Tattersall’s Tiara Day is set down for Eagle Farm this Saturday as the curtain comes down on another successful Ladbrokes Stradbroke Season.
The $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara is the feature event on the nine-race program, with the fillies and mares contest again holding its place as the final Australian Group 1 of the racing season.
The card has strong depth beyond the headline race, with six black-type events across the meeting, while the Ladbrokes Battle of the Bush Final gives Queensland’s country gallopers their opportunity to compete for a significant prize in town.
Below is my race-by-race assessment of the Eagle Farm program, including tips, best bets and value plays.
SWORD OF LEGACY (2) had legitimate excuses when finishing near the tail in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly raced keenly and covered ground throughout after drawing the car park, which made her task difficult.
She had also drawn poorly two starts earlier in the Darby McCarthy, where she went back, found traffic, and still closed strongly to finish just under a length away in third.
Her maiden win three starts ago over 1000m at this track was a better guide, as she settled handy from a good barrier before letting down powerfully.
From the low draw, Nash Rawiller should be able to position her much more positively.
| 2. Sword Of Legacy (5) J: Nash Rawiller 57.5kg x2130T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Most recently 14th of 17 at this track in the LR Qld Day on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 55kg at $26. The start before that 3rd of 13 at Doomben Darby Mccarthy on May 23 over 1110m, slow going 0.9 len behind Earn To Burn carrying 54kg at $14. Best form stacks up so give her another chance. | |||
ISTOLEA MERC (13) made a strong return over 1100m at Canterbury and appears well suited rising in distance.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding was awkward away, received an early bump and settled worse than midfield, but he balanced up well and produced an excellent turn of foot to score by 1.16 lengths.
He has won over 1200m previously, so the extra trip second-up looks suitable.
With an abundance of speed engaged, Ash Morgan should be able to find a trailing position just behind the tempo before bringing him into the race late.
| 13. Istolea Merc (8) J: Ashley Morgan 58.5kg 423×1T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months favourite; won by 1.2 len at Canterbury Bm88 June 8 over 1100m defeating Ready To Shine carrying 54.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 6th of 10 at Randwick Bm78 on November 1 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Pokerjack carrying 58kg at $2.60. Consistent sprinter who should hold that form. | |||
TANNIN (6) made an immediate impression when successful on debut at Gosford.
The Michael Freedman-trained son of Exceed And Excel quickened smartly, came past his rivals and won by 1.42 lengths.
The rise to 1400m should be suitable at this stage of the preparation, while Tommy Berry remaining in the saddle is another positive.
He jumped well on debut before taking a sit to avoid being caught wide, and a favourable barrier should allow him to settle prominently again.
| 6. Tannin (3) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 1T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, won favourite; won by 1.4 len at Gosford Mdn-Sw June 11 over 1200m in soft going defeating Pharland carrying 56.5kg at $1.60. Much harder this time but can only improve. | |||
PESHWA (4) returns to the Ladbrokes Battle Of The Bush Final having won the race last year.
Prepared by Lindsay Hatch on that occasion, the grey produced a strong effort after racing wide and then being hampered in the straight.
He carried 53kg in last year’s win and has 56.5kg this time, although that is still well below the weights he has been asked to carry recently.
Now back with Ben Waldron, the gelding comes through the Cunnamulla qualifier, where he carried 62.5kg and narrowly defeated Roll Up.
His win in the Quilpie qualifier two starts ago was also strong, as he let down powerfully.
He brings the right form into the Final, and the engagement of Tommy Berry is significant given many of his rivals will be partnered by country jockeys.
| 4. Peshwa (3) J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg x3011T: Ben Waldron | |||
| Last start won by a neck at Cunnamulla Sw June 6 over 1200m defeating Roll Up with 62.5kg at $3.20. The start before that won by a nose at Quilpie Hcp May 9 over 1200m defeating Mon Pierre with 58kg at $5.50. Prepared to overlook. | |||
SUN WORSHIPPER (4) comes through the Listed Ipswich Cup, where she made late ground to finish 2.39 lengths away in third.
The Matt Kropp-trained mare returns on the quick back-up, a setup that worked well for her earlier this year when she won the Magic Millions Shootout over this course and distance.
Several rivals are coming out of mile races, whereas she has built a solid staying base with three consecutive runs over 2000m or further.
That fitness profile is a positive at 2100m.
Ben Thompson takes the mount, and with clear air in the straight, she should be capable of making her presence felt.
| 4. Sun Worshipper (6) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg x6503T: Matt Kropp | |||
| Last start 3rd of 12 at Ipswich in the LR Ipswich Cup on June 20 over 2150m, slow going 2.5 len behind Kaluakoi carrying 53kg at $21. The start before that ran second last of 14 at this track in the G3 Prem Cup on May 30 over 2400m, slow going 17 len behind Alalcance carrying 54kg at $31. Can feature on the quick back-up. | |||
FUTURE HISTORY (2) has returned with two encouraging performances and looks suited getting to 2400m.
The Greg Hickman-trained eight-year-old resumed in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben, where he raced wide throughout but continued to work home and finished 1.76 lengths away in fourth.
He then improved in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup, closing strongly to finish a neck third and finishing ahead of Encoder, who subsequently just missed in the Ipswich Cup.
The rise in distance is in his favour, and the set weights conditions suit.
The outside barrier is the main query, but with only a small field and limited speed engaged, Nash Rawiller should be able to find a forward position.
| 2. Future History (6) J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg 14×43T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran on from midfield; 4th of 13 at Doomben in the G3 Chairman’s Hcp on May 16 over 2000m, slow going 1.75 len behind Middle Earth carrying 60.5kg at $20. Last start 3rd of 13 at this track in the G3 Lord Mayors Cup on May 30 over 1800m, slow going head behind Athanatos with 58kg at $8. Should be peaking at the third run back. | |||
SUN GOD (2) has returned in good order and appears ready to improve again third-up.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding resumed at Scone in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes, where he finished strongly to win by a nose.
In the Listed Spear Chief Handicap last start, he settled near the tail before sweeping home to hit the lead, only for War Eternal to rally and win by a head.
War Eternal is chasing a fourth consecutive win and remains in excellent form, but Sun God meets him 2kg better at the weights.
He would not want the track too wet, although the draw should allow him to settle in a stalking position behind War Eternal.
| 2. Sun God (1) J: Nash Rawiller 58kg 31×12T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up won by a nose at Scone LR Luskinstar May 16 over 1300m defeating Point And Shoot carrying 53kg at $15. Second run from a spell 2nd of 11 at this track in the LR Spear Chief on June 6 over 1500m, head behind War Eternal with 59kg at $4.80. Very honest and gets all the favours from an inside gate. | |||
MANAAL (3) was stiff not to win the Group 2 Moreton Cup when resuming last start.
The Michael Freedman-trained mare enjoyed a nice run in transit but could not secure clear air in the straight, and when she finally did, she was squeezed inside the final 100m by the eventual quinella horses before finishing 1.23 lengths away in third.
Her second-up record is excellent, with three wins and a second from five starts, and all three victories have come at Group 2 level.
The rise in distance looks ideal, and she won the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ over this trip earlier in her career.
Ben Melham should be able to land in the first half of the field and give her every chance.
| 3. Manaal (9) J: Ben Melham 57kg 229×3T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 3rd of 11 at this track in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Uncommon James carrying 56kg at $7. Previously second-up 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Guy Walter on February 28 over 1400m, slow going 0.8 len behind Verona Rose carrying 59kg at $3.40. Honest mare who will be thereabouts again. | |||
OAK HILL (6) produced a strong closing performance in the Group 2 Moreton Cup last start, finishing a neck second after recording the quickest final 200m of the race along the inside.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding had also been without clear luck in his two previous starts and should have finished closer in both.
Two starts ago in the Group 3 BRC Sprint, he settled well back, ran into dead ends late when still travelling strongly, and finished 2.38 lengths away in seventh.
From a favourable draw, Daniel Stackhouse should be able to keep him close enough to the speed.
If he is within striking distance entering the straight, he should be fighting out the finish.
| 6. Oak Hill (3) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57.5kg 08872T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Last start 2nd of 11 at this track in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, long-neck behind Uncommon James carrying 57.5kg at $31. The start before that 7th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Brc Sprint on May 23 over 1350m, 2.5 len behind Abounding carrying 57kg at $31. Went close last time. Back in form and should be in the finish again. | |||