Group 1 racing continues at Eagle Farm on Saturday, and a strong edition of the Queensland Oaks headlines the program.
I’ve run the rule over all ten races, and you can find my complete 2022 Queensland Oaks Day Tips below.
He didn’t show a lot first-up, but Bartholomeu Dias is a capable galloper, and I am going to give him another chance at a price this week.
The European import has picked off some nice races during his time in Australia, but finished down the order in a tougher race at Rosehill when resuming.
His second-up record is strong, and we can have an each way play his current price ($16 at publish).
I’m going to stick with Palladas in Race 2 on Queensland Oaks Day.
Palladas ended his last prep with a lovely win on the Sunshine Coast, and he has stripped fitter four two starts back this time; performances that heralded fourth placings here at Eagle Farm.
Fitter third-up and under ideal conditions, this looks his opportunity to strike.
It has been claimed by some talented horses since its inception and I think that Political Debate will join the list of The Phoenix winners on Saturday.
Political Debate returned a nice performance to finish second, beaten by Resonator on debut at Canterbury, and he ran home well to fill the minors in the Group 2 Champagne Classic here last time out.
Fitter third-up, I think that the $2.25 about him at publish looks a touch of overs.
Zougotcha clearly has plenty of ability, and the Bill Carter Stakes looks a nice bit of black type for her.
The Zoustar filly stamped herself as one to watch with a dominant win on debut at Canterbury, and she was last seen finishing second in a better race at Randwick.
She’s six weeks between runs, but has been kept up to the mark with a trial, and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hurt her chances.
There is a case to be made for a few of them in this year’s Lightning Handicap field, and a horse like Esta La Roca looks a winning chance at a price ($12 at publish).
Esta La Roca has been a great horse for the Kennewell stable throughout her career, and she’s returned several typically pleasing performances this time in.
A repeat of her last-start effort, a win in the Bat Out Of Hell on the Gold Coast, would see her competitive again in something like this.
It doesn’t boast black type status, but it does boast a cool $500K purse, and I’m happy to stick with Nudge in the Magic Millions National Classic.
She hasn’t won for some time, but Nudge has continued to race competitively in some of the country’s best mares races, and she’ll enjoy plenty of improvement for a decent resuming run in the Hawkesbury Crown.
She is a winner at this point of her prep previously and I am confident that Nash Rawiller will get the best from her.
He hasn’t shown his best ability at his last couple of starts, but I thought that the Spear Chief Quality looked an ideal race for Profit.
Profit has returned the Chris Anderson yard plenty to cheers throughout his career, and races like this one have typically been his bread and butter.
He is sure to have stripped fitter for his last couple of runs, and the 1500m suits right down to the ground.
Special K heads Moreton Cup betting (at publish) and while I have typically always been a sucker for him, I am going to take him on with Shooting For Gold.
Shooting For Gold has hardly returned a poor effort since making his debut, and he returned to the races this time for a credible second at Listed level, before finishing fourth behind Soxagon last time out.
Third-up, I actually think that this is the perfect race for him.
The Queensland Oaks will feature some of the country’s best three-year-old staying fillies, including Gypsy Goddess.
I’ve put her on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Queensland Oaks Tips RIGHT HERE.
Athelric has opened our favourite in Queensland Day Stakes betting, but I am actually keen on his stablemate, Ingratiating.
Ingratiating was nothing short of outstanding during his two-year-old season, and he was unlucky not to strike at the highest level.
He is yet to win in three starts this year, but he’ll enjoy plenty of improvement for his first run back in April, and he’s certainly up to the class.