Racing Preview: Saturday 11/6/16
- Jun 11, 2016
- 4 min read
Picture: bradleyphotos.com.au
It's the biggest day in Queensland racing history on Saturday with 4 Group 1's on the card, highlighted by the Stradbroke Handicap. After torrential rain last week the track has reportedly come back in great order for the first meeting on the new Eagle Farm surface in nearly two years. It does look a very difficult card for punters, with very big and even fields engaged. There are also two very good cards from Flemington and Morphettville Parks for punters to sink their teeth in to.
Eagle Farm
Take two! Remarkably, the track is currently rated a Good (4) and they were considering watering it! The rail is out +3m the entire course.
Race 3 1400m Bundaberg Dane Ripper Stakes - Group 2 $200k
No age restriction. No class restriction. Fillies and Mares. Set Weights plus Penalties.
Ghisoni bypassed the Stradbroke for this and I believe she would have been a legitimate chance in that race with no weight on her back. She returned from a freshen up with a strong win at Doomben over 1350m, giving the track record a scare. She's drawn wide here but being an on speed runner she should be able to track across at her own discretion. She's clearly the best horse in this race and should continue on her winning way.
Morphettville Parks
The track is rated a Soft (7) at the time of writing but it will be fine and sunny Saturday so there is a slight chance of an upgrade. The rail is out +6m from the 1000m to the Winning Post and +3m the remainder.
Race 6 1300m Celebrating Pam Nunn's Big Six Oh! Handicap
Three-Years-Old. BenchMark 70. No sex restriction. Handicap.
I really liked the run of Royal Guard last time out over this track and trip when 2nd to Moss 'N' Dale. He beat 3rd by 3L on that occasion and it was his first go on rain affected going which he clearly handled. He's 4th up in to this race and with 54.5kg on his back after Finnegan's claim and this looks a very good race for him to record his 2nd win at his 7th start.
Race 8 1400m Schweppes Handicap
No age restriction. BenchMark 64. No sex restriction. Handicap.
I thought Infinity Queen should have won last time out when the rider just got too far back in the field and never gave her a winning chance. She ran on strongly on that occasion at her first go on rain affected going and gets the same conditions here. She steps to 1400m for the first time here but I don't see that as an issue at all. Dylan Caboche is on board and takes 3kg off her back, meaning she will only carry 0.5kg above the minimum. She maps to get a nice run just off the speed and I fancy she will be strong late.
Flemington
The track is rated a Soft (5) at the time of writing but there is rain forecast for Saturday so it should probably stay that way. The rail is out +6m the entire circuit.
Race 3 1000m L.V Lachal Handicap
Three-Years-Old. No class restriction. No sex restriction. Handicap.
I'm following the money trail here and backing in Wall Street Wolf to salute on debut. The Hayes & Dabernig team have stated publicly they have a very big opinion of this horse and the fact he makes his debut in a 3 Year Old Open Handicap supports that. He won a trial by 6L in good style before a break with some handy gallopers behind him. He will carry 52.5kg here and is already $13 into $4 and that's enough for me!
Race 4 1800m Ken Cox Handicap
No age restriction. BenchMark 90. No sex restriction. Handicap.
Holy Cow drops back in grade after running a very good 3rd in Stakes grade in Adelaide on the 21st of May. She got back in the field over 2000m on that occasion and really ran through the line well. That run came after a good win in a BM70 at Sandown with 61kg on her back. She's been very hard to catch for punters but I think she is putting it all together now and Flemington/1800m appears to suit her down to the ground. She gets in with 51kg after Mertens' claim as well which is a big positive.
Race 6 2000m Craftsman Handicap
Three-Years-Old. BenchMark 78. No sex restriction. Handicap.
The run of Whoop Whoop over 1600m at this track last start was that of a coming winner. Before the race Mick Price said he thought he would need at least 2000m to show his ability, so his effort over the mile was full of merit. He is 3rd up here after two runs at the mile and gets in with 55kg after the claim for Dee. He's been well backed already and is sure to be supported again on race day.
Our Bets
Eagle Farm
Race 3 - Ghisoni - 2 unit win
Morphettville Parks
Race 6 - Royal Guard - 1 unit win
Race 8 - Infinity Queen - 1 unit win
Flemington
Race 3 - Wall Street Wolf - 1 unit win
Race 4 - Holy Cow - 1 unit win
Race 6 - Whoop Whoop - 1 unit win
*Prices taken are the top tote, as shown by punters.com.au in their results section*
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