We continue to edge closer to the Magic Millions on Grand Prix Stakes Day at Eagle Farm!
The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival has already tossed up some memorable contests, and there are another ten races to sink out teeth into on Saturday.
You can find all of my 2023 Grand Prix Stakes Day Tips below.
BRC Membership Plus BM70 Handicap (1000m) – 12:38pm AEDT
Liquor rates as a key winning chance in the first at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Spirit Of Boom mare has won two of her last four starts, including a Class 3 contest here two back, while she was less than a length behind the winner at Doomben last time out.
I like that she is a few weeks between starts and getting back to Eagle Farm this week could prove the difference.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Liquor
Season Greetings From BRC Class 3 Plate (1810m) – 1:13pm AEDT
Princess Rhaenys steps out this week third-up and ready to win.
The Iffraaj mare has always been a competitive galloper at metro grade, and she was unlucky not to strike in black type company during this year’s Winter Carnival.
Having blown off the cobwebs when seventh in a Class 3 at Doomben first-up this time, she was far better through the line to finish third, beaten half a length last time out.
Getting back to the big Eagle Farm track this week suits, as does the rise in trip.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Princess Rhaenys
Nova 106.9 Class 6 Handicap (1600m) – 1:48pm AEDT
Drive A Deel has improved for three starts back from a break and strikes a winnable race at Eagle Farm this week.
The Dundeel mare was only fair at her first two runs back but worked home well to finish second behind The Fact at Doomben a fortnight ago.
The mile looks ideal at this point of her preparation, and she might not be offered a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Drive A Deel
XXXX Fillies & Mares BM78 Handicap (1200m) – 2:23pm AEDT
This looms as a wide-open contest with plenty of winning chances, and at publish, we’re faced with around $5.50 the field.
Centrestone hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but I thought that this looked a nice kick-off point for her, and she looks a bit of value at current odds ($11 at publish).
The Hinchinbrook mare turned in some eye-catching efforts last time in, winning at this point of her preparation and finding form around some quality gallopers down in Sydney.
She’s trialled well in the lead-up to her return and gets conditions to suit under Mark Du Plessis. We can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 Centrestone
Magic Millions BM85 Handicap (1200m) – 2:58pm AEDT
Perfect Mission takes winning form into this race and can make it two in a row.
The Annabel Neasham-trained mare finishing third behind the likes of Liquor here first-up last month and took plenty of improvement into a smart win at her latest.
Fitter third-up, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again this week, and she is my best bet on the program.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Perfect Mission
Roku Gin BM78 Handicap (1400m) – 3:33pm AEDT
The consistent Sha Of Gomer steps out in the sixth at Eagle Farm on Grand Prix Stakes and rates as a key winning chance again.
Sha Of Gomer hasn’t missed placing at his last four trips the races, returning from a freshen up to win in BM75 company here in October before filling the minors in a BM85 on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
I like that he is a month between starts again, and I can’t back to see him back to Eagle Farm.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Sha Of Gomer
Group 3 Ladbrokes Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) – 4:12pm AEDT
Felix The Scat has improved for three starts since joining the Gollan stable, and I can’t wait to see him out to 2100m for the first time in the Grand Prix Stakes.
He showed some ability during his time racing for Peter & Will Hulbert during his two-year-old season, but was well and truly done by the end of his time there.
I thought he was good through the line in the Eagle Way at Doomben a fortnight ago, and he steps out this week in peak order.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Felix The Scat
Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m) – 4:52pm AEDT
This is a great edition of the Gold Edition Plate, and a good curtain raiser for a race like the Magic Millions Guineas in January.
Cifrado is yet to show his best in two starts back, but I think he looks a genuine each way chance in something like this.
The Encryption gelding was outstanding last time in, winning consecutive Group 2 features before ending his campaign sixth in the JJ Atkins.
While his first two starts back have left a little to the imagination, I like that he has been back to the trials since his last appearance, and he does seem to find his best at Eagle Farm.
He’s another whom we can have something on each way this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Cifrado
Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1400m) – 5:32pm AEDT
In retrospect, Scallopini clearly needed his first run back this time in the Recognition Stakes a couple of weeks ago, but I am keen to stick with him second up in the Lough Neagh Stakes.
The Snitzel gelding has been a great horse for the O’Dea and Hoysted yard for several seasons now, picking off some nice races in several states.
His second-up record is excellent, and he’s another whom I believe will return a far better performance at Eagle Farm this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Scallopini
Eva Air Evergreen Open Quality Handicap (1810m) – 6:12pm AEDT
Knight’s Choice was an impressive winner at Doomben last time out, and something like this looks well within his means as well.
The Extreme Choice gelding has been a good performer throughout his campaign, and finished a credible four lengths behind the winner in The Golden Eagle in November, before returning to Queensland and his home track to finish fourth in the Mooloolaba Cup.
He was a class above in similar company at Doomben last time, and I think that he will prove to be again this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Knight’s Choice