Before we get to the Group races on Saturday’s card at Eagle Farm, we have a competitive Listed race over a mile. Fourteen runners are entered and, as is the case for the reminder of the day, plenty with a chance here. Early market is dominated by the local hopes with Someday the early favourite just in advance of Fire Up Fifi.
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1. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (3)
Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell has this 5yo by Royal Academy flying this prep. After running second in the G1 Goodwood Handicap in his home state, he came to Brisbane and was out-bobbed by Galah in the G2 QTC Cup. He made amends last week however with a comfortably two length win in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes with 59kgs. Goes up to 60.5kgs today but draw well again and will be in the firing line throughout.
2. GREEN BIRDIE – P Holmes (12)
Ran some handy races last spring including finishing within two lengths of Buffering in the G2 AJ Moir Stakes however, the soon-to-be 10yo has got a long way back in both runs this campaign – the G3 BRC Sprint and Listed Strawberry Road and finished tenth and eleventh respectively. Drawn to get a long way back again on Saturday and would need to lift considerably.
3. FIRE UP FIFI – D Browne (6)
Ultra consistent mare who recorded her second Listed race win two starts back when claiming the Spear Chief Stakes over Tokamak (since won) and backed that up with a fantastic effort to run fourth (beaten ¾ length) behind Red Tracer in the Dane Ripper Stakes. Doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will be in the right spot from her draw. Must go in.
4. TOKAMAK – P Hammersley (14)
This 5yo has won five from eight races this year including the Listed Strawberry Road Stakes at his most recent start and that followed a second to in-form mare Fire Up Fifi in the Listed Spear Chief Stakes. Generally settles handy to the speed so the widest gate has to be a concern.
5. LISTEN SON – J Bowman (13)
He went within a neck of winning this race last year and it’s fair to say that the 6yo’s form this year, is better than back then. He, as he always does, made the pace in the Listed Spear Chief where he weakened on the slow track to run eighth behind Fire Up Fifi before on a drier surface, holding on well to run sixth (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Tokamak last start in the Listed Strawberry Road. He’ll fire across from the wide gate and give them something to catch but the last 100m will be his greatest test as he is yet to win at this trip from six starts.
6. DIADEME – N Rawiller (11)
Very good when coming to Australia from New Zealand and running third in the G3 Glenlogan Park Stakes behind Sookie. That was her first run for seven weeks and as expected, she took benefit from it and was better again albeit fourth this time, in the Listed Strawberry Road behind Tokamak. Settled in good position last two and will need to work early from a wide gate to secure a similar run.
7. THUMBTACKS – J Collett (5)
Chris Waller trained galloper who made good ground late when eighth (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Tokamak last start in the Listed Strawberry Road Stakes. Got a long way back last start and from a good draw here, would like to see him settle closer. Performed well in Open company last Spring against some well performed gallopers such as Havana Rey, Fast Clip, Foreteller etc. and a big run would not surprise.
8. DOZITMATERANYWAY – C Munce (1)
Former New Zealander galloper who arrived at the stables of local trainer Liam Birchley, with a few listed race wins to his credit. Birchley threw him in the deep end for his first Australian start in the G2 QTC Cup and the Danske 6yo did as well as connections would have hoped for, given the class and the fact that it was is first run in a month. He finished 3 ¾ behind Galah and would think he can only be improved for that run and for the step up to the mile. Top jock on board.
9. SOFT SAND – B Shinn (7)
4yo mare who does have a second at G1 level behind Appearance to her credit but who also does find it hard to win. It’s been ten starts now since the Paul Messara trained galloper registered a win. She’s a back-maker so the race temp and track have to be in her favour and lately, that hasn’t been the case. Her most recent start was a ninth (beaten 3 lengths) behind Red Tracer in the Dane Ripper Stakes. Should a few cards fall her way, she is capable of figuring in the finish and at good each way odds.
10. POSTE RESTANTE – R Wiggins (8)
Did very well for connections and trainer Desliegh Forster last prep but the 4yo mare has struggled to reproduce that form in three runs back this prep. She was well accounted for in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap before a freshen up of a month and finishing at the tail of the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes. Not on her latest efforts.
11. MYSTICAL GREY – G Cooksley (2)
8yo gelding who has had a dip at some of these listed race in the past with limited success. He resumed from a spell with a fourth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) in a BM 90 on the Gold Coast track a fortnight ago. Has won four from nine second up including the Listed Spear Chief Stakes in 2011 but is getting on in years now and likely to struggle.
12. PEPPERWOOD – L Cassidy (4)
Rising 9yo whose been well accounted for in each of his three runs back this prep. He finished tenth in the Spear Chief Stakes and last in the Strawberry Road at his most recent start and will start big odds here.
13. ANGEL OF MERCY – K McEvoy (10)
She had no luck at all when resuming from a spell in the Listed Dark Jewel at Scone when ninth (beaten only 2 ¾ lengths) behind Arctic Flight (since good again) before running into an unsuitable slow track at Rosehill last start and finishing seventh behind Hidden Wonder. Was close in some good races during the Spring Carnival and if she gets a dry track, would come into calculations.
14. SOMEDAY – M Cahill (9)
Winner of five of his twelve starts, this lightly raced four year old by Falvelon ran fifth to the promising Peron two starts back before closing well late to run a long neck second to Tokamak in the Strawberry Road Stakes last start. Liked the last 100m of his last start and on that effort, is rated one of the better chances.
OVERVIEW
Listen Son crosses to lead with Diademe following him across and Conservatorium handy. The latter did the right thing by us last week at Ipswich and see him getting a very similar run here. Does rise again in weight and the depth of the race stronger again but is flying at present and couldn’t leave him out at a good price of $6.00. Similar case for Fire Up Fifi who just doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will get every chance from here draw – possibly tagging Conservatorium throughout. For some value – Would like to see Thumbtacks ridden close to the speed this weekend, he was in very good form over the Christmas/New Year period and attracts plenty of interest at $12.00 and Soft Sand at $9.50. Things haven’t panned out for her of late but can’t forget yet, her efforts behind Streama and Appearance last spring and she might get her opportunity here.
