Best bet – Race 5 #2 Buying Time

Won a Class 4 last start with complete ease and now drops back to a Class 3 – he should just be winning again. He’s only had four starts, but flies fresh, unbeaten twice first-up and is one-from-one second-up. This is his first time at Eagle Farm, which is a slight query, but the stable wouldn’t be here with such a smart horse if they thought he wouldn’t handle the track. The wide draw is also a slight trick but he will get back and likely slot in midfield. These slight queries are why we’re getting $2.50 and not $1.50, but happy to say he can take care of his rivals who don’t look to have the same upside he displays.

Next best – Race 2 #1 Head Of State

I’ve been with this bloke at both runs this prep and they’ve both shown he’s warming to a win. He will be on a firmer surface here at Eagle Farm – the conditions of his only two career wins. He’s a horse who has performed in the top grade in Sydney. He gets out to 2200m after running on well at 1800m and 2000m, suggesting the further the better. First-up in The Wave at the Gold Coast, the way the track played that day made it impossible for him to win, but he ran fourth and was doing his best work late in the worst part of the track. Last start when second-up he was given a peach from the wide gate but couldn’t reel in the winner, despite finishing better than anything else. He ran fourth there and meets the winner of that race, Military Gambler, 2.5kgs better off at the weights. I’m not convinced the small field is right up his alley, but he is the class horse and ready to win.

Best each way – Race 1 #6 Torque About Magic

Ran well on debut in the race where Mishani Raider was pocketed as a long odds-on favourite. The Player won the race and looks a handy horse, while Mishani Raider came out next start and ran third behind Trifling at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday in what will likely be a good form race. The map isn’t ideal here so I think we’ll get a much better price at race start, however the debut run suggests there’s some ability there and she should only improve.