Eagle Farm (Tatt's Tiara Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 28 June

Eagle Farm (Tatt's Tiara Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 28 June

• Craig Sheppard

The curtain comes down on the Australian Group 1 racing season this Saturday at Eagle Farm, with the 2025 Tattersall’s Tiara set to headline a thrilling penultimate day of the Queensland Racing Carnival. This $700,000 showpiece has attracted a deep and talented field of fillies and mares, with standout contenders like Firestorm and Floozie sure to draw plenty of attention. But the Tiara is just the highlight of a stacked nine-race program, which also features five other black-type contests, promising a feast of top-tier racing action. Adding to the excitement, the bush meets the big smoke in the $200,000 Battle…

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Sale Tips & Preview | Wednesday 25 June

Sale Tips & Preview | Wednesday 25 June

• Craig Sheppard

The Sale Turf Club is gearing up for another exciting midweek meeting this Wednesday, 25 June 2025. With the rail out 8 metres and the track currently rated a Soft 6, conditions could shift quickly—especially with storms in the forecast. It’s worth keeping an eye on the weather updates throughout the day. After diving into the form and assessing the track, here are my race-by-race tips for Wednesday’s Sale meeting. Race 1 – 2YO Maiden Plate (1113 METRES) 8 Yamashita’s Gold Open Race time:  Yamashita’s Gold (8) resumes for his second preparation and looks well-placed to make an impact. The…

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Ipswich (Ipswich Cup Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 21 June

Ipswich (Ipswich Cup Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 21 June

• Craig Sheppard

This Saturday, Royal Ipswich transforms into the heart of Queensland racing for the iconic Ipswich Cup Day — a celebration of speed, style, and spirited competition. With a bumper nine-race card and a vibrant off-track atmosphere, the event promises a thrilling mix of sport and entertainment. At the centre of the action is the Listed Ipswich Cup, boasting a $250,000 purse and a star-studded field including Osmose, Brookhaven, Diablo Bolt, Miss Joelene, and defending champion Red Wave, who returns in pursuit of back-to-back glory. Adding depth to the program are two standout black-type races — the Eye Liner Stakes and the Gai Waterhouse Classic — each drawing quality lineups and adding to the day’s excitement. Channeling the fearless…

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Eagle Farm (Stradbroke Handicap Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 14 June

Eagle Farm (Stradbroke Handicap Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 14 June

• Craig Sheppard

Stradbroke Handicap Day is set to light up Eagle Farm with a blockbuster Saturday of racing, as Stradbroke Season hits its peak. Headlined by the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, the program also features the Group 1 J.J. Atkins and the Group 2 Q22 — a trio of top-tier contests showcasing elite sprinters, rising two-year-olds, and middle-distance stars. The undercard is equally compelling, with the Dane Ripper Stakes, Gunsynd Classic, and Brisbane Cup adding depth and quality across the nine-race slate. From start to finish, it’s a day packed with black-type action, betting opportunities, and racing drama. Let’s break…

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Eagle Farm Tips & Preview | Saturday 7 June

Eagle Farm Tips & Preview | Saturday 7 June

• Craig Sheppard

The excitement is building for a blockbuster Saturday at Eagle Farm as Stradbroke Season hits its peak with a stellar Queensland Oaks Day lineup. Racing fans are in for a feast of elite competition, headlined by a trio of Group 1 showstoppers: the Queensland Oaks, Kingsford Smith Cup, and Queensland Derby—each set to deliver edge-of-your-seat finishes and unforgettable moments. But the action doesn’t stop there. The undercard is equally impressive, featuring the Moreton Cup, Queensland Day Stakes, and Helen Coughlan Stakes, rounding out a ten-race program so stacked it’s earned the title of Super Saturday. With Stradbroke Handicap contenders fine-tuning…

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Eagle Farm (Queensland Derby Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 31 May

Eagle Farm (Queensland Derby Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 31 May

• Craig Sheppard

This Saturday, all eyes turn to Eagle Farm as the 2025 Queensland Derby takes centre stage, marking one of the most anticipated days of the Stradbroke Season. A pillar of the Australian racing calendar, the Group 1 Queensland Derby unites the country’s premier three-year-old stayers in a 2400m battle of stamina, tactics, and class. With $1 million in prize money and a history dating back to 1868, this isn’t just a race—it’s a proving ground for future champions. Legends like Kingston Town, Rough Habit, and Kovalica have all etched their names into Derby folklore, and this year’s contenders are poised to chase that same glory. But the Derby is just the headline act. The…

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Doomben Cup Day Tips & Preview | Saturday 24 May

Doomben Cup Day Tips & Preview | Saturday 24 May

• Craig Sheppard

The Queensland Racing Carnival rolls on this Saturday with a stacked nine-race card for Doomben Cup Day. The spotlight is on the time-honoured Group 1 Doomben Cup, where bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni takes on local hero Antino, alongside a strong group of Hollindale Stakes contenders who’ll appreciate the firmer surface. But it’s not just about the Cup, the undercard is loaded, featuring five black-type races including the Group 2 Roses, a key stepping stone to the Queensland Oaks in two weeks. I’ve broken down every race and shared my top tips for Doomben below. Let’s find some winners. Race…

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Doomben (Doomben 10000 Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 17 May

Doomben (Doomben 10000 Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 17 May

• Craig Sheppard

The Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10000 takes centre stage this Saturday at Doomben, headlining a thrilling day of top-tier racing. As the opening Group 1 of this year’s Stradbroke Season, it sets the tone for an exciting nine-race program, which also features five other black-type events. Unfortunately, punters will once again have to contend with a rain-affected track. One runner I’m particularly excited about is a European import making his Australian debut in the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap. He looks well-placed to make an immediate impact. To help you navigate all the action on Doomben 10000 Day, I’ve outlined…

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Gold Coast (Hollindale Stakes Day) Tips & Preview  | Saturday 10 May  

Gold Coast (Hollindale Stakes Day) Tips & Preview  | Saturday 10 May  

• Craig Sheppard

For the first time in three years, Hollindale Stakes Day is making its return to the Gold Coast this Saturday. The prestigious G2 Hollindale Stakes will be the highlight of a nine-race card, which also features the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic, G3 Gold Coast Guineas, the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet, Silk Stocking, and ATC Trophy. The Annabel & Rob Archibald stable is aiming for their fifth consecutive win in the Hollindale Stakes, showcasing a strong lineup this year. Despite the forecasted showers for the second meeting of the 2025 Queensland Racing Carnival, the excitement remains undampened! I’ve done the…

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Eagle Farm (Queensland Guineas Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 3 May

Eagle Farm (Queensland Guineas Day) Tips & Preview | Saturday 3 May

• Craig Sheppard

The 2025 Queensland Racing Carnival kicks off this Saturday with Queensland Guineas Day at Eagle Farm. Over the next few months, Queensland will be the focal point of racing with numerous black-type events. This weekend features the Group 2 Queensland Guineas, the Victory Stakes, and the Listed Dalrello Stakes. I’m especially excited about a few interstate stars, including a promising youngster who could regain his star status with a win in the Victory Stakes. I’ve analysed all nine races and have listed my Eagle Farm top picks below. Race 1 – Class 3 Plate (1600 METRES) 11 Croupier Each Way…

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