Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Race 1

Racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday will take place on a good track with a sunny 25 degree day ahead. The meeting gets underway with an 1815m restricted affair where I’m leaning to the Ciaron Maher trained (4) AMPLIFY who looks close to a win based on the solid closing last start fourth here over this exact distance. With the claim she’ll carry no more weight & draws perfectly which is crucial from this starting point. Her best form is clearly on dry ground & she’ll get that today. (9) THINK LIKE PADDY gets Jimmy Orman to steer who is riding at home for a few weeks whilst Hong Kong is in recess, looks overs market wise on the latest effort in the same race as the winner, actually beat her home.

Numbers: 4 – 9 – 10 – 13

Suggested Bet: AMPLIFY EACH-WAY.


Race 2

Open race for the stayers who step it up to 2400m. I’m with the very consistent (6) CAPTAIN MAVERICK who doesn’t win too often however is never far from the action & his recent form suggests a victory could be close. Down in the weights after Ben Osmond’s claim he should run well on an each-way basis. (3) TRAPALANDA a query at the sharp rise in trip however certainly not out of it, every chance the latest, luckless the run prior. (1) TAPILDOODLEDOO proven at this trip won at big odds here last start, he’s a hard one to catch.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet: CAPTAIN MAVERICK EACH-WAY.


Race 3

Looking for some market support for the resuming (2) THE FIXER who has won 3 from 5 fresh. Given an easy hit out in an easy trial he strikes a winnable race today & draws favourably to park close enough to strike in the straight. Should (12) MERCIAN run up to his last start second here he’s a definite chance, very effective at this distance range. (10) PROVANCE & (1) INVAHIR next best, tough race.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 10 – 1

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for THE FIXER.


Race 4

(4) BOONIE BOOM was a scratching last Saturday however looks all set to go around here. She certainly impressed at her only start doing it both ends of the race & note the third horse has since won adding strength to the form line. (1) STAR OF JAMAICA resumes, his 2yo season was a good one finishing close up in a couple of Golden Slipper lead-ups, without doubt good enough to win just needs luck from the awkward draw. Newcomer to the Gollan yard (11) TALE OF TASS a market watch.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 11 – 3

Suggested Bet: Backing top 2 selections to win.


Race 5

Not a race I’m keen on, found one at odds however it’s now scratched so I’m defaulting to (13) NEVERENOUGHLEGO who has been flying up north winning four straight. Yes this is harder however the booking of Ben Thompson is a very positive lead; I couldn’t launch into a short price though. (10) MANPOWER won well at Grafton, another who will have to step it up in class however only lightly raced & has upside (2) NATURALLY LIT not out of it either, go on the win two back.

Numbers: 13 – 10 – 2 – 16

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


Race 6

Wow! This is one tough race. As I type I need one more scratching to get (20) READY TO IGNITE into the field & I’m confident that will be the case. Placed at Doomben his past couple in arguably stronger races he drops in weight for this & will jump from a favourable draw. (11) GAMBINO looks close however draws poorly & will need luck whilst (14) WRIGLEY FIELD has been ticking along nicely on the Gold Coast, another to draw wide though. This race is likely to change complexion once scratchings are finalised race day morning.

Numbers: 20 – 11 – 14 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up as many as possible in exotics.


Race 7

Going with value once again putting the very lightly weighted (14) HURRICANE LU on top. She’s a consistent mare who was stretched out over 1400m last start running on well, the mile is obviously an unknown however based on that she should see it out & at the odds on offer I’m happy to go with her on an each-way basis. (1) LIVALITTLE was terrific winning here second up, 3 weeks between runs & rising 400m suggested he might need the hit out, that was far from the case as he was strongest at the end. He ran down (6) AUTOMNE TREE who is right in the hunt here once again.

Numbers: 14 – 1 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet: HURRICANE LU EACH-WAY.


Race 8

(2) COSMO CENTAURUS is a very effective galloper when fresh, his record will tell you that having won 3 of 4 attempts when first up. Given a soft recent trial & striking 1200m he does look extremely well placed, note his only fresh defeat came last prep when finding 1000m too short. (6) SER JOH was good last start, just not sure which way he heads from the wide gate, back or forward? Definitely going to need luck whatever the case. (10) FRAGILE LOVE & (3) BOSSED Up will both be finding the line strongly.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 10 – 3

Suggested Bet: COSMO CENTAURUS TO WIN.


Race 9

Confident we can round out the day with a winner in (1) ANEMACORE who maps ideally. The key to him is an inside gate where he can take up a position, when drawing wide he just gives away too much start & things really do need to pan out. Not the case today, he should be in a position to pounce when asked to go by jockey Michael Rodd. (4) PERILLE just doesn’t win however he keeps on running good races, 1400m is not a trip we’ve seen him at in recent times however the way he finishes his races off it does look quite suitable. Race gets quite open away from those two.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet: ANEMACORE TO WIN.

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