Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

RACE 1

Opening race at Eagle Farm looks to be between ENTERPRISE DEFENCE & APPELLANT who both have race experience. I’ll lean to ENTERPRISE DEFENCE who has only had the two starts which importantly have both been here on this track, he’s found the line well on each occasion suggesting the freshen up & rise in distance will suit nicely. APPELLANT is one from one, kicked strongly to score at Doomben & will no doubt give a good sight out front.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: ENTERPRISE DEFENCE TO WIN


RACE 2

With SHARP DAZZLER (looked a moral) going around later in the day his stablemate JUNGLE PRINCE appears the one to beat however I wouldn’t be diving into red figures as he was beaten at the mile last start & here he is now at 1835m. He did race keenly on that occasion & the blinkers have been removed for today’s assignment. TEXAS FIREBALL chased home Sharp Dazzler last start & must be included.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

Small field however an interesting race. Team O’Dea/Hoysted have 3 of the 7 acceptors & all are in with a winning chance. I’ll lean to the first up HOLD ON HONEY who races well here on the track & may end up scoring a soft lead. With the claim for Cejay Graham he should take some running down. FETCH will likely land third fence with the box seat run, she’ll likely be the one closing in on HOLD ON HONEY late, early tempo/pressure likely the deciding factor at the end. RED RUBI gets back, she’ll be finding the line late.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

Going to stick with FLYING JOY who won here last start poking through along the inside section after enjoying a good run in the race. She put the writing on the wall two back however rising 400m fitness was always going to be a slight concern last time, turns out it wasn’t. I’ll take the punt she can win again even allowing for the weight rise. AIN’T HE GRAND is ready to win, steps up in distance which is a definite tick, the maps suggests there’s no speed likely, interesting to see if the plan is to go back as usual or perhaps push on?

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 5

With Rejoiced running last Wednesday at Ipswich I doubt we see him going around again here, that leaves Winston Smurfhill as the only leader on the map & he can do a bit wrong early (buck jumper). Can’t tip AFRICAN DAISY as she just finds ways to get beaten, I’ll lean to the consistent CENTRESTONE who has only had the one failure this prep & I’d say he was ridden to close that day so I’m forgiving. The big track will allow him to wind up & finish strongly here for Orman who looks an ideal partner. HELLAVADANCER is racing consistently, no reason as to why she can’t fill a placing.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 9 – 11

Suggested Bet: CENTRESTONE EACH-WAY.


RACE 6

Tony Gollan has only had PETERSHAM in his stable for the 3 outings to date & all have been close up efforts, two without much luck. In a race such as this (few question marks) I’d be keen to play her on an each-way basis. QUOTHQUAN has come back in terrific order this prep, just worried about how much start he’ll give away from the car park draw. Another to have drawn out is TRANSATLANTIC who has plenty of upside & has trialled well.

Numbers: 10 – 3 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: PETERSHAM EACH-WAY


RACE 7

EVOCATOR can be hard to catch on his day, he does look nicely placed here though first up in a field which is falling away with scratchings. Twice a winner fresh in the past he scores a gate where a smother is possible which will enable Tahlia Fenlon to save him up for one crack at the leaders late, that’s a good pattern for him. ORLABENT is racing well & will park up on speed, the last 100m or so will be his test. Chances don’t end there!

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 3 – 20

Suggested Bet: EVOCATOR EACH-WAY.


RACE 8

MILLANE & OUTLAWED the two for me here. With the race fitness on his side & the likelihood of improvement I’ll side with the former who looked like & by all reports from the stable is a different animal in more ways than one since being gelded. It seems to have certainly put his mind on racing again. OUTLAWED is a very nice mare who is never out of the money, suggest she goes forward from the wide gate as there’s no speed on the map, yet to win fresh placed 2 of 3 tries. PRIME ASSET blew the start last time out, can improve sharply with a better getaway.

Numbers: 5 – 12 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet: MILLANE TO WIN/Saver OUTLAWED.


RACE 9

As documented in Race 2 I was super keen on SHARP DAZZLER rising in distance off his strong finishing 1600m win here a fortnight ago. Now here he is dropping back to 1400m? Should he remain around $3.40 or better I’ll stick as I feel he is quite promising & importantly likes this track where he can be ridden cold with plenty of room & time to run on. MEAT PIE ARTIE ran 3rd behind him last start & he will be better suited dropping back 200m. GRAND METEOR comes off a maiden win last start however is in the right hands & has plenty of upside.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 11 – 3

Suggested Bet: SHARP DAZZLER TO WIN ($3.40 or better).


RACE 10

LADY LE DA has put in two really good efforts in as many runs this prep & has her hoof right on the till. She couldn’t gain clear running until all too late first up & last time out here over 1400m she ran on from the back in a race not run to suit at all. She’s going really well & stretches out to the mile this afternoon which will suit her nicely. OCEAN ZAR won easily here second up in midweek grade, plenty of improvement to come & can repeat that. KINETIC was luckless last start, looks over the odds & should be included.

Numbers: 14 – 9 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet: LADY LE DA EACH-WAY.

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