The Brisbane winter carnival heads west this weekend with the Eye Liner Stakes (Race 8) over 1350m amongst the feature action on Saturday’s nine race card at Ipswich.
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Favourite Acatour, from the yard of Peter and Paul Snowden, was given an eight-week let-up since competing in Sydney over the autumn.
With the Bundamba surface currently rated a Heavy 9, this colt showcased his ability to handle the conditions with a thumping win in the Carbine Club Stakes and with a couple of trials under his belt, seems well placed here.
With regular rider Blake Shinn in the throes of a short riding stint in the US, leading local hoop Jeff Lloyd takes the reins.
Unable to secure a start in last weekend’s Stradbroke, trainer Toby Edmonds has elected to accept for this race with talented sprinter The Virginian, who scored impressively first-up in the Chief De Beers at Doomben.
His most recent run in the Moreton Cup was sound and from barrier 2, he should be able to take up a forward position, with connections still to confirm a rider.
Indeed, no less than seven starters come out of the Moreton with Mike Moroney’s Yesterday’s Songs the subject of some early specking after he ran on fairly for fifth.
Also engaged are Godolphin pair Handfast and Federal, the latter to be ridden by Corey Brown after he landed the Stradbroke for the stable aboard Impending last week.
We didn’t mind the run of Federal last start and the wide draw here is of minimal concern as he’ll likely get back, so look for him to be running home strongly.
Perfect Dare, meanwhile, boxed on bravely for third in the Moreton but trainer Matt Dunn has expressed reservations about his ability in the ground and odds around the 7/1 mark don’t hold great appeal.
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TIPS:
- Acatour
- The Virginian
- Yesterday’s Songs
- Federal