Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Happy to back the second-up DEVASTATING on an each-way basis in this opening event. Resuming here 3 weeks ago he beat all bar the winner & will take good improvement considering he was off a long layoff. RAINBOW CONNECTION very much the danger, won well here this trip first up last prep & has had a couple of very soft lead-up trials, he’ll be ready to go. MAXIMUM VORTEX is speedy & will take running down, only defeated once & there were valid excuses on that occasion.

Numbers: 6 – 8 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

Average bunch. UNITED NATIONS the likely improver in this race & he really should be beating these comfortably if he’s any good. Yes, it’s only his second run back & second in the country however his UK form suggests he definitely has ability whereas his rivals here don’t. The step up in distance is also a definite positive. Chris Waller’s pair SHAMELESS MISS & OTYRAR can fill placings.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: UNITED NATIONS ($3.00 or better & only small)

RACE 3

Really liked the look of TANGO FEVER when she won here last month first up & first start for Rob Heathcote. She was trotting in the run to the turn before Martin Harley let her rip & soon after she put the race away. Fitter, good gate, up on the speed she should be winning again. KITRI got over the top of her rivals to win at Doomben aided by a good tempo early which indicates she’s likely to now need further, still more than capable of filling a placing though. WATCHGUARD has plenty of zip & gets Jimmy Orman to steer.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet: TANGO FEVER TO WIN

RACE 4

Open race where I can find at least 4 winning chances. The consistent KAT CHINNA gets the nod as he’s race fit & drawn a good alley whereas he had to work first up yet was still able to hold off his rivals. HOLD ON HONEY is very effective fresh & has trialled well, with the claim for Cejay Graham he’ll carry no weight. MUSCHIALLI is the closer, kept fresh if they go nuts in front he’ll be zooming down the outside whilst his stablemate SHAMROCK LU can also hit the line & is another appreciative of a strong tempo which the speedy Bel Academy may well provide.

Numbers: 9 – 6 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

RACE 5

Thought FIELD WIRI looked very well placed here off a fast-closing 4th at Doomben two weeks ago. Drawn wide on that occasion she found the line well wide out in a race which wasn’t run to suit. Back up to 1200m from the rails gate should she get through late, lookout! BUBBA’S BAY has plenty of upside, his 4th in a Gosford Guineas is good enough to figure in the finish of this race. DEEP ROUGE is a backmarker always capable, 1200m is likely further than she wants though?

Numbers: 5 – 8 – 3 – 11

Suggested Bet: FILED WIRI TO WIN

RACE 6

The only negative I can find for ZARASTRO in this race is the sharp rise in weight to 60kg however the stable would be all over that & had they thought he needed a claim they would have sought one out. He trialled well before debuting for Tony Gollan with a nailed on the line 2nd behind the flying Hatchet who almost scored another win last Saturday. All the form around ZARASTRO’s first up race is very strong & he’s going to take plenty of running down. NORTHERN EXPRESS brings the Freedom Rally, Vodka Martini form line, hard to knock that. ORLABENT is racing very well, must include albeit in a tougher race today.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 13 – 8

Suggested Bet: ZARASTRO TO WIN

RACE 7

Going with some value here putting UNCLE RUSS on top. On paper he did little last start however the run before over 1200m suggested he would appreciate further not shorter which was the case. Today he steps to 1400m for the first time & I’ll take the punt he’ll see it out aided by no weight on his back. PETUNIA is rarely far from the action & this type of race definitely suits her. BRENTWOOD is short enough for mine however he has improved his consistency this prep.

Numbers: 15 – 7 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: UNCLE RUSS EACH-WAY

RACE 8

An upset result wouldn’t surprise at all in this race. I’ve ended up with BETTER GET SET however won’t be taking a short quote. Her effort in the Ramornie was good sitting wide without cover not shirking her task down the straight, first try at 1400m however note her 1300m win here last prep was a strong finishing one. The consistent ROMAN AUREUS rarely puts in a bad effort, with a touch of luck from an awkward gate he’s right in it. LASTING KISS should race on speed today, well worth including.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet: BETTER GET SET TO WIN (small bet $3.25 or better)

RACE 9

Not a lot of depth to this final race where the very consistent WEGOBAM gets another chance to break through in town. Beaten less than 2 lengths her past three starts all in Saturday metro company she doesn’t help herself with her backmarking pattern of racing. I’m not expecting to see her up on speed today however somewhere around midfield would be a nice surprise. REJOICED is flying, will likely be the one they all have to catch. REDWOOD SHADOW looks one-paced however likely comes out of better races in Sydney of late & is in a new yard.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 7 – 8

Suggested Bet: WEGOBAM EACH-WAY

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