Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Racing once again at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Summer Carnival Day 5 to be run on good ground. Tricky looking race to get the day underway even accounting for the small field, my first three are all resuming suggesting market moves must be monitored closely. (5) PORT ERIN will likely appreciate the solid pace we should get in the race; nice & fresh he has a tidy ‘turn of foot’ when fit & firing. (8) MANPOWER is only lightly raced with a good record; excuses last run just over 2 months back gets in nice & light. (3) OVERFULL resumed last campaign with a Listed grade 4th, second up record is better though, may take the run?

Numbers: 5 – 8 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: Looking for market support PORT ERIN.

RACE 2

(2) ÉCLAIR ENCORE looks well placed to get away with this race. A model of consistency this time in work she switches states this afternoon with a handy claim & a good record over this trip which she did place at last start. (10) SANCTUARY STORM the main danger, another who is racing very consistently & although beaten as a short priced favourite last time out at Ipswich does drop nicely in the weights & is drawn to gain a very economical run. (9) TORO STRIKE in the mix also.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 9 – 11

Suggested Bet: ÉCLAIR ENCORE TO WIN.

RACE 3

Although the tempo is likely to be strong here (6) NOW IS THE HOUR who will be right up amongst it from the get-go gets the nod. He’s been super consistent since joining the Tony Gollan yard with a win here two back charging along in front to lead throughout under 60kg. Narrowly beaten last start on soft ground he’ll appreciate the firmer footing this afternoon. (10) ALTERMATUM is an interesting runner coming north from the Cups winning McEvoy yard, awkward gate however is in winning form. (11) VOODOO LASS left us last prep in peak form; she’s in the hunt also.

Numbers: 6 – 10 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: Market the best guide.

RACE 4

(7) NAILS MURPHY certainly doesn’t win out of turn however he won’t find a more suitable race than this one to break through. He rises nothing in class having placed at this BM85 level last start & with the claim for Braith Nock drops a kilo. (1) ZOOLOGY resumes, 2 of his 4 wins have been when resuming & from gate one with a claim should run well. (5) PASIMA has to step it up in grade however has been flying at the Gold Coast winning all 3 runs this time in, likely rolls forward with ZOOLOGY & they could well control the race.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: NAILS MURPHY TO WIN.

RACE 5

Very tricky looking race. (2) MINTAKA LAD may be worth a small ‘throw at the stumps’ even though he is almost certain to get back from the wide draw. Just liked what I saw of him last start when similarly drawing wide & similarly going back before closing the race off well. An additional 50m on the bigger track is a positive. (9) GREY ICE has always shown ability, big win first up at Caulfield last prep could be the knockout. (6) SENESCHAL likely lobs into a good spot here from the decent draw.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet: MINTAKA LAD EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 6

The Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes is the first of our features this afternoon & it’s a very tough race to sort with form lines locally & from NSW to line up. Nothing jumps off the page & I don’t really see any strong emerging staying types at this stage. I’ve gone with the Ciaron Maher trained (6) AGENT ZERO who won his maiden at Hawkesbury last start over 1600m. Racing on speed he zoomed away from his rivals in the straight to score by over 3 lengths, based on that he should run out the trip & is certainly in the right hands. (1) TAMBELOA’s 4th in the Group 1 Spring Champion stands out & he’s had that recent Midway run to help his fitness levels when warming up late in the race. (11) BIRD WHISTLE & (2) JOHN DORY can win however I have concerns over both on recent runs.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: AGENT ZERO EACH-WAY

RACE 7

The Listed Gold Edition is always a crucial Magic Millions 3yo Guineas lead-up. (1) GRAFTERBURNERS is in ripping form & deserves to start favourite however he will go up a short quote. My gut says he might want further now & at the cramped odds I’d prefer everything in my favour. (4) TORQUE TO BE SURE comes out of the same last start race & he looked like running into the finish until striking plenty of trouble late, beaten just over 3 lengths the margin should have been a lot less, at the price I’ll have something each-way. (14) SHADWELL LANE is a $51 chance well worth including in exotics.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 14 – 2

Suggested Bet: TORQUE TO BE SURE EACH-WAY.

RACE 8

The Listed Lough Neagh for the sprinters rounds out or features for the day. I doubt there’s a better placed horse going around all day than the local champ (1) ROTHFIRE who gets in so well under the conditions of the race weight wise. He should be giving away plenty of kilo’s however that’s not the case & class wise he has lengths on these, on my map he lands one x one & from there should be winning. (6) ACCREDITED & (2) ROCKRIBBED will set the speed, both are more than capable of making ROTHFIRE earn it.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet: ROTHFIRE TO WIN.

RACE 9

(2) WALSH BAY lines up for her eighth straight win this afternoon & I cannot see any reason to suggest she won’t keep the run going. Terrific winning the Mooloolaba Cup first up off a break she just keeps on going from strength to strength & up to 1800m here is ideal plus a lack of tempo on paper will see her roll forward early, good luck to her rivals trying to get past. (4) YET HE MOVES is racing in good form, has won up to 1800m whilst (5) GALIFIANAKIS was ridden forward last start, prefer to see a colder ride this time around.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet: WALSH BAY TO WIN.

RACE 10

Right down the bottom of the page I’ll have something each-way on the Liam Birchley trained (10) DREAM SMART who ran into the above average Balance The Books at Doomben last start. Whilst she was no match for that mare her effort was good enough to run a race here & the 5.5kg weight drop is a big positive. (1) HATCHET drops in grade & should be able to make use of the rails gate which will enable him a soft run, he’ll need that with 61.5kg. (3) SAILOR’S SECRET can run a race fresh & is worth keeping safe.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: DREAM SMART EACH-WAY.

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