Eagle Farm hosts Family of League Champions Raceday this Saturday, with 10 races on the program. It is the penultimate meeting of the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival.
The track is rated a Soft 5, though warm days are expected to bring conditions closer to the Good range by Saturday. The rail is positioned 3m out, making early positioning and the speed map important considerations.
Our race analysis assesses the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card. Here is the full Eagle Farm preview.
VINTAGE VIBES (3) arrives in strong form and is aiming to make it three successive wins.
Two starts ago, the Jay Bellamy-trained gelding won over 1000m at the Gold Coast, recording the quickest final 200m of the meeting.
He followed that with a town win last start. Held up briefly in the straight, he made up ground quickly once clear to score by just over half a length in a stronger race than this.
He is rock-hard fit and should be able to settle on speed for apprentice Jace McMurray.
| 3. Vintage Vibes (7) 59kg0x311 | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Last start won by 0.7 len in a Nmw at Doomben on October 31 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Scheherazade with 54kg at $5. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len in a Cl2-Sw at Gold Coast on October 10 over 1000m defeating Quein Step carrying 57kg at $2.80. | |||
ROCHEDALE HERO (6) has been a reliable performer, finishing outside the top three only twice in his nine starts.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding showed plenty of fight over 1600m at Doomben last start, finishing 1.42 lengths behind All Kinds Of Folk.
The form looks suitable for this assignment. Twisted Queen, who finished second in that race, has since won, and Atmosphere, who was second behind Twisted Queen, also won at its next start.
He has also placed in both of his previous starts at Eagle Farm.
Taylor Marshall can use his early speed to cross and find a position near the lead.
| 6. Rochedale Hero (8) 58.5kg31323 | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. Last start raced on the pace when 3rd of 7 in a 1Mw at Doomben on October 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind All Kinds Of Folk carrying 54.5kg at $6. Before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 in a 1Mw at this track on October 3 over 1400m, 2 len behind Spaceballs with 53kg at $4. Close to a win. | |||
KOKATAHI (3) has finished second in both runs this campaign and appears ready to peak.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was less than a length away after finding the line well first-up.
He then closed with the best sectionals of the race at Doomben. The 1500m looks suitable, having already won at the distance when third-up last preparation at Hawkesbury.
With only a couple of horses expected to go forward, Ryan Maloney should be able to settle in a handy position from the good gate.
| 3. Kokatahi (4) 60kg64×22 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 2nd of 8 in a 3&4yo Bm70 at this track on September 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Tiz Worthy with 55kg at $3.60. Second run from a spell sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 7 in a Cg&E Bm68 at Doomben on October 5 over 1350m, 0.6 len behind Smoke On The Water with 58.5kg at $4.40. | |||
CUNNAMULLA FELLA (3) faces 1800m for only the second time, but this looks a more favourable opportunity to handle the distance in an easier race.
After drawing poorly last start over a mile here, the Rob Heathcote-trained gelding settled last. He still made good late ground in the heavy conditions to finish third behind Brindavan.
Two starts ago, he produced a strong turn of foot, recording the fastest final 200m and catching Brindavan right on the line to win.
Speed looks limited, which could allow Jace McMurray to lead or settle close to the pace. The apprentice claims 1.5kg.
| 3. Cunnamulla Fella (3) 53.5kg26213 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 12 in a Hcp at this track on October 24 over 1600m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Brindavan with 56.5kg at $15. Before that won by a nose in a Hcp at this track on October 3 over 1600m defeating Brindavan with 56.5kg at $7. | |||
HE’S TRU BLUE (13) has improved at each start this preparation and looks capable of reaching his peak third-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained entire finished half a length behind stablemate Lebanese over this course and distance last start, despite giving him 3kg and having less fitness.
They went slowly early before sprinting home, which made the task difficult for him. He should be fitter for that run and has won his only previous third-up race, when based in the UK.
First-time blinkers are applied, and Daniel Moor has a favourable draw.
| 13. He’s Tru Blue (2) 55.5kg63×42 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in a Bm70 at this track on October 3 over 1200m, slow going 1.2 len behind Mercian with 59kg at $9. Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 in a Bm70 at Doomben on October 17 over 1350m, 0.5 len behind Lebanese carrying 59kg at $2.60. | |||
ESJAY (3) should benefit from the return to 1400m and the prospect of a drier track.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding made an effort over a mile in heavy conditions last start, but was unable to match Brindavan and finished sixth.
Two starts earlier, he was held up but still finished strongly for third, just over half a length away, in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup. That run maintained his record of placing in every start over this course and distance.
He drops to 56.5kg and maps to get a favourable on-speed run for Jace McMurray.
| 3. Esjay (2) 56.5kg1×536 | |||
| Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 in a Hcp at this track on October 24 over 1600m, in the wet; 8 len behind Brindavan with 58.5kg at $9. Before that 3rd of 13 in the LR Tattersall’s Members Cup at this track on October 10 over 1400m, slow going 0.6 len behind Kintyre carrying 60kg at $5.50. | |||
KING OF POP (1) had little go his way when resuming for new trainer Tony Gollan over this course and distance.
He looked likely to make an impact in the straight, but was blocked behind a wall of horses and had to drop back to last to find room on the outside.
By the time he got clear, the race was almost over. He still finished strongly to be beaten two lengths into third.
The Farnan gelding won on debut and then took out the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra at his second start. That was 18 months ago, and he has not won since.
Apart from last start, his races since then have been in significantly stronger company. His best effort in that period was a head second in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes. Angela Jones can use the inside barrier to settle him prominently.
| 1. King Of Pop (1) 60.5kgx90x3 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after two months 3rd of 9 in a Bm78 at this track on October 10 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Bring Me Kash with 60.5kg at $4.20. Previously second-up ran last of 10 in a Cg&E Bm78 at Randwick on August 8 over 1200m, 6 len behind Exit Fee with 60.5kg at $41. | |||
EASY LOVE (9) was unsuited by the slow tempo over a mile at Doomben last start and became keen, though she was still not beaten far.
The David Vandyke-trained mare resumed in good order over 1400m at Eagle Farm, recording the best closing sectionals to win by just over a length.
She should be fitter for her third-up run and gets Ryan Maloney in place of the apprentice.
The horses expected to go forward are drawn wider, which could result in a more favourable speed for her.
| 9. Easy Love (2) 58kg32×16 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; won by 1.1 len in a Cl3-Sw at this track on October 3 over 1400m defeating Scripted with 55kg at $8. Second run from a spell from last on the turn ran second last of 7 in a 1Mw at Doomben on October 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind All Kinds Of Folk with 56.5kg at $3.70. | |||
LA ROJA (5) resumes for new trainer Jack Bruce. Tuesday’s abandoned race, where she was a short-priced favourite, appeared an easier assignment, but she remains well placed here.
The I Am Invincible mare’s latest performance came in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes during the Queensland Winter Carnival. She charged home from the back to finish a neck second.
She has not won for just over a year, but has been runner-up in six of her last seven races.
The draw is sticky, so Emily Lang will need some luck. If she gets it, the mare should be finishing strongly.
| 5. La Roja (9) 57kgx422x | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign second of 16 at Ipswich in the LR Eye Liner June 20 over 1350m, soft track; a long neck behind Soothsayer with 55kg at $31. When resuming last campaign fourth of 12 at Gosford Bm78 May 9 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Hillier carrying 56.5kg at $3. | |||
ZIP LOCK (2) returns after finishing sixth, beaten 2.52 lengths, in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January.
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt had an excellent first preparation, winning his first two starts.
One of those wins came over this course and distance in the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes. He has had two trials to prepare for his return and should be ready to produce a bold first-up performance.
The outside barrier is a concern, though scratchings will bring him in closer. He looks the class runner.
| 2. Zip Lock (14) 60kg116x | |||
| Racing first-up today. Finished off last preparation sixth of 13 at Gold Coast in the LR Mm 2yo Classic January 17 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Unit Five with 57kg at $3.30. At his first start favourite; won by 1.5 len Doomben 2yo Hcp November 15 over 1200m slow track defeating Itchintogo carrying 59kg at $4. | |||