The biggest day in Queensland Racing has arrived with the running of the time honoured Stradbroke Handicap. Can the locals lead by Buffering and Sizzling beat off the interstate raiders such as Your Song and Epaulette? The high quality action doesn't stop there with the Queensland Derby, J.J Atkins and Brisbane Cup also on the card. The Eagle Farm track is currently (Friday evening) rated a Dead 4 but there is a chance of showers. Everyone should cross their fingers that it remains dry! I have done my form on a dead track rating.
We've had a good run of it lately and we'll be looking for that to continue. Especially with The Silk's grand final, the Ipswich Cup next Saturday!
Race 1 Hampden Stakes (Listed) - Cosmic Endeavour (13) looks the way to go in the opening race. This Gai Waterhouse trained filly has only had the 1 race start and she won it impressively by 3.3 lengths. She has Jimmy Cassidy in the saddle to take full advantage of the nice gate. She'll lead and I doubt they'll be able to run her down. The only thing holding me back here is the short price on offer. Other hopes to Missy Longstocking (7), Enquare (11) and Chilwero (5).
Race 2 Strawberry Road Handicap (Listed) - I can't go past Transporter (3) here. He has been racing in magnificent fashion lately. He narrowly went down in the Group 2 Hollindale and Group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup in his most recent two races at WFA conditions. He drops back to listed company here and drops in weight. He has been in the quinella at the distance 7 out of 8 times and won his only start at this track and distance. He's drawn barrier 4 so jockey Michael Cahill will be able to position him beautifully in the leading few. Other hopes to Someday (12), Ibicenco (1) and Diademe (6).
Race 3 Daybreak Lover (Listed) - Academus (1) draws superbly today which is in stark contrast to last start and I can see in form jockey Kerrin McEvoy making the most of it. He's been racing well since coming to Queensland with a win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and then close finishes in two other Group events. Last start he finished 4th by 1.9 lengths but didn't have the best of runs. He drew barrier 10 and raced 3 deep throughout but still managed to finish strongly. We the inside gate, he'll be able position much closer to the action. He has form over this distance winning the W.A. Guineas last campaign. Other hopes to Limes (3), Lucky Hussler (6) and Saint Or Sinner (12).
Race 4 Lightning Handicap (Listed) - I've been really taken by the way Pentasia (6) has been racing recently. Particularly her start before and after a break. She won both starts by sitting just off the speed and booting away in the straight. That style will be suited in this race over 1000m where it would be fair to expect a strong speed. She's won 8 of her 16 starts, races well 2nd up and likes the sting out. What's not to like? Other hopes to Delago Bolt (5), Diamond Earth (13) and River Lad (2).
Race 5 Dane Ripper Stakes (Group 2) - This is a really competitive race made more difficult by the fact that many of the better credentialed horses have drawn wide. When I say wide, I mean carpark wide. With that in mind, I've gone with the Peter Moody trained Floria (16) who has drawn the peg. Jockey Luke Nolen will be able to get this mare into a terrific position with not much effort. The same cannot be said for those drawn wide. Her overall record isn't flash with only 3 wins from 25 starts but I'll concentrate on the 2 starts she's had since coming over from NZ and joining Moody's stable. She ran 2nd in the Group 2 Emancipation 1st up and then ran 4th in the Scone Cup. Both starts were over 1600m and she hit the line quite well. She's been freshened up and I think that will do her wonders here. Other hopes to Arctic Flight (7), Fire Up Fifi (12) and Perfectly Stunning (17).
Race 6 J.J. Atkins (Group 1) - The further the races have been, the better Romantic Touch (7) has raced. He enters this on the back of 2 outstanding victories where he simply brained the opposition. The beauty of this guy is that he does it at both ends. He can set a nice speed early but then still finish off strongly. Last start over 1550m he led by 4 lengths before increasing that to 7.5 lengths at the winning post. I think he can get an easy lead here and that will make it very hard for the others to catch him. Draws nicely for jockey Nash "For Cash" Rawiller to administer these tactics. Other hopes to Zoustar (1), Paximadia (8) and Vilanova (3).
Race 7 Queensland Derby (Group 1) - There's been a lot of talk about Survived and Gondokoro's chances in this race. Don't get me wrong, both are right in this but I'm going with Chris Waller's Hawkspur (1). He enters this race on the back of 2 good wins. Yes he was given all the favours in those races but he was good enough to accept them and then go on with it. He again draws beautifully and we'll see Jimmy Cassidy position him in the leading handful of horses before charging to the line. He's won over 2100m and then 2200m with strong finishes...I don't see the 2400m here a problem. Other hopes to Gondokoro (18), Ali Vital (14) and Survived (4).
Race 8 Stradbroke Handicap (Group 1) - What a cracking race the Stradbroke is going to be! I think there's plenty of value to be had here and could be tempted to back a few. Before I start, it is important to know what the weather is doing when this race is on. I think Spirit Of Boom has a tremendous chance but if the track's worse than dead then I'll be forgetting him. I'm putting Belltone (13) on top. This guy hit the line with gusto last start when winning over 1350m by 1 length. He has a great record over this distance and has only been out of the placings once in 5 starts at the track at distance. He can handle any going so if it rains then he won't be concerned by it. He has drawn nicely in barrier 3 and will get a gun run. This guy was talked about as a serious Stradbroke chance last year but just failed to get a run. I think he's going just as well this year and will give a great showing at good odds. Other hopes to Spirit Of Boom (9), Buffering (1) and Sizzling (18).
Race 9 Brisbane Cup (Group 2) -Quintessential (4) has arrived in Brisbane in super form. She has won both starts at this track. Her overall record at Eagle Farm is excellent winning 3 from 5 and placing in the others. It must be said that both wins were on rain affected tracks but she did quality opposition. She does have to carry her fair share of weight but class should take her a long way here. Other hopes to Zennista (11), Precedence (2) and Moriarty (3).
Best Bets
Race 2 - Transporter (3)
Race 4 - Pentasia (6)
Race 7 - Hawkspur (1)
Race 2 Strawberry Road Handicap (Listed) - I can't go past Transporter (3) here. He has been racing in magnificent fashion lately. He narrowly went down in the Group 2 Hollindale and Group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup in his most recent two races at WFA conditions. He drops back to listed company here and drops in weight. He has been in the quinella at the distance 7 out of 8 times and won his only start at this track and distance. He's drawn barrier 4 so jockey Michael Cahill will be able to position him beautifully in the leading few. Other hopes to Someday (12), Ibicenco (1) and Diademe (6).
Race 3 Daybreak Lover (Listed) - Academus (1) draws superbly today which is in stark contrast to last start and I can see in form jockey Kerrin McEvoy making the most of it. He's been racing well since coming to Queensland with a win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and then close finishes in two other Group events. Last start he finished 4th by 1.9 lengths but didn't have the best of runs. He drew barrier 10 and raced 3 deep throughout but still managed to finish strongly. We the inside gate, he'll be able position much closer to the action. He has form over this distance winning the W.A. Guineas last campaign. Other hopes to Limes (3), Lucky Hussler (6) and Saint Or Sinner (12).
Race 4 Lightning Handicap (Listed) - I've been really taken by the way Pentasia (6) has been racing recently. Particularly her start before and after a break. She won both starts by sitting just off the speed and booting away in the straight. That style will be suited in this race over 1000m where it would be fair to expect a strong speed. She's won 8 of her 16 starts, races well 2nd up and likes the sting out. What's not to like? Other hopes to Delago Bolt (5), Diamond Earth (13) and River Lad (2).
Race 5 Dane Ripper Stakes (Group 2) - This is a really competitive race made more difficult by the fact that many of the better credentialed horses have drawn wide. When I say wide, I mean carpark wide. With that in mind, I've gone with the Peter Moody trained Floria (16) who has drawn the peg. Jockey Luke Nolen will be able to get this mare into a terrific position with not much effort. The same cannot be said for those drawn wide. Her overall record isn't flash with only 3 wins from 25 starts but I'll concentrate on the 2 starts she's had since coming over from NZ and joining Moody's stable. She ran 2nd in the Group 2 Emancipation 1st up and then ran 4th in the Scone Cup. Both starts were over 1600m and she hit the line quite well. She's been freshened up and I think that will do her wonders here. Other hopes to Arctic Flight (7), Fire Up Fifi (12) and Perfectly Stunning (17).
Race 6 J.J. Atkins (Group 1) - The further the races have been, the better Romantic Touch (7) has raced. He enters this on the back of 2 outstanding victories where he simply brained the opposition. The beauty of this guy is that he does it at both ends. He can set a nice speed early but then still finish off strongly. Last start over 1550m he led by 4 lengths before increasing that to 7.5 lengths at the winning post. I think he can get an easy lead here and that will make it very hard for the others to catch him. Draws nicely for jockey Nash "For Cash" Rawiller to administer these tactics. Other hopes to Zoustar (1), Paximadia (8) and Vilanova (3).
Race 7 Queensland Derby (Group 1) - There's been a lot of talk about Survived and Gondokoro's chances in this race. Don't get me wrong, both are right in this but I'm going with Chris Waller's Hawkspur (1). He enters this race on the back of 2 good wins. Yes he was given all the favours in those races but he was good enough to accept them and then go on with it. He again draws beautifully and we'll see Jimmy Cassidy position him in the leading handful of horses before charging to the line. He's won over 2100m and then 2200m with strong finishes...I don't see the 2400m here a problem. Other hopes to Gondokoro (18), Ali Vital (14) and Survived (4).
Race 8 Stradbroke Handicap (Group 1) - What a cracking race the Stradbroke is going to be! I think there's plenty of value to be had here and could be tempted to back a few. Before I start, it is important to know what the weather is doing when this race is on. I think Spirit Of Boom has a tremendous chance but if the track's worse than dead then I'll be forgetting him. I'm putting Belltone (13) on top. This guy hit the line with gusto last start when winning over 1350m by 1 length. He has a great record over this distance and has only been out of the placings once in 5 starts at the track at distance. He can handle any going so if it rains then he won't be concerned by it. He has drawn nicely in barrier 3 and will get a gun run. This guy was talked about as a serious Stradbroke chance last year but just failed to get a run. I think he's going just as well this year and will give a great showing at good odds. Other hopes to Spirit Of Boom (9), Buffering (1) and Sizzling (18).
Race 9 Brisbane Cup (Group 2) -Quintessential (4) has arrived in Brisbane in super form. She has won both starts at this track. Her overall record at Eagle Farm is excellent winning 3 from 5 and placing in the others. It must be said that both wins were on rain affected tracks but she did quality opposition. She does have to carry her fair share of weight but class should take her a long way here. Other hopes to Zennista (11), Precedence (2) and Moriarty (3).
Best Bets
Race 2 - Transporter (3)
Race 4 - Pentasia (6)
Race 7 - Hawkspur (1)
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