3 minute read
The 2023 Queensland Summer Racing Carnival rolls on this Saturday at Eagle Farm with the running of Ladbrokes Grand Prix Stakes Day.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Ten races will be run and won with the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes, Listed Gold Edition Plate and Lough Neagh Stakes the highlights.
We've run the rule over the form and provided our top selections in each race.
RACE 1 - 12:38PM: BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Liquor (5) was unlucky not to challenge for the win last start in a stronger race over 1110m at Doomben.
The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old mare was full of running but got trapped behind the leader in the straight.
While she hit the line strongly once clear, horses on her outside who had built momentum overran her late and she finished less than a length fifth.
Prior to that she was racing in great form, including a win over this course and distance two starts ago.
Bailey Wheeler, who claims 2kg, takes the ride and can lead or settle handy from the nice draw.
RACE 2 - 1:13PM: CLASS 3 PLATE (1810 METRES)
Princess Rhaenys (10) should be ready for a peak performance third-up following two good runs to start this preparation.
The six-year-old mare found the line strongly last start over 1615m at Doomben to finish third to Rousseau by half a length.
She'll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate dropping to a Class 3 Plate where she's extremely well weighted.
The rise to 1810m looks ideal now with a likely genuine speed aiding her cause.
1 Unit – Princess Rhaenys (10)
RACE 3 - 1:48PM: Class 6 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Drive A Deel (2) improved second-up with a super effort to finish second over 1350m at Doomben.
The Rob Heathcote-trained five-year-old mare settled back after drawing the outside gate before running on powerfully to finish 2.56 lengths behind The Face who had conditions to suit.
She'll strip fitter third-up and will enjoy the rise to a mile given her terrific record of five wins from seven starts over the trip.
There doesn't look to be a great deal of speed which could see Martin Harley settle closer in the run.
RACE 4 - 2:23PM: Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Fumiko (9) impressed in her first outing for Queensland's premier trainer Tony Gollan.
The former Kristen Buchanan-trained Flying Artie mare settled back after drawing the outside gate over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
She flew home, registering the quickest final 200m of the night, to finish a head second.
She'll have taken benefit from that run and should appreciate the rise in distance.
The former New South Wales based sprinter has only had two previous races over this course and distance but did win in fine fashion last year.
RACE 5 - 2:58PM: BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Sunfall (7) was last seen finishing second in the Rockhampton Cup in July.
The Barry Lockwood-trained Zoustar gelding makes his return to the track here following a great trial where he worked to the line nicely under a hold.
He has raced well fresh in the past including last preparation where he impressively won over 1350m at Doomben when having his first start for Lockwood.
Martin Harley can settle midfield or better before coming with a big run in the straight.
RACE 6 - 3:33PM: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Sha Of Gomer (7) returns to his favoured Eagle Farm track after running on well to finish third to National Choice at the Sunshine Coast last start.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old gelding has a great record at Eagle Farm of two wins and a second from four starts.
Just two starts ago he settled handy over this course and distance before proving too strong in the run home.
The winkers go on for the first time and he maps to get a great run from barrier 2 for Jimmy Orman.
RACE 7 - 4:12PM: GROUP 3 LADBROKES GRAND PRIX STAKES (2100 METRES)
Imezaaki (6) brings a different form line than the majority of entrants in this year's Group 3 Ladbrokes Grand Prix Stakes.
The Bjorn Baker-trained son of Ocean Park has won two of his past three starts in New South Wales.
Three starts back he broke through for his first win over 1300m at Goulburn before a solid third over 1600m.
He stepped up to 2000m at Hawkesbury last start and savaged the line down the outside to win with something in hand.
Baker has booked one of Brisbane's best jockeys in Ben Thompson to pilot the three-year-old from a good gate.
1 Unit Each Way – Imezaaki (6)
RACE 8 - 4:52PM: LISTED GOLD EDITION PLATE (1200 METRES)
Abounding (9) has come back this preparation in fine fashion.
The Rob Heathcote-trained Rich Enuff filly could not have been more impressive when bolting in at Doomben despite starting from the outside gate.
Last start she raced wide throughout but still had the audacity to charge to the line to finish a length second in the Listed Mode Plate.
She'll be at peak fitness now and did win over this distance when third-up last preparation.
Heathcote must be wondering what he must do to draw a decent barrier with the striking chestnut as she's again drawn out, but the bigger Eagle Farm track will be to her liking.
RACE 9 - 5:32PM: LISTED LOUGH NEAGH STAKES (1400 METRES)
Far Too Easy (4) is having his first start since finishing a gallant third in October's The Kosciuszko.
The David McColm-trained five-year-old gelding races well fresh, boasting three wins from five first-up races.
He warmed up for this with a nice trial at Ballina.
The last time the son of All Too Hard raced at Eagle Farm he finished second to Prince Of Boom in the Group 2 Moreton Cup.
A strong tempo should help him find the line powerfully with regular rider Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
RACE 10 - 6:12PM: OPEN QUALITY HANDICAP (1810 METRES)
Knight's Choice (3) put the writing on the wall that a big performance was coming two starts ago.
The Symons and Laxon-trained son of Extreme Choice worked home strongly over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast, registering the quickest final 200m of the race, to finish fourth by just under a length.
Given he didn't have the clearest path and he pulled up with a cough, there was plenty of merit in the run.
The big performance came last start when he took on 2000m for the first time, charging to the line to win well by a length at Doomben against Open company.
He drops back in trip but can go back-to-back now that he's struck winning form.
