The time-honoured Bernborough Plate headlines an exciting ten-race program at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Some of the best horses prepared in Queensland will step out alongside some quality interstate races throughout the day, and you can find all of my thoughts and 2023 Bernborough Plate Day Tips below.
Vale Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly BM78 Handicap (2200m) – 1:13pm AEDT
Remember when Tapildoodledo won a Group 2 race in Sydney?
The 2022 Tulloch Stakes was actually the last time he won a race full stop, but I’m confident he can break the drought on Bernborough Plate Day.
The Proisir gelding has turned in some competitive performances recently and did look to be a horse crying out for a longer trip last time out.
He gets that this week, as well as a good barrier and some relief in the weights.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Tapildoodledo
Girls Day Out On Sale Now BM70 Handicap (1600m) – 1:48pm AEDT
Victory Win will need some luck in running after drawing wide, but I’m still keen to have something on this week at Eagle Farm.
The Santos gelding ended his debut prep with a near seven-length win in maiden company up at the Sunshine Coast, and picked up where he left off in BM62 company.
He’s since run into some good horses, including Weigall Tiger at his latest, but steps out this week in peak order and primed to strike again.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Victory Win
Ladbrokes City To Surf Plate (1600m) – 2:23pm AEDT
Speaking of Weigall Tiger, he has opened a clear and justifiable $1.50 favourite in betting for this one, having won each of his four starts back from a break.
I’m confident he’ll win again, but he’s starting to get way too short for me, so I am happy to stay out of it from a betting perspective.
Suggested Bet: No Bet
XXXX QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m) – 2:58pm AEDT
I’m eager to see the unbeaten Highbar return to the races in the fourth on Bernborough Handicap Day.
Highbar showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with a five-length win over 1000m on the Sunshine Coast.
Having returned to the paddock after winning again in BM62 company, he’s had a trial leading up to Saturday’s return and Ben Thompson jumps into the saddle.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Highbar
BRC Membership Plus BM78 Handicap (1820m) – 3:33pm AEDT
Richard & Will Freedman have sent Jumeirah Beach north to contest this 1820m Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday, and I think that he is going to take beating.
The Pride Of Dubai gelding won in BM64 company at the New South Wales provincials last month, and he’s since returned two strong performances at Canterbury, only just missing at his latest.
He’s hard fit, the rise in trip suits, and I think that Saturday metro company in Brisbane really is his ideal level.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Jumeirah Beach
Group 3 Magic Millions B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) – 4:12pm AEDT
Sydneysider Storm Boy won by more than two lengths on debut at Rosehill this month and has opened a $1.40 favourite in B.J. McLachlan Stakes betting.
He’s open to improvement and I think he will just win again, so I am going to select him as the winner in a Same Race Multi and pump up my odds with Poster Girl running into the first four.
Same Race Multi selections:
- 1 Storm Boy (Win)
- 7 Poster Girl (Top 4)
Suggested Bet: Same Race Multi
Listed Bernborough Plate (1600m) – 4:52pm AEDT
The time-honoured Bernborough Plate has attracted another quality field of milers to Eagle Farm on Saturday, and I am going to give The Vowels one more chance.
The Vowels has been a good horse for the Edmonds yard for a couple of seasons now, but he’s yet to strike in four starts back from a break.
I thought he was good through the line when fourth in the Recognition Stakes two starts back, and despite being caught wide in The Gateway at his latest, he held ground all the way.
He’s hard fit, the mile suits and I thought the $6 about him in Bernborough Plate betting looked a bit of value.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 The Vowels
Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) – 5:32pm AEDT
This is a great edition of the Falvelon Quality with some leadings locals joined by quality interstate raider Spacewalk, who I have put on top.
Spacewalk hasn’t finished worse than second in four starts back from a break, winning the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes on Derby Day before only just being denied in the Century Stakes five days later.
He has been freshened since that run, sent back to the trials and Blake Shinn jumps into the saddle this week from a good draw.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Spacewalk
Season Greetings From BRC Class 3 Plate (1200m) – 6:12pm AEDT
Tony Gollan’s got another good one on his hands with Bezique, and she can record a third-consecutive win on Bernborough Day.
The Spirit Of Boom mare mixed her form a little last time in, but returned to action with a dominant effort in Class 1 company at Doomben last month, before destroying them again in BM70 company at her latest.
Getting back to the big Eagle Farm track this week should suit and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Bezique
Eva Air Evergreen BM85 Handicap (1400m) – 6:52pm AEDT
Go Wandji rarely returns a poor effort, and he looks ready to win third-up at Eagle Farm this week.
The Wandjina gelding has won eight of fourteen career starts so far, placing on every other occasion and finding form around plenty of quality Saturday metro grade horses.
Having just missed in each of his first two back this time, this looks his chance getting out to the 1400m.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Go Wandji