Despite aesthetically to appear in average condition last Saturday, Eagle Farm played considerably fair with all runners given their chance whether out wide or closer to the fence. If anything, there was perhaps a slight disadvantage to be hard up on the fence towards the latter stages of the meeting.
Race 9 – Back When
Whilst this was not a hard run to spot from the last race, but I’m extremely keen on his future and I’ve got no doubt we’ll be repaid by following him. From well back in the field, he powered through the field upon hitting the straight to grab second on the line. No doubt he was aided somewhat by the strong tempo set by the winner Georgie’s Pride (herself a very smart galloper) but he was extremely strong though the line second up out to 1400m. It must be said the winner is very smart and in the top couple of progressive horses in the state. The money went on Back When here and it would be a surprise if this 3yo went around at any flash odds next time, but assume the Garnett Taylor stable will be looking to step him out to 1600m now, and if he can draw a gate he’ll be mighty hard to hold out wherever he goes.
Race 1 – The Stifmeister and Yangari
I might sound like a broken record here, but The Stifmeister and Yangari are worth continuing to follow. They profile as similar type horses, both likely to show their best out to 1400m and perhaps beyond. Nothing from Saturday has swayed me that they are both horses well worth watching, but only time will tell how far they get this preparation and if they can make their presence felt over the upcoming Brisbane carnival. The Stifmeister looks a talented horse and it would be no surprise to see him measure up in upcoming stakes race, with the JJ Atkins would no doubt be on the radar. In the same race, I also didn’t mind the way Yangari kept whacking away on the fence. I’d prefer to see him draw a middle gate and settle midfield with cover and round them up before the bend. He might be a rung below The Stifmeister (the market has reflected that) but he’s still worth following.
Race 6 – Exclusive
I was keen on this NSW visitor’s chances and while he couldn’t run into the placings, his run was full of merit. He settled back last from the wide gate with the big weight but was able to pick up and loom along the fence. There’s a small query that hard up against the fence was a less than ideal place to be as the day wore on, but it’s reasonable to understand why the jockey went that way given he didn’t want to loop around them with the big weight.
Race 8 – Golly Hutt
Another horse who stays in the blackbook is Golly Hutt, simply because I’m hoping he’ll continue to be underplayed by the market because of his low-profile trainer. The margin says he was no match for Wren’s Day on Saturday, but he was three deep the trip and the winner came off his back so there’s a small case to make he could’ve finished a lot closer than the 1.75 margin. He’s a horse in great form and there’s no reason why he can’t win a Saturday race around the 1400m mark this preparation.