The Queensland Cup headlines a big opening day for the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival, with 10 races set for Eagle Farm this Saturday. The Listed Tattersall’s Member Cup adds another feature, while the season’s first metropolitan two-year-old race offers an early look at the juveniles coming through.
The track is rated a Soft 5 and the rail is out 2m, setting up an intriguing test across the card. We’ve worked through the track conditions, speed maps and key runners to find the main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
The carnival is underway, the features are ready to go, and there are winners to be found. Let’s get stuck into the form.
Two-year-old races can be difficult to assess when the field is making its debut, but VENUS INVICTA (2) has shown enough in her preparation to warrant interest.
The daughter of Capitalist won an 840m Doomben trial, showing good speed to cross and lead before working well to the line under her own steam.
Trainer Kelly Schweida would be unlikely to start her unless he considered her educated and ready for race conditions.
Martin Harley partnered her in that trial and retains the ride from a favourable draw.
| 2. Venus Invicta (3) J: Martin Harley 54.5kg T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Makes her first race appearance as a Capitalist filly from Dream Of Venus and draws kindly in barrier three. Kelly Schweida produces her as the stable’s only runner on the card, and Martin Harley gives her a capable, experienced rider with a strong record at this venue. The setup gives her every chance to make a strong debut. | |||
METAMORPHICALLY (1) has adapted well to Jeff Dunn’s stable after previously racing in Sydney, winning both starts for his new trainer.
He first impressed at Ipswich, charging down the straight to win the 1350m contest by 3.32 lengths.
Last start at the Gold Coast, he settled just behind the lead over 1400m and proved too strong in the run home.
Bella Youngberry claims 2kg and should be able to position him well on speed again.
| 1. Metaphorically (7) J: Bella Youngberry 59kg x0011 T: Jeff Dunn | |||
| Arrives in peak form after consecutive wins, most recently beating Moonan Quartz by half a length at Gold Coast when sent out favourite. The start prior was a dominant CG Class 2 win at Ipswich on soft ground, where he opened right up to score by three and a half lengths. Proven at 1400m and the rider record is excellent; the top weight is the query. | |||
DARK ARTS (4) returns quickly after finishing fifth over this course and distance last start, beaten 1.57 lengths.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was forced back from a wide draw, then raced three deep without cover after failing to find a position.
Despite the tough run, he still found the line well.
His earlier form is encouraging, too. He finished third when resuming over 1200m at Doomben, with subsequent Sydney Highway Handicap winner Bluish Hue a head ahead of him in second.
He should be at peak fitness and is suited by the expected strong tempo.
| 4. Dark Arts (8) J: Angela Jones 58kg 2×355 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Was better than fifth last start at this track, beaten a length and a half in Benchmark 70 grade after settling rearward and racing wide throughout. He had also been close enough at Gold Coast two back, and his record at this venue and distance is a genuine asset. A strong winning hope. | |||
GRAFFITUDE (6) can build on his debut fourth at Bairnsdale, where he finished 1.61 lengths away over 1200m.
The son of Graff transferred to Tony Gollan’s stable after that run and quickly responded with a win over this course and distance.
He was still racing greenly, but had enough ability to put his rivals away comfortably.
There should be further improvement to come, and the draw gives Angela Jones the chance to secure a favourable run.
| 6. Graffitude (2) J: Angela Jones 56kg 41 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Progressive gelding who put away a 15-runner 3yo Maiden at this track on soft ground, beating Budda Bar by a length and a half after looming up strongly. His debut fourth at Bairnsdale had merit after being held up passing the 300m, and he now gets weight relief from that latest win. Lightly raced, progressive and clearly the runner to beat. | |||
SAMARELLE (8) heads north from Sydney after winning last start and has the opportunity to continue her strong form.
The O’Shea and Charlton-trained mare closed well for second over 1400m at Warwick Farm two starts ago, beaten 3.26 lengths after settling back.
She again raced off the pace last time, but the rise to a mile suited and she finished strongly to score by a length.
The step up to 1800m looks suitable. Anna Roper’s claim brings her weight down to 55kg, and barrier 4 should help her find an economical run.
| 8. Samarelle (4) J: Anna Roper 55kg 60×21 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Made the right progression second-up at Warwick Farm, winning over 1600m on soft ground as favourite despite early crowding and a bump on the home turn. She had worked home well for second there first-up in a 3yo+ FM Benchmark 72, and now arrives third-up with a 1.5kg claim. First go at 1800m is a query, but she sets the standard. | |||
KING OF POP (3) resumes for Tony Gollan after a lengthy period without a win, but his recent assignments have been much stronger.
The Farnan gelding won on debut before taking out the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra at his second start.
He has not won since, 18 months ago, though his subsequent races have included a head second in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes.
Two strong recent trials against open-class horses suggest he is ready for a competitive return.
Ben Thompson has the inside draw and should be able to settle him close to the speed.
| 3. King Of Pop (1) J: Ben Thompson 60.5kg 5x90x T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Returns from a three-month break after ending last campaign with two plain Randwick runs, including a last when beaten six and a half lengths behind Exit Fee. He had earlier contested a 3yo+ Benchmark 88 on soft ground and now resumes for the leading Tony Gollan and Ben Thompson combination, with a Doomben trial a few weeks ago. Last campaign reads plain, but his profile is stronger than that. | |||
LUCKY PAT (1) returns after an encouraging first campaign, having won his first two starts over 800m at Ipswich.
He then finished second to The Next Episode in the Listed Dalrello Stakes, beaten 2.91 lengths.
His preparation ended with a 2.42-length third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, behind The Next Episode and Natural Fling, who are Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes favourites.
Two trials should have him ready to return, and he won his latest hit-out in effortless style.
Jace McMurray claims 1.5kg and has a favourable low draw.
| 1. Lucky Pat (2) J: Jace Mcmurray 58.5kg 1123x T: Pat Webster | |||
| Returns from a five-month break after building a sharp juvenile record, with two wins and two placings from four starts. Ended last campaign third in a 2yo Open at Gold Coast, beaten two and a half lengths after beginning slowly and racing wide throughout, following a second in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at this track on heavy ground. Strong profile to return winning. | |||
NAVAL SEAL (3) produced a much better effort at the Gold Coast last start after two runs that did not go to plan.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding had little luck first-up, then failed to put the change of tactics into practice second-up.
He returned to this class last start and charged home late, missing the win by a nose, with third more than three lengths away.
He should be at peak fitness and looks suited by the likely race shape. Atmosphere should ensure a strong tempo, which could allow Andrew Mallyon to settle just off the pace before making his move in the straight.
| 3. Naval Seal (6) J: Andrew Mallyon 57kg 4×782 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Went within a nose of winning at Gold Coast last start after being an outside chance in the betting, which was a sharp return to form. Two back he was safely held in a Benchmark 85 at this track, but that race reads stronger than this and he is now fourth-up with first-time blinkers applied. Proven at this track and distance and looks a major danger. | |||
AMPLIFY (3) brings strong staying form to Eagle Farm and looks well placed in the Queensland Cup.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare finished a head second to So You Think over this distance at Rosehill last start, closing strongly in the Colin Stephen Quality.
She has maintained her form throughout the preparation, winning the Tygalgah Cup at Murwillumbah five starts ago and finishing third in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick three starts back.
She rises significantly in weight but drops in class and has proven she can carry weight.
| 3. Amplify (6) J: Angela Jones 58.5kg 31342 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Went within a neck of winning the G3 Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill last start after being bumped at the start, and that is the strongest recent staying line in this field. She had earlier run fourth in the G3 Newcastle Cup, beaten just under three lengths, despite being unwanted in the market. Proven at the trip and brings the best recent form. | |||
FUKUBANA (2) was far from disgraced in the Lismore Cup, charging home to miss victory by a neck under 62kg.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding settled back and wide from the outside barrier but made strong late ground despite the hefty impost.
He’ll appreciate returning to this course and distance, where he won comfortably two starts ago despite suffering from heat stress.
There’s good form around him, too. Weetwood winner Let’sfacethemusic narrowly beat him first-up, when Fukubana recorded the meeting’s fastest final 400m.
He’s at peak fitness and draws well for Andrew Mallyon.
| 2. Fukubana (4) J: Andrew Mallyon 58.5kg 0x212 T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Went within a neck of winning an Open at Lismore last start after being sent out favourite, with the stewards noting he was steadied approaching the 1100m. That followed a sharp Class 6 win at this track on soft ground, beating Gorbachev by just under two lengths. Strong wet and 1400m profile makes him the one to beat. | |||