Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

No reason we shouldn’t be going around on a Good rated surface at Eagle Farm where the Group 1 Oaks is the feature later in the day. AGE OF SAIL & PRINCESS RHAENYS the two for me in this opening race however an upset result certainly wouldn’t surprise. The former is an ex-import who has raced well at only two appearances both being in Sydney, one was fresh which he won, he’s fresh again today. PRINCESS RHAENYS is very consistent however she doesn’t win out of turn, should be peaking third-up though. SUNSET SOIREE just got in last week, she was out of gas on the line. Needs things to pan out however cannot be overlooked.

Numbers: 10 – 7 – 14 – 5

Suggested Bet: BACKING TOP TWO SELECTIONS TO WIN.

RACE 2

Possibly last chance (this prep) for MILLANE with me today. He had excuses at the Sunshine Coast on the worst part of the track & all fairness he wasn’t far away on the line. J. Mac jumping on board in this easier race is a real positive. How’s HATCHET’s record at this distance, placed all 12 which includes 5 wins & he flies fresh. PIZARRO has been on fire this prep; VODKA MARTINI needs to improve & can do.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 3

Thought AMELIUS was well under the odds here in the early markets, yes she was a winner second up however it was a grinding effort & keep in mind she missed a placing on debut at Newcastle when a $31 pop. At the far better value I’m with CANARA who chased home a couple of very smart types last run in what should be a much stronger form race, wide gate yes however I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tommy Berry push on & find a prominent spot in a race with little tempo on the map. Watch on IMPERIALIST who has given away big starts both runs; wide gate today suggests that could be the case once again?

Numbers: 9 – 8 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet: CANARA EACH-WAY.

RACE 4

No surprise to see plenty of speed likely in the 1000m Lightning. Thought the in-form SHALAA’S MOMENT represented good value on an each-way basis. Unbeaten this prep producing strong finishing bursts she has to raise the bar however she’ll get tempo to suit up front & her record here is a good one. GOLDEN BOOM was excellent at Doomben on speed, that was more like him. KING KAPA an improver onto drier ground.

Numbers: 12 – 7 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: SHALAA’S MOMENT EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

Well, it’s D-Day for YELLOW BRICK. He’s a very consistent customer however in recent times he just hasn’t been able to get the job done through bad luck or other issues. Both runs this time in have been encouraging & he meets inferior opposition on a drier surface, the race is his to win & he should. WATEGOS the obvious danger, luckless two back he lumped the big weight to victory at Doomben last start & maps well once again. SURF DANCER can improve.

Numbers: 3 – 8 – 1 – 5

Suggested Bet: YELLOW BRICK TO WIN.

RACE 6

Plenty of speed up front here & I’m banking on the well performed HEDGED to lob in behind & have the last crack at them in the straight. He raced on speed last start & just didn’t finish off however at other runs when more quietly ridden he has. His 2nd in the Group 2 Arrowfield two starts back stands out here. MORAVIA struggles to win however is consistent & should be included. FORTUNEER is one of my favourites, fitter, further she could well be up to this.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 14 – 6

Suggested Bet: HEDGED TO WIN/SAVING FORTUNEER.

RACE 7

All interest around the Kiwi mare LA CRIQUE who is a dual Group 1 winner across the ditch & we did see her run a good 4th in the Empire Rose at Flemington in the spring. She’s second up with a good record & gets J. Mac to steer. Love the way FALL FOR CINDY is going at the moment, the 1600m looks ideal for her, will gate one be a help or hindrance? KONASANA in the mix however I’d prefer her on wet ground.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 12 – 2

Suggested Bet: BACKING TOP TWO SELECTIONS TO WIN.

RACE 8

The Group 1 Queensland Oaks should be a terrific race with some very high-class fillies locking horns, I’d be surprised if a few her weren’t major spring players later in the year. I’ve been a SCARLET OAK fan from her first win in New Zealand, I’m aware she’s still in her first prep however Chris Waller wouldn’t be sending her around if he thought she needed the paddock. J. Mac got off her after the Roses win & said she’d be a lot more dynamic on drier ground, well she gets that today. Dangers are the stable mate MARE OF MT BULLER who is going really well, yet to run a bad race & MOLLY BLOOM who has done nothing wrong her two starts here.

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 1 – 14

Suggested Bet: SCARLET OAK/SAVER MARE OF MT BULLER.

RACE 9

Wide open race to wind up the day, could just about make a case for any runner. I’ve settled on one at odds being ZARASTRO from the Tony Gollan stable who will roll forward & likely lead, just get the feeling back in distance they will ride him very positively & adopt ‘catch me if you can’ tactics. He loves this track & is unbeaten here over the 1200m trip. Respect for VILANA however he’s been out of the winner’s circle for a while now. The chances certainly don’t end there though!

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 5 – 15

Suggested Bet: ZARASTRO EACH-WAY.

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