Wednesday’s Eagle Farm tips cover a seven-race programme, with plenty to assess across the card.
The rail is out 10.5m, which should favour runners settling on speed. Early positioning will be important, and the opening races may provide a useful guide to how the track is playing.
The track is rated a Soft 5 and is expected to remain around that mark, with showers likely after the meeting. Our race analysis assesses the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities.
Ben Thompson has a strong book of rides and could be in line for a big afternoon.
HIT THE SWITCH (1) returns after a determined third in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate, his first start since that performance.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding covered ground throughout, racing three-deep, but still fought on to finish 2.19 lengths from the winner.
He has placed in four of six starts and gets a good opportunity to break through. A 10.5-length trial, where he led all the way seemingly in second gear, suggests he is ready to run well.
Ben Thompson takes the ride and should give him every chance.
| 1. Hit The Switch (4) 60kg2243x |
STELLAGRACIA (4) had a range of issues last start, with a slow recovery, coughing and discomfort on the heavy track offering reasons to forgive the run.
Her debut at Doomben over 1200m was much more encouraging. The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled behind the lead, then was squeezed in the straight and swamped late to finish 1.85 lengths second.
The form has since received a boost, with both the winner and the fourth horse going on to win.
She should be fitter third-up and looks set to get a favourable position on speed.
| 4. Stellagracia (7) 58kg28 |
DOUBLE COOL (4) returns from a break after finishing fourth over 1200m at Doomben in May, where she found the line despite a tough run.
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained filly showed her ability last preparation, including when fighting on for sixth, beaten 2.32 lengths, in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic.
She has impressed in two trials ahead of her return, travelling on speed and finishing with plenty in reserve.
Blinkers go on again, and Martin Harley may look to have her handy early.
| 4. Double Cool (8) 56kgx264x | |||
| Returns from a lengthy spell with a Doomben trial second to build from. She was fourth in a Mdn before the break, beaten four lengths after being bumped and racing wide from the 800m, and that followed a creditable sixth in the G2 Spirit Of Boom (Champagne) Classic. G2 run reads well and her 1000m placing record keeps her in the mix. | |||
PINK DOGWOOD (7) was not suited by the short 1150m trip in her Gold Coast Synthetic debut, but she did record the race’s best closing sectionals.
The Chris Waller-trained filly stepped up to 1400m here last start and showed an excellent turn of foot to run past her rivals and win by three-quarters of a length.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and should relish the mile.
Ryan Maloney retains the ride, and a strong speed should suit.
| 7. Pink Dogwood (6) 57.5kg71 | |||
| Improved sharply from debut to win a Mdn at this track over 1400m on heavy ground, making up plenty of late ground to beat Icy Lad by just under a length at generous odds. Her Gold Coast Poly debut was raw, with an awkward start and a fair finish from the back. Should appreciate stretching to the mile and keeps Maloney. | |||
MAKE A CALL (1) drops in class after taking on considerably stronger races this preparation.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was well beaten over a mile here last start in heavy conditions, which he struggled to handle.
Two starts ago, he loomed in a Saturday BM78 Handicap at Eagle Farm before being overpowered late to finish 2.26 lengths fourth.
The extra distance looks suitable at this point of his preparation, while Jett Newman’s 3kg claim is an advantage.
| 1. Make A Call (6) 59.5kgx8540 | |||
| Eased back from Saturday company after finishing tenth in a BM78 at this track, beaten just over nine lengths on heavy ground behind Twisted Queen. His previous fourth in another BM78 here was sound enough, but he has been unplaced in all four starts this season. The 3kg claim and a record of one win and two placings around 1800m keep him in the place mix rather than as a clear winning play. Worth including. | |||
WOOTTEN HYDE (7) made a winning start for new trainer Jack Bruce, scoring over this course and distance when resuming.
He settled towards the rear in a compact field before producing a strong finish to win by a length.
The Wootten Bassett gelding was consistently placed poorly last preparation, despite trying hard and finishing second in an Open 3YO Handicap. That has not been an issue since joining Bruce.
He has drawn well for Ben Thompson.
| 7. Wootten Hyde (3) 58.5kg420×1 | |||
| Resumed with a strong win at this track, taking a Class 1 over 1000m by a length from Warrego River after covering ground and lengthening well as a short odds-on favourite. He had earlier contested the Listed Daybreak Lover Plate, so there is depth to his form beyond that latest grade. Smart winner fresh, can rinse and repeat. | |||
STORMING HOME (13) was a distant fourth at Kembla Grange on debut in February, but appears to have developed during her spell.
Now trained by Jack Bruce, the daughter of The Autumn Sun returned two starts ago over this course and distance. She settled outside the lead before finishing strongly to win by a long neck.
Her latest run was far less straightforward. She was slow away, settled a long way back and then encountered significant traffic in the straight. Once clear with 50m remaining, she hit the line hard to finish just under a length fourth.
She should be fitter third-up and is expected to get a good run on speed for Ben Thompson.
| 13. Storming Home (3) 55kg4×14 | |||
| Had genuine excuses when fourth to Monotone in a Class 1 at this track last start, beaten just under a length as a well-supported favourite after jumping awkwardly and being held up in the straight. She won a Mdn here the start prior, beating Fracus by half a length, and now reaches the right stage third-up. No luck last time and sets up a treat down in the weights with Thompson sticking. | |||