The Summer Racing Carnival continues with a quality nine-race program at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Automatic entry into next year’s Stradbroke Handicap goes on the line in The Gateway (1400m), while there are also three black-type races on the card.
Our best bets for Eagle Farm on Saturday can be found in our preview below!
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Race 1 – 12:38pm – Benchmark 80 Handicap (1600m)
Smart Meteor worked home well for sixth last time out at the Sunshine Coast in his first run back from a spell.
He won over the mile at Eagle Farm by close to a length back in July and has the runs on the board second-up to suggest he’s capable of much better.
This race doesn’t look any tougher for Chris Munce’s five-year-old, and I think he represents good each-way value in a fairly open race.
Race 2 – 1:13pm – Magic Millions QTIS 3YO Handicap (1400m)
Aretero has made the journey up from Sydney following a total forgive run last time out at Rosehill.
The heavy conditions really didn’t suit him that day, so I’m happy to give him another chance on a dry deck back to 1400m.
The colt by Flying Artie won well two back over a similar distance at Wyong, a step back in class following a luckless outing in a Listed race at Randwick first-up.
He looks well-placed here and barrier 8 should see him doing his best late.
Race 3 – 1:52pm – Eureka Stud Phelan Ready (1000m)
Big watch on Palazzo Spirit, a colt that likely has the Magic Millions in his sights next year,
The Spirit of Boom two-year-old was outstanding on debut over this track and distance back in October, and the form out of that race reads well with third placegetter Mishani Warfare going on to win his next start.
The Steven O’Dea-trained sprinter won his trial well at Doomben on Tuesday and looks the one to beat in this small field.
Race 4 – 2:32pm – Listed Canadian Club Calaway Gal (1000m)
Mouette was outstanding on debut on the Gold Coast last month, gapping her rivals by nearly three lengths over a slightly shorter journey.
The Better Than Ready filly pushed forward and made every post a winner under Georgia Cartwright, and I expect the pair to try and replicate that performance despite the wider gate.
The form out of her debut race has been franked with second placegetter Minks Star going on to win two weeks ago on the Sunshine Coast, so I think there’s a definite case to be for her as an each-way chance.
Race 5 – 3:12pm – Roku Gin The Gateway (1400m)
Hard to knock the form (and class) of Apache Chase in the feature.
The Desleigh Forster-trained gelding rattled off back-to-back wins at Toowoomba and Eagle Farm, before running a very respectable fourth behind I’m Thunderstruck in the Golden Eagle.
That alone sets him apart from the rest, and since he’s been kept fresh for the run, I have a very hard time imagining him not punching a ticket into next year’s Stradbroke Handicap.
Race 6 – 3:52pm – James Squire Just Now (1300m)
Expat has come on leaps and bounds for trainer Mark Newnham and looks well-placed to make it a double on Saturday.
The mare by Makfi resumed two weeks ago at Rosehill where she gapped Brookspire by 1.5L on a very heavy track.
This is her first look at Eagle Farm, but fitter and out over her preferred distance again, I can’t find any reason why she won’t win.
Race 7 – 4:32pm – Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m)
Shooting For Gold puts his unbeaten record at Eagle Farm on the line in the hope of making it four straight.
The four-year-old is back from a freshen-up after last running at the Sunshine Coast when third to Zoustyle, the winner of last week’s Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben.
That form line speaks for itself, while the fact he’s also unbeaten second-up makes him hard to knock.
Race 8 – 5:13pm – Class 6 Plate (1200m)
Garibaldi has been a mixed bag over the last six months, but I’m happy to forgive him on his first-up run when sixth at the Sunshine Coast over shorter.
He was a late drifter in betting that day and his plain finish reflected that, but dropping back in grade and out to a distance he’s won over three times previously, I think he can bounce back.
The son of I Am Invincible has also done some of his best racing at Eagle Farm, so he goes on top.
Race 9 – 5:52pm – No Metro Wins Last 2 Years Handicap (1300m)
Jakama’s recent form reads well in what is a very wide-open race to end the day.
The five-year-old won well at Ipswich two weeks ago over a similar journey and was game to the line behind Nicci’s Spirit two back over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
He hasn’t missed the money this time in work, and while this is a step up in grade, I think he can run a sneaky race with no weight on his back.
