Eagle Farm Tips & Preview – Saturday, November 2

Cuddles For Kimmy is a filly worth keeping tabs on after exploding to win on debut at Doomben a fortnight ago.  

The Spirit Of Boom two-year-old bolted in by close to three-quarters of a length, largely thanks to a solid ride from apprentice Cody Collins, who adopted a perfect position in behind the speed.  

In a fairly thin race that lacks depth, this girl appears well-placed to go on with the job.  

If Kirkeby jumps on time he should be going close.  

The son of Kermadec hasn’t won in well over a year, but he did go close last start in the Queensland Cup where he spotted the rest of the field a start, before working home nicely down the outside to run third behind Nikau Spur. 

Keep in mind he was held up briefly at the 300m mark and forced to shift out, so with a kinder run in transit this time and less ground to cover, he’ll be right in the mix with three runs under his belt.  

Willing to give Aerial Dancer another shot following that disappointing performance over the mile at Doomben a couple of weeks ago.  

A daughter to Trapeze Artist, Matthew Hoysted’s mare failed to respond when a few runners challenged down the straight, squeezed between a pair and never threatening. 

In the end, she was beaten three lengths and second last to greet the judge, a far cry from the form we saw earlier in her prep when she won and placed over shorter.  

From a soft gate, if everything falls her way this time and she gets clear air in running, she should be making amends. 

The claim could prove pivotal to Apuntar’s chances.  

Kevin Kemp’s gelding won over the track and distance two weeks ago, a brave effort after overracing at a key stage in what was also his first look at Eagle Farm. 

He still hit the line hard and clearly appreciated the longer trip, so if he handles the extra 2kg he could easily go on with the job in a similar contest. 

Appin Girl is the class runner here in this small field of eight.  

Matthew Hoysted’s mare was first-up last start when she went on to win by over half a length ahead of Acres Away, form that has held up with that same horse finishing off strongly last Saturday.  

With two of her three career wins coming here at Eagle Farm, she’ll be one of the hardest to hold out if she can settle midfield and save her best for late.  

Payline looks ready for 1200m now second-up for Chris Munce.  

Still lightly-raced for a four-year-old, the son of Shooting To Win gave a nice sight on return over 1000m a fortnight earlier, only hitting top stride over the final 400m or so.  

He’ll take plenty of improvement into this next assignment and has a likable second-up record to his name.  

Chris Waller has accepted with Naval Seal second-up.  

I was with this son of Snitzel a couple of weeks ago when he blazed the line late for third, doing his best work over the final furlong in what was an enormous effort first-up over 1800m. 

He stays all day and has featured in the money on more often than not, while he’s got a strong second-up record to his name with only 54.5kg on his back.  

Naval Trader has seen a late change in rider, but I don’t think that hurts his chances with apprentice Jasper Franklin sporting a 1.5kg claim.  

The wide gate does complicate things a little, but this son of Merchant Navy does like to get back and run on, so it might just suit him. 

His most recent form around Yellow Brick is also questionable, but in an easier race that lacks depth, it could stand up nicely here with fitness on his side.  

Substantial should look to follow a similar pattern to the one that saw him win by nearly three quarters of a length last start over the track and distance. 

Tony Gollan’s seven-year-old sat on the speed and gave a nice kick to race clear, a huge effort in what was just his second start for the stable after placing on resumption at Doomben over a similar trip. 

His third-up form reads nicely for this and he should be afforded a nice cart into the race under apprentice Emily Lang, who gets in with a 2kg claim.