Stradbroke Season kicks off at Eagle Farm this Saturday, with Queensland Guineas Day launching Brisbane’s winter carnival. It’s a key opening meeting that sets the tone for the weeks ahead, and this year’s program looks a strong one with three black-type features.
The Group 2 Queensland Guineas headlines the meeting, supported by the Group 2 Victory Stakes for the sprinters and the Listed Dalrello Stakes for the two-year-olds, offering an early look at some of the carnival’s key contenders.
Conditions are expected to play a role, with showers forecast throughout the week and the track currently rated a Soft 7. That should ensure testing ground, bringing wet-track ability and fitness to the fore.
With that in mind, I’ve assessed the form to help you find a few Eagle Farm winners.
MERCURIAL LADY (3) had little luck last start over 1200m at Doomben and can atone here.
The Desleigh Forster-trained gelding was held up along the inside and only saw clear running late, hitting the line strongly to finish just under half a length from the winner.
He strips fitter third-up and the first-time blinkers look a key gear change.
From barrier 2, Vlad Duric should secure a soft run just off the speed.
Selections: 3-4-8-11
| 3. Mercurial Lady (2) J: Vlad Duric 60kg 17×33 T: Desleigh Forster |
AUTUMN WINTER (2) is racing in peak form and looks well placed to bring up a hat-trick.
The Matthew Smith-trained gelding has thrived since stepping up in distance, overcoming difficulties to score at Wyong before a dominant 2.2 length win over 2400m at Warwick Farm.
Sydney form traditionally holds up well in these races, and he maps to get a soft run from the low draw.
Selections: 2-5-9-4
| 2. Autumn Winter (2) J: Ryan Maloney 59kg x4611 T: Matthew Smith |
ALL ADORE (9) was dominant over this course and distance last start and can go on with it.
The Nick Olive-trained filly settled in the box seat before letting down strongly to win by 1.95 lengths.
Her previous win at the Sapphire Coast was even more impressive, scoring by over four lengths with a big gap to third.
She continues to improve and will carry just 51.5kg after the claim.
Selections: 9-5-3-2
| 9. All Adore (7) J: Coriah Keatings 54.5kg 15311 T: Nick Olive |
JENNI MOREESE (8) is flying and chasing a fifth straight victory.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained mare won at the Sunshine Coast four runs back before reeling off three consecutive wins over this track and trip.
Each time she has circled the field and finished powerfully.
Corey Sutherland stays aboard, and with his claim she drops to 54kg.
Selections: 8-13-1-10
| 8. Jenni Moreese (5) J: Corey Sutherland 56kg 21111 T: Corey & Kylie Geran |
ICARIAN DREAM (2) gets in well at the weights and brings a class edge into this.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly had no luck two runs back when caught wide throughout but still stuck on well.
She followed that with a strong second at Doomben, working to the line nicely behind Smexy.
The bigger Eagle Farm track suits, having won the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes here as a two-year-old.
Barrier is awkward, but she’ll likely settle back regardless.
Selections: 2-3-7-8
| 2. Icarian Dream (11) J: Tahlia Fenlon 54kg 33762 T: Ciaron Maher |
THE NEXT EPISODE (3) has returned in excellent order this preparation.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was found lame on debut before a spell but resumed with a strong win at Warwick Farm despite being held up.
He was unlucky again last start in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes, missing the start before storming home to finish a head second.
A recent Doomben trial win suggests he’s ready to peak again.
Selections: 3-7-1-4
| 3. The Next Episode (10) J: Jason Collett 57kg 0x12 T: Ciaron Maher |
BRAVE MONARCH (2) was highly impressive winning the Listed Daybreak Lover last start.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding raced three-wide throughout yet still produced the quickest closing splits to score by 2.24 lengths.
The rise to a mile looks ideal and he has a strong third-up profile.
From barrier 3, Martin Harley should give him every chance.
Selections: 2-3-4-1
| 2. Brave Monarch (3) J: Martin Harley 57kg 11×41 T: Chris & Corey Munce |
LADY OF CAMELOT (10) resumes after more than a year off but looks ready to run a bold race.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained mare was consistent in strong company last preparation, including multiple placings behind Lady Shenandoah.
Her recent trials have been encouraging, including a sharp on-speed win.
From a good draw, Tim Clark should land in a stalking position behind the speed.
Selections: 10-4-8-3
| 10. Lady Of Camelot (4) J: Tim Clark 56.5kg 2223x T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
GRAMMAR LAD (19) is racing in terrific form and is chasing a third straight win.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding was last seen powering home to run down subsequent winner Savagery Vibe to score by 1.11 lengths over 1350m at Doomben.
That followed a similar effort the start prior where he overcame traffic to get the job done.
This is another rise in class, but he continues to handle everything thrown at him and is a progressive type.
Selections: 19-14-5-15
| 19. Grammar Lad (6) J: Michael Rodd 55.5kg x4311 T: Kelly Schweida |