While the racing world turns its attention to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, Eagle Farm is set to host a 10-race card for the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival this Saturday.
Heavy rain has forced the meeting to move from Doomben. Eagle Farm drains better, but the track is rated a Heavy 10 and the rail is out 1m. Proven heavy-track form may be an important factor.
The meeting is in real danger of not going ahead. If it does, our race analysis considers the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities in the testing conditions.
Like all but one runner in this race, SHE HAD A PLAN (7) is set to make her race debut.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly showed good speed to lead a recent Sunshine Coast trial, then pulled clear to win by 3.14 lengths.
That trial provides an encouraging indication of her early ability, while her Spirit Of Boom and Commands-mare pedigree may help her handle the wet track.
She looks capable of making an impact first-up.
| 7. She Had A Plan (4) J: Angela Jones 54.5kg T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Debuts with a strong profile for Tony Gollan and Angela Jones, combining a leading stable, a leading jockey and a proven juvenile family. She is a full sister to Gin Spirit, a Listed winner and G3 placegetter, and was most recently a $180,000 buy. Debut profile says she can win. | |||
TARAVIA (5) has finished second to Captain Maverick at his past two starts, beaten by a neck and a head, and looks close to another win.
In a stronger race over this course and distance two starts ago, he went for home a touch early and was caught late by The Captain.
He won his only previous start on a heavy track before joining the Todd Pollard stable, which is a positive given the forecast conditions.
The quick back-up and prospect of settling prominently for Ben Thompson also suit.
| 5. Taravia (6) J: Ben Thompson 58kg 31522 T: Todd Pollard | |||
| Has been knocking hard, most recently second in a BM80 at Doomben when a well-supported favourite and beaten a head by Captain Maverick after being bumped at the start and run down late. He had also chased the same winner home in a BM78 at this track. Strong 2200m record and Ben Thompson back aboard make him a key danger. | |||
READY FOR AIMEE (9) has recorded two wins and a second from four starts this preparation.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare is seeking consecutive wins after being held up early in the straight at Doomben, then finishing strongly to score by just under a length over 1350m.
She has not placed in three starts at Eagle Farm, but none of those runs came over this distance. Her record at the trip is stronger, with a quinella finish in all five attempts.
Bella Youngberry can use her mount’s early speed and good draw to settle in a prominent position.
| 9. Ready For Aimee (6) J: Bella Youngberry 53kg 01241 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Won with authority in a FM BM68 at Doomben last start, beating Maquisa by a length as favourite after being held up on the home turn. Her earlier fourth at this track came in a small field when she did not finish off, but her 1300m record and strong partnership with Bella Youngberry are major positives. Excellent 1300m profile and the winning rider stays with her. | |||
GAULTIER (10) has raced consistently since returning from a long break and appears well placed in Brisbane.
The son of Exceedance resumed with a close second at Hawkesbury before breaking his maiden at Goulburn.
Chris Waller brought him north two starts ago, and he was caught in the final strides to finish a nose second over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
He should be at peak fitness and can settle in the first few pairs for Ryan Maloney.
| 10. Gaultier (4) J: Ryan Maloney 58.5kg 21523 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Has been knocking loudly, finishing third in a CG BM68 at Doomben when beaten just over a length after looming and fighting on. That followed a head defeat in Class 1 grade at this track, and his recent record shows one win and three placings from five runs in the past 12 months. Wet form, strong recent record and the right grade make him the one to beat. | |||
TWISTED QUEEN (17) has placed in all three starts since joining the Jack Bruce stable and continues to race consistently.
The Hallowed Crown mare worked well to the line over 1650m at Doomben last start, finishing just under a length behind All Kinds Of Folk.
Her preceding efforts included a third to the flying Lockyer and a second to Perfect Play over this distance.
She is backing up quickly and will carry 53.5kg, with Emily Lang in the saddle.
| 17. Twisted Queen (8) J: Emily Lang 53.5kg 35322 T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Has been runner-up at her past two Doomben runs, most recently beaten just under a length by All Kinds Of Folk on soft ground after travelling well. The previous second behind Perfect Play came in a small-field Class 4, where she fought on without threatening the winner. First look at this track, but her consistency reads well. | |||
STRADA VARENNA (16) gets blinkers for the first time, which may help her finish off more strongly.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare drew level with Mercian over this course and distance last start but could not sustain her effort, allowing her rival to edge her out on the line.
She won over this course and distance three starts ago, then finished a head second at Doomben.
By Street Boss, her breeding suggests she should handle the heavy track. Bella Youngberry’s claim brings her weight to 54.5kg.
| 16. Strada Varenna (5) J: Bella Youngberry 54.5kg x7122 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has been knocking loudly, beaten a nose in BM70 grade at this track last start after beginning awkwardly, travelling well and fighting hard as favourite. Two back she was beaten only a head at Gold Coast in another BM70. Proven at this venue and looks the one to beat. | |||
COOL GENT (1) should benefit from his first-up run, when he found the line well over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
The Adam Barling-trained gelding has previously shown an ability to handle wet conditions, winning the Listed Oxlade Stakes last preparation.
He settled a long way back over this course and distance in that race before finishing strongly to score by three-quarters of a length.
There appears to be plenty of speed engaged, which should give him the opportunity to finish off.
| 1. Cool Gent (4) J: Ron Stewart 60kg 419×8 T: Adam Barling | |||
| Was safely held first-up at this track over 1000m, finishing eighth to Esperanza after being hampered early and settling well back. His Listed Tattersalls Stakes run before the break was stronger, beaten just under four lengths in Open company, and he is already a track-and-trip winner. Place hope only if he sharpens up. | |||
FLEETWOOD (1) has placed in each of his past three races and is holding his form well.
Two of those placings came over this course and distance, with the Tony Gollan-trained gelding finishing just over a length behind the speedy Moulin Miss on both occasions.
His record on heavy tracks is a significant positive, as he remains unbeaten in those conditions.
Jade Hampson’s 3kg claim is an advantage. The wide barrier may be less of a concern if the inside begins to chop up as the meeting progresses.
| 1. Fleetwood (10) J: Jade Hampson 58.5kg x4232 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Continues to race honestly, finishing second in Open company at this track last start when beaten just over a length after a bump at the start and an even finish. He was also third to Polyglot at Doomben two back, covering ground before running into the money. Wide draw is no gift, but the claim helps and he looks a sound place hope. | |||
GET READY LASS (8) finished 1.64 lengths second over this course and distance last start after covering extra ground.
The Chris Anderson-trained mare drew wide, could not find cover and raced three and four wide throughout.
Despite the difficult run, she showed plenty of determination and finished strongly.
She has a good record over this course and distance, including a win two starts ago, and a better draw should help Mark Du Plessis settle her prominently.
| 8. Get Ready Lass (5) J: Mark Du Plessis 56kg 79312 T: Chris Anderson | |||
| Continues to hold strong form, finishing second in a BM78 at this track last start after covering ground and still closing off to be beaten a length and a half as favourite. That followed a Class 3 win at this venue when she beat Lim’s Shavano with a sharp late surge. Wet record and current form put her right in this. | |||
ALL KINDS OF FOLK (14) is suited by the conditions and looks a strong chance to finish the card with another win.
The Todd Pollard-trained mare hit the line strongly to win with something in hand over 1600m at Doomben last start.
She is unbeaten on heavy tracks, with a first-up win at the Sunshine Coast last preparation and a victory at Randwick to end that campaign.
She carries 52kg and shapes as a runner who will be difficult to hold out.
| 14. All Kinds Of Folk (8) J: Cejay Graham 52kg 21×51 T: Todd Pollard | |||
| Won a 1 Metro Win at Doomben last week, beating Twisted Queen by just under a length after settling back, covering ground and finishing over the top on soft ground. Her previous fifth at this track was less convincing, though she was asked to make up a lot of ground. Quick back-up is the query, but she has the right profile. | |||