Get set for a huge Saturday of racing at Rosehill and Doomben! Our Neds best bets are locked in and ready to guide you through all the action across the tracks.
MOONAN QUARTZ (6) has returned in ripping order and brings winning form to town again.
The Mick Lakey-trained gelding resumed over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast, camped a few lengths off the leader in second, then let rip late to win comfortably by just under three lengths.
He backed that up over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start, taking control in front and never giving his rivals a look-in on his way to a 2.29 length victory.
With Jace McMurray taking 2kg off, he should have the early speed to cross and either lead or settle right on the bunny.
| 6. Moonan Quartz (8) J: Jace Mcmurray 59kg 43×11T: Michael Lakey | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 3 len at Sunshine Coast Bm58 June 21 over 1200m in soft going defeating Custo with 59kg at $4.60. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 2.25 len at Eagle Farm Cl3 July 1 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Diamond Show with 54kg at $2.30. Can extend the winning streak. | |||
SWORD OF LEGACY (3) appreciated the drop in class and showed what she can do from a good barrier when saluting over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was heavily backed and delivered for punters, powering home to record a strong win.
She can be forgiven for her Listed Queensland Day Stakes failure two starts ago, where she raced keenly and was posted wide, while she also drew the car park in the Darby McCarthy three starts ago before going back, finding trouble, and charging late to finish just under a length third.
Dunn has gone to his top rider in Sydney, Nash Rawiller, with whom he shares a super winning strike-rate.
| 3. Sword Of Legacy (4) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 21301T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently favourite; won by 0.7 len at Eagle Farm 3yo Qlty June 27 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Propaganda carrying 57.5kg at $2.20. Before that 14th of 17 at Eagle Farm in the LR Qld Day on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 55kg at $26. An inside gate is a big advantage. Raced well over the Queensland carnival and can win again. | |||
Bjorn Baker loves a Toyota Forklift, so it would be fitting if he won the Listed Winter Challenge.
I’m with one of his runners in the race, MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (8), who worked home well despite a wide run last start in the Lister Stakes to finish 2.16 lengths third to General Salute and McHale.
He is better placed in this race than those two, and his previous form is superior, with two wins including the Listed Civic Stakes.
He’s rock-hard fit and maps to get a great run for Tommy Berry.
| 8. Midnight Dynamite (5) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 11213T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start 3rd of 12 at this track in the LR Winter Stk on July 4 over 1400m, slow going 2.25 len behind General Salute carrying 57kg at $4.80. The run before that won by 1.75 len at Randwick LR Civic Stakes June 20 over 1400m in soft going defeating Whinchat with 54kg at $2.60. Tough to beat in this vein of form and can run the trip. | |||
DAGGERS (4) gets back to a mile for just the second time since finishing fifth in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes nearly two years ago.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was solid on Ipswich Cup Day last start, finishing 1.26 lengths third over 1350m after having to do work from the outside barrier.
Since arriving at the Eagle Farm stable, he has barely put a foot wrong, building a record of four placings and a win from five starts.
He looks set to get a perfect run for Ben Thompson and should be awfully hard to beat.
| 4. Daggers (2) J: Ben Thompson 59kg 23133T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 11 at Ipswich Cl6 on June 20 over 1350m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Quothquan carrying 58kg at $2.35. The race before that 3rd of 13 at Eagle Farm Bm85 on May 30 over 1400m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Bengal Diamond with 58kg at $3. Nicely drawn and should prove hard to beat. | |||