The Summer racing carnival in Queensland is drawing closer and today’s meeting at Eagle Farm will see plenty of smart horses all on show. We get to see the exciting 3yo Golden Boom who will look to keep his unbeaten record in tact while the Grand Prix Stakes and Lough Neah Stakes headline the card.
There are nine strong races on the card and Billy Bestford is back once again to bring you his best bets and race previews for all the key races.
Eagle Farm Racing Tips: Saturday 17th December
Race 2
(8) Spellcatcher was in need of the run first up and is much better suited today with that run under the belt now. Up to 1200m is much more his go and he is still very lightly raced with two wins form seven starts. 1/1 when 2nd up and draws a nice gate with Maloney taking the ride.
(10) Star Gamble looks the main threat and should be hard fit 4th up and coming off a good run over this trip at the Gold Coast. That 3rd behind Preach and Arentee looks good enough form to win this.
Think (7) Perseids is a good each way chance and comes off a solid effort finishing 4th after missing the kick. Looked very impressive winning fresh and has come back in good form this prep.
In a race that lacks a whole heap of speed (6) Hamlet Von Snitzel might be able to cross to lead and should be hard fit 3rd up. On best form he can win.
(8) Spellcatcher
$3.50 (1 unit)
Race 5
The further (1) Kovalica steps out in trip at the moment the better for him and he has been super impressive, winning his last three in good fashion. Was dominant over 2000m two weeks ago and looks well placed to make it four on the bounce. Maps for a gun trail once again and I think he has a lot more upside than most of these.
(3) Tradition comes up from NSW after a strong win first up at Canterbury over 1900m. Has had a month between runs, which was a similar setup to the first up win. Trust the stable in placing him here.
(8) Noah ‘N’ A Deel was beaten fair and square by Kovalica last start and not sure she can turn the tables on him here. Has been racing in career best form and she clearly has upside but will need a bit of luck from the inside draw.
(5) Cash me the value.
(1) Kovalica
$1.80 (4 units)
Race 6
He concedes weight to the field but (1) Bartholomeu Dias has a big class edge on these. Getting out to 2000m looks the key to his chances, with four wins from five starts over this trip. He’s also unbeaten from two runs here and comes off a solid run in The Ingham when less than 3L off the winner. This looks a much easier assignment.
(4) Pancho has looked good at two runs in QLD this prep and should be set to peak now 3rd up. Up to 2000m now has to be a positive and I’ll trust the stable to have him ready.
(6) Street Dancer won well over this trip at Doomben last start and has been racing in super form. Down in the weights here and from a nice barrier I’d expect he is right in the finish.
(2) Bigboyroy has been below average this prep but this is probably the easiest race he has faced for a while. A couple of tick over trials should have him cherry ripe for this trip, where he is unbeaten through two starts.
(1) Bartholomeu Dias
$3.65 (2 units)
