The biggest race on Queensland’s calendar has finally arrived, and it is looking like a cracker. With five emergencies on stand-by, a full field of 18 is likely to line up.
The barrier draw was done on Wednesday morning, which threw a few spanners in the works, with five of the early fancies drawing barriers wider than 13.
Two of the top chances that did benefit from a good barrier draw were Doomben 10,000 winner Spirit Of Boom (barrier six) and now equal favourite Hucklebuck (barrier 1).
Spirit Of Boom will be looking for consecutive Group 1 victories to end his career on a high note, as this will be his last race before going to stud. Hucklebuck will be out to claim his first Group 1 victory. The three-year-old gelding will have the weight advantage, only having to carry 51 kilograms, and this along with his good barrier draw has seen the punters come for him. He is now the joint favourite with Srikandi.
Srikandi was not so lucky in the barrier draw. The three-year-old filly drew barrier 17 but she is another that has a weight advantage at 51 kilograms. Srikandi has been in cracking form, winning her last five starts by a combined total of nine lengths. She looks capable of making the step up to Group 1 company.
Another runner who’s hopes for this race have been dashed by the draw is Gary Portelli’s Rebel Dane. He drew the car park in barrier 22, but with four of the emergencies drawing inside, he is likely to jump from barrier 18. After his first run this prep, where he was second behind Lankan Rupee in Sydney, many had him winning some big races this campaign. It hasn’t played out that way but his last run in the Doomben 10,000 was sound and if Tommy Berry can get him into a good spot then he is more than capable of making his presence felt.
Although a lot of emphasis is put on the barrier draw, it is not the be all and end all, especially at Eagle Farm. There is a relatively straight run for 400 metres before the first turn so any runners who are fast out of the gates and have good tactical speed should be able to jockey into their desired positions. That’s why Red Tracer, another that has drawn wide in barrier 16, remains a big chance. She is a two-time Group 1 winner and has been freshened up for this race with two barrier trails, both in which she won. Her price has drifted out a little and she now looks good value.
The last runner I will touch on is one that paid up the late entry fee of $23,100 to compete in this race. Wez Hunter’s Smoking Joey was Group 1 winner in Adelaide, and he has a good turn of foot and has drawn nicely in barrier three. The tempo up front should be fairly solid and Smoking Joey is likely to go back and hope for some clear running in the straight. On his day he is up to this.
Historically this race is not kind to the favourites. Since 2005 the average winner’s price is $15.50. This is largely due to the $1,360,000 in prize money which attracts big fields and punters get swept up in weights and barriers. I am going to go true to form and have Spirit Of Boom on top of Red Tracer, Rebel Dane and Srikandi.
www.partypunter.com.au
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