Eagle Farm hosts a nine-race card on Saturday with no feature race on the card. Race 1 starts at 1:37pm (AEDT), while the last concludes at 6:50pm. rail is out 5m the entirety – selections are for a SOFT/HEAVY track with anywhere up to 20mm predicted Friday – watch and monitor for any pattern if possible.
Find Shannon Buckley’s best bets for Eagle Farm below and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country this Saturday!
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Eagle Farm Racing Tips: Saturday, February 17th 2024
Race 2: Stradbroke Season On Sale Now Hcp Class 3 1825m- 2:22pm (AEDT)
(1) Aint He Grand $3.30: arrives here after a very brave effort LS when he had to lump 61kgs over 2118m in BM72 grade and was forced back to the inside when the eventual winner, UNCOMMON VALOUR (equal favourite later today), had all the momentum down the outside with a 4kg weight advantage. They beat third easily with decent gaps behind. Before that he went enormous in two runs at the Gold Coast when he sat well off the leaders and really hit the line hard (form around ARTS OBJECT and SO UNITED). I concede there’s a few queries with the sticky gate and dropping back to 1825m, but I think he’s the best horse and he’s going better than the race book suggests. Has won on wet ground previously and gets in well at the weights after the claim (Bailey Wheeler is 1 from 1 on him at this track / distance too). He should run well.
(4) Fleur Du Monde $3.70: Consistent 4YO who hasn’t been all that far away since his last win 4 runs ago. Worth thought again if he is still fit.
(1) Aint He Grand
$3.30 ($2.5 Units)
Race 3: Mount Franklin BM78 2200m - 2:57pm (AEDT)
(2) Chayse ‘N’ Artie $9.00/$2.80: Nice roughie chance, particularly if the rain arrives! Loved the way he really surged late at the end of 1805m two-back when he nailed KORUTO (since won) on the line. He stayed at 1815m LS when KORUTO was able to turn the tables on him, but he looked a bit flat footed to my eye and had to angle off heels / raced tight for portions of the home straight. He looked to pick the bit up again late and hit the line well. I think the extra trip out to 2200m today is ideal, he’s had 2 weeks between runs, and all of his best form is on rain affected ground. They’ll likely go back from the wide draw and look to swamp them late. Happy to spec.
(1) Iowa $4.40: Early favourite in an open race who hasn’t been far off in his last 2 runs. Gets a 2kg claim, but draws wide. If he can slot in on pace with cover from the wide draw id expect to see him in the finish again.
(7) Uncommon Valour $4.40: Saluted nicely last start, but finds tougher competition now. Can play a role though.
(2) Chayse ‘N’ Artie E/W
$9/$2.80 (1 Unit)
Race 6: Magic Millions 11-13 March BM78 1200m - 4:43pm (AEDT)
(7) Majorelle $4.60: might even get a better price on race day if the money continues to come for PLUNDERING. He’s returned in great order this prep winning 3 of his last 4 starts with some excuses in the miss. Three-back he won on a heavy track at Lismore in a Class 3 when backed off the map (SP’d $1.33) after sitting OSL and putting them to the sword (he was strong late). He then went to Doomben over 1200m and was forced to sit 3WWC the entirety, over raced at times, and then wanted to lay in down the straight (still hit the line well / forgive). He stayed at Doomben LS over 1200m and SP’d a $2.25 chance. The stable expressed their intention to settle more forward in the run and that’s what they did – he led and was too good for them. He beat home PLUNDERING easily that day (5.5L) and a post-race examination revealed no abnormalities. PLUNDERING gets a 3kg swing at the weights after the claim, but he will need to improve drastically to turn the tables. Draws gate 4 and importantly, he is proven on wet tracks. I think he can lead or sit right behind the speed and be too good for them. Great chance.
(8) Millane $2.60: Drifting favourite as his last two runs have been of no value. Obviously his best form is good enough for this, but id like to see some market support before any of my hard earn goes on. Prefer to watch this time.
(7) Majorelle
$4.60 (1.5 Units)
