Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

RACE 1

Racing in Brisbane on Saturday comes from Eagle Farm where I’m pleased to report there is no rain or lightning in the forecast! 10 races & we’ll get through all of them. Confident about the chances of (5) POCKETMONEY in this opening race, 4 weeks between starts when rising 150m last time out beating all bar the winner who came with a strong finishing burst. Fitter this time around will race up on speed & holds a good record on her home circuit. (4) KINROSS LANE comes through a fast race last start, another who strips fitter. Throw (8) KEIKO SAY in the mix, rises in grade however racing well at the Gold Coast, just may prefer a little further.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet: POCKETMONEY TO WIN.


RACE 2

Awkward draw for the Gollan stable runner (6) NOW IS THE HOUR however I’m going to lean his way. He did punters no favours here last start when rolled as a very short-priced favourite however his win prior suggests he’s better than that. (11) AUTUMNGIRL was scratched from Ipswich on Thursday to run here, second behind the promising Balance The Books in a recent trial reads well for this first up. (1) ADRANOS led & had every possible last start, place chance.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 3

Recent addition to the Kelly Schweida yard (1) FIRST MISSION made an immediate impact winning at Doomben 2 weeks back. He did have a good trip outside the leader in a leisurely run race however this sets up similarly & with a little less weight after the apprentice’s claim looms as the runner to beat once again. (13) SHE OURS has had plenty of excuses in recent times, not the case last start when every possible, fitter though & can figure in the finish. (8) DREAM SMART is poorly drawn however not without at least a place hope.

Numbers: 1 – 13 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet: FIRST MISSION TO WIN.


RACE 4

I’m with (9) CHIEF WITNESS to knock over (5) VORACIOUS here & turn the tables on their last start meeting where the latter was victorious by less than a length. The CHIEF gets a 2kg weight turnaround dropping some 5.5kg on his latest run & I like him from the good draw, Martin Harley can plonk him into a striking position early. (5) VORACIOUS certainly turned his poor form around to win that race, can only suggest it was the blinkers going on? Keeping (13) DOWNEY on the safe side, scratched a number of times recently.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 13 – 7

Suggested Bet: CHIEF WITNESS EACH-WAY.


RACE 5

Interesting to see how quickly (2) FIND YOUR OWN goes here, he just about broke the land speed record first up before capitulating early in the straight. (1) BELEGATO & (6) COSMO CENTAURUS shape as the runners to beat. (1) BELGATO has the big weight however is fresh (trial winner) & likely better placed at the 1000m trip than (6) COSMO CENTAURUS who is coming back from an 1100m win first up, I’ll lean his way. (11) LYLES an interstate raider with a good strike rate off only a limited 6 start career. (10) BLUE SPINEL a chance on her best form, she was a little better last start.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 11 – 10

Suggested Bet: BELEGATO EACH-WAY.


RACE 6

Have to be with the last start second placed (8) CAVALRY MAN who was as tough as nails in defeat after sitting 3 deep the entire 2000m trip at Doomben. Run over by the in-form Mr Buster late had the runs been reversed so would the result. He gets in 5kg lighter & won’t be wide this time jumping from an inside gate. (3) NAVAL SEAL gets back, the lack of tempo here makes his task a tough one however he’s racing well. (5) CANBERRA LEGEND always in the mix.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: CAVALRY MAN TO WIN.


RACE 7

The 3yo’s do battle here & there’s a few smart ones amongst them. (1) GRAFTERBURNERS is the class runner having won the QTIS Jewel on the Gold Coast earlier in the year before placing behind Cool Archie at Group 2 level his next start. Trialled well, how forward will he be this early in the prep? Market? (3) ROYAL MOVER & (8) LITTLE FELLA ran the quinella at Doomben two back with the latter finishing the stronger whereas (3) ROYAL MOVER led, suggest (8) LITTLE FELLA may now be chasing further? Could back any of the trio, market moves a great guide.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics.


RACE 8

(15) THINKHARDANDFAST looks primed to break through here off a couple of solid efforts this prep. He closed off well at Toowoomba first up before forced to go forward or risk being caught wide last start which isn’t his usual racing pattern. He stuck on well suggesting he’s now looking for further & he gets it here. Danger is (16) MARGO’S DEEL who charged home to win at Doomben two back, good last start also running on she’s been accepted for & scratched a number of times since, betting? (2) NOBLE CONQUEROR looks close, must deal with a car park draw here though.

Numbers: 15 – 16 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: THINKHARDANDFAST TO WIN/Saver MARGO’S DEEL.


RACE 9

Looks a very suitable race for the Tony Gollan trained (8) WARBY who is right at his peak now having had 4 starts this prep. He’s a horse who gets back & runs on in his races which was the case last start & if not for being held up in the straight arguably could have won. I like him drawn in today, Angela Jones will be looking to park him in a far more prominent position early. (1) MISS JOELENE is the class runner resuming, outstanding fresh record she’s a danger. Noticed (10) THE DROVER running on last start, sectionals home were encouraging, worth including in exotics at good odds.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 10 – 3

Suggested Bet: WARBY EACH-WAY.


RACE 10

(2) BOOMTOWN BOSS resumes from a break with a good fresh record & he races well here on his home track. Tried in stronger races last prep he was far from disgraced & his trials suggest he’ll be ready to go here. (1) EPIC PROPORTIONS was outstanding last start ridden for speed with the light weight, he ran his rivals off their legs, rises 9.5kg, makes a repeat effort a tough ask but he can’t be ruled out. (12) BEWS motored home fresh, he’s not out of this particularly should they run it hard.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 12 – 14

Suggested Bet: BOOMTOWN BOSS EACH-WAY.

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