3 minute read

Race fitness and a step up in distance can see ex-Sydney gelding New Universe find his best at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Chris Waller's six-year-old should be ready to hit his peak in the Osim Handicap over 1840m.

New Universe was readied with two runs back from a spell in Sydney before switching to Waller's Queensland yard and running on well to be beaten less than a length to race rival Cool Chap over 1600m at this course.

He meets that horse on 1.5kg better terms and as he was only third up he can be expected to have more upside.

New Universe is untried at this distance but the way he found the line last start suggested he is looking for it.

He has to overcome a double-digit gate but if jockey Matthew McGillivray can find a spot for him in the run he could be too strong late.

First up eye-catcher Impasse gets his chance to go one better in the Qld Chinese Jockey Club Benchmark 85 over 1400m later in the program.

Impasse was resuming from a five-month spell when he settled near the tail of a big field before rattling home for a 1.5L second at this course.

He has won second up before so that run will have improved him and four of his five career wins have come at today's distance so he is suited by the extra 200m.

BRISBANE BEST

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 4 #3 New Universe @ $3.60

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 6 #2 Impasse @ $4.40