With another Stradbroke Season now completed, the focus shifts back to the midweek program at Eagle Farm, where an eight-race card is set down for Wednesday.
The track was rated a Soft 6 on Tuesday, and it would not surprise to see conditions remain somewhere in that soft range by race day.
The rail is positioned 9 metres out, which may make race shape and early positioning important. During the latter stages of the Carnival, riders were often looking to get away from the inside section of the track, so it will be worth monitoring the early races to see whether that pattern continues, or whether those racing on speed are able to build momentum around the spacious Eagle Farm circuit.
The feature carnival period may be over, but there are still several form angles to assess across the card as we look to work through the better chances.
LOVE REBEL (7) should be ready to peak third-up after showing improvement at her second run back.
The Matt Hoysted-trained filly should have finished closer first-up over 1100m at the Gold Coast after being held up, although she also settled further back than ideal.
She then produced an improved second-up effort at the Sunshine Coast, where she covered ground but still let down well to finish a head second.
With added fitness on her side, the rise to 1350m appears suitable given the strength of her closing effort last start.
There looks to be good speed drawn wider, which may allow Daniel Moor to use the low draw and secure an economical run.
| 7. Love Rebel (3) J: Daniel Moor 58kg 25×72T: Matthew Hoysted |
CANYA BERICH (8) is an interesting runner for trainer Jarred Coetzee as she steps to a mile second-up.
She made a strong impression on debut when working home solidly from well back to finish 2.27 lengths third over 1110m at this track.
Since then, things have not unfolded smoothly for the four-year-old mare, with several setbacks meaning she now lines up for just her third race start nearly two years later.
That lack of luck was again evident when she resumed over 1350m at Doomben last start. She appeared to have plenty to offer late but was disappointed for a run inside the final 100m, eventually finishing 4.16 lengths from the winner when she should have been closer.
That performance suggested the rise to 1600m should be beneficial, particularly with natural improvement to come second-up.
| 8. Canya Berich (4) J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg 3×9T: Jarred Coetzee |
HIGH DANDY (3) resumed in strong style last start for new trainers Chris & Corey Munce.
The son of Ace High settled in a handy position over 1400m at the Gold Coast and took a little time to build through his gears in the straight.
Once fully balanced, however, he finished off powerfully to score by just under a half-length.
He should take improvement from that first-up run, and his second-up record is another positive, having won two from three when second-up, with both of those wins coming over this distance.
With Courtney Bellamy claiming 3kg and an inside gate to work from, he should get every opportunity to run up to that form.
| 3. High Dandy (1) J: Courtney Bellamy 59.5kg 4x0x1T: Chris & Corey Munce |
Michael Freedman sends OUR HUNTRESS (11) north in search of a suitable race to break through.
She has been consistently competitive in stronger Sydney maiden races, placing in all six career starts, including four runner-up finishes.
She comes into this off a positive Gold Coast trial, where she worked well within herself and cruised around to finish a close third.
Her only previous third-up run came over 1250m at Canterbury, where she led and was only caught late, finishing a head second.
Ben Thompson takes the ride, and from the setup of the race he can look to have her settled on speed.
| 11. Our Huntress (6) J: Ben Thompson 56kg 22×23T: Michael Freedman |
MOONAN QUARTZ (4) returned in excellent order last start at the Sunshine Coast.
The Mick Lakey-trained gelding enjoyed a favourable run stalking the leader before quickening strongly to draw clear for a 2.94 length victory.
The rise in distance looks suitable, particularly given he easily won his only previous second-up race at the Sunshine Coast last preparation.
In a race that does not appear to contain a great deal of speed, he should be able to take up a forward position.
Bella Youngberry’s claim brings him down to just 54kg, and that gives him the profile of a runner who could prove difficult to run down.
| 4. Moonan Quartz (4) J: Bella Youngberry 57kg 143×1T: Michael Lakey |
SIESTA (6) resumes here and has her first start for Tony Gollan.
The daughter of Invader has had two trials in preparation for this first-up assignment, with the most recent producing a pleasing effort when winning.
Her fresh form also reads well, having won first-up last preparation at Geelong when trained by Price & Kent Jnr, despite racing three-wide and showing signs of greenness.
From the inside barrier, Cejay Graham should be able to make use of the draw and have her positioned prominently in running.
| 6. Siesta (1) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 1256xT: Tony Gollan |
FRAGILE LOVE (7) returns to the races after last being seen finishing strongly for a close second over 1200m at Ipswich in April.
Now in the care of Tony Gollan, the No Nay Never mare has prepared for this return with a solid recent trial, where she worked well against some speedy types.
She has shown an ability to race well fresh and is also a previous winner over this course and distance.
This 1000m sprint looks likely to be run at a genuine tempo, which should suit her finishing pattern.
With the benefit of a good barrier, Ben Thompson may be able to settle closer than usual before allowing her to build into the race.
| 7. Fragile Love (2) J: Ben Thompson 59.5kg x462xT: Tony Gollan |
VALOROUS POWER (2) looks ready to improve as he gets out to 1800m.
Following two fair runs in Sydney over distances that appeared short of his best, Kris Lees brought the import to Doomben last start.
In that mile contest, the son of Frankel did not have much luck early, but he made strong late ground to finish just over a half-length fourth.
He won two of his five starts in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien, so there is enough ability in the profile, and this looks a slight drop in class from his most recent assignment.
Ben Osmond’s 2kg claim is useful, and from the low draw he should be able to get an economical run.
| 2. Valorous Power (1) J: Benjamin Osmond 61.5kg 1×964T: Kris Lees |