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Opinion

Eagle Farm: Group 1 tips and previews

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26th May, 2021
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Group 1 racing returns to Eagle Farm this week, as the Queensland carnival builds to Stradbroke day in two weeks’ time.

The Kingsford-Smith Cup is the headline act this week, a weight-for-age test at 1300m featuring a solid field of hardy gallopers.

Savatiano has been the best backed horse since markets opened, with sensational early money moving the James Cummings mare into firm favouritism at the expense of Gytrash. She’s been in pink form for most of this season, claiming the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes as well as a series of Group 2s, and is coming off a narrow second to Kolding in the All Aged a month ago.

Savatiano is a devastating horse when freshened, and 1300m is perfect for a horse credentialled at both six and seven furlongs. An ability to race on the speed makes her fairly bomb proof is she is somewhere near her best.

Kementari and Cascadian were a couple of lengths behind Savatiano in the All Aged when last at the races. It’s fair enough to say Kementari isn’t quite at the level required, while Cascadian will be more suited over a bit further in the Stradbroke a fortnight from now.

Gytrash was displaced by Savatiano at the top of the market, and is second-up after his closing third in the Goodwood at Morphetville. He was always going to be a bit vulnerable at 1200m first-up, and it may well be the case at 1300m here too. He does have a win at 1300m though, despite his record suggesting 1000m-1100m is more his sweet spot.

Savatoxl was the surprise winner of the Goodwood, leaving not just Gytrash, but Instant Celebrity, Behemoth and other high quality types in his wake. Maybe he can do it again? He’s in the finest fettle, and will also make his own luck from the front.

Eagle Farm racing baby!

Eagle Farm racing baby! DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Darren England/ALLSPORT/Getty

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Trekking has been racing against the best of the best for a couple of years, and as such has forgotten how to win a bit. Perhaps running in a couple of Everest’s has taken it out of him, and he doesn’t seem to quite have that finishing sprint despite still running more than respectably. He’s been beaten less than a length in three Group 1’s this season, so is due, and this field is weaker than most he meets.

Niccanova and Vega One both had Trekking’s measure at Eagle Farm four weeks ago, and the latter also finished in front of him in the Doomben 10,000 last start. They are both good horses when right, strike this race in form, and appeal as over the odds despite tricky barriers.

Jonker is another that will attract punters on an each-way basis. While a long third to Eduardo in the Galaxy (no-one was getting close to him that day), it was soft there and he prefers dry, which he’ll get on Saturday. He’s in the race, but will be hoping to avoid an early speed battle.

Dame Giselle is another that shouldn’t be forgotten, as the only three year old in the race. If she is the subject of backing on the day, it could well be that the Snowden’s have her ready to go rather than just waiting for the Tiara.

The speed looks genuine on paper, and Hugh Bowman on Savatiano won’t have any issue taking a sit behind it from his middle draw, which will give him time to assess what’s happening. Niccanova might be the horse having last crack, alongside Trekking.

Selections: 1.Savatiano 2.Niccanova 3.Gytrash 4.Trekking

Group 1s don’t come much thinner than this edition of the Queensland Derby, a race that has produced some pretty ordinary winners in recent times. Although, given it wasn’t held last year, Mr Quickie is the most recent winner, and he has gone onto subsequent glory.

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What a story Explosive Jack has been over the last few months, and he’s come from nowhere to be arguably the banner horse on the program. He’s still in his first preparation, and has collected the Tasmanian, ATC and SA Derbies along the way. It would be a truly great racing story if he can add a fourth.

And what a remarkable performance by the training partnership of Maher and Eustace to keep the horse going. And while Explosive Jack had been a backmarker for the most part, he won the SA Derby from a much more forward position, so now has versatility on his record as well.

Horse racing generic 1

Let’s Karaka Deal is always the bridesmaid but hasn’t been the bride for a while now. A stablemate of Explosive Jack, he ran a good second to him in the SA Derby, but has a more friendly draw this time to try and turn the tables.

Eight horses from the Rough Habit are presenting in the Derby, where a couple of lengths covered the first five home.

Criminal Defence was the winner at $71 after having the run of the race, but he did win with a margin on the chasing pack.

The market has decided that Packer Plate winner Senor Toba is the one to follow here though – he was under riding a fair way out, and took a while to get going in the straight, but was the eye-catcher down the outside. Everything points to him looking for the 2400m of this event, but he hasn’t been looked after by the barrier gods.

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While the race should be between the only three in single figures, if looking for a different formline the Victorian Horrifying has always been somewhat highly rated, perhaps moreso than what he’s put on the track. But sired by Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, he’s finally getting out to distance and is coming off a win at 2000m. It could be the confidence builder he needs.

If there’s another horse that could do something at odds, perhaps the front-running Maranoa from the Waterhouse and Bott stable could pinch a break, albeit hard to trust his stamina being by Snitzel.

Selections: 1.Explosive Jack 2.Let’s Karaka Deel 3.Senor Toba 4.Horrifying

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