
What have we told you time and time again?
Stop betting at Eagle Farm!
Did we listen to ourselves? No.
Should we have? Absolutely!
Anywho, nine races were run and won; Joymaker made sure he didn't stay in the winner's circle for too long, Wren's Day threw the towel in with 50m to go and Kubrick nearly won his first race in 45 years - all true mug fashion. Let's take a walk back down memory lane, yeah it was only two days ago, but we are trying to forget.
Eagle Farm Racecourse - Rail +5.5m - Good 4
Race 1 - QTIS 2YO HCP - 1400m
Winner: Secret Tales $2.30 FAV
Time: 1:25.02
Just a field of six contested this two-year-old handicap and the punters were rewarded early with race favourite Secret Tales saluting. Steph Thornton guided the filly from barrier two perfectly - following the leaders and then slipping through underneath to put paid to her rivals by nearly two lengths. She has now won two races in just seven days after she absolutely bolted in at the Gold Coast last Saturday by 18L.
Race 2 - Benchmark 78 - 2200m
Winner: Aberlady $32
Time: 2:20.07
There isn't a great deal to be said about this one. Joymaker was an easing favourite and looked to have every possible chance in the straight but just refused to stick his neck out. The race was won by one of the outsiders in Aberlady under Ron Stewart who turned the tables on the favourite after finishing four lengths off the enigma that is Joymaker the start prior. There was only 3.5L between first and last; it's a bin job this one.
Race 3 - C,G&E Benchmark 72 - 1200m
Winner: Clearance Sale $2.40 FAV
Time: 1:11.30
Geeee some heart in mouth stuff for favourite backers here. Clearance Sale looked to have every possible chance in the run under Michael Rodd, and upon straightening he looked the winner for sure. That was until Hidden Eyes kicked away and put what looked an unassailable lead with about 100m to go. Rodd and Clearance Sale stuck to their guns though and railed through to get up right when it counted. He looks a pretty promising horse heading towards the Winter Carnival and it is clear that Bryan & Daniel Guy are being careful where they place him. PHEW!
Race 4 - F&M Benchmark 72 - 1200m
Winner: Centrefire $11
Time: 1:11.25
This was a highly anticipated race and the market had it down to three winning chances; Ingear, Dis Dah Wun and East Asia. So what happened? Centrefire won at double figures. Typical! Justin Huxtable gave the Munce-trained mare every possible chance with a beautiful ride just off the pace before squeezing through to fend off the challenge from East Asia. That pair put up a fair gap on the others so we are keen to follow both through the carnival and the money that came for East Asia suggests there might be an opinion floating around.
Race 5 - 3YO Quality HCP - 1200m
Winner: Tycoon Evie $3.90
Time: 1:11.15
In what shaped to be the race of the day between five quality 3YOs, punters were left a touch flat despite the well-backed Tycoon Evie going on her winning ways. Kisukano bounced back from her last start flop to look the winner, while race favourite Gotta Kiss was the big flop, finishing 10L last. Tycoon Evie looks to have the Guineas at her mercy in two week's time. They did run the quickest time of the three 1200m races of the day, so that's worth noting.
Race 6 - Class 3 Plate - 1400m
Winner: Alpendurada $3.80
Time: 1:25.21
With some key scratchings here again; punters honed in one horse and one horse only. Unfortunately for them, it was the wrong one. Montez firmed into a commanding $3 favourite come the time of the jump, but like many throughout the day, a ‘questionable ride’ determined his fate. The winner on the other hand had the perfect cart into the race and was able to simply peel off the favourites back to storm home down the outside. The Dark was brave battling home into second, but the 4YO gelding might be nearly at the end of his prep.
Montez a forgive run, but unfortunately this field gave us not a lot to get excited about.
Race 7 - BM90 Handicap - 1400m
Winner: In His Stride $38.80
Time: 1:24.52
Again Punters had this race marked as a race in two, She Za Boss looked to buckle at the start which made things tough from there for the Edmonds-trained 5YO. It then looked to have presented perfect for the well fancied Wren’s Day but a costly change of hands had the old boy In His Stride producing a barnstorming finish up the inside thanks to red hot Steph Thornton. She Za Boss still worked home well despite the start and Jay Jay Dar looked to be hitting the line well. This field however is full of exposed form, we questioned the strength of the Wren’s Day form prior and have probably been left with more questions that answers. Especially to Leah Kilner.
Race 8 - Class 6 HCP - 1600m
Winner: Walking Flying $5
Time: 1:37.40
In what looked to be a pretty brutal tempo set up by Dreamtimer, it was backed up on the clock. Coming home in 35.68s and with the top 3 on the turn finishing 5th, 6th & 7th it was set up for the swoopers. Steph went from Hero to Villian in 30 minutes as I’m sure she’d like her time over on Slow Hands, we can’t however find excuses for the Waller pair Kubrick and Word for Word - they were in the perfect sit and just always seem to find a couple better. Unbiased ran on well and seems to be at his best at the mile and beyond, he is only an 82 rater so will be happy to keep an eye on him up to the 2000m getting in well at the weights.
Race 9 - Class 6 HCP - 1400m
Winner: Le Palmier $4.6
Time: 0:57.98
Well it again came down to which Gollan runner, and ‘they’ didn’t seem to know. Unwanted by punters, Le Palmier was $3.50 out to $4.60 whilst Pizonie was $5 into $3.50 favourite. We have to put the line through Pizonie, as Maloney reported the Gelding failed to stride out. Le Palmier was super 1st up though and looks set for a big prep, Air Spirit was good back in 3rd and looks to just looks to be a dry track horse. I think we’ll see a bit more of this field line up against each other over the next month.
Win of the Day: Clearance Sale
For the MugBook
East Asia: Ex-Sydneysider who now calls QLD home was good in his Brissy debut only to be beaten narrowly. Next start, up in trip = yes.
Unbiased: Old timer who will get better when he gets out to 2000m and down in the weights. Potential NQ Cups horse again.
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