Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Good 4
Rail Position: Out 2 entire circuit
PRINCE OF ARRAGON just keeps winning this prep. Knuckled down soon after balancing up for impressive win at Doomben last start and if he can hold that form can make it four in a row.
CELLARMAID relished the heavy ground when placed at Gold Coast two starts back then went to Doomben and was working home late. If she can sit a bit closer she can figure in placings.
MASAFF started favourite at Ipswich last start and drove clear last 200m to win with something in hand. Drawn to get the perfect run in transit and he can measure up to this.
HAPPY GO PLUCKY chased home bravely but just found Prince Of Arragon a little too good at Doomben last start. Only needs to hold that form to be in finish.
Tip: PRINCE OF ARRAGON
Sticking with Gai Waterhouse and her front running gelding VOLCANIC ROCK in this. Only race fitness that cost him first-up at Rosehill and with Craig Williams aboard here he can go one better.
TUTUKAKA is a query runner. Placed at only start in New Zealand before stable chose to come across to Queensland where he was again placed at Sunshine Coast. Looks ready to break maiden status.
WHY WE DRINK won a couple in a row on the provincial circuit then was not beaten all that far at the Sunshine Coast. Drawn to get all the favours and he can figure in the multiples.
Tip: VOLCANIC ROCK
BOLD STYLE caught the eye with a late finish to be beaten less than a length here last start. He finds similar race and will be right in the mix late.
RED CHASE comes into this third-up from spell. Came from well back at Doomben last start and from ideal barrier here should get perfect run and will make his presence felt.
MISHANI HUSTLER ran a slashing race when grabbed placing in the Listed Chief De Beers last start. He has ideal barrier and if holds that form can get away with this.
TUMBLER RIDGE just found the step up to Group 2 level in the Queensland Guineas a little beyond him. He had won previous start and can bounce back in easier race.
Tip: BOLD STYLE
USMANOV showed nice turn of hoof to win the Bat Out Of Hell at Gold Coast last start. Looks to have the form to get away with this race.
BOOMTOWN LASS resumes from a spell. She has not finished any further back than second in any of her first-up outings (6:2-4-0) and must include on that stat alone.
HAIL MANHATTAN is another fresh from a break. He just kept winning last prep and finished campaign with three straight wins. Won two of three first-up tries and must consider.
Tip: USMANOV
SPLINTEX won the G3 Hall Mark two starts back then he only faded late in the Doomben 10000 when not beaten all that far. Drawn ideally and he can win this.
VARDA came from the back with an enormous finish to win the Listed Chief De Beers last start. She will be giving them a start on the corner but can power home over the top of these.
THE ASTROLOGIST copped a bit of trouble in the Chief De Beers but still kept coming and beaten less than 2 lengths. Better from the outing and will go close in this.
WISDOM OF WATER was placed at the Gold Coast two starts back then beaten less than 2 lengths in the Darby McCarthy last outing. That form good enough to be a factor in this.
Tip: SPLINTEX
GROUNDSWELL just could not find the front in the G3 BRC Sprint last start and was beaten at 200m. If he can get across and find the front here he will be the one to run down.
LE CASTILE is the big query in this coming across the Tasman. Took on Group 2 company in New Zealand last start but was out classed. Third-up from spell and takes on easier race.
ITZ LILY won the Muswellbrook Cup fresh then not beaten at Kensington next start. Was not far away in the G3 Pam O’Neill last start and that form good for this.
Tip: GROUNDSWELL
ROCHA CLOCK looks nice each way odds in this. Randwick winner two starts back then went to Scone and won in Group 3 company. She is top pick in this.
IN GOOD HEALTH was benefit of masterful Damien Oliver ride from the front winning in Listed company last start. Expect they will ride her in similar fashion here and she is the one they have to run down.
YAMAZAKI produced her trademark finish to win in Listed company at Gold Coast two starts back then just found Nudge bit too strong last start. She will give them a start but look for big finish last 200m.
GEM OF SCOTLAND was placed in the Silk Stocking two back then not disgraced in the Pam O’Neill last start. Drawn perfectly and will be in finish.
Tip: ROCHA CLOCK
DUAIS put a couple of wins together before chasing home Hungry Heart in what was a classy Australian Oaks field last start. That form should stand up to this and she can go one better.
ONLY WORDS did not have the best of luck early in The Roses but that did not stop her sprinting away final stages. The Roses is the best guide and would not be surprised to see her do the double.
BARGAIN chased home Only Words into second spot in The Roses last start. She has been racing in consistent form and looks one of the major players.
GRACE AND HARMONY started this prep in super form winning three straight then she did not have all that much luck in The Roses when raced a little tight. She can bounce back in this.
Tip: DUAIS
KISUKANO resumes to winning form in the Darby McCarthy last start. She has always shown she is above average and can make it two in a row.
GEORGIE’S PRIDE controlled the race in front at Eagle Farm last start and was never in danger. She has won five of her last six starts and will be right in the mix again.
OUR PLAYBOY will strip much fitter second-up from spell. Beaten less than 2 lengths in the Darby McCarthy at Doomben fresh and would not leave him out of major chances.
Tip: KISUKANO