3 minute read
We've studied the form and provided our top selections for each race below.
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The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival moves to the Gold Coast this Saturday with the running of the 2024 Aquis Raceday.
The Wave is the feature on a nine-race card that boasts $1.6 million in prize money.
The two-year-olds will also be looking to lock their place in next week's Magic Millions 2YO Classic with wins in the Gold Nugget and Gold Pearl.
RACE 1 - 1:48PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Iowa (3) has been plying his trade in Sydney and arrives on the Gold Coast in peak condition fifth-up.
The Annabel Neasham-trained six-year-old gelding fought bravely two starts ago over 2000m on a heavy Kembla Grange track when going down by a nose.
Last start he was given no peace when leading over 2000m at Randwick and understandably weakened late to finish 2.84 lengths fifth.
In his only previous race start in Queensland, he dominated a similar class race to this over 2200m at Doomben where he won by 3.8 lengths.
Jamie Kah can roll forward and give them something to catch.
RACE 2 - 2:23PM: GOLD NUGGET 2YO Colts and Geldings (1100 METRES)
Spywire (2) gave them a galloping lesson on debut at Rosehill over 1100m.
The Maher and Eustace-trained Trapeze Artist colt was highly impressive, jumping straight to the front and dashing clear to win comfortably by 2.3 lengths with a further four lengths back to third.
Last start he looked the winner in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic but was nailed on the line.
Stewards questioned the ride, and the horse also was found to be lame and suffering mild heat stress so there were excuses for being beaten as a short-priced favourite.
He can bounce back here from barrier 2 with new rider Craig Williams in the saddle.
RACE 3 - 2:58PM: GOLD PEARL 2YO Fillies (1100 METRES)
Arabian Summer (1) was ultra impressive last start when claiming the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic.
The Team McEvoy-trained Too Darn Hot filly went straight to the front and put on a demonstration of sustained speed to win by 3.5 lengths.
Parkour was second that day and he franked the form by winning well at Randwick last start.
Prior to winning at Ballarat, Arabian Summer had run well when placing in the Debutant Stakes and Ottawa Stakes.
Harry Coffey has come north to ride the horse and should give her every chance with an on speed ride.
RACE 4 - 3:33PM: MAIDEN PLATE (1100 METRES)
Payline (4) is due for a change of luck following two frustrating close seconds to start this preparation.
The Chris Munce-trained son of Shooting To Win was run off the track first-up and was unlucky not to win a protest when finishing second by a head over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
He then returned to the same course and distance last start for a $100k maiden where it was a sick watch and frankly, he simply should have won.
The striking chestnut was slow away and then held up for the majority of the straight before savaging the line once clear with 100m to go to finish second by a neck.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Robbie Dolan settle just off it before launching in the straight.
RACE 5 - 4:12PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Certainlycan (9) has once again drawn the outside gate, but I'm happy to bank on her class overcoming the setback as was the case last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained Written Tycoon filly drew barrier 10 of 10 last start over 1200m at Doomben.
While it was just a maiden, she quickly crossed to lead before dashing clear in the final furlong to win by 5.8 lengths.
She's a quality filly who placed at black-type level in the Bill Carter Stakes when debuting in May.
Gollan has booked Tim Clark, one of the best frontrunning jockeys in the business, so I'm expecting them to be positive early.
RACE 6 - 4:52PM: MAIDEN PLATE (1400 METRES)
Dimitrov (2) was unlucky not to win when resuming over 1300m on a heavy Warwick Farm track.
The John O'Shea-trained three-year-old gelding was slow away and settled five lengths behind the second last horse.
He circled the field on the turn and worked home strongly but was overpowered late for a nose second which was understandable given the work he had to do.
He'll strip fitter second-up and gets blinkers for the first time.
With an ounce of luck, he'll be hitting the line hard.
RACE 7 - 5:32PM: THE WAVE (1800 METRES)
Madame Odette (10) has come back this preparation in super style.
There was a flashing light on the Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old mare's run two starts back over 1615m at Doomben when she stormed home after covering extra ground to finish a neck third.
She stepped up to this distance last start at Eagle Farm where she proved far too strong when winning by a neck.
She'll strip fitter fourth-up and should enjoy a great run just behind the speed for Ben Thompson.
RACE 8 - 6:10PM: RISING STARS 3YO & 4YO Fillies & Mares Class 4 Plate (1300 METRES)
Maid To Fit (4) lost no admirers last start when her unbeaten run of four races came to an end.
The Kelly Schweida-trained daughter of Snitzel was forced to work early from the outside gate to find the front over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
Unfortunately, she only managed to settle outside the lead but despite the tough run, she still fought on well for a two-length second.
The rise to 1300m won't pose any problems given she is undefeated over the distance and any moisture in the track will help her cause.
From barrier 5, Jimmy Orman can settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Maid To Fit (4)
RACE 9 - 6:50PM: RISING STARS 3YO & 4YO Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 4 Plate (1300 METRES)
Warby (8) has been low flying this preparation.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Hellbent won two and three starts back when producing booming finishes to come from the back and win.
Last start he settled a long way off them in The Gateway before weaving through the pack with a strong run to finish third by 2.8 lengths.
He's since been back to the trials where he turned in a nice piece of work to tune up for this.
