The much maligned Eagle Farm track will be in the spotlight this weekend with the running of the newly created G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
My plan is to watch the first few races and see how the track is playing or perhaps to look for horses that have already proven themselves on this surface.
My plan is to watch the first few races and see how the track is playing or perhaps to look for horses that have already proven themselves on this surface.
Who's Hot?
Craig Williams rode four winners at Morphettville last weekend (all of them Stakes races) just a day after bagging a two-track treble (Geelong and Cranbourne) on Friday.
I won't list them all but he has a bunch of rides at Cranbourne tonight and Sandown tomorrow.
EAGLE FARM
*** At time of publication the track was rated a Heavy 8. The forecast was for a partly cloudy day with a medium chance of showers. ***
The Kingsford-Smith Cup (Group 1, 1300m, w-f-a)
Current Sportsbet market
*** Egyptian Symbol is an early scratching ***
They haven't raced here for four weeks and apart from 20mm late last week the track has had no significant rain since May 9 and yet we're starting on a Heavy 8. Not a good look.
Black Heart Bart handled this track well enough when a narrow second (below) in last year's G1 Stradbroke Handicap. He lumped 58kg that day and gave weight to all his rivals so w-f-a suits. In seven second-up runs he's had six top two finishes but on the other hand he's never won on affected going. From barrier four he should get into a good spot in the run. Trainer Darren Weir has never had a G1 winner in Queensland.
Clearly Innocent bolted in fresh a fortnight ago to win the Listed Luskin Star Stakes for the second year in a row. He's two from two at 1300m and three from three on slow tracks. Hugh Bowman stays solid and he is the leading G1 rider this year with 11 wins in Australia and two in Hong Kong. Take out his Melbourne failures and he's won six of his last eight with his only two misses coming first-up at 1100m which is short of his best.
Derryn was last at the half mile in the G1 Doomben 10,000 (below) but rattled home late to grab third. The step up to 1300m looks ideal and he does handle wet surfaces as indicated by his wins prior in the G2 Arrowfield Stakes and the Listed Darby Munro Stakes. The stable had a day out last Saturday with four winners at Flemington and a Stakes double at Morphettville. From barrier five he can get cover back in the field but he's going to need a little luck.
Counterattack beat Derryn home last start (above) and he has two wins and five placings from seven attempts on affected going. His last win was on this day last year when he claimed the G3 Fred Best Classic but that was run at Doomben. Only Redzel has beaten him home at his last two runs. He mixes his form a bit but is capable enough on his day. Hard to believe he's just a 4-y-o - it seems like he's been around forever.
Double figures the rest of them.
Jungle Edge has drawn horribly and faces a stiff task with speed drawn inside him like Tycoon Tara, Music Magnate and Start Wondering. Having said that he has 11 career wins and they have all been on slow or heavy going. Only Tivaci and Le Romain got past him three starts back in the G1 All Aged Stakes. Music Magnate got badly tightened on the turn last start in the G1 Doomben 10,000 so that was a forgivable run. He won at this track four weeks ago in the G2 Victory Stakes on a Soft 7 and he did win the G1 Doomben 10,000 (below) on this day last year. The gate doesn't help. Under The Louvre won the G1 Stradbroke Handicap on this track last year. He beat Black Heart Bart that day but meets him 3.5kg worse off here at w-f-a. He's never missed a place in five second-up runs.
Tycoon Tara has three 1300m wins to her name from five tries. Last time she ran at this trip she finished alongside Counterattack in the G3 Theo Marks Stakes and she gets a 3kg swing here. She got no favours at the barrier draw though. Hopfgarten is a five-time winner at this track and a three-time winner at this trip. He acquitted himself quite well here last start when second to Music Magnate in the G2 Victory Stakes and he handles the sting out of the ground. Impending has form around Derryn, Jungle Edge and Le Romain this time in so he can't be dismissed lightly. He's never won on a wet track, but he's never missed a place either. He's $21 into $15 in early markets so there has been some support. He'll get the gun run from gate one.
There are other runners but I can't get excited about their chances.
Tycoon Tara has three 1300m wins to her name from five tries. Last time she ran at this trip she finished alongside Counterattack in the G3 Theo Marks Stakes and she gets a 3kg swing here. She got no favours at the barrier draw though. Hopfgarten is a five-time winner at this track and a three-time winner at this trip. He acquitted himself quite well here last start when second to Music Magnate in the G2 Victory Stakes and he handles the sting out of the ground. Impending has form around Derryn, Jungle Edge and Le Romain this time in so he can't be dismissed lightly. He's never won on a wet track, but he's never missed a place either. He's $21 into $15 in early markets so there has been some support. He'll get the gun run from gate one.
There are other runners but I can't get excited about their chances.
Locky's Selections
BEST
11. Derryn
DANGER
1. Black Heart Bart
2. Under The Louvre
4. Music Magnate
5. Counterattack
OTHER BETS
Morendi (Eagle Farm Race 4 No. 11) has had six starts at Eagle Farm and they've all been since the redevelopment. He's won three, placed in two and was a three quarter length fourth in the other. He's had four starts here at the 2200m for two wins and two placings and he's never missed a top three finish at the trip in eight attempts. If they are able to make ground out wide on the day I think he's a worthy each-way bet at double figure odds.
Artistry (Eagle Farm Race 6 No. 2) was second in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes on Stradbroke Day this time last year so she should handle the track. She wasn't far off susequent G1 winner Secret Agenda three starts back in the G2 Sapphire Stakes. She's well placed at set weights plus penalties against fillies and mares.
Artistry (Eagle Farm Race 6 No. 2) was second in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes on Stradbroke Day this time last year so she should handle the track. She wasn't far off susequent G1 winner Secret Agenda three starts back in the G2 Sapphire Stakes. She's well placed at set weights plus penalties against fillies and mares.
Good punting!
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