The pace was on that day suggesting he needs further which he gets tomorrow rising 200m. There’s strong Sydney representation here with nos.3, 6, 7 & 9, all are capable of showing up as is (1) MARFFIANO with the blinkers going on & the winkers coming off.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet: COOL GENT EACH-WAY.


RACE 4

To the ‘Battle Of The Bush’ where finding the winner is far from an easy task each year. There are form lines here from all over the state & on various different surfaces. I’ll lean to (8) ODEGAARD who’s won his past couple & did hit the line well in a similar type race at Doomben back in December. (11) RED HOT LIZZIE has also won her past two outings however will have to deal with a wide gate, she’ll need luck whilst (2) REVOLT has the numerical form, that a lot of one’s next to his name however a strong 1200m is my concern with him. Good luck!

Numbers: 8 – 11 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet: Wide exotics best.


RACE 5

Only a small field to go around here where (1) PINITO will be well fancied by the punters, must admit I’m a fan also however I’m going to tip against her here as I’m just a little concerned about the 500m rise in trip of a 3-week break. (4) SUN WORSHIPPER is not the best horse in the race however she is hard fit & will run this trip right out, can she handle the 7-day back up from her Ipswich placing last Saturday? Market may help us there. (9) ZULEIKA in the mix also, back in grade from Group 1 & 2 level her past couple.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 9 – 7

Suggested Bet: SUN WORSHIPPER EACH-WAY.


RACE 6

Confident the Tattersall’s Cup will be won by either (2) FUTURE HISTORY or (5) POUNDING. I’m going to lean to the latter who brings some very strong staying form lines having placed in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington two back before chasing home Royal Supremacy in the Q22 here a fortnight ago, busting to win & this looks ideal. (2) FUTURE HISTORY sits up on speed & on paper I see only he & Black Run going forward, up to an ideal trip & a big threat. (6) BLACK RUN & (1) ASTERIX with claims.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet: POUNDING TO WIN/Saver FUTURE HISTORY.


RACE 7

Similar to the previous race this does look a match in two between (1) WAR ETERNAL & (2) SUN GOD. They did fight out the finish here last start with the former rallying hard to prevail after (2) SUN GOD edged to a marginal lead. Fitter this time around & with a 2kg weight turnaround for the narrow defeat I’m with the Waller runner to turn the tables. Should we get some unexpected rain note (1) WAR ETERNAL is the better wet tracker though. Take your pick the rest, (6) RISING PACIFIC a likely improver with the latest run under his belt, needs dry ground though.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet: SUN GOD TO WIN/Saver WAR ETERNAL (particularly if wet).


RACE 8

The Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara is the race of the day & we have a very competitive bunch of mares set to do battle. The class runner of the race is (3) MANAAL who is already a Group 1 winner & was unlucky not to finish closer in the recently run Moreton Cup when not getting a lot of room to move in the straight. (6) GERRINGONG comes out of the Dane Ripper when beating all bar the in-form winner, she sat wide throughout which adds further merit to the performance & she strips fitter second-up. (9) MELODY AGAIN was an eye catcher at Ipswich last Saturday weaving home under no real urgings, better suited on the bigger track here & does look ‘overs’ in the markets.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 9 – 2

Suggested Bet: MANAAL EACH-WAY.


RACE 9

We wind up the Brisbane section of this year’s Winter Carnival with a very open looking Group 3 sprint. Call me crazy however I’m giving (11) PEREILLE one more chance, he rarely wins however he never seems to run a bad race & with a favourable draw today gets another chance to break through. (16) ABOUT TO EXPLODE closed off well last start, very consistent & loves this track & trip. (6) OAK HILL was strong to the line 3 weeks back, ideally drawn however doesn’t show a lot of gate speed.

Numbers: 11 – 16 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet: PEREILLE EACH-WAY.

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