Saturday racing returns to Eagle Farm for the first time since Tattersall’s Tiara Day.
A nine-race card awaits, with conditions looking set to improve as the week progresses.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, but with fine weather forecast for the rest of the week, there’s every chance it firms slightly by race day.
The rail is out 1m, which should provide a fair set-up and give every runner their chance.
With a strong Saturday program to work through, we’ll take a race-by-race look at where the best chances lie.
This is a typical off-season two-year-old race where any number of horses could claim victory.
HIGH AUTHORITY (1) returned a gelding two starts ago at the Gold Coast and showed an impressive turn of foot to run down his rivals and win by a head.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Lucky Vega raced a touch flat second-up over 1350m at Doomben, where he couldn’t go with them when the sprint went on, but picked up in the closing stages to finish 1.86 lengths sixth.
He’s drawn to get a nice run for Cejay Graham.
| 1. High Authority (2) J: Cejay Graham 59kg 27×16T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Third-up today. First-up came from midfield and won by a head at Gold Coast 2yo Mdn-Sw June 27 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Vital Impact with 58kg at $2.50. Last start 6th of 8 at Doomben 2yo Hcp on July 11 over 1350m, 2 len behind Apex Predator carrying 59kg at $7. Profiles nicely. Perfectly drawn to play a significant role. | |||
HOVLAND (2) didn’t handle the wet track at Rosehill last start, so he comes north looking for a drier surface, which he gets.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding had been racing in great form prior to last start’s failure, recording two placings and a win at Warwick Farm where he found the line strongly over a mile.
1800m poses no fear given he easily accounted for his rivals over the distance by 2.42 lengths at Hawkesbury last preparation.
Apprentice Jace McMurray, who is fresh off a four-timer last Saturday at Doomben, will settle in a prominent position.
| 2. Hovland (4) J: Jace Mcmurray 60kg x2310T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run 10th of 13 at Rosehill Bm78 on June 27 over 1800m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Sacrify with 57.5kg at $7. The start before that won by 0.8 len at Warwick Farm Bm72 June 3 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Elle Hudson carrying 59.5kg at $2.50. Deserves another chance in this company. | |||
BONFIRE SPARK (7) is racing in great form and finally draws a decent barrier.
The Olivia Cairns-trained mare raced three-wide outside the lead over this distance last start and only weakened in the final 100m to finish 1.61 lengths third.
It was a similar scenario three starts ago at the Sunshine Coast, where she drew wide and raced three-wide on speed, but on that occasion she proved too strong and saluted by 1.58 lengths.
Mark Du Plessis, who should be getting more rides than he does, can use the inside barrier to advantage and give this race a real shake.
| 7. Bonfire Spark (1) J: Mark Du Plessis 59.5kg 25143T: Olivia Cairns | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 3rd of 11 at this track Bm70 on July 1 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Mean Approach with 59.5kg at $8. The start before that 4th of 11 at this track Bm85 on May 30 over 1000m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Silver Wedding with 54kg at $31. Nice effort last time. Consistent sprinter who is likely to measure up again. | |||
ESHA (1) returns to the races for the first time since finishing ninth in the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes at Caulfield earlier this year.
After winning her first two race starts in impressive fashion, she was well beaten in races such as last year’s Group 1 Moir Stakes, but a recent move to Tony Gollan’s Eagle Farm stable should see her better placed.
The daughter of Extreme Choice looks set for a bold first-up showing following two trials, with the most recent seeing her work strongly under her own steam to the line to win.
Both her wins came when fresh.
Leading Brisbane jockey Ben Thompson takes the ride and will give her every chance to return to winning form with the aid of the inside gate.
| 1. Esha (1) J: Ben Thompson 60kg 8x09xT: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation ninth of 12 at Caulfield in the G3 Peter Le Grand February 7 over 1100m, 7 len behind Alpha Sofie carrying 57kg at $15. Previously first up; tenth of 12 at Flemington 3yo F Hcp January 10 over 1100m, 6 len behind Jenni The Ninja carrying 60kg at $4.80. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Former boom filly who can resurrect her career starting today. | |||
CHILLAXING (4) rises 3.5kg in weight following his win over 2000m at Doomben last start, but that may not be enough to stop him from going back-to-back.
He’ll appreciate the rise to 2200m given he was the strongest through the line and recorded the quickest final 600m of the race.
His previous form was very good, with a fast-finishing fourth over 2500m at Ipswich two starts ago and an emphatic win over the Ipswich Cup distance in May.
He’s drawn to get an economical run.
| 4. Chillaxing (4) J: Daniel Moor 58kg 21541T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by a head at Doomben Bm80 July 11 over 2000m defeating Lennox carrying 54.5kg at $6.50. The run before that made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 15 at Ipswich Bm78 on June 20 over 2500m, slow going 2.5 len behind Pulveriser with 56kg at $6.50. Back in the winners’ list and is definitely worth including. | |||
AUTOMNE TREE (6) has prospered following his move from Chris Waller’s Sydney stable to the Gold Coast.
The Autumn Sun gelding failed in the heavy conditions first-up but looked a class above when winning over 1350m at Doomben at his next start.
He stepped up to this distance last start at Doomben and let down beautifully to win by just under a length.
Besides Diana’s Affair, there doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race, which should see Ryan Maloney settle in a prominent position from the good gate.
| 6. Automne Tree (4) J: Ryan Maloney 56.5kg 8×811T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run favourite; won by 0.7 len at Doomben 0 – 70 July 11 over 1600m defeating Ready To Ignite with 59kg at $3.20. The start before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Doomben Cl1-Sw June 24 over 1350m on a rain affected track defeating Rough Cause with 60kg at $4.40. Progressing well and is right in the mix. | |||
MONTPELLIER (2) ventures north looking to capture his first Australian win.
The import, who is now in the care of the Annabel & Rob Archibald stable, loomed last start when resuming at Rosehill, but his condition gave out late and he finished 1.7 lengths sixth.
He’ll strip fitter and ran well second-up last preparation when finishing 1.2 lengths third at Warwick Farm, as well as winning his second career start at Newbury over this distance.
Winkers go on for the first time and he gets the services of gun apprentice Jace McMurray.
| 2. Montpellier (2) J: Jace Mcmurray 57kg 334×6T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months got back early 6th of 10 at Rosehill Bm78 on July 4 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Silvanito with 58kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 at Warwick Farm Bm78 on April 1 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind Formal Display with 59.5kg at $7. Fitter and ready for sharp improvement. | |||
RESTONICA (3) ran an enormous race last start when winning over 1200m at Doomben.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding did a mountain of work racing three-wide but had the audacity to keep charging to the line to salute by 1.22 lengths.
He’s been racing in excellent form this preparation with three wins, including two at Eagle Farm to start the campaign.
The rise to 1400m suits given he has won three from five over the distance.
He maps to get a sweet run on speed for 2kg claimer Jace McMurray.
| 3. Restonica (3) J: Jace Mcmurray 57kg 14461T: Pat Webster | |||
| At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.2 len at Doomben Hcp July 11 over 1200m defeating Hatchet carrying 55kg at $6. The race before that crossed from a wide gate to lead but couldn’t hold on when 6th of 16 at Ipswich in the LR Eye Liner on June 20 over 1350m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Soothsayer with 53kg at $9.50. Tough to beat on that form. | |||
WITHOUT PARALLEL (16) has been freshened since finishing just under a length fourth over 1100m at Randwick.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare races best first-up, having won two of three resumptions, with one of those wins coming over this course and distance.
She looked good in a recent trial, cruising to the line for a close third behind Hell, who she meets here.
They should go like the clappers, which should see Ben Thompson able to slide across and find a prominent position, and with just 52.5kg on her back, she’ll be hard to hold out.
| 16. Without Parallel (9) J: Ben Thompson 52.5kg x4374T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Comes here off a 42-day let-up. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 13 at Rosehill 3&4yo Bm72 on June 13 over 1100m, slow going 0.8 len behind Shropshire Lad carrying 59kg at $8.50. The start before that 7th of 12 at Doomben Cl6 on May 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Arabian Rose carrying 49kg at $5. Key runner who is cherry ripe for this assignment. | |||
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