Eagle Farm Tips & Preview – Friday, January 26

Eagle Farm Tips & Preview – Friday, January 26

Eagle Farm plays host to Queensland’s major metro meeting on Friday with eight races to choose from.  

The rail remains out 12m across the circuit, but we should be racing on something close to a Good 4 with fine weather expected.  

If you’re looking for a few winners on your public holiday, check out our thoughts on every race here! 

Girls Day Out On Sale Now Class 4 Handicap (1600m) - 12:48pm AEDT
No. 2 Vendidit

Vendidit has found it tough to win over the mile during his lengthy career, but he did hand in a pleasing effort over a similar distance at Doomben last week that suggested he might be ready to peak.  

The son of Hinchinbrook got a nice run early in behind the speed, looming up to take the lead at the top of the straight where he was challenged all the way to the line for second.  

It’s been well over a year since he last won a race, but back on top of the ground and more suited here at Eagle Farm, he should be right in this.

Stradbroke Season On Sale Now QTIS 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1200m) - 1:23pm AEDT
No. 3 Daisy’s Pride

Daisy’s Pride was entitled to finish toward the tail on debut when faced with a bottomless heavy track on the Sunshine Coast a few weeks ago.  

The Pride Of Dubai filly was prominent early out of the gates, pushing forward to find the box-seat before fading out of the home turn.  

She gets the blinkers and the tongue tie on now and looks a nice bet to make amends back on top of the ground.  

Mount Franklin QTIS 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1200m) - 1:58pm
No. 3 Dashing Hope

Dashing Hope has been super honest all prep, finding the money in all three starts across Doomben and the Sunny Coast.  

She looked home and hosed two weeks ago on a Heavy 8, hitting the front over the final furlong before finding one better down the outside in her final few strides.  

The grey continues to improve with racing and she does look to have a fitness edge over a few of her rivals here. Drawn a low gate and back on top of the gorund, she shouldn’t be a maiden for much longer.  

Sky Racing QTIS 3YO Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200m) - 2:33pm AEDT
No. 2 Bute Moves

Bute Moves is another one that should find the dry conditions more to his liking.  

The three-year-old by Rothesay was faced with a Heavy 10 on debut on the Sunshine Coast earlier in the month, finding cover along the rail with some decent late splits to follow.  

Mark Du Plessis should adopt similar tactics from the soft draw, and providing he sees out 1200m, the pair should give this a real shake.  

Souths Sports Club Class 1 Handicap (1200m) - 3:12pm AEDT
No. 3 Damo Dayz

Tough race to get a feel for, but currently leaning the way of Damo Dayz in his first run back from a lengthy spell. 

Tony Gollan’s lightly-raced four-year-old has been off the scene for almost a year, winning well on debut over the same distance at Eagle Farm last March.  

As was the case last year, he hasn’t shown a great deal in two recent trials, but in well at the eights with Ryan Maloney operating from a decent gate, there’s a good chance we see a repeat effort.  

XXXX Class 2 Handicap (1400m) - 3:52pm AEDT
No. 1 Boom Shot

Willing to give Boom Shot the benefit of the doubt here in his third run back. 

The ride was against Tony Gollan’s four-year-old on the Gold Coast on Magic Millions Day, taken right back from the wdie gate where he was never given a chance in the run home.  

His previous effort for third on return was solid and more of an indicator of what he’s capable of. 

Out to his preferred trip, blinkers on, James Orman back on board, expect an improved effort.  

Ladbroke It! Benchmark 68 (4YO Only QTIS Bonuses Avaialble) (1200m) - 4:32pm AEDT
No. 10 Strapparsi

Strapparsi has been up for a while, holding her form nicely to return a win and a couple of placings over her last three starts.  

By Deep Field, Kris Lees’ mare was turned in an eye-catching effort on a wet track at Doomben a couple of weeks ago, storming clear down the outside to finish half a length second behind a smart gelding.  

He’s got the wide gate to contend with this time, but that might aid to him get back and run on again.  

Out to 1200m for the first time and open to natural improvement with less of a gap between starts, this looks a perfect set up.  

Drinkwise Class 1 Handicap (1800m) - 5:10pm AEDT
No. 1 Royal Rift

He’ll carry top weight again, but Royal Rift looks well-placed with a four-week gap between runs.  

Tony Gollan’s stayer was third two runs back on the Lakeside track at Sandown, form that has stacked up well with the runner-up going on to win his next start by a whopping eight-length margin at Cranbourne not long after.  

He was four weeks between runs over a similar journey last time here at Eagle Farm, instead faced with soft conditions under foot where he was also held up at a key stage.  

Ben Thompson sticks, and with a dry track expected, this looks a much more winnable assignment.