Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

We race at Eagle Farm once again on Saturday where the track should be near enough to good, just the possibility of a couple of showers however more than likely not. Tough way to kick off the day with many winning chances in the opener where I’ve settled on (1) HOLY RACKET who has hit his straps this prep & did win here at his latest run. He was dominant on that occasion & dropping 2kg with the claim for Rob Thorburn, drawing ideally & staying at his pet trip does look the toughest to beat. (5) BELAGATO did have excuses last Saturday & can bounce back without any surprise whatsoever. (2) JONNY DA WOLF & (7) SYNERGY IN MOTION will race on speed.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

Small numbers in this year’s Eagle Way which should make it an easier race to sort however that’s not the case. Most of the main chances come out of the Grand Prix run here a fortnight back & whilst that race has a big bearing on the result here I’m going down a different path & putting (5) DAD AND DAVE on top. In good hands from the Ciaron Maher yard he’s only very lightly raced & although beating little last start he did look impressive & the step up in distance looks very suitable. (2) AGENT ZERO & (1) TAMBELOA ran the placings in the Grand Prix & can certainly figure in the finish once again.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: DAD AND DAVE EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 3

We’re 2 weeks out from the 2yo Magic Millions & no race will shape the market for the big one any more than this which features (1) WARWOVEN & (2) LUMBINI who sit atop of the betting markets after both impressively won on debut. I’ll lean to (1) WARWOVEN who was very strong late in his trial before gunning down the leader here just prior to Christmas. Figures out of the race were stronger than (2) LUMBINI’s however she was outstanding on debut showing a strong turn of foot once into the clear at the Gold Coast. (5) SAY YOU WILL also impressed in that race overcoming difficulties to beat all bar LUMBINI home & we know how well the stable are going.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics.

RACE 4

The very consistent (13) ESJAY draws the extreme outside gate which isn’t ideal however he’s such a tough customer I’m more than happy to stick & hope things pan out for him early on. His win here two back was outstanding sitting right up on a very hot speed well entitled throw in the towel late, he then backed that up with a narrow defeat after sitting 3 deep here & the pace was strong once again. Nice weight drop & Angela Jones will steer fresh off a very successful hit & run mission to NZ on New Years Day. The very consistent (7) MISTER BIANCO broke through at the Gold Coast second up & can go on with it here stripping fitter whilst (4) BAND OF BROTHERS who almost won The Gateway last start is a model of consistency this prep having joined the Matt Dunn stable.

Numbers: 13 – 7 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: ESJAY EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

I was very keen on (3) WALSH BAY here a fortnight back when shooting for her eighth win in succession. Unfortunately for myself & many others she couldn’t get the job done however parked out 3 deep with no cover the entire 1800m trip her effort to still look a winning chance half-way down the straight winding up beaten less than 2 lengths was a very good one. Stick with her, she can make amends today. Two of (4) RED WAVE’s runs this prep have been sound including the latest, he’s big odds here & could beef up the exotics. Change of tactics aboard (9) SUN WORSHIPPER last start backfired big time, she was the first horse beaten, I’d expect her to be ridden back in the field today reverting back to her normal, successful pattern.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 9 – 6

Suggested Bet: WALSH BAY TO WIN.

RACE 6

I’ll stick with (7) LONHRO’S QUEEN who had absolutely zero luck in the Just Now here 3 weeks ago. Trapped wide throughout she was never a hope of winning however didn’t shirk her task at any stage giving her all right to the line. (2) MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO has really turned the corner this prep winning her past couple, the latest was aided by a tempo to suit & clever ride when taken straight to the front. Her barrier looks awkward here though & she will need things to pan out early to be any chance of bringing up the hat trick. (3) SHALAA’S MOMENT was luckless first up however that’s often the story with her as she is a backmarker, from the good draw today she may find herself closer in the run & with that strong finish of hers looks good value.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet: LONHRO’S QUEEN EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

The visiting southern gallopers look well placed here & I’m siding with the Bjorn Baker trained (4) BIG PAPA who in a perfect world would be going around over 1400m or possibly further however I’d be surprised to see him miss a placing suggesting each-way is the go. Beaten by a smart one at Randwick last start he was held up whilst that winner was in full stride, balanced up & chasing home strongly once clear he clocked a slicker final 200m sectional. (2) NINJA was good at Doomben; he’ll need luck from the wide draw here though. (5) METAL MAN is down to run here & at Ipswich, he’d be a decent bet there however is still a chance should connections favour this race, liked his finishing burst first up.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: BIG PAPA EACH-WAY.

RACE 8

Found this race extremely difficult, there’s worthy cases to be made for pretty much all runners both negative & positive. With the light weight (13) EL MORZILLO may be worth a ‘throw at the stumps’. She really hasn’t had a lot pan out in her favour this prep with soft tempo’s & wide runs working against her. With an in-form Jason Collet to steer I wouldn’t be surprised to see her turn things around sharply. (2) ROTHFIRE was good behind Rockribbed in the Lough Neagh, fitter yes, 1400m a query though. (1) ROBUSTO may well end up blowing the lot of them away, he brings a good form line through the Group 2 Ingham last start.

Numbers: 13 – 2 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: Wide exotics best.

RACE 9

With a ton of scratchings (24) ALTERMATUM now gains a start & goes right to the top of the selections. She’s a Victorian trained mare from the Team McEvoy yard who hit the line hard here last start behind a smart one who dominated from the front, she deserves another crack at 1400m & draws softly. (7) ENTERPRISE ATTACK a real danger, three runs back from his unsuccessful venture to Hong Kong he’s improved with each outing & can do so again today. (4) SILVER WEDDING has hit form, time out the latest win was strong & will be aided barrier wise by the many scratchings.

Numbers: 24 – 7 – 4 – 12

Suggested Bet: ALTERMATUM EACH-WAY.

RACE 10

I’ve tipped (16) ALTERMATUM in the previous race & here she is again in the closer. Not knowing where she’ll head at this stage I’m happy to have her on top in whatever race connections decide to tackle. (6) MINTAKA LAD draws a gate & that’s key with him as he can settle a lot closer, nothing wrong with his past couple however he’s had to go back, his last three draws have been 11, 13 & 11. (1) HELL is very quick, handlebars down here he’ll likely lead & will take some gunning down.

Numbers: 16 – 6 – 1 – 12

Suggested Bet: ALTERMATUM/MINTAKA LAD EACH-WAY.

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