HISTORY might be stacked against her but brilliant Sydney filly SEA SIREN remains a solidly backed favorite to complete the Doomben 10,000 – Stradbroke Handicap double at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Sea Siren, whose connections have just rejected a mammoth offer for the three-year-old, is ready to run the race of her life, according to trainer John O’Shea and the field for the Group One this year is not outstanding.
BUFFERING (from a bad draw), TIGER TEES, TORIO’S QUEST and WEALTH PRINCESS are the next in the betting but SEA SIREN holds down dominant favoritism.
Trainer Darren Weir is hoping that Wealth Princess gets speed to suit and expects her to be much suited by the better track surface and lighter weight in the Stradbroke.
One-time favorite MENTAL unfortunately looks certain to miss a start as third emergency but will run at odds-on in the easier Daybreak Lover.
The Peter Moody stable holds the key to the G1 Queensland Derby with the two early favorites BRAMBLES and VATUVEI. Last weekend’s Oaks winner QUINTESSENTIAL is backing up while the wildcard looks to be the SA Derby winner ZABEELIONAIRE.
The Brisbane Cup is shaping as a re-match of MAWINGO and LIGHTS OF HEAVEN who fought out the G1 Doomben Cup but the latter has drawn awkwardly.
Star colt SIZZLING chases the Sires-T J Smith double and will run odds-on despite an impressive last start win by the Victorian BOBAN who looks suited by the mile.
PROMISING filly LADY MELKSHAM has been heavily backed to win again when she backs up in the Listed Creswick Stakes at FLEMINGTON after winning brilliantly a week ago at Sandown.
Two of the best early goes at odds for Saturday racing have been SOOKIE ($13 to $6) in Race One at Eagle Farm and OUTBACK RANGER ($8 to $4.2) in the seventh at Flemington.
Below is THE FRIDAY FORM-LINE for EAGLE FARM, FLEMINGTON and ROSEHILL.
EAGLE FARM – TRACK: SLOW 6, expect a DEAD 5 on Race Day.
BEST BACKED EARLY: SOOKIE (R1, $13 to $6) and MAWINGO (R8, $3.6-$3.2).
VALUE BETS: FIREBOLT (R2, $6) and VATUVEI (R6, $4.6).
R1: LISTED LANCASTER STAKES, Two-Year-Old Fillies 1200m
NSW VISITOR FAVORITE: TINSZELDA, $3.8, is unbeaten after three starts at Scoe (twice) and Muswellbrook. She bolted in last start from a horse that has since won at Gosford.
NEXT IN BETTING: HOSS AMOR, $3.8 to $4, started favorite but no match for fast finishing BOBAN in Listed grade at Doomben. She is proving a shade costly for punters.
GOOD GO EARLY: SOOKIE, $13 to $6, resumed from a spell and bolted in with a Maiden at Doomben. She wasn’t that far away in G3 and Listed grade in December.
SPECKED: DISCREET from $8 to $7 and SPLENDID CHOICE from $51 to $25.
EARLY MAIL: DISCREET, $7, is fitter for two runs from a spell and didn’t have a lot of luck last start behind SIZZLING in G3 grade at Doomben.
R2: LISTED STRAWBERRY ROAD HANDICAP 1600m
FAVORITE CHASING HAT-TRICK: SOLZHENITSYN, solid at $2.6, led and dictated to win the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup over the Doomben mile. This fellow has jumped out of the ground since they decided to ride him on the pace.
NEXT IN MARKET: ST GERMAINE, safe at $5, backs up after making good ground in the heavy going when 3rd to PEPPERWOOD in the heavy going at Doomben last Saturday.
CLOSE TO A WIN: FIREBOLT, $6, now with the Waller stable, charged home late when 2nd to SOLZHENITSYN in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup and is very close to a win.
NO LUCK LAST START: HOUR OF PERIL, $12, stormed home to win at the Gold Coast 1st-up then never got clear behind RAISE UP at Doomben.
EARLY MAIL: FIREBOLT was scratched from the heavy Eagle Farm track last weekend and gets a better surface this time. He looks ready to win and is good value at $6.
R3: LISTED DAYBREAK LOVER, Three-Year-Old 1600m
FAVORITE CHASING STRADBROKE CONSOLATION: MENTAL, $1.65, the one-time Stradbroke favorite but the third emergency for the big race, looked very good winning the G3 Fred Best then failed in the heavy in the Queensland Guineas last week. He looks too good on a better track.
NEXT IN BETTING: DOUBLE IMPACT, $11, did a good job when 4th to PEAR TART in the Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm last week but does seem to perform better on wet tracks.
EARLY SPECKING: VOLKHERE, $26 to $17, is lightly-raced but looks promising. He does step up from a 1200m win in easier grade at Doomben to the Eagle Farm mile.
EARLY MAIL: MENTAL looks a good thing in this if he doesn’t secure a Stradbroke start but he’s no fancy odds.
R4: LISTED LIGHTNING HANDICAP 1000m
FAVORITE CHASING HAT-TRICK: EXCELLANTES, $4.2, is in career-best form with wins at his last two starts at Doomben, the latest in the Listed Chief de Beers.
EARLY BACKING: FACILE TIGRE, $6 to $5, returned from a Victorian campaign where his best effort was a first-up 3rd in the Oakleigh Plate behind WOORIM. He was never on the track in the G1 Doomben Cup and was placed in this race last year.
SPECKED EARLY: ADEBISI, $9 to $8, led and dropped out in the Doomben 10,000 but returns here to a more suitable trip and an easier assignment.
EARLY MAIL: PAPRIKA, $10, looks the wildcard in this. She goes well fresh, has won two from three at the track and trip and looked good winning a recent Doomben trial.
R5: GROUP ONE T J SMITH, Two-Year-Old 1600m
STAR COLT FAVORITE: SIZZLING, $1.85, chases win No 4 this preparation after taking out the Ken Russell at the Gold Coast, the G2 Champagne Classic at Doomben and the G2 Sires at Eagle Farm. He gives the impression the mile will suit.
MAIN THREAT: BOBAN, $6, a promising colt from the Freedman stable, came from last for a big win in Listed grade at Doomben last start and the mile looks made to order.
MAIDEN IS OVERDUE: ACADEMUS, $6.5, has finished second to SIZZLING at his last two starts in the Champagne Classic and the Sires Produce.
EARLY SPECKING: KABAYAN from $12 to $10; NOOGOOROO BURRS from $61 to $26 and CHOICE BRO from $101 to $41.
EARLY MAIL: SIZZLING won’t be any fancy odds but looks set to complete the Sires – T J Smith double.
R6: GROUP ONE QUEENSLAND DERBY, Three-Year-Old 2400m
FAVORITE IS FLYING: BRAMBLES, $3.4 to $3.6, chasing a hat-trick after winning the G3 Rough Habit and G3 Grand Prix at Doomben. He has an awkward alley but his latest win was outstanding.
STABLEMATE SECOND FAV: VATUVEI, $4.6, also from the Moody stable, ran 2nd to BRAMBLES in the G3 Grand Prix at Doomben but was just getting warmed up late and will be even better suited over this extra trip.
BACKING FOR SA DERBY WINNER: ZABEELIONAIRE, $6 to $5 early, has had a five week break since an impressive win courtesy of a great Oliver ride in the SA Derby.
SPECKED EARLY: QUINTESSENTIAL, $7 to $6.5 and LUCRIPETOUS from $17 to $15.
EARLY MAIL: VATUVEI, $4.6, was an eye-catcher in the Grand Prix and gets his chance over the extra trip to turn the tables on stablemate BRAMBLES.
R7: GROUP ONE STRADBROKE LHANDICAP 1400m
10,000 WINNER FAVORITE: SEA SIREN, $4.6, has box-seated winning the G2 BRC Cup and G1 Doomben 10,000 at her latest starts. She’s an outstanding filly with a perfect draw to get the ‘gun’ run again.
NEXT IN MARKET: TIGER TEES, $8 to $7, has won his two starts since a spell in the Listed Hall Mark at Randwick and the G3 BRC Sprint at Doomben. He has the remarkable record of eight wins and three seconds from 11 starts.
BIG RUN IN 10,000: BUFFERING, $8, had a setback going into the 10,000 but still stretched the neck of SEA SIREN. The 18 alley and a slight risk at the trip are the concerns.
FAILED IN HEAVY: WEALTH PRINCESS, $8, was a forgive run in the heavy behind RED TRACER in G2 grade at Eagle Farm last Saturday. She was impressive winning the G3 Glenlogan at her previous start.
EARLY MAIL: WEALTH PRINCESS, $8, didn’t let down in the heavy last week, drops a stack of weight here and on a better surface should be charging home. She looks a big threat to the favorite.
R8: GROUP TWO BRISBANE CUP 2400m
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: MAWINGO, $3.6 to $3.2, beat subsequent winner LIGHTS OF HEAVEN in the G1 Doomben Cup. Promising import that ran 4th at only try over this trip.
KEPT SAFE: LIGHTS OF HEAVEN, $3.8, was narrowly beaten by MAWINGO in the Doomben Cup then won in the heavy in the Eagle Farm Cup last weekend. Her main obstacle is a horror draw.
WATERHOUSE INVADER: REUBEN PERCIVAL, $10 to $13, came back from the canvas to win the Listed Winter Cup on a slow track at Warwick Farm last weekend and looks ready for the step up in class.
EARLY SPECKING: WAZN from $13 to $11 and DANCE WITH HER from $14 to $13.
EARLY MAIL: MAWINGO looks an exciting import and has drawn to get a much better run than LIGHTS OF HEVAEN in this.
FLEMINGTON – Track: DEAD 4.
BEST BACKED EARLY: LADY MELKSHAM (R5, $2.3 to $1.9) and OUTBACK RANGER (R7, $8 to $4.2).
VALUE BETS: ROSES IN THE GLEN (R2, $4) and HURDY GURDY MAN (R8, $3.2).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: CLINKING from $4.5 to $3.5.
GOOD GO EARLY: ALL ABOUT THE COIN from $9 to $5.
EARLY SPECKING: HAUSSMAN from $9 to $8; FRINGED and MONTANA MAN from $10 to $8.
EARLY MAIL: CLINKING, $3.5, on the quick back-up but could not have been more impressive at Sandown last weekend.
RACE 2:
FAVORITE SOLID: FAMILY CREST from $3.8 to $3.7 and as short as $3.6 with some agencies.
NEXT IN MARKET: ROSES IN THE GLEN from $3.8 to $4 and HOUSTON BENEFACTOR at $5.
EARLY SPECKING: MANHATTEN MAID from $7 to $6.5.
EARLY MAIL: ROSES IN THE GLEN, $4, is close to a win and drops back to fillies grade in this.
RACE 3:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: JOHANNAPINE from $2.8 to $2.5.
NEXT IN BETTING: PERTURBO at $7; BEYOND PARDON from $8.5 to $7.5 and UNDENIABLY from $8 to $7.5.
EARLY MAIL: JOHANNAPINE should have won first-up and gets her chance in this.
RACE 4:
TASMANIAN FAVORITE: BANCO MO from $3.5 to $3.7.
NEXT IN MARKET: GAIL from $4.5 to $4.6.
SOLID EARLY: LASPIEL at $5.
EARLY MAIL: GAIL, $4.6, won over this track and distance two back then got too far out of her ground last run.
RACE 5 (Listed Creswick Stakes):
EARLY GO FOR FAVORITE: LADY MELKSHAM, $2.3 to $1.9, backs up after impressive win at Sandown last weekend when jockey Glen Boss claimed she could have won by much further.
MAIN THREAT: ZAMAROR, $3 TO $3.2, comes off a fighting win at Caulfield and did run 4th to SEPOY down the Flemington straight in the Coolmore.
EARLY SPECKING: RIZIZ from $31 to $21.
EARLY MAIL: LADY MELKSHAM is three from three at the trip but this is her first start down the straight.
RACE 6:
FAVORITE SOLID: CHOSEN TO FLY, $5.5 to $5, looked good winning over this track and distance second-up but does have an awkward draw to contend with.
BACKED EARLY: ANY DREAM WILL DO, $7.5 to $5.5, failed in the heavy at Sandown when favorite last start but is right in this on 1st-up 2nd at Warrnambool.
EARLY SPECKING: GLANEUSE from $11 to $10; GOLD SAND from $7 to $6.5; SOPHROSYNE from $11 to $9 and SILENT SURROUND $26 to $15.
EARLY MAIL: BEREFT, $8, is worth another chance – had no luck from inside draw last start at Flemington.
RACE 7:
BIG GO ON FAVORITE: OUTBACK RANGER, $8 to $4.2, got to the line strongly for 3rd to WESTSOUTHWEST at Sandown last Saturday. He shapes as if the extra trip will suit.
WELL TRIED EARLY: TWO SUGARS, $5.5 to $4.6, ran on strongly for 3rd to SHIHABI in the slow at Caulfield and steps up to this trip for the first time.
EARLY SPECKING: CAMPEAO from $7 to $6.5 and BASHAN from $15 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: ELLDAMI, at $11, looks nice value on her G3 3rd to RED TYPHOON at Morphettville last start.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: HURDY GURDY MAN, $3.7 to $3.2, charged home for 2nd to MONTGOMERY at Caulfield last start.
NEXT IN MARKET: FINIGUERRA solid at $4.6 and KEEP COOL from $5 to $6.
EARLY SPECKING: MY BENTLEY from $13 to $11; CRABS from $15 to $12 and SWOOPER from $10 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: HURDY GURDY MAN, $3.2, caught the eye last start at Caulfield.
ROSEHILL – Track: HEAVY 8.
BEST BACKED EARLY: IDEAL POSITION (R4, $4.5 to $4.2) and MAGIC CASSIUS (R8, $5 to $4.4).
VALUE BETS: SKYTRAIN (R6, $5) and ALUMBRADO (R8, $15).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE TRIED EARLY: CATALONIA from $4 to $3.8.
NEXT IN BETTING: SANTA FE SUN from $4.8 to $5.5 and PTOLEMY from $4.8 to $5.
EARLY SPECKING: TARGET IN SIGHT from $9 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: CATALONIA, $3.8, back from Melbourne for Snowden after failing 1st-up when favorite at Sandown.
RACE 2:
FAVORITE IN OPEN RACE: FAMOUS SEAMUS at $5.
NEXT IN MARKET: AIR COMET at $6.
EARLY SPECKING: HENDRICUS from $11 to $10; FOX from $17 to $13 and SPINHRO from $21 to $15.
EARLY MAIL: NOT A DANCER looks good value at $15. Her Listed 4th two runs back was good then she had no luck at Scone when trapped wide.
RACE 3:
FAVORITE HAS BIG WEIGHT: CHARING CROSS at $4.2.
NEXT IN BETTING: CENSOR and SOUTHERN SHIMMER both at $7.
EARLY SPECKING: KIM WARRIOR from $8 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: SOUR MASH at $8 gets in with a lightweight and could take catching.
RACE 4:
FAVORITE TRIED EARLY: IDEAL POSITION from $4.5 to $4.2.
NEXT IN BETTING: GREEN BERET from $4.5 to $5.
SOME SPECKING: ZEDLION from $13 to $11 and LET THEM HAVE IT from $15 to $13.
EARLY MAIL: IDEAL POSITION is going well in the country and should have gone close at Scone when had no luck last start.
RACE 5:
EQUAL FAVORITES IN OPEN RACE: MADAM NASH and HAUT TON both at $6.
NEXT IN BETTING: TITBIT and FOX at $7 and SONG AND ROSES at $7.5.
EARLY SPECKING: OUTOFAFRIKA from $10 to $9.
EARLY MAIL: WALLER holds key with MADAM NASH and TITBIT. MADAM NASH, $6, is first-up but likes the wet and goes well fresh.
RACE 6 (Listed JUNE STAKES):
EQUAL FAVORITES: SKYTRAIN solid at $5 and ALBERTON PARK from $6 to $5.
NEXT IN MARKET: STRATANA frm $6 to $6.5; EMOTIONAL CIRCUS at $7 and SEE THE WORLD at $7.5.
EARLY MAIL: SKYTRAIN, $5, should have won in Listed grade at Scone last start.
RACE 7:
FAVORITE SOLID: SAMUI LAD at $4.4 but as short as $4.2 with some agencies.
EARLY BACKING: WINNING GLORY from $7 to $6.
EARLY SPECKING: IZABABE from $11 to $10; SCOTTISH BORDER from $34 to $21 and ALTERED BOY from $11 to $10.
EARLY MAIL: QUIDNUNC, $9, ran a nice race at Scone last start, is overdue and likes the wet.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE WELL TRIED: MAGIC CASSIUS from $5 to $4.4.
GOOD EARLY MOVE: COUP AY TEE from $5.5 to $4.6.
EARLY SPECKING: CORNWALL PARK from $26 to $21; SUPERIOR INSTINCT from $17 to $13; ROMANUS from $13 to $10 and RADAR from $13 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: ALUMBRADO, $15, looked good winning first-up at Scone, handles the wet and is nice value to take the next step.