Preview, Tips and Best Bets for Eagle Farm Saturday, April 15

Two Listed races provide a rehearsal for the Winter Carnival and with the rail out three metres all horses will get their chance. A few sharp ones are starting their campaigns and will be watched with interest though staying with the tried and true will be my approach.

BEST BET: SPEAK UP (Race 8 No 11)

NEXT BEST: INVINCIBLE COURAGE (Race 6 No 6)

VALUE BET: GARIBALDI (Race 9 No 6)

Quaddie numbers are:

Race 6: 6.9

Race 7: 6,14

Race 8: 1,2,4,11

Race 9: 1,6,7

48 combinations

Race 1- Benchmark 78 Handicap 1000m

Sydney form is always hard to pass and CROSSWINDS (7) was run down late in a similar midweek Benchmark on the Kensington track last start. Fitter for two outings he drops 2kg and with Brodie Loy from a good gate help will be the one to catch.

HEADWALL (8) ran in the same race as CROSSWINDS (7) and chased hard to finish on his heels. The wide gate tests but he meets his conqueror 1kg better and Jim Orman can work wonders.

FETCH (4) fought on well in stronger company than this last start and will appreciate the drop back to 1000m. She rises 3.5kg but draws to no work but will get every chance with Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

MISHANI SNIPER (9) is poorly drawn but going for a hat-trick and Angela Jones will take no prisoners.

Verdict- Sydney form to prevail.

Race 2- Benchmark 85 Handicap 1815m

Chris Waller has stepped AL AABIR (6) up to Saturday grade after two strong wins at the midweeks. The import by Sea The Stars has won four of nine starts and looks a stayer on the way up. He drops 2kg and with regular rider Damien Thornton can make further progress.

It has been a while between drinks for DOUCEUR (2) but he has been racing in far stronger company than this and was only run down late in a Group 3 last start. He rises 3.5kg but if there is a will Jim Orman will find a way,

KALAPOUR (1) got a positive ride from Jim Byrne last start but found the in-form Santero too strong in similar grade. Kris Lees has gone to his main man Andrew Mallyon and that could turn things around.

BISCAYNE BAY (5) has found one better at her past two outings in Sydney midweek grade. She takes on better company here but is fitter for two outings, drops 5kg and will appreciate a bigger track.

Verdict- AL AABIR (6) is up to the Class.

Race 3- Benchmark 78 Handicap 1600m

There is upside with ULTIMATE PRIDE (13) which rounded them up in lesser grade to win easily last start. This is harder but she will do no work again, Damien Thornton stays on and a mare in form is hard to resist.

SECRET TALES (4) found the trip too far last start but is better suited here, drops 1kg and with Nikita Beriman will be well placed throughout.

This bigger track and longer trip suit BULLOO (12) which has been finding it hard to win and knows how to find trouble. She drops 4kg and Angela Jones can make a difference.

CHARGE ON (2) is poorly drawn over a trip that tests but Jim Orman stays on and he hasn't put in a bad run this preparation.

Verdict- Love a mare in form and that is ULTIMATE PRIDE (13).

Race 4- Two-Year-Old Handicap 1000m

Gates are important and ROTHGO (2) got the job done to in smart time on debut at the Sunshine Coast beating TRICKETEER (5) comfortably. He is well drawn again and with Georgina Cartwright can go on with it.

TRICKETEER (5) is a Maiden but franked ROTHGO (2)'s form when run down late in a similar affair over 1200m at Doomben last start. The shorter trip will suit, he meets ROTHGO (2) 2.5kg better and Angela Jones can take full advantage of the ace draw.

TORQUE I TEE (4) showed promise at his first preparation, has been gelded and showed has taken no harm bolting in at a recent Sunshine Coast trial. Blinkers go on and if Justin Huxtable can keep him together will be the one to run down.

AVONE (10) is bred for speed and was dominant in a recent trial at Toowoomba. Tony and Maddy Sears have opted to bring her straight to town, the crossover nose band goes on and she could give a sight.

Verdict- Plenty of chances but ROTHGO (2) knows how to win.

Race 5- No Metro Wins Handicap 1400m

Going with THE DROVER (4) which ran a bold race when resuming in a strong Benchmark 85. He rises 2.5kg but will find this easier and three of his four wins have been at this trip. He is more a placegetter than a winner but has won second-up previously and Nikita Beriman will have him near the speed.

Desleigh Forster and Jim Byrne are a proven combination and GOOD CHAT (6) came from a wide gate to win comfortably when resuming in a midweek Benchmark 70 over this trip. This is harder but he drops 3.5kg and a similar ride will have him in the finish.

BANDIT (9) gets plenty of racing but is maintaining form and put paid to a decent Class 4 field at Ipswich last start. Rikki Jamieson has won at her last two starts on him and won't make mistakes from a good gate.

Brian Smith can get them ready and COMMAND KING (2) won first-up last preparation. He will get back but the big track suits and Larry Cassidy knows when to press the button.

Verdict- THE DROVER (4) can get the job done

Race 6- Class 3 Plate 1200m

Barry Lockwood has stepped INVINCIBLE COURAGE (6) up to Saturday grade after two strong wins at provincial level. He is a late starter having only his third career outing as a five-year-old but there is no doubting his talent and with Jim Orman from a good gate he will get every chance.

COUNT DA BEANS (14) is resuming after finding it hard to break through last preparation for Tony Gollan but was racing against quality three-year-old opposition. His only win came on debut but has run into good ones throughout out his career and rarely been out of the money. A good gate helps and with Angela Jones he will be well-placed throughout.

THATFEELSBETTER (4) got too far back in running last outing but only just missed in this company at his start prior. Jaden Lloyd stays on and a more positive ride can have him in the frame.

The other Tony Gollan runner TICK TOCK QUEEN (7) surprised most when winning the Gateway and resumes with the Stradbroke her target. She showed she was ready to go with a trial win and the wide gate won't faze her. A strong speed suits and with Kyle Wilson-Taylor she will be strong late.

Verdict- INVINCIBLE COURAGE (6) is better than this class.

Race 7- Class 6 Handicap 1200m

The promising KIPSBAY (6) was dominant when resuming and is looking at five wins straight albeit over three preparations. He takes on some smart ones here but has a fitness edge on those resuming and with Taylor Marshall from a good gate will make his own luck.

ANTINO (9) showed he was a serious talent last preparation and has been readied by a recent trial. He will want longer but a big track suits and with Jim Orman has enough speed to sit handy and finish off.

The stablemate PALLADAS (3) has been a bookies' pal during his career but won first-up last preparation over this trip in a Benchmark 85. He has been readied by a quiet trial and Angela Jones will have him hitting the line.,

ACROBATIC (5) finds it hard to win but rarely runs poorly. With Justin Huxtable from gate one he will box seat and can get in the money again.

Verdict- KIPSBAY (6) can get it done.

Race 8- Daybreak Lover (Listed 3YO) 1400m

An early lead-in to the Winter Carnival and some smart ones have won this race in recent years.

John O'Shea has brought SPEAK UP (11) back to where she won two starts back and has subsequently franked the form with a dominant win at Hawkesbury. She is a filly on the up and with Angela Jones will be hard to hold out again.

WAITAK (1) is the first of the New Zealand contingent to arrive. His recent efforts have been over longer but form around the likes of Sharp ‘n' Smart and Prowess can't be ignored. The big track suits and he will be hitting the line.

THE VOWELS (2) is resuming after stringing four together and showed he was ready to go trialling at Beaudesert on Tuesday. With Jim Orman he won't be far away in running and knows how to win.

CRANKY HARRY (4) found SPEAK UP (11) too good two starts back but has won since and meets her 2kg better. He is an improving type and will get every chance with Corey Bayliss.

Verdict- SPEAK UP (11) is a fit filly in form.

Race 9- Ascot Handicap (Listed) 1000m

It took a while but GARIBALDI (6) turned things around last preparation and demonstrated a greater will to win than shown previously. He has a good first-up record, the likely strong speed suits and Kyle Wilson-Taylor can ride to have the last crack at them.

The resuming ROTHFIRE (1) has had his issues but there is no doubting his talent when right. He has a good first up record and has won all three starts at this track and distance. 61kg is a steadier but with one trial under his belt his class could get him through.

The stablemate PRINCE OF BOOM (7) failed during the Melbourne Spring he showed he is in good order with a recent dominant trial win. He has failed at both previous Eagle Farm outings but they were over longer trips. A tongue-tie goes on and with Jim Orman he will get every chance.

ALPINE EDGE (12) is targeting the Archer but has been working well and three of his four wins have been at this track. He warmed up with a trial at Beaudesert on Tuesday and will be hitting the line late.

Verdict- Many chances but GARIBALDI (6) strongest late.