Eagle Farm Tips & Preview | Saturday 3 October 

APOSTLE (1) backs up quickly after coming within a neck of winning the Toowoomba Guineas last Saturday.

The Pat Webster-trained gelding settled towards the rear from an outside gate, then produced a powerful finish after making a sweeping move on the turn, only for Ashkirk to run him down.

He also showed his class during his first preparation, winning back-to-back races that included a 1300m victory here over the talented Martist.

His strong finish last week points to the 1500m being within reach, and the lack of speed should help him settle in a prominent position.

CAPTAIN MAVERICK (3) continues to run honest races, though his record of two wins and 19 placings from 33 starts shows how often he gets close without landing the decisive blow.

He came near again over 2200m at the Gold Coast last start, where he was shuffled back to last on the turn and held up for clear running before charging home to miss by a whisker.

That effort followed another narrow defeat at Ipswich, where he found the line strongly after his jockey fumbled with the persuader and went down by a head.

The smaller field may help him avoid traffic, while the lack of speed could allow Ryan Maloney to settle him closer to the front.

GLOBAL ECLIPSE (1) has made good progress since joining new trainers Chris and Corey Munce, finishing second to subsequent winner Metaphorically when resuming at Ipswich before going one better at Doomben last start.

The Pierata gelding had to work three-wide for the first half of that mile race before rolling forward to sit outside the leader, but he kept battling and won by half a length.

He should take further benefit from that run third-up, and the rise in distance looks suitable given his wins over 2000m.

The inside draw is a positive from this starting point, giving Martin Harley the chance to position him well throughout.

LAST COMMAND (1) can improve on his luckless Doomben run now that he returns to Eagle Farm, where he has previously performed well over this course and distance.

The Michael Freedman-trained gelding dropped to the tail from a wide gate last start and appeared to have plenty left in the straight, only to run out of room along the fence and finish sixth, beaten 1.53 lengths, without being tested.

He won by 1.24 lengths over this course and distance at his fifth run back last preparation, then missed by a head at his next start.

A kinder draw should help him settle closer to the action, with Jace McMurray’s 1.5kg claim another advantage.

ANOTHER CASHIE (12) made an encouraging return over 1110m at Doomben, where he settled last after being taken back from the outside barrier before charging home for a head second.

The Matt Dunn-trained gelding recorded the quickest closing sectionals of the day, and he should strip fitter for that first-up effort.

This is a step up in class, although connections considered him capable of competing at black-type level last preparation.

He has won second-up before, and the expected speed up front should give him a chance to finish over the top of them. Andrew Mallyon may also be able to settle him closer from the better draw.

SCRIPTED (11) gets a good opportunity to improve on her recent efforts with a drop in class, despite being two years between wins.

The Matt Dunn-trained mare charged home over 1500m at Rosehill last start to finish just over half a length fourth, after placing by just under a length in a stronger Rosehill race at her previous outing.

Those performances suggest she is still racing well enough to be competitive, and the set-weight conditions look favourable.

Top Brisbane jockey Ben Thompson takes the ride.

BRINDAVAN (2) brings strong recent form into this race, having won over 1350m at Doomben two starts ago before finishing a neck second at his next outing.

The Tony Gollan-trained gelding produced the quickest final 400m when winning by three-quarters of a length, then again recorded the best closing sectionals when narrowly beaten.

The rise in distance looks suitable, and a tick-over trial should have him ready to return.

He has also won third-up in the United Kingdom and brings a class edge to this field.

With limited speed expected, Ryan Maloney may be able to cross from the outside gate and settle in a prominent position.

MOONAN QUARTZ (3) gave a strong account of herself when resuming over this distance at the Gold Coast, finishing a neck second after working across from a wide draw to lead.

The Mick Lakey-trained mare kicked well in the straight, but the fitter Metaphorically eventually ran her down.

She remains unbeaten second-up, including a 2.29-length win over this course and distance when returning from a break last preparation.

Barrier 2 should make it easier for Justin Stanley to secure a good position on speed.

MOULIN MISS (11) arrives in form and looks capable of giving her rivals a challenge with only 52kg on her back.

The Tony Gollan-trained mare led throughout over this course and distance last start, winning by 1.36 lengths in slick time.

She has won three of her past four starts over the Eagle Farm 1000m, with her only defeat a head second.

A recent trial win, where she accounted for Yellow Brick, should have her in good order, and Angela Jones takes the ride.

GRAM (5) is aiming for a seventh consecutive win, and his latest performance gives little reason to oppose him.

Tony Gollan has placed the son of Exceed And Excel well throughout his rise through the grades, from a maiden win by more than five lengths to his latest success over 1110m at Doomben.

He settled handy last start before putting his rivals away easily, and although this is his first attempt at 1200m, he is rock-hard fit and finished strongly over the shorter trip.

Bella Youngberry claims 3kg and has won all four of her rides on him.

His early speed should allow her to lead or settle in the second pair.