Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Two Group 1’s on a big day of racing at Eagle Farm. Plenty of rain around this week however Friday onwards things look dry, unfortunately the damage has already been done & we’ll be on a soft/heavy track. It’s a day of very open races, should we land a winner of two we’ll end up in front. I’m kicking things off with one at odds being (20) EYE OF THE EAGLE who hit the line strongly two back before being held up at a crucial stage last start at the Gold Coast on Hollindale Day. Love to see the jock make some use of him early & get him into a spot from where he can strike. (17) DAGGERS is racing well & did win the race the top tip comes out of last start, not as easy from the wide draw however in the place mix as are quite a few others, say 3, 5, 9, 10, 16, 19 & 22.

Numbers: 20 – 17 – 5 – 10

Suggested Bet: EYE OF THE EAGLE EACH-WAY (small)/Box up as many as possible in exotics.

RACE 2

There looks to be very good speed on the map here with many capable of going forward & ensuring a solid tempo. I’m going with a couple who settle well off the speed however should things pan out they will be hard to hold out late. (1) BELAGATO resumed last prep with a very good second in a feature sprint race at the Sunshine Coast beating all bar Hidden Wealth. He didn’t fire his only other two starts before being spelled. He likes the wet & will be strong late. (8) SILVER WEDDING also resumes, recent Sydney trial winner who could find this too short, could… market? (4) LYLES was unbeaten last prep, yet another first up.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet:  BELEGATO/SILVER WEDDING each-way (small best).

RACE 3

The Group 3 Premier’s Cup sees (1) MIDDLE EARTH looking to go back-to-back. His Doomben win was fortuitous with Ethan Brown able to come through against the fence taking all the shortcuts to score. I like the way he found the line though & with that being only his third run back I’d be shocked if he didn’t strip fitter today. (2) ROYAL SUPREMACY the main danger, peaking now third run back he meets MIDDLE EARTH 1.5kg better at the weights for the 1.6L defeat & note he covered more ground than the winner. Should (14) THEBUDGIESMUGLA race here & not down south he’s in the mix also, strong at the end of 2400m last week & drops 5.5kg.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 14 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 3 selections in exotics.

RACE 4

The Group 2 Sires is a cracker! Plenty of different form lines facing off on wet ground, who’ll handle it & who won’t. Thought (4) MARTIST was a cracking run in the Spirit Of Boom at Doomben zooming through between rivals late to just miss. The additional 200m looks very suitable & note his two placings have some on soft ground, the latest on a (7). (2) BLIND RAISE is 2 from 2 in Melbourne, he’s been dominant on each occasion, both at this trip, should he handle the ground he’s right in it. Not sure where they go with (15) I AM DIRTY from the wide gate, both wins have been on speed, not so sure that will be the case this time.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 15 – 1

Suggested Bet: MARTIST EACH-WAY.

RACE 5

Should (4) TAVI TIME go around here & not at Rosehill I’m happy to be in his corner. Solid to the line at Hawkesbury two back he then had no luck whatsoever at Scone when held up the entire straight. Amazingly he still managed to clock the third quickest final 200m split which was a decent performance considering. (5) FUTURE HISTORY was in terrific form towards the end of his last prep & his first up fourth was sound after racing wide, good wet tracker who is right in this. (9) MILITARIZE is always a chance however it’s been a long time between drinks.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 7 – 9

Suggested Bet: TAVI TIME EACH-WAY.

RACE 6

What a sensation Group 3 Fred Best which will see the winner land a ‘golden ticket’ into the upcoming Group 1 Stradbroke. Get the feeling (14) SKYGLIDER is ready to strike however he’s going to need things to pan out from the wide draw. Held up for clear running when resuming he then tackled the Gold Coast Guineas when not far from the winner Beadman having raced wide throughout yet still coming on strong late. He’s definitely up to this level should the breaks go his way. No knock on the form of (5) BRAVE MONARCH who has been very impressive of late, just coming back in distance here which I’m a little concerned about. (9) FABULANTES & (18) ARTISTIC VENTURE are big odds, well worth throwing into wide exotics.

Numbers: 14 – 5 – 9 – 18

Suggested Bet: SKYGLIDER EACH-WAY.

RACE 7

The Queensland Derby is the first of our Group 1’s this afternoon. I’m backing two runners being (7) MONOPOLISTIC who was a very good sneaky run two back before taking on the older horses at Gosford absolutely charging home late to score. He’s in the right yard & gives the impression he’ll eat up 2400m. (18) SOLID GOLD is a Kiwi filly who made very good ground in the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben, she’s improving sharply & is also going to be suited stepping up in distance, both will get through the ground. Last start placegetters (4) PROVIDENCE & (6) BEAUTY SWIFT in the mix also.

Numbers: 18 – 7 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: MONOPOLISTIC & SOLID GOLD TO WIN.

RACE 8

The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup is up next & we’ve got another super competitive race. I’m going wider than most putting the mare (13) SKYBIRD on top just as I did in the Doomben 10,000. She had nothing go her way there settling well back & then running into trouble down the straight before closing off well, she’s very, very good on wet ground. (2) ROTHFIRE won the 10,000 sitting wide throughout, once again he’s been overlooked by most however that run was clearly the best in the race. (3) PRIVATE EYE will park on speed, may even lead as the tempo looks a little soft on paper, should that be the case he’ll give a big sight.

Numbers: 13 – 2 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet: SKYBIRD EACH-WAY.

RACE 9

The fillies & mares wind up the day at Listed level. I’m with the locally trained (10) POSTER GIRL who loomed to win first up however just peaked late yet still holding down third spot. She raced very well last prep & with that run under her belt she rates a solid each-way chance here. (18) AKAYSHA ticks plenty of boxes bar the wide draw whilst (1) SUPER SMINK brings solid form lines from Adelaide having tackled Group 1 level her past couple, she wasn’t far away on each occasion.

Numbers: 10 – 18 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: POSTER GIRL EACH-WAY.

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