Massive afternoon coming the way of hundreds of Queensland Rogues owners with The Big Goodbye returning to centre stage at Eagle Farm in Race 8 (4:50pm) Friday. Unusual for racing to be at Eagle Farm on a Friday but the major meeting on Saturday is at the Gold Coast with the running of the Pink Ribbon Cup. The Everest Spring Carnival officially kicks off with George Main Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens. While in Melbourne, the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes is the feature event.
THE BIG GOODBYE TO START WEEKEND WITH A BANG
Queensland Rogues owners of The Big Goodbye have promised to turn out in huge numbers again on Friday afternoon when he returns to the track in Race 8 at Eagle Farm. The debut runner for the Rogues was a thrilling second placing a fortnight ago and trainer Rob Heathcote reports “he has thrived since, has a real glow in the coat and if he has any luck from the wide gate will be right in the finish” said Heathcote. On Saturday, it’s a tough meeting at the Gold Coast, Rob’s best chance is Aswaat (Race 5). It’s a wide open race with Leah’s claim Aswaat gets in extremely well at the weights and should get a cosy run. We also wish Rob all the best when Rothfire resumes in The Short at Rosehill Gardens.
BET: The Big Goodbye – Each Way (Eagle Farm Race 8)
BET: Aswaat – Each Way (Gold Coast Race 5)
COSTA TO EXPLOIT HOME TRACK ADVANTAGE
Qld Rogues trainer Michael Costa is set to take full advantage of his home track at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Purrfect Deal (Race 2) is obviously the standout horse in this race. She reeled off a terrific final 600 metres last start and with the advantage of the three kilogram claim for Jaden Lloyd should be winning. Morethannumberone (Race 8) is coming off a monster win last start at this track, he’s been well backed already and should justify the short quote.
BET: Race 2 Purrfect Deal – Win (Gold Coast Race 2)
BET: Race 8 Morethannumberone – Win
JOE PRIDE IN EVEREST DRESS REHEARSAL
NSW Tycoons trainer Joe Pride has no doubt Eduardo has the ability to cause an upset in The Shorts (1100m) at Rosehill tomorrow. In what is being described as a full dress rehearsal for the $15million Everest, Pride is banking on Eduardo having enough speed to cross the star studded field, take up the lead and hold off his rivals. Pride’s other class galloper Private Eye (Race 5) is the one to be on if he backs up in the Bill Ritchie. Private Eye was a brilliant first up winner and only got going late last week at Kembla, I’m happy to stick.
Bet: Eduardo – Each Way (Syd Race 8)
Bet: Private Eye – Each Way (Syd Race 5)
MARK NEWNHAM WITH A LATE BURST
Keep an eye out for Mark Newnham flashing down the outside late at Rosehill Gardens, Mark could well win the last two races on the card. Spirit Ridge (Race 9) rarely runs a bad race and always gives his all. Spirit Ridge was only caught in the shadows of the post last start by Harpo Marx who had a six kilo weight pull. Marway (Race 10) is a horse who loves to find the line, is super competitive first-up and has trialled well in the lead-up to his return.
BET: Spirit Ridge – Each Way (Syd Race 9)
BET: Marway – Each Way (Syd Race 10)
BUSUTTIN/YOUNG TO TAKE FEATURE
Probabeel, Behemoth and Beau Rossa are clearly the horses to beat in the feature event, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400 metres at Caulfield, but they all could be upstaged by the Trent Busuttin/Natalie Young trained Sierra Sue. She won the Lawrence Stakes at this track two starts back and had no luck in the Feehan Stakes last start. At the double digit odds I think she’s a great play.
BET: Sierra Sue – Each Way (Melb 8)
MOODY RIDING HIGH
After the success of Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise last week, Vic Husslers’ trainer Peter Moody is looking to continue his good run at Caulfield tomorrow. Lightsaber (Race 4) won the Sires over this trip 1400m and while his run last start may have disappointed some I thought he was very good late. Okay it’s a pretty ordinary name but Snickerdoodledandy (Race 6) but she has a pretty impressive engine and found the line with plenty of venom last start. While conceding Annavisto is the one to beat, I’m happy to play Snickerdoodledandy at the odds.
BET: Lightsaber – Each Way (Melb Race 4)
BET: Snickerdoodledandy – Each Way (Melb Race 6)
