Cover image courtesy of Michael McInally
Jack is back
Eagle Farm, G1 Moet & Chandon Queensland Derby, $600,000, 2400m
Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) is shooting for a fourth Derby this season when he steps out here. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper has drawn in barrier six and maps to get a lovely midfield run with cover under John Allen.
Stablemate Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) found Explosive Jack one better in the G1 SA Derby last start. There he was only third-up and was rising sharply in trip from 1800 to 2500 metres. He presents here rock-hard fit and is ready to peak stepping back 100 metres in trip.
The Chris Waller-trained Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}) was most impressive last start at Doomben over 2000 metres when working home strongly into third. He looks set to appreciate rising in trip and can offset barrier 21 by settling back in the field and presenting with a long-sustained run.
Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) chased home with intent last start to finish second at Doomben. The Chris Waller-trained gelding looks set to appreciate the rise in trip, while stablemate Achiever (Pride Of Dubai) comes through BM78 success last fortnight.
Savatiano to atone last-start defeat
Eagle Farm, G1 TAB Kingsford-Smith Cup, $700,000, 1300m
Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) has trialled up well since being nailed on the line by Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the G1 All Aged S. The James Cummings-trained mare has been in a rich vein of form this campaign having won three on the trot prior to last start. Expect her to score a lovely box seat run here from barrier eight and prove hard to beat dropping back 100 metres in trip.
Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was solid on return from injury in the G1 The Goodwood H. at Morphettville. The Gordon Richards-trained gelding was forced back and wide and worked home strongly to finish third.
Barrier 15 presents some challenges for the gelding here and will require a special steer from Jason Collett.
Godolphin galloper Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) hasn’t won for some time now but has continued to remain around the mark at Group 1 level. He presents here third-up and can make his presence felt with luck in running from barrier 12.
Savatoxl (Kuroshio) surprised his rivals when rising to the occasion in the G1 The Goodwood H. The only knock here is that he draws out in barrier 14 and only knows one way which is being up on speed. The McEvoy-trained gelding will be required to pass a vets inspection Saturday morning having presented mildly lame in the near-fore leg on Thursday.
The Tony Gollan-trained Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has drawn awkwardly in barrier 13 but secures the services of superstar hoop Jamie Kah.
Boom to continue
Eagle Farm, G2 James Squire BRC Sires’ Produce S., $1,000,000, 1400m
Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) is yet to put a foot wrong to date winning his first two career starts in fine fashion. He presents here third-up and steps out over 1400 metres for the first time. The key concern is where he maps from barrier 13 in a field of 16.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Converge (Frankel {GB}) walked in by 8.3l in a recent trial at Wyong over 845 metres and prior to that he was only beaten 1.8l into third in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. at Randwick. He draws out in barrier 15 here and will be forced to work hard early to cross and take up a forward position.
Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock) was nailed in the shadows of the post fresh last fortnight. The Chris Waller-trained galloper draws in barrier 11 and looks to get every chance at redemption here under star James McDonald.
Overpass (Vancouver) is stringing a strong record together having won his last three starts in succession. He draws nicely in barrier three here and can put himself up on the speed, while Port Louis (Maurice {Jpn}) can show his true colours here after getting too far back in the G1 Sire’s Produce S. at Randwick last month.
Ayrton looking for Stradbroke start
Eagle Farm, G3 Mullins Lawyers Fred Best Classic, $250,000, 1400m
Boom gelding Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is out to book himself a start in next month’s G1 Stradbroke H. and can achieve that with a victory here. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr galloper has drawn in barrier six and maps to take a sit outside the lead. Jamie Kah sticks in the saddle and will give him every chance to show his class.
Exoboom (Exosphere) was luckless in defeat last time out at Rosehill when forced back and wide. Despite the tough run he continued to find the line to finish third. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding steps out here fourth-up, rock-hard fit and ready to fire.
Apache Chase (Better Than Ready) looks the likely speed influence here and can kick up under Jim Byrne to hold a forward position. The consistent gelding will give his rivals something to chase and is capable of putting in a bold showing, while dominant last-start winner Count De Rupee (Real Impact {Jpn}) can run a big race third-up with Jason Collett in the saddle.
Le Don De Vie more than capable
Eagle Farm, G3 Brisbane For 2032 Premier’s Cup, $200,000, 2400m
Le Don De Vie (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) finally broke through for connections when winning the Listed Warrnambool Cup in a canter. This race doesn’t look any harder on paper and he is more than capable of producing a similar result under James McDonald.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has struggled to recapture his best form in recent times. However, he is a class galloper who can figure prominently in a race of this calibre. John Allen steps into the saddle and can give the 6-year-old every chance in transit.
Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock) has remained around the mark in recent times without winning. Last time out he finished 1.4l fourth at Flemington over 2000 metres against moderate opposition and it is safe to state that he needs to go to another level to be winning here.
Paths Of Glory (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) beat dominant G1 Doomben Cup winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) two back at Randwick. However, he couldn’t back that up in the Listed Wagga Gold Cup when finishing fourth. He is a talented type but is nearing the end of a long preparation.
Clear class galloper
Eagle Farm, G3 Sky Racing Lord Mayor’s Cup, $150,000, 1800m
Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) is the clear class galloper in the race. The Llyod Williams-owned gelding boasts a G1 Australian Cup victory and a narrow G1 Caulfield Cup placing. If he brings that form here, he will prove awfully hard to run down from the front under Jye McNeil.
Hang Man (Ire) (Windsor Knot {Ire}) failed to fire at Doomben over 2000 metres last fortnight. Expect him to improve getting back on top of the ground and dropping back to 1800 metres.
The Chris Waller-trained So You Win (So You Think {NZ}) scaled new heights last start and was only pipped in the final strides at Doomben by a low flying Warning (NZ) (Declaration Of War {USA}). The step back from 2000 metres will be to his benefit and the engagement of Hugh Bowman is no knock.
OTI-owned entire Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) returns from a brief injury enforced layoff. The G1 ATC Derby winner draws awkwardly in barrier 13 but is tactically versatile enough to settle wherever jockey Joshua Parr pleases.
The Sweetest Deal
Eagle Farm, Listed Magic Millions Helen Coughlan S., $150,000, 1200m
Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) returned to her best when winning with authority at Hawkesbury last start. She returns to the races here at her sixth run for the preparation and is showing no signs of slowing down. Barrier 12 does present some challenges, but the 6-year-old retains the services of astute hoop Nash Rawiller.
Athiri (Lonhro) has been rather disappointing her previous two starts finishing outside the top 10. The Godolphin galloper is clearly better than what she has shown this time in and is capable of bouncing back here third-up despite drawing awkwardly in barrier one.
Fellow James Cummings-trained mare Lyre (Lonhro) still remains winless since the 2019 G1 Blue Diamond S. The ever consistent 4-year-old has drawn wide in barrier 19 once again but can flash over the top late with Jamie Kah in the saddle, while stablemate Exhilarates (Snitzel) will improve here stepping up in trip second-up.
Elite Street ready to fire
Belmont, G3 Iron Jack Belmont Sprint, $200,000, 1400m
G1 Winterbottom S. winner Elite Street (Street Boss {USA}) looked a good thing beat at Ascot on May 15 when getting back in running before flashing late to finish second after being forced off heels at a vital stage. He steps up in trip here and will relish the extra 200 metres. Chris Parnham sticks in the saddle and can present out wide with a flashing late run.
Elite Street
The Velvet King (Universal Ruler) returns to Perth racing after a couple of below par runs in Melbourne during the spring. The Darren Mcauliffe-trained gelding is yet to miss the money from eight attempts at 1400 metres and has only missed the top three once from 10 starts at Belmont.
Dig Deep (Deep Field) was well-held but fellow contender Massimo (Sessions) in a recent Lark Hill trial. His runs have been spaced accordingly this preparation and with star local hoop in the saddle he can run a big race at a distance that he relishes.
