Ten races make up the program this Saturday at Eagle Farm.
A fine forecast is scheduled for race day with the track in the Good 4 range, while the rail remains out 7m across the circuit.
The $2 million Jewel Raceday at Doomben is only a fortnight away, so there’s no better time to find a few winners.
Stradbroke Season On Sale Now QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1300m) – 12:13pm AEDT
Appellant was solid on debut a fortnight ago, drawing clear to win by well clear of two lengths after clinging to the rail the whole way through.
The Snitzel filly really quickened nicely out of the turn to punch clear, a run she can only improve on out over slightly further now with Damien Thornton sticking.
Lee Freedman’s three-year-old clocked a nice time in the end and looks tough to beat if she’s afforded another cozy ride up on the speed.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Appellant
Mount Franklin QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1835m) – 12:48pm AEDT
Jungle Prince is racing on top of the ground for the first time after striking wet tracks in both starts to his career.
The Tarzino three-year-old stamped himself as one to watch when winning by half a length on debut at Doomben, stepping up to tackle the mile in his next start here at Eagle Farm where he faded late up on the speed.
I thought he over-raced a little in a key stage that day though and was always wide without cover into the turn. Fitter and potentially given a more patient ride, he should be bouncing back.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Jungle Prince
Opera QLD Regional Tour at EF Open Handicap – Weights Raised 1KG (1000m) – 1:23pm AEDT
Charge On is a smart seven-year-old that can really give a race like this a shake on return.
The old boy hasn’t won in over a year, but he did go close in just the one start during hte spring when runner-up on the Sunshine Coast over the same trip.
He’s been luckless in two starts here at Eagle Farm, but does tend to fire fresh.
Off a likable trial and some good speed engaged, he looks a decent each-way play in a tough race.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Charge On
Become a BRC Member Benchmark 78 Handicap (2206m) – 1:58pm AEDT
Deniliquin can mix his form, but we did see him win a nice over this trip at the Gold Coast four runs back earlier in January.
The son of Adelaide hasn’t found the money since, but he did stick to the task nicely up on teh speed over the track and distance two weeks ago on a rain-soaked track.
Chris Anderson’s six-year-old was attempting a sharp rise in trip from 1800m-2200m that day, so he does have scope for improvement now with that run under the belt.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Deniliquin
NOVA 106.9 Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) – 2:33pm AEDT
Naval Trader was unsuited by the soft conditions fresh at Doomben a few weeks ago, also blowing the start where he was beaten over two lengths.
The lightly-raced son of Merchant Navy has done his best racing here at Eagle Farm, cashing a cheque in all four starts with a couple of placings to his name over 1400m to wrap up the spring last year.
He’ll need some room from the inside gate, but back on top of the ground and proven second-up, he ticks a few important boxes.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Naval Trader
ROKU GIN Class 1 Handicap (1400m) – 3:08pm AEDT
Victoria Roc could measure up here coming off a four-week freshen-up.
Brian Smith’s filly was competing off a similar break at Doomben last month where she split Snow Boum and Peter Sham, a solid effort after copping a bump at the top of the straight and eventually losing a plate.
She’s drawn a similar assignment from gate 2 and is likely to land midfield in a race that looks to hold some good early speed.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Victoria Roc
Byron Bay Lemon Squash Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) – 3:47pm AEDT
Orlabent looks ready for the rise to 1200m now coming off a couple of solid runner-up outings on the Sunshine Coast and here at Eagle Farm.
He loomed the winner approaching the final furlong a few weeks ago, only to be gunned down late by the impressive Tikka Ready over a distance that might have been a little on the short side.
The son of Hellbent will lug 60kgs again, but hard fit now and attempting further, I think he’ll run an improved race.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Orlabent
Ladbrokes Odds Surge Class 6 Plate (1200m) – 4:27pm AEDT
Millane looks tough to back against with a key scratching to Hard To Say.
Tony Gollan’s four-year-old returned in good order over the same track and distance a couple of weeks ago, overcoming some late traffic down the straight to prevail narrowly right on the line.
It was a solid return for a horse that handed in two disappointing runs during the spring, and it’s only fair to assume there will be big improvement to come.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Millane
Buy A QTIS Yearling 11-12 QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m) – 5:08pm AEDT
Hyde Park looks set to peak now with three starts under his belt.
The colt by Spirit Of Boom has had his runs spaced, returning off a three-week break on Australia Day where he was a little wide on his way to running fourth over the mile.
He comes off a four-week break on this occasion, but should find 1400m more suitable from a better barrier.
The blinkers come off, and with a run under his belt here at Eagle Farm as a two-year-old, he could run a nice race with no weight on his back.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Hyde Park
Sky Racing Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) – 5:47pm AEDT
Ocean Zar is a consistent type that does appear suited out to the mile third-up under Boris Thornton.
The Zoustar mare was back in the winner’s circle three weeks ago over 1400m, coming off the fence late in the run home where she stormed the line to win with plenty left to give.
She stuck to the task nicely over this trip last August and just needs a touch of luck to go her way this time from the wider gate.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Ocean Zar
