Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

RACE 1

Don’t think any of these will be heading off to the Golden Slipper next week however there’s a winner amongst them. The Ryan/Alexiou stable bring MR CALEB up from Sydney where he’s only had the one start for a Kembla Grange 3rd beaten 7 lengths which doesn’t look all that good on paper however there are definite positives. He settled a long way back and made good ground, his sectionals were strong and the winner did score by a decent margin. ADELAD disappointed last start, expect him closer in the run this time.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: Happy to watch only


RACE 2

Three winning chances this race being in racebook order THE RED KITE, TENZING and LOVELY ESTEEM. Interestingly I have the first two firmly in my blackbook however am going to tip the latter who gets in so well under the set weights conditions of the race down on 55.5kg. Freshened up I’d expect her to roll forward from the wide gate in a race low on speed and park in the first couple. TENZING was good at his Australian debut running on, the mile will suit. THE RED KITE backs up off a terrific win last week when sitting back and wide, ended up winning easily.

Numbers: 9 – 4 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics


RACE 3

SAGACIOUS led and was left alone at Doomben last start when able to comfortably hold off SANTERO down the straight. This time around the latter gets a 2.5kg weight turnaround for the 2.1 length defeat and returns to Eagle Farm where she ran so well first up, suggesting she can turn the tables on that last start run. Very hard to see any other runner upset those two unless we get a stack of rain and even if that was the case SANTERO would still be well placed.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet: SANTERO TO WIN


RACE 4

Plenty tipping MIRACLE SPIN here who could end up starting short. Sure, his pattern of no early speed/run home strongly is going to suit Eagle Farm as will the step up in distance from his last start over 1500m at Rosehill. I don’t see a lot of tempo on the map though which won’t help one bit, not saying he can’t win however I am saying he’s too short. I’ll stick with KOPANGI and WARP SPEED who have run the quinella at their last two starts (both here).

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 11 – 1

Suggested Bet: KOPANGI/WARP SPEED TO WIN


RACE 5

Small field in the sprint with the scratching of Boom Spender taking at least one of the leaders/on pacers out of the race. RUBIQUITOUS has been terrific all prep and at times without luck, his effort two back sitting 4 deep without cover at the Sunshine Coast was terrific and it took the in-form The Bopper to beat him here last start. The wide barrier is not good though, he will need things to go his way early. BOOMNOVA has options from the inside gate, second up record is a good one. The harder they go out front the better the chances of LEGAL ESPRIT and PROPER ROGUE who are the only runners in the race who don’t map to settle on speed.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet: RUBIQUITOUS SMALL WIN BET


RACE 6

Tempo looks solid in this race which is going to play into the hands of FASTCONI who is unbeaten this prep. He settles off speed which has been the case at those wins before Jimmy Orman has put the foot down in the straight and off he’s gone quickly putting his rivals away. Freshened up I can see a similar scenario unfolding here. NED’S GULLY has raced well all prep, the drop back to 1200m definitely suits as he was only run down late last start at 1350m. ENTERPRISE POMME and the impressive first up performer MANHOOD both in the mix, those three all race on speed.

Numbers: 5 – 10 – 11 – 8

Suggested Bet: FASTCONI TO WIN


RACE 7

TAPPY’S LAD beat home TWO SMOKIN BARRELS last start which was at Doomben a fortnight back over 2200m. The latter was the one who was stronger to the line over the concluding stages of the race and for the 0.7 length defeat meets TAPPY’s 2kg better at the weights. TWO SMOKIN BARRELS is a winner here at 2400m bolting in on that occasion and I’m expecting him to come out on top this time. The rest just seem to be going through the motions and have had their chances of late.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: TWO SMOKIN BARRELS TO WIN


RACE 8

Very open race, many winning chances. I’ve landed on BROOKHAVEN who was very good first up at the Sunshine Coast coming from well back in the field to just miss on the line. He draws wide here and I wouldn’t expect him to settle any closer however the long run in here and step up in trip will help. HANG FIVE was ridden positively when leading all the way here last start in midweek class, doubt that’s the case from a wide gate today however he’s still capable to charging over them late. CRANKY HARRY and SUISSE SCANDAL come off impressive maiden wins last start and should measure up.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 8 – 11

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 in exotics


RACE 9

I’m going very wide in this last race putting the mare GEE BEE ESS on top at big odds. Can’t quite work out why she is such a price as her last start 3rd at Doomben although big odds was a cracking run when unable to see daylight until very late, once fully clear she powered through between rivals running into 3rd spot. She tackles 1400m for the first time however based on that run it’s only going to suit. THATFEELSBETTER gets a lot going for him map wise and has been freshened up, does he want a little further though? The Gollan pair DA PARTY GAL and BRIARS KINGDOM both in the mix.

Numbers: 8 – 12 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet: GEE BEE ESS EACH-WAY

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