Eagle Farm races on Saturday with the rail in the true position and the track rated Soft 5. Runners should spread across the track in the straight, so horses that finish off their races should not be at a disadvantage. The Munce stable is back in form.
Fukubana in the Tattersall’s Members Cup (Race 10) is our strongest bet of the day. Kickup Rocky in Race 4 is the value play. Cavalry Man has been scratched from the Queensland Cup.
Race 1 - Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m)
Selection: Venus Invicta Current odds: $1.90
All the runners are making their debut, so trial form is the best guide. Venus Invicta showed speed and a good turn of foot in her trial. She draws well, and her trainer, Kelly Schweida, does well with two-year-olds. Highwire Queen won her trial on a heavy track without being pushed and is the clear danger. These two look a long way ahead of the rest.
Selections:
- Venus Invicta - $1.90
- Highwire Queen - $2.80
- Mishani Kimitsu - $14.00
- Ruthven Street - $23.00
Race 2 - The Gibson Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Bat Out Of Hell Current odds: $2.80
Bat Out Of Hell won first-up at Eagle Farm for his new stable and drops in class. He also gets a weight reduction. Metaphorically has won both starts since changing stables, but he carries 3.5kg more. Kingdom Undersiege was only just beaten at Lismore and is a good each-way price.
Selections:
- Bat Out Of Hell - $2.80
- Metaphorically - $4.20
- Kingdom Undersiege - $6.50
- Superalloy - $7.00
Race 3 - Sky Racing Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Dark Arts Current odds: $4.40
Dark Arts backs up seven days after a fifth here and has been racing better since being ridden quietly. He finished well enough to suggest a win is close. Champagne Lane won first-up at the Gold Coast and looks capable of beating this class, so she is worth an each-way bet at $5. Dr Farthing has won on rain-affected ground, which helps on a Soft 5.
Selections:
- Dark Arts - $4.40
- Champagne Lane - $5.00
- Dr Farthing - $3.80
- Puff ‘N’ Harry - $8.00
Race 4 - Three-Year-Old Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Kickup Rocky Current odds: $6.00
Kickup Rocky ran well in strong three-year-old races during the autumn and won both of his recent trials. He carries 60kg, but he looks the best horse in the race, so this is our value play. Ashkirk has won all three starts this preparation and finishes his races well, so he is the main danger. Graffitude won here last start.
Selections:
- Kickup Rocky - $6.00
- Ashkirk - $4.00
- Graffitude - $4.00
- I’m Not Here - $5.00
Race 5 - XXXX Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Samarelle Current odds: $2.50
Samarelle won easily at Warwick Farm last start and handles soft ground. She looks to have come back better this preparation. Barbray was only just beaten at Toowoomba and has won his only start over 1800m at Eagle Farm. Prochester is also entered at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, so check whether he starts here.
Selections:
- Samarelle - $2.50
- Barbray - $5.00
- Prochester - $9.00
- Galway Flyer - $7.00
Race 6 - Tradies On The Turf Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Get Ready Lass Current odds: $3.30
Get Ready Lass has the bad luck of a wide draw again, but she has the speed to go forward and find cover. She raced well over this track and distance last start. Shows A Sign has won twice and placed in her other runs this campaign. Bring Me Kash has won both runs back and is suited by the 1000m.
Selections:
- Get Ready Lass - $3.30
- Shows A Sign - $9.00
- King Of Pop - $8.00
- Bring Me Kash - $7.00
Race 7 - Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Lucky Pat Current odds: $4.80
Lucky Pat has won or placed at every start. His third at the Gold Coast last preparation was good form, and he won a trial leading into this. He draws well and his apprentice’s claim is a help. Boomelli resumes after placing in a trial and is a good price. Pierantes was impressive on debut and only has 52kg.
Selections:
- Lucky Pat - $4.80
- Boomelli - $10.00
- Pierantes - $9.50
- Olivoni - $6.00
Race 8 - Class 6 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Bluepinot Current odds: $4.20
Bluepinot has improved a lot in recent runs. He was narrowly beaten twice at Doomben, then won by more than three lengths at Toowoomba, and he drops 5.5kg here. Sir Winnie is the favourite second-up after finishing close behind the winner at Toowoomba. He has won at this track and second-up before.
Selections:
- Bluepinot - $4.20
- Sir Winnie - $3.30
- Golden Cross - $7.50
- Rock Hard Love - $15.00
Race 9 - Queensland Cup (2400m)
Selection: Amplify Current odds: $2.90
With Cavalry Man scratched, Amplify looks the one to beat. She has been placing in Listed and Group 3 races and drops a long way in class here. The step up to 58.5kg is the only question. Diamond Show is the main danger. She has won twice at Doomben this preparation, has a good record at Eagle Farm and has only 53kg.
Selections:
- Amplify - $2.90
- Diamond Show - $5.50
- Chillaxing - $5.00
- Felix The Scat - $5.50
Race 10 - Tattersall’s Members Cup (1400m)
Selection: Fukubana Current odds: $3.60
Fukubana is our best bet of the day. All three of his runs this preparation have been strong, including a good effort under 62kg last start, and he has won more than once at Eagle Farm. He drops in weight and draws well. Esjay has an excellent record over this track and distance and is the main danger. Hell will lead and keeps trying.
Selections:
- Fukubana - $3.60
- Esjay - $5.50
- Hell - $6.50
- Kintyre - $8.50
