The Magic Millions might be over for another year, but there’s still plenty of quality summer racing to take in north of the border!
A ten-race program headlines the metro offering this weekend, and you can find my complete Eagle Farm Tips below.
Racecourse Village QTIS 2YO Handicap (1200m) – 1:13pm AEDT
Commanding Artist is a popular favourite to win the first at Eagle Farm on Saturday following a sound debut at Randwick last month.
This is a drop in class and he’s open to plenty of improvement, and I think he’ll be winning.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Commanding Artist
Stradbroke Season On Sale 22 January BM78 Handicap (2400m) – 1:48pm AEDT
Iowa looks to have a lot of these rivals covered for class and is ready to win.
The Annabel Neasham-trained gelding is yet to strike in five runs back from a break, but his recent efforts have suggested a win isn’t far away, and he was last seen finishing second in BM78 company on the Gold Coast.
He’s hard fit, gets some relief in the weights and might not be offered a better opportunity in Saturday metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Iowa
Girls Day Out On Sale Now QTIS 3YO Handicap (1300m) – 2:23pm AEDT
Fortuneer puts an unbeaten record on the line and looms as the one to beat again.
The Rubick filly showed promise at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an easy win over 1110m at Doomben.
Having franked that performance with another comfortable win in BM62 company, something like this looks the next logical target for her.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Fortuneer
Mount Franklin BM68 Handicap (1000m) – 2:58pm AEDT
In my opinion, this is one of the more open races on the program and there are several winning chances engaged, including Master Maurice.
Master Maurice has made just three appearances at the races since debuting, but he has stamped himself as one to follow by winning two of those and only just missing on the other occasion.
His fresh performance from a break earlier this month was his best so far and I’m confident he’ll only improve for it. I thought that the $9 about him at publish was overs.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Master Maurice
Ladbrokes Communities BM72 Handicap (1805m) – 3:33pm AEDT
Chris Waller saddles up a key winning chance at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Fleur Du Monde in Race 5.
Fleur Du Monde has continued to improve with racing this time in and was rewarded with a tough win over a mile at Doomben in November.
She was last seen finishing fourth behind the likes of Madame Odette at Eagle Farm, and I like that she’s a month between starts, as she’s raced well on fresh legs previously.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Fleur Du Monde
Congratulations Barry Baldwin Class 6 Plate (1400m) – 4:12pm AEDT
This looks a perfect race for Team Snowden-trained galloper, Substantial.
Substantial has been slowly in the improve since returning to action back in October, placing in some decent metro races south of the border and finding form around some above-average talent.
He’s hard fit in a race whereby several leading contenders are resuming, and this does look a softer race than those that he has been contesting. He’s therefore my best bet on the program.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Substantial
Sky Racing BM78 Handicap (1200m) – 4:52pm AEDT
I can’t wait to see Black On Beauty back in action at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Black On Beauty hasn’t been seen at the races since July, but she was outstanding last time in, finishing second in BM68 company before recording consecutive victories in Saturday metro company here at Eagle Farm.
A recent trial adds confidence and with appropriate luck in running, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Black On Beauty
Ladbroke It! BM72 Handicap (1400m) – 5:32pm AEDT
It’s a rise in class, but Sigourney has returned to action in sharp form this time, and she looks a genuine each way chance in Race 8.
The Kevin Kemp-trained mare recorded consecutive wins at her home Toowoomba track first and second up in December and was only denied by a strong Tuhinga at her latest.
She looks to be in peak order this week, she gets into the race well under the conditions and we can have an each way play at current odds ($14 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 16 Sigourney
XXXX BM90 Handicap (1200m) – 6:10pm AEDT
Dehorned Unicorn is a dual acceptor, but I am hopeful that this is the way Joe Pride elects to go with her.
Dehorned Unicorn is yet to strike in four runs back from a break, but she hasn’t been out of her depth in stronger Sydney metro company, and she finished just over a length and a half behind the winner at Randwick last time out.
She’s another that steps out this week in peak order and will relish the drop in class up in Brisbane.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Dehorned Unicorn
Drinkwise BM90 Handicap (1600m) – 6:50pm AEDT
Freedom Rally has opened a clear favourite in betting ahead of the last at Eagle Farm on Saturday and really does look hard to beat.
The Rubick gelding has finished worse than second once in four runs back from a break, winning a BM85 over 1400m here last month and just missing in The Buffering at his latest.
A repeat of either performance and I am confident that he just wins again.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Freedom Rally