Eagle Farm fires the starting gun on the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival this Saturday, with 10 races on the card and the Queensland Cup taking centre stage.
The Listed Tattersall’s Member Cup adds another feature, while the season’s first metropolitan two-year-old race gives us an early chance to see the next crop in action.
The track is rated a Soft 5 and the rail is out 2m. We’ve worked through the form, speed maps and key runners to find the main chances and betting angles.
The carnival starts now.
Let’s get into the Eagle Farm card and find a few winners.
It’s never easy to assess a two-year-old race when the field is making its debut, but VENUS INVICTA (2) has given a positive indication of her readiness.
The daughter of Capitalist showed good pace in an 840m Doomben trial, crossing to lead before finishing off strongly and winning by 1.26 lengths.
That professional display suggests she has taken well to her early education.
Kelly Schweida wouldn’t send her around if she wasn’t ready, and Martin Harley sticks after partnering her in the trial. She also gets a good draw.
| 2. Venus Invicta (3) J: Martin Harley 54.5kg T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Makes her first race appearance as a Capitalist filly from Dream Of Venus and draws kindly in barrier three. Kelly Schweida produces her as the stable’s only runner on the card, and Martin Harley gives her a capable, experienced rider with a strong record at this venue. The setup gives her every chance to make a strong debut. | |||
METAMORPHICALLY (1) has found a new lease on life since moving from Sydney to Jeff Dunn’s stable, winning both starts for his new trainer.
He was electric down the Ipswich straight two runs ago, sweeping past his rivals to win over 1350m by 3.32 lengths.
At the Gold Coast last start, he enjoyed a more economical run just behind the lead and proved too strong over 1400m.
The Written Tycoon gelding is clearly in a good groove, and Bella Youngberry’s 2kg claim should help her keep him handy again.
| 1. Metaphorically (7) J: Bella Youngberry 59kg x0011 T: Jeff Dunn | |||
| Arrives in peak form after consecutive wins, most recently beating Moonan Quartz by half a length at Gold Coast when sent out favourite. The start prior was a dominant CG Class 2 win at Ipswich on soft ground, where he opened right up to score by three and a half lengths. Proven at 1400m and the rider record is excellent; the top weight is the query. | |||
DARK ARTS (4) did well to finish fifth over this course and distance last start after being left with plenty to do.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding drew wide and was forced to go back, but couldn’t find cover and spent the race three-deep.
He still kept working to the line, finishing 1.57 lengths away.
His previous form was sound too. He placed third when resuming over 1200m at Doomben, behind Bluish Hue, who has since won a Sydney Highway Handicap.
He should be at peak fitness now, and a strong speed can help him finish over the top.
| 4. Dark Arts (8) J: Angela Jones 58kg 2×355 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Was better than fifth last start at this track, beaten a length and a half in Benchmark 70 grade after settling rearward and racing wide throughout. He had also been close enough at Gold Coast two back, and his record at this venue and distance is a genuine asset. A strong winning hope. | |||
GRAFFITUDE (6) has already shown what a difference a stable change can make.
The son of Graff was beaten 1.61 lengths when fourth on debut over 1200m at Bairnsdale, then moved to Tony Gollan’s stable and quickly bounced back with a win over this course and distance.
He raced greenly, yet still proved too strong for his rivals, which points to further improvement.
Angela Jones has drawn well and should be able to give him a soft run.
| 6. Graffitude (2) J: Angela Jones 56kg 41 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Progressive gelding who put away a 15-runner 3yo Maiden at this track on soft ground, beating Budda Bar by a length and a half after looming up strongly. His debut fourth at Bairnsdale had merit after being held up passing the 300m, and he now gets weight relief from that latest win. Lightly raced, progressive and clearly the runner to beat. | |||
SAMARELLE (8) is in the right form to make it back-to-back wins after arriving from Sydney.
The O’Shea and Charlton-trained mare got a long way back over 1400m at Warwick Farm two starts ago but made ground for second, beaten 3.26 lengths.
She settled off the pace again last start, though the rise to a mile suited and she finished strongly to win by a length.
This 1800m assignment looks a natural next step. Anna Roper’s claim brings her down to 55kg, and barrier 4 should give her every chance.
| 8. Samarelle (4) J: Anna Roper 55kg 60×21 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Made the right progression second-up at Warwick Farm, winning over 1600m on soft ground as favourite despite early crowding and a bump on the home turn. She had worked home well for second there first-up in a 3yo+ FM Benchmark 72, and now arrives third-up with a 1.5kg claim. First go at 1800m is a query, but she sets the standard. | |||
KING OF POP (3) gets a fresh start for Tony Gollan and drops into a race that looks more manageable than much of his recent company.
The Farnan gelding made a winning debut before taking out the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra at his second start.
He hasn’t won in the 18 months since, but his subsequent assignments have been much tougher. A head second in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes is a clear highlight.
He has looked sharp in two recent trials against open-class horses and can return with a bold showing. Ben Thompson gets the inside draw to work with.
| 3. King Of Pop (1) J: Ben Thompson 60.5kg 5x90x T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Returns from a three-month break after ending last campaign with two plain Randwick runs, including a last when beaten six and a half lengths behind Exit Fee. He had earlier contested a 3yo+ Benchmark 88 on soft ground and now resumes for the leading Tony Gollan and Ben Thompson combination, with a Doomben trial a few weeks ago. Last campaign reads plain, but his profile is stronger than that. | |||
LUCKY PAT (1) showed plenty in his first campaign and has the trials to return ready for a strong run.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding won his first two races over 800m at Ipswich before finishing second to The Next Episode in the Dalrello Stakes, beaten 2.91 lengths.
He then ran third in the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, finishing 2.42 lengths behind The Next Episode and Natural Fling, both now favourites for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
His latest trial was an effortless win, and two hit-outs should have him primed. Jace McMurray claims 1.5kg and has drawn low.
He’s drawn perfectly down low for 1.5kg claimer Jace McMurray.
| 1. Lucky Pat (2) J: Jace Mcmurray 58.5kg 1123x T: Pat Webster | |||
| Returns from a five-month break after building a sharp juvenile record, with two wins and two placings from four starts. Ended last campaign third in a 2yo Open at Gold Coast, beaten two and a half lengths after beginning slowly and racing wide throughout, following a second in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at this track on heavy ground. Strong profile to return winning. | |||
NAVAL SEAL (3) went close at the Gold Coast last start after two runs that didn’t go to plan.
He had little luck first-up, then failed to put the change of tactics into practice second-up.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding returned to this class and charged home late, missing the win by a nose, with third more than three lengths away.
He should be ready to peak now, and Atmosphere is likely to ensure a strong tempo. Andrew Mallyon can settle just off the speed and look to strike in the straight.
| 3. Naval Seal (6) J: Andrew Mallyon 57kg 4×782 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Went within a nose of winning at Gold Coast last start after being an outside chance in the betting, which was a sharp return to form. Two back he was safely held in a Benchmark 85 at this track, but that race reads stronger than this and he is now fourth-up with first-time blinkers applied. Proven at this track and distance and looks a major danger. | |||
AMPLIFY (3) is racing well and looks a leading chance in the Queensland Cup after a close finish at Rosehill.
She closed strongly over this distance last start but just missed catching So You Think, going down by a head.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has been holding her form throughout the preparation, winning the Tygalgah Cup at Murwillumbah five starts ago and placing third in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick three runs back.
She carries significantly more weight here, though the class drop is a plus and she has proven she can shoulder a big impost.
| 3. Amplify (6) J: Angela Jones 58.5kg 31342 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Went within a neck of winning the G3 Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill last start after being bumped at the start, and that is the strongest recent staying line in this field. She had earlier run fourth in the G3 Newcastle Cup, beaten just under three lengths, despite being unwanted in the market. Proven at the trip and brings the best recent form. | |||
FUKUBANA (2) was unlucky to miss in the Lismore Cup after making a big late run under 62kg.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding settled back and wide from the outside gate, then charged home to finish a neck from the winner.
He’ll be glad to return to this course and distance, where he won comfortably two starts ago despite suffering from heat stress.
He also went close first-up against Weetwood winner Let’sfacethemusic, recording the fastest final 400m of the meeting.
He’s at peak fitness and has a much kinder draw for Andrew Mallyon.
| 2. Fukubana (4) J: Andrew Mallyon 58.5kg 0x212 T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Went within a neck of winning an Open at Lismore last start after being sent out favourite, with the stewards noting he was steadied approaching the 1100m. That followed a sharp Class 6 win at this track on soft ground, beating Gorbachev by just under two lengths. Strong wet and 1400m profile makes him the one to beat. | |||
Eagle Farm Big Bets
See where the smart money is heading at Eagle Farm on Queensland Cup Day.
