Family of League Champions Raceday brings 10 races to Eagle Farm this Saturday, as the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival reaches its penultimate meeting.
The track is rated a Soft 5, though warm days should help it improve towards the Good range by Saturday. The rail is out 3m, putting early positioning and the speed map in focus.
We’ve assessed the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card. Let’s get into the race analysis and see where the best Eagle Farm bets might be.
VINTAGE VIBES (3) is in top form this preparation and is out to make it three wins in a row.
Two starts ago, the Jay Bellamy-trained gelding won over 1000m at the Gold Coast with the meeting’s fastest final 200m.
He backed that up in town last start. After being held up briefly in the straight, he found clear air and charged home to win by just over half a length in a stronger race than this.
He’s fit and ready to go again, and apprentice Jace McMurray should be able to position him on speed.
| 3. Vintage Vibes (7) 59kg0x311 | |||
| Chases three straight after fighting hard to win an NMW at Doomben last start, beating Scheherazade by just over half a length on soft ground. He had already won a Class 2 at Gold Coast over 1000m, despite jumping awkwardly, and his record at around 1200m is strong with two wins from three tries. Quick back-up aside, he looks the one to beat. | |||
ROCHEDALE HERO (6) is a consistent performer, with only two of his nine starts ending outside the top three.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding stuck on gamely over 1600m at Doomben last start, finishing 1.42 lengths behind All Kinds Of Folk.
That looks strong form for this. Twisted Queen, who finished second, has since won, while Atmosphere, the second horse in that race, also won at its next start.
He’s also placed at both of his previous starts at Eagle Farm.
Taylor Marshall can put his early speed to use, cross over and aim for a forward spot.
| 6. Rochedale Hero (8) 58.5kg31323 | |||
| Continued a consistent campaign when third in a 1 Metro Win at Doomben last start, beaten a length and a half after racing keenly and striking interference. He was also second at this track two back as favourite, beaten just under two lengths by Spaceballs. New to 1815m, but recent form keeps him a genuine place hope. | |||
KOKATAHI (3) has finished runner-up in both runs this preparation and looks ready to reach his peak.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding finished just under a length away after finding the line well first-up.
He then produced the best closing sectionals of the race at Doomben, and the rise to 1500m should suit. He has already won at the distance, doing so third-up last preparation at Hawkesbury.
With only a couple of runners likely to push forward, Ryan Maloney should be able to find a handy position from the good gate.
| 3. Kokatahi (4) 60kg64×22 | |||
| Returns from a five-week freshening after another strong second, this time in a CG BM68 at Doomben when beaten just over half a length by Smoke On The Water. He had also placed at this venue in a BM70 after suffering interference early, so the recent form is reliable. Brings the strongest recent form and looks the one to beat. | |||
CUNNAMULLA FELLA (3) has raced over 1800m only once before, but looks better placed to handle the trip this time and drops into an easier race.
A poor draw forced the Rob Heathcote-trained gelding to settle last over a mile here last start. He still worked home strongly in the heavy conditions to finish third behind Brindavan.
Two starts ago, he let down well, recorded the race’s quickest final 200m and caught Brindavan right on the line to win.
There doesn’t look to be much speed here, so Jace McMurray could lead or settle handy. His 1.5kg claim is an added plus.
| 3. Cunnamulla Fella (3) 53.5kg26213 | |||
| Continues to race well, finishing third at this track last start after covering ground on heavy going and working home into the frame. He had won here the start prior, beating Brindavan by a nose after being well found in an open market. The 1815m is the query, but he sets the standard. | |||
HE’S TRU BLUE (13) has taken a step forward with each run this preparation and could peak third-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained entire gave stablemate Lebanese 3kg and had less fitness last start over this course and distance, but still finished only half a length away in second.
They walked early before sprinting home, which made it a tough task for him. He should be fitter now and has won his only previous third-up race, when he was based in the UK.
Blinkers go on for the first time, and Daniel Moor has a good draw to work from.
| 13. He’s Tru Blue (2) 55.5kg63×42 | |||
| Went close as a well-supported favourite in a BM70 at Doomben, finishing second and beaten half a length by Lebanese after travelling well. He had earlier been fourth to Mercian at this track, beaten just over a length, so the form ties in neatly. Strong winning chance third-up. | |||
ESJAY (3) gets a more suitable distance and should appreciate getting back onto a drier track.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding tried hard over a mile in the heavy conditions last start, but couldn’t match Brindavan and finished sixth.
He had been held up two starts earlier, yet still hit the line strongly to finish just over half a length away in third in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup. That kept his record of placing in every start over this course and distance intact.
He drops to 56.5kg and maps for a sweet run on speed with Jace McMurray.
| 3. Esjay (2) 56.5kg1×536 | |||
| Had every chance over 1600m on heavy ground last start and faded to sixth, beaten eight and a half lengths, but his Listed Tattersall’s Members Cup third at this track two back was much stronger. Back to 1400m is a major plus, with two wins and four places from six tries at this track and distance. Back to 1400m gives him a strong rebound case. | |||
KING OF POP (1) was unlucky when he resumed for new trainer Tony Gollan over this course and distance last start.
He looked a serious chance in the straight before running into a wall of horses. Forced to go back to last and shift to the outside, he found clear running too late, but still finished with a strong burst to be beaten two lengths into third.
The Farnan gelding won on debut and followed up with a Group 3 Black Opal Stakes victory at Canberra at his second start. That was 18 months ago, and he hasn’t won since.
Apart from last start, all his races since then have been in significantly stronger company. His best effort in that period was a head second in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes.
Angela Jones can make use of the inside barrier and look to settle him in a prominent position.
| 1. King Of Pop (1) 60.5kgx90x3 | |||
| Placed first-up at this track when third behind Bring Me Kash, beaten two lengths on soft ground after travelling well and striking some interference in the straight. That was a better return than his Randwick failure before the break, where he was last at big odds and dropped out late. The 1000m record leaves a query, but barrier one keeps him in the place mix. | |||
EASY LOVE (9) didn’t get the tempo she wanted over a mile at Doomben last start and was keen to do too much, but she wasn’t beaten far.
The David Vandyke-trained mare had resumed in great order over 1400m here, running the best closing sectionals to win by just over a length.
She should be fitter third-up and gets a key change of rider, with Ryan Maloney replacing the apprentice.
The horses expected to go forward have drawn wider, which should create a more favourable speed for her.
| 9. Easy Love (2) 58kg32×16 | |||
| Had genuine excuses when sixth in a 1 Metro Win at Doomben, beaten two and a half lengths as favourite after being bumped at the start and racing keenly through the middle stages. Her prior Class 3 win at this track was strong, overcoming a slow beginning and interference to beat Scripted by just over a length. Third-up and back in BM78 grade, she is the one to beat. | |||
LA ROJA (5) is resuming for new trainer Jack Bruce. She was a short-priced favourite in Tuesday’s abandoned race, which appeared an easier assignment, but she’s still well placed here.
The I Am Invincible mare’s latest run came during the Queensland Winter Carnival, when she charged home from the back to finish a neck second in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes.
It’s been just over a year since she last won, but she has finished runner-up in six of her past seven starts.
If Emily Lang can find some luck from the sticky draw, expect her to be charging late.
| 5. La Roja (9) 57kgx422x | |||
| Returns from a lengthy spell after five months off and brings the strongest last-campaign form, having run second to Soothsayer in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich, beaten a long neck at big odds. She had also been second in an FM BM78 at Randwick on soft ground after covering ground. Brings the best form line and looks the one to beat. | |||
ZIP LOCK (2) makes his return after finishing sixth, beaten 2.52 lengths, in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt put together an excellent first preparation, winning his first two starts.
That included a strong performance over this course and distance in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes. He’s had two trials to prepare for his return and looks ready to make a bold first-up showing.
The outside gate is far from ideal, but scratchings will bring him in closer. He does look the class runner.
| 2. Zip Lock (14) 60kg116x | |||
| Returns from a lengthy spell with the best black-type profile in the race. He won the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at this track on soft ground, beating Tornado Valley by a length and a half, then was sixth in the Listed Magic Millions 2yo Classic after being held up until the 250m when favourite. Proven at 1200m and on wet ground; the one to beat. | |||
Eagle Farm Big Bets
See where the smart money is heading at Eagle Farm this Saturday.