THEY seem to have saved the best for last at what has been a luck-lustre Queensland carnival with the Tattersall’s feature meeting one of quality, spearheaded by the Group One Tiara for the fillies and mares.
Promising Victorians SHOPAHOLIC and SOFT SAND are equal favorites at $4.4 despite the presence of Stradbroke winner MIDSUMMER MUSIC ($8 to $7) which has drawn awkwardly and GAI’S CHOICE ($6 to $8) the impressive Gai Waterhouse Classic winner from Ipswich.
PUNTERS will be delighted to learn that Gai Waterhouse doesn’t have a favorite running in Sydney on Saturday with stable hopes focused on KINNERSLEY winning the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm.
KINNERSLEY, backing up after being nailed on the line by SHENZHOU STEEDS in last weekend’s Ipswich Cup, is the $4.5 favorite ahead of the Chris Waller-trained WAZN ($4.8) which looks suited dropping back after a sound 4th in the tougher Brisbane Cup behind LIGHTS OF HEAVEN.
In the other Tattersall’s day features HOSS AMOR is an odds-on favorite despite an awkward draw in the Mercedez Benz Stakes; FIREBOLT has been well backed early to win the TRatt’s Mile while TROMSO and EXCELLANTES share favoritism for the Healy Stakes.
Below is THE FRIDAY FORM-LINE for EAGLE FARM (Tattersall’s feature day), FLEMINGTON and WARWICK FARM.
EAGLE FARM – TRACK: DEAD 4.
BEST BACKED EARLY: FIREBOLT (R5, $3 to $2.8) and GRIFFON (R8, $6 to $5).
VALUE BETS: WAZN (R6, $5) and TIERQUALO (R8, $13).
R1: CLASS 6 1200m
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: SIGNIFIED has firmed from $4.4 to $4.2.
NEXT IN BETTING: DUX BELLORUM at $5 and THEFIFTHHOLE at $5.5.
EARLY SPECKING: RAISE UP from $7 to $6.5 and TAHITIAN BLACK from $8 to $7.5.
EARLY MAIL: WE liked the first-up effort of DUX BELLORUM, his debut for the Birchley stable.
R2: THREE-YEAR-OLD 1200m
FAVORITE SOLID: HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME at $3.2.
NEXT IN BETTING: KELBENJAR has firmed from $8 to $7.
EARLY SPECKING: WAR CHARM from $13 to $11 and SHOW A PRINCE from $21 to $15.
EARLY MAIL: VIKING HEART, $8, is fitter for two runs from a spell and the latest was a tidy effort at Doomben.
R3: BENCHMARK 85 1400m
EQUAL FAVORITES: DUSTY GOLD and OAK STREET at $3.6.
NEXT IN MARKET: SKATING ON ICE, BIANCA JEWEL and FIRE UP FIFI at $7.
EARLY SPECKING: GENERAL PURPLE from $12 to $10.
EARLY MAIL: OAK STREET has been freshened and could get an easy lead in this.
R4: LISTED MERCEDES BENZ STAKES 1400m
SHORTEST FAV DAY: HOSS AMOR from $1.8 to $1.9 after easy Listed win over 1200m here – has the speed to offset wide alley.
BACKED EARLY: DISCREET from $7 to $6 made some ground when 5th to HOSS AMOR in Listed grade here last start and should be fitter.
EARLY SPECKING: SUNSET AFFAIR from $9 to $8, SUBSTATION from $15 to $13 and TISPURA TONITE from $101 to $34.
EARLY MAIL: HOLEY GADOLEY didn’t have much luck when 2nd to the smart DESTRUCTION at Doomben and looks nice each-way value at $11.
R5: LISTED TATTERSALL’S MILE 1600m
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: FIREBOLT, $3 to $2.8, is overdue after placings in Listed and G3 grade at Eagle Farm, Doomben and Rosehill.
BIG RUN LAST START: JETSET LAD, $3.2, was backed at odds when an eye-catching 2nd to BELLTONE in the Listed Eye Liner at Ipswich last weekend.
EARLY SPECKING: CARRY ME BLUEY from $6 to $5.5 and LISTEN SON from $11 to $10.
EARLY MAIL: FIREBOLT is ready to win for Waller and has been well tried early.
R6: GROUP 3 TATTERSALL’S CUP 2200m
WATERHOUSE RUNNER FAV: KINNERSLEY, $4.2 to $4.5, backs up after being nailed on the line in the Ipswich Cup last weekend by SHENZHOU STEEDS.
DROP IN CLASS AND TRIP: WAZN, kept safe at $5, drops in class after a sound 4th to LIGHTS OF HEAVEN in the G2 Brisbane Cup. He also looks better suited back to this trip.
VICTORIAN VISITOR: MAYTHEHORSEBEMAGIC, $7 to $6.5, had 60kg when 2nd in the 3200m Andrew Ramsden at Flemington last start to DAME CLAIRE.
EARLY SPECKING: RUNDLE from $21 to $15.
EARLY MAIL: STEERING clear of the WATERHOUSE favorite. THIS looks an ideal goal for WAZN coming off a Brisbane Cup fourth.
R7: GROUP ONE TATTERSALL’S TIARA, WFA Fillies & Mares 1400m
VICTORIAN FAVORITE: SOFT SAND, $4, resumed from a spell and won very impressively at Caulfield. She has won four of seven in Victoria, looks very promising but this is her biggest test and she has drawn awkwardly.
CLASS DROP: SHOPAHOLIC, $4 to $4.4 early, was never a hope from a bad alley in the G1 Stradbroke but was a winner in G2 and G3 class at Flemington and Caulfield in February.
ON QUICK BACK UP: GAI’S CHOICE, $6.5 to $8, completed a hat-trick of wins and overcame difficulties to take out the Lited Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich last weekend.
EARLY SPECKING: MIDSUMMER MUSIC from $8 to $7 and VARENNA MISS from $12 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: RED TRACER at $9 looks the best value despite the rise in class and dryer track after her win in the G2 Dane Ripper over this track and distance.
R8: GROUP 3 HEALY STAKES 1200m
EQUAL FAVORITES: TROMSO, $4 to $4.4, comes off a strong finishing first-up win at Rosehill in easier company than this. EXCELLANTES, $4 to $4.4, didn’t have much luck when 5th in the Lightning and will be better suited over this trip.
EARLY SUPPORT: GRIFFON, $6 to $5, has had his problems but stormed home for an impressive first-up win in the Lightning at Eagle Farm.
EARLY SPECKING: SEEK AND FIND from $15 to $13 and AUDACIOUS SPIRIT from $7 to $6.5.
EARLY MAIL: TIERQUALO is our value bet of the day at $13 after a luckless run first-up in the Lightning.
FLEMINGTON – Track: SLOW 6.
BEST BACKED EARLY: THAT’S THE WAY (R4, $3 to $2.7) and JOHANNAPINE (R7, $2.8 to $2.4).
VALUE BETS: RUSHWORTH (R4, $3.8) and BURNOUT (R8, $5.5).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: GENERAL ORDERS from $4.5 to $3.7.
EARLY SUPPORT: ROYAL CHASSIS from $4.6 to $4.
MOVE AT ODDS: PANZANELLA from $17 to $9.
EARLY MAIL: BIG watch on the debutante from the Mick Price yard with Craig Newitt up in ISABELLA SNOWFLAKE – being kept safe around the $4.8 mark.
RACE 2:
EQUAL FAVS IN OPEN RACE: UNDER THE LEANER and NEXTESS at $5.
EARLY FAV EASING: STARS IN THE SKY opened at $4.5 and is out to $5.5.
SOME BACKING: SPINMEISTER from $13 to $9 and ELLE NOONAH from $31 to $21.
EARLY MAIL: UNDER THE LEANER looks the one but there was plenty to like about the luckless last start effort of RIVER CRUISE if you are looking for value at $8.
RACE 3:
TOPWEIGHT FAVORITE: SWOOPER is solid around the $4.6 to $4.5 mark.
EARLY BACKING: CRABS from $6 to $5.5 and GEEJAYHAITCH from $8 to $6.
EARLY SPECKING: STREAKY FELLA $11 to $9 and MIKIYAMA from $26 to $21.
EARLY MAIL: LIKED the last start effort of CRABS and he meets favorite SWOOPER on better terms.
RACE 4:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: THAT’S THE WAY from $3 to $2.7.
SECOND FAV SOLID: RUSHWORTH around the $3.6 to $3.8 mark.
EARLY SPECKING: TALLICA from $13 to $11 with some agencies.
EARLY MAIL: THE light-raced RUSHWORTH turned in an eye-catcher last start and looks the one to beat.
RACE 5:
FAVORITE SOLID EARLY: THERE’S ONLY ONE from $4.2 to $4.
NEXT IN BETTING: ANY DREAM WILL DO at $6 and SOPHROSYNE from $7 to $6.5.
EARLY SPECKING: JUNGLE RULER from $21 to $17 and YULALONA from $19 to $17.
EARLY MAIL: WE thought the value chance in this was PRINCE OBAMA at $10 on his close last start third here to VERDASCO.
RACE 6:
EQUAL FAVORITES: EBONY ROCK and MENADOS have both attracted good support from $5 to $4.2.
BACKED EARLY: ACADEMY JACK from $7 to $6.
EARLY SPECKING: RICEMAN from $31 to $21.
EARLY MAIL: POPULATION has eased from $8 to $13 from another wide draw but we think he can get a good run and with Newitt up looks terrific value.
RACE 7:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: JOHANNAPINE from $2.8 to $2.4.
NEXT IN MARKET: DASH FOR VIZ from $9 to $7; DEL PALIO from $8 to $7.5 and ALPHA PROXIMA from $7 to $7.5.
EARLY SPECKING: BROKEN from $9 to $8.
EARLY MAIL: JOHANNAPINE should have beaten ALPHA PROXIMA first-up at Caulfield and has a weight pull on that horse in this.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE SOLID: FASTNET PRINCE is solid around the $3.8 mark with some agencies a shade shorter.
NEXT IN MARKET: TURNOUT and TURNER BAYOU both $5 to $5.5.
EARLY SPECKING: GENUINE SPIN from $6.5 to $6 and ZEPRISE US ALL from $10 to $9.
EARLY MAIL: BURNOUT with the weight pull on TURNER BAYOU looks the one for the favorite FASTNET PRINCE to beat.
WARWICK FARM – Track: SLOW 7.
BEST BACKED EARLY: BLUE LION (R3, $5.5) and FASHION (R8, $13).
VALUE BETS: SOUR MASH (R5, $3.5 to $2.7) and COUP AY TEE (R6, $4 to $3.8).
RACE 1:
FAVORITE BACKED EARLY: AGULHAS from $4 to $3.8.
EARLY FAV DEPOSED: HEADLESS has eased from $3.7 to $4.
EARLY SPECKING: MAGONDO from $7 to $6.5 and SECRET DELIGHT from $9.5 to $8.5.
EARLY MAIL: BIG WATCH on ZIN ZAN EDDIE, $10, on debut, winner of two trials, scratched Gosford today for this tougher assignment.
RACE 2:
EQUAL FAVORITES: YOUR SONG and SHE’S A STALKER solid at $3.7.
NEXT IN MARKET: TARGET IN SIGHT at $5.5.
EARLY SPECKING: FOREVER CRAZY from $9 to $8 and CORDELIA from $12 to $10.
EARLY MAIL: LIKED the effort of TARGET ON SIGHT on debut and should be even harder to beat with that experience under his belt.
RACE 3:
EARLY FAVORITE: GREEN BERET opened at $4 but as much as $4.2 available.
NEXT IN BETTING: NUMBER ONE GUN at $4.8 and BLUE LION at $5.5.
EARLY SPECKING: MALAVIO from $8 to $7.5 and BERRIMILLA from $9 to $8.
EARLY MAIL: BIG watch of BLUE LION, won on debut at Seymour very impressively and now switched to Sydney by Team Hawkes.
RACE 4:
EQUAL FAVORITES: EREWHON and CENSOR solid at $4.6.
NEXT IN MARKET: SAN ZAIM at $5.5 and ALL LEGAL at $6.
EARLY BACKING: COSMONAUT from $8 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: ALL LEGAL should be fitter, gets in well after the claim and will be suited by the extra trip.
RACE 5:
FAVORITE WELL BACKED EARLY: SOUR MASH from $3.5 to $2.7.
EARLY SUPPORT: HARRY TRIMBOLE from $7 to $6 and KIM WARRIOR from $7.5 to $6.5.
EARLY SPECKING: PALASPORT from $17 to $13 and SOUTHERN SKYE from $11 to $8.
EARLY MAIL: DON’T like tipping favorites from the Waller stable but SOUR MASH does look very hard to beat.
RACE 6:
FAVORITE FITTER: COUP AY TEE has firmed from $4 to $3.8 early.
NEXT IN MARKET: ROMANUS and FROM THE VAULT at $5.5.
EARLY SPECKING: ZAKYNTHOS IMPRINTZ from $7 to $6.
EARLY MAIL: COUP AY TEE caught the eye first-up and this trip looks perfect.
RACE 7:
EQUAL FAVORITES: DEHERE HUNTER from $4.8 to $5 and EARNEST EARNEST from $4.4 to $5.
NEXT IN BETTING: URGENT BELLS has eased from $5.5 to $6.5 early.
EARLY SPECKING: MIGHTY OBVIOUS from $8 to $7.
EARLY MAIL: URGENT BELLS goes well fresh and comes off a nice trial win in the heavy at Scone.
RACE 8:
FAVORITE SOLID: RUSHING TO WIN at $4.
NEXT IN MARKET: CANNERY ROW at $7.5 and DISPUTES from $9 to $8 early.
EARLY SPECKING: MADAM NASH from $11 to $8 and OUTOFAFRIKA from $13 to $11.
EARLY MAIL: FASHION did enough at her first start since returning from Victoria and looks good value at $13.