SKY RACING’S QUEENSLAND TURF EXPERT NATHAN EXELBY ANALYSES TODAY’S EAGLE FARM ACTION
RACE 6 COOLMORE DENISE JOY STAKES (1100M)
Ripping good mares race here. Going with Kisukano ($11), who can be forgiven for the last start failure. She’s very well in here with just 54kg and can see her settling back off the hot speed and rattling home. East Asia ($7.50) has trialled brilliantly for this and did score a stunning stakes win at this track last time in. Centrefire ($19) trialled with East Asia and then caused a boilover fresh. Can race well again. Babylon Berlin ($4.40) is the proven class, having form around genuine Group 1 class sprinters back home in NZ. Has earned her big weight and will give a big sight on the speed. Juan Diva ($3.80) has a hope, but this is tougher.
SELECTIONS
4 Kisukano, 5 Easy Asia,
1 Babylon Berlin, 10 Centrefire
RACE 7 DRINKWISE ROUGH HABIT PLATE
(2143M)
Going with the newcomers to the carnival. Verona ($5) was terrific winning at second Australian start in the Packer Plate, which is often a good guide to our three-year-old features. Pinarello ($6) looks a big improver out of New Zealand. Takes on tougher opposition here, but he beat them easily last time. Character ($3.30) and Dark Destroyer ($6.50) head the charge coming out of the Queensland Guineas. Both unproven at this trip and not convinced they will relish it. Southern Stock ($3.60) is the one that can take big strides forward from that race and he will relish the extra ground. Ashgrove
($3) is also going the right way and can appreciate the trip.
SELECTIONS
14 Verona, 5 Pinarello, 3 Dark Destroyer, 1 Character, 11 Ashgrove,
8 Southern Stock
RACE 8 TAB DOOMBEN 10,000 (1200M)
Mazu ($3) comes back to a drier track but not going to pot him on that. Ran quick time at Randwick over 1200m before a spell. Has been dominant this time and last start toyed with two horses that had placed at Group 1 level against older horses in their previous starts. Gets gun run and can be too good. Paulele ($12) was no match for Mazu but might be closer on a better surface this time. Isotope
($11) has the ability for this but needs all sorts of luck from the wide draw. Kementari ($7) may have been better suited had this been at Doomben on the Heavy. Rothfire
($15) can be the improver second up.
SELECTIONS
9 Mazu, 10 Paulele, 14 Isotope
RACE 9 BUNDABERG RUM BM85 HANDICAP (1400M)
Back in 2020, Acquitted ($9.50) ran second to Palace Pier, who went on to be one of the world’s top rated threeyear-olds that year. He obviously didn’t go to the same level, but he’s arrived in Australia in good shape going on the trials and the first up run. Think he will be better up to 1400m this time on a firmer surface. Expect him to be charging home. Palladas
($4.20) is going to get the gun run this time and get his chance. Flexible
($7.50) looks the other winning hope first up. She has been effective first up previously. Never No More
($6.50) is flying and the bigger track should suit, but worried about the weight.
SELECTIONS
4 Acquitted, 12 Palladas, 13 Flexible, 1 Never No More