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 4 entire circuit
Going to have something each way on SOCIALIST in this. She only got her maiden away two starts back then really liked her run in Listed company at Doomben last start. Improving filly and she is nice each way odds.
MAOTAI demolished them at Ipswich on debut. This obviously a big step up for him but he looks smart and if improved may just be too speedy for these.
PARK AVENUE comes north without doing anything wrong in his two starts. Liked the way he knuckled down to win at Randwick last start and if he finds that form can figure in this.
IN THE CONGO showed good speed and was too speedy for them at Kensington on debut. Sure to be better from that outing and he will be up front for a long way.
Tip: SOCIALIST
I am going with the import DELPHI at first start in Australia. Did enough in his recent trial at Sunshine Coast and if he brings anywhere near his Irish form will be right in the mix.
KEMENTARI is racing better than the form guide suggests. He has not been all that far off them in Group 1 company and back to Listed company can get away with this.
PROFIT kept his solid first-up form here last start with good tough win. Obviously this is a step up in class but he should get ideal run from inside gate and would not leave out.
MISTER SEA WOLF was placed in Group 3 company two starts back then went to the Hollindale Stakes and was little disappointing. Should get perfect run in transit.
Tip: DELPHI
Was not disappointed with the way AYRTON chased home bravely in the Fred Best behind all the way winner Apache Chase. He will be even better from that outing and should win this.
ELLSBERG comes north in strong form. Dominant Listed winner first-up then been close up in next couple of outings. Looks the main danger.
WITHOUT THINKING is working through his classes with ease on the provincial circuit. Finds a tougher race but keeps improving and he can sneak a place.
EASY CAMPESE fought the race out strongly to win at Kensington last start. Brings solid form up north and he can measure up to these.
Tip: AYRTON
Only small field but very competitive. Settled on KNIGHTS ORDER who makes own luck sitting up on the speed and can sprint away from them final stages. This a winnable race for him.
CARIF keeps racing consistently but just cannot find the finish line. Expect he will get the perfect run in transit and he will again look winner at some stage in the straight.
RONDINELLA is racing in consistent form and she deserves a win. Beaten less than 2 lengths in the G3 Premier’s Cup last start and she must be included in chances.
LORD BELVEDERE should have finished a little closer in the Premier’s Cup last start when squeezed final stages. If he has some luck from the corner can sneak into a place.
Tip: KNIGHTS ORDER
Hard not to be impressed with the dominance of ZAAKI in the Doomben Cup. He should win this under a hold.
PATHS OF GLORY beat Zaaki three starts back and he has been close up in two runs since. Not quite improved as much as the favourite but should be competitive again.
Victoria Derby winner WARNING got back into winning form in the Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben last start. Maybe in for a solid prep and must include in chances.
TOFFEE TONGUE chased home Zaaki in the Doomben Cup last start and although a long way of him would not leave her out of multiples.
Tip: ZAAKI
Sticking with the bonny little mare OUTBACK BARBIE. She finished too well to win at Doomben two back then beaten less than 2 lengths in the G1 Kingsford-Smith last start. That form good enough to get away with this.
Would forget that KING OF HASTINGS went around in the Chief De Beers last start as he was never on the track at any stage and entitled to tire as he did. Will strip fitter for this and can figure.
GARIBALDI did not have all that much luck between runners at Doomben last start. He got going again late and not beaten far. Will get the perfect run from inside gate and he looks a major player.
AWAY GAME may have had enough when taking on Group 1 company before break. Placed in Listed Gold Edition when first-up last time in work. Must include in multiples.
Tip: OUTBACK BARBIE
Liked the way PORT LOUIS hit the line when coming from a mile off them when placed in the Sires’ Produce last start. Gets out to the 1600m and that will suit. Looking for him to go close.
CONVERGE arguably should have won the Sires’ Produce. He was held up at vital stage before powering home to just miss. He gets his chance to go one better.
TIGER OF MALAY comes off a strong Sires’ Produce win when chimed in at the 200m and proved too strong. Finds similar field and no reason cannot win again.
RANCH HAND was right in the market in the Sires’ Produce but raced little disappointingly. He is much better than that and from perfect barrier draw should improve.
Tip: PORT LOUIS
WILD PLANET chased home strongly when placed behind Eduardo in the Doomben 10000 first-up from spell. Strips fitter second-up and getting out to the 1400m looks ideal. He can win this.
APACHE CHASE jumped to the front and gave nothing else a chance in the G3 Fred Best last start. He has no weight on his back and will run these along. He is the one to catch.
IMAGING was placed in Group 1 three back at Caulfield then he has not had all that much luck in top quality in last couple. If he gets an ounce of luck he will be right in the mix.
Hard not to be impressed with the finishing burst of VEGA ONE winning the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith here last start. If he produces that finishing burst he can win again.
Tip: WILD PLANET
Finishing with a tough race but settled on SWEET DEAL. Won the G3 Hawkesbury Crown two starts back then just missed here last start. She will give them a start but has big finish and will take holding out.
BRROKLYN HUSTLE returned to her best form when finishing all over a Group 3 field at Morphettville last start. She will need some luck from the corner but has powerful finish and if gets clear run can win this.
FUNSTAR resumes from spell. Quality mare who took on top class races last time in work. Drawn to get the perfect run in behind the speed and she will be right in the mix.
The big query is the Kiwi mare COVENTINA BAY coming across the Tasman for the first time. She only just missed in Group 1 company last start and that form reads well for a race like this.
Tip: SWEET DEAL