Races BR Eagle Farm

Had excuses when sixth to Liberty Park at Doomben last start, beaten a length and a half after being held up from the 150m before picking up nicely late. The start prior in Benchmark 85 grade at this track was also better than the bare result after he jumped awkwardly and covered ground. With the claim, he looks the horse to beat.

Was plain fifth at Gold Coast last start, beaten three lengths after settling back and failing to quicken, and now comes from provincial grade into a harder metro assignment. His Benchmark 70 win two back over 1200m showed he remains competitive, and the apprentice claim helps, but he has had many tries around 1600m without winning. Worth including in exotics.

Made some ground from well back when second last in a Benchmark 85 at Doomben, beaten two and a half lengths after racing wide, so that run has more merit than the position suggests. His previous sixth in the same grade was only fair, but he is a genuine 1600m performer with four wins and six placings around the trip. Has the profile to run into a placing.

Resumed with a determined Doomben win, beating Bluepinot by a long neck at long odds and holding out Last Command in the same race. He also won at this track in April, scoring from Casanova Man on soft ground, so the recent winning habit is clear. Solid place claims if he repeats it.

Worked home into fifth in a provincial Class 6 at Gold Coast last start, beaten just under four lengths as an outside chance in betting. Before that he was last in a Benchmark 85 at Doomben but still only beaten three and a half lengths after failing to quicken. Not without his chance third-up.

Returns from a three-month break after ending last preparation with a narrow Randwick win over Tambeloa on heavy ground, having launched strongly from midfield as favourite. She had earlier been beaten a nose in a Benchmark 70 at Doomben after covering ground and striking some interference. Wide draw makes it an each-way case.

Was fifth in a 3yo+ Benchmark 72 at Randwick last start, beaten just under three lengths after sitting handy and lacking the turn of foot to capitalise. Two back at Rosehill she was beaten only a length and a half despite again being unwanted in the market. Mile form is questionable but this is easier. Warrants some thought with Maloney booked.

Returns from a six-week let-up after a strong second in a country Open at Murwillumbah, where he was long odds, jumped awkwardly and still worked home evenly on soft ground. His previous Benchmark 85 third at Doomben also reads well for this, and he has a win and a placing from three starts at this track and distance. With Ben Thompson aboard, he rates a major danger.

Finished seventh in a provincial Open at Dalby last start, beaten just over four lengths after racing handy and failing to finish the job, with a bump near the 200m only a minor excuse. He was also safely held behind Just In Time at Taree two back as big odds. Inside draw helps, but he has plenty to find.

Comes off a Doomben mid-week Class 2 win, beating Toro Strike by just over half a length after racing wide from the 900m, and he gets useful weight relief from that. His Ipswich second two back was also honest, though he was beaten three and a half lengths as favourite. SCRATCHED.

Kept on from well back when ninth in a provincial Benchmark 65 at Gold Coast last start, beaten just under three lengths at long odds. Two back at Newcastle he again jumped awkwardly and failed to quicken in a 5yo+ Benchmark 64. Not this time.