We’re getting closer and closer to the Magic Millions, and a few key form races will be run and won at Eagle Farm on The Gateway Day!
If that wasn’t enough, the winner of The Gateway gains ballot-free entry into next year’s Stradbroke Handicap, and adds further intrigue to an outstanding day of race.
You can find my thoughts on every race and 2023 The Gateway Day Tips below!
Channel 7 BM78 Handicap (2400m) – 1:03pm AEDT
Kureder has been outstanding this time in and looms as the one to beat again in the first on The Gateway Day.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding has won three of his last four starts, and was dominant here two back before repeating that performance and result at Doomben a fortnight ago.
In peak order, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Kureder
XXXX RQ Summer Provincial Series No Metro Wins Handicap (1300m) – 1:38pm AEDT
Your Too Good has returned to the races in good form this time and looks a winning chance again at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Your Song mare returned a winner on the Sunshine Coast back in October, before finishing second behind an impressive Zhuang Shi on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
She’ll take further improvement into this contest, and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Your Too Good
Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m) – 2:13pm AEDT
Spywire has opened a clear and justifiable $1.14 favourite in Phelan Ready betting.
He’s only made one appearance at the races so far, but he was a dominant winner on that occasion, and he’ll only improve for it.
I’m going to select him as the winner in a Same Race Multi, and pump up that quote with Boomroux running into the first three and Mishani Explorer running into the first four.
Same Race Multi selections are:
- 1 Spywire (Win)
- 3 Boomroux (Top 3)
- 2 Mishani Explorer (Top 4)
Suggested Bet: Same Race Multi
Listed Calaway Gal (1000m) – 2:48pm AEDT
Barbie’s Sister only just missed on debut at the Sunshine Coast, but I’m confident she’ll take enormous improvement into the Calaway Gal this week, and stamp herself as a serious Magic Millions horse.
The Spirit Of Boom filly showed great ability at the trials prior to that debut race, and her condition just gave out a little late.
With even luck this week, I’m confident she’ll break her maiden.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Barbie’s Sister
Magic Millions QTIS 3YO Handicap (1400m) – 3:28pm AEDT
Weigall Tiger has recorded three wins from as many starts back this time, and something like this looks the next logical target for him.
The Saxon Warrior gelding broke his maiden over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast first-up from a spell and has since added victories in BM65 and handicapped company.
He has been a month between starts at each run this time in which clearly, has been the key to him, and it’s a similar situation for him into this race.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Weigall Tiger
Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m) – 4:08pm AEDT
Shooting For Gold has returned to the races in typically smart form this time and is ready to win third-up in the Bribie Handicap.
The Shooting To Win gelding has been a great horse for O’Dea & Hoysted for several seasons now, picking off plenty of nice races in multiple states.
He returned to action to finish third, beaten a head on the Sunshine Coast in October and was last seen finishing second in the Swiss Ace Plate.
An inside draw should prove beneficial, and he’s certainly up to the class.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Shooting For Gold
Listed Ladbrokes Just Now Quality (1300m) – 4:48pm AEDT
The talented Better Get Set steps out this week second-up and primed to strike.
Better Get Set has raced consistently throughout twenty-eight career appearances so far, and her fresh performance behind a fit Comrade Rosa in the Tatt’s Classic a couple of weeks ago away eye-catching.
She’s a notable second-up performer, and the small rise in trip should suit her ideally this weekend.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Better Get Set
The Gateway (1400m) – 5:28pm AEDT
With ballot-free entry into next year’s Stradbroke Handicap going on the line, we’re set for another quality edition of The Gateway, with plenty of winning chances engaged.
The Vowels is yet to strike in three starts back from a break, but there’s also no doubt that he has continued to improve, and I thought that he represented value in The Gateway betting ($13 at publish).
The Vowels has recorded wins and three minors from his fifteen career starts to date, and returned to action in winter to win at Listed level, before running placings in both the Queensland Guineas and the Rough Habit Plate most notably.
I thought that he was decent through the line when fourth in the Listed Recognition Stakes a fortnight ago, and this is probably a weaker race than that one.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 The Vowels
Gemlife Diamond Dash BM80 Handicap (1200m) – 6:05pm AEDT
Helluva Barty has gained a start in this race following a few early scratchings, and I am confident that he can win it.
Helluva Barty easy accounted for a BM68 field at Doomben back in October, and he won only just denied by Standing Order at his only other start.
I’m confident he’ll take further improvement into this race, while a return to the big Eagle Farm track should also prove beneficial.
Suggested Bet: No. 17 Helluva Barty
BRC Membership Plus BM70 Handicap (1500m) – 6:41pm AEDT
A wide-open race with plenty of winning chances, and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field.
One horse that I thought was huge overs in this race is the Brian Smith-trained Clyde, who is up at odds of $31 at publish.
Clyde returned to action with a fair effort without threatening in BM78 company at Doomben last month, but he is a horse than tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under his belt, and his second-up record is excellent.
He’ll get some relief in the weights this week under a claiming apprentice, and I’m keen to have just a small each way play at the big quote.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Clyde
