The Group racing kicks off early at Eagle Farm with the second race on the card a Group 2 event for the 2 year olds. A field of thirteen take part and we’ve seen all of them bar Into The Red. Owned by the same connections as those associated with Sizzling and also trained by Kelso Wood, he has been met with support in early markets and creates plenty of interest.
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1. OCTANE FLYER – R McMahon (8)
Well bred Statue of Liberty colt from Kelly Schweida’s yard who has won two from five including an impressive performance when closing from the tail of the field to score a ¾ length win over Single Chance and Vienna Queen last start. Yet to run a bad race and has a third placing in the G3 Skyline Stakes behind All The Talk to his credit.
2. ARCHITECT – J Byrne (7)
David Lawlor trains this Bel Esprit gelding who in his first prep, ran third in the G3 B J McLachlan Stakes behind Missy Longstocking before finishing midfield (beaten 4.7 lengths) in the 2yo Magic Million Classic behind Real Surreal. He rounded out his initial campaign with a comfortable win on the Sunshine Coast. That was some fifteen weeks ago now and we haven’t seen him at the trials but he showed enough when last in work to suggest that a forward showing here wouldn’t surprise.
3. HOOKED – R Wiggins (11)
Casino Prince sires this Patinack Farm representative who has registered two comfortable wins from both of his starts to date. He won by 2 ¾ on debut at Eagle Farm on Easter Monday and backed that effort up with another strong performance when defeating Vo Heart by a length a fortnight ago. Has plenty to like about him but will have his work cut out for him here coming from a wide gate.
4. VILANOVA – J Bowman (5)
Chris Waller trains this son of Commands who until now, has competed in New Zealand and can boast a win in the Listed Wentwood Grange (1100m) and an unlucky fifth behind Ruud Awakening in the Listed Karaka Million. By Commands out of a well performed mare Valpolicella, he was given a barrier trial at Hawkesbury on the 22nd April and that effort was good enough for Waller to kick him off here. Should pay to include.
5. VO HEART – E Wilkinson (4)
Showed little on debut back in October and was immediately spelled by his trainer Darryl Hansen. Returned with an all-the-way win in a Doomben Maiden on a Heavy in Maiden company before again settling on the speed and holding on for second behind the unbeaten Hooked. Drawn so he’ll go forward again or at least take a sit but will have plenty of closers bearing down in him in the final 100m.
6. INTO THE RED – C Munce (9)
First starter by Not A Single Doubt out of a mare called Red Sequin. The dam was unraced and has produced six foals to race, five of the winners with the most notable being Sequinella who won four and placed fourth in the Epona Stakes. Not seen at the trails but the combination of owners, trainer and jockey is enough to suggest that given he is making his debut here in a G2 race, he’ll be good enough.
7. GLOBAL DREAM – G Colless (1)
Tony Gollan trains this Fastnet Rock filly who, in winning her maiden at her third race start on the Gold Coast on New Year’s Day, accounted for Tiarazou and Greytfilly. She followed that up with a fourth behind Real Surreal in the 2yo Magic Million Classic, beaten less than two lengths. Presume she’s come on since that run and has drawn nicely in one.
8. LITTLE MISS SMILEY – M Cahill (6)
Won a debut Maiden at her third race start in March and some may have thought her next start at Randwick in the Listed Keith Mackay was ambitious however, the daughter of Husson proved the trip worthwhile by running second to the well performed Everage. She returned to the Gold Coast and led in the Ken Russel Memorial but had no answer for her challengers late and ran fifth behind Le Val beaten 3 ½ lengths. Has plenty of early toe and is expected to lead.
9. BOUND FOR EARTH – D Browne (13)
John O’Shea presented this filly for her debut at Canterbury a little of two weeks ago with success. By Northern Meteor out of VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese, she had shown enough in two trials for punters to send her out 6/4. She didn’t let them down, winning well by 1 ½. Showed enough there for O’Shea to travel her north but unfortunately has drawn the widest gate.
10. TINTS – T Bell (12)
She won well in Sunshine Coast 2yo race when resuming from a thirteen week spell, making it two wins from three starts. Her other run was a third placing behind Architect who had competed well in the leading 2yo races previously. Trainer Ben Currie obviously has her going well but faces a challenging run from gate 12.
11. SHE’S A DANICA – (2)
Rob Heathcote trains this daughter of Sebring who made a winning debut at the Sunshine Coast back in December and backed that up with third (beaten 4.6 lengths) a fortnight later behind Real Surreal. She was immediately spelled and returned with a closing second behind Tints on the Sunshine Coast. Meets Tints better at the weights and has drawn far better here as well. Would expect her to turn the tables on that runner and be competitive here.
12. MISS SUNSET – (10)
Drifted from 9 out to 16/1 on debut at Doomben back in March but defied the drift and ran second, two lengths behind the winner Agitate. Took a big step up in class at his next start where he lined up in the G3 The Schweppes at Rosehill and despite finishing eleventh, was only three lengths from the winner Champollion.
OVERVIEW
A tricky race for Punters with limited exposed form and many returning from a break and think it’ll be best to shop for some value. At double figure odds, I think there’s enough there to have something each-way on Vilanova. Taking a line through his effort behind Ruud Awakening whom connection thought enough of to have a tilt at the Golden Slipper earlier this year, I think Waller’s decision to start here in Qld, will pay dividends if not today, then in the not-to-distant future. Thought Octane Flyer at $7.00 was the next best with Global Dream and note with interest that despite the horror draw, the $6.50 offered about Bound for Earth was quickly taken and she’s already firmed into a $5.00 chance.
