Eagle Farm hosts a 9-race card on Saturday with the Queensland Derby being the feature race of the day, but plenty of other listed races on the card. The first race commences at 11:53am AEST and the last concludes at 4:28pm AEST. rail is in the TRUE position throughout – selections are for a SOFT/HEAVY track with up to 20mm predicted for Brisbane on Saturday – watch and monitor if possible.
Check out Shannon Buckley’s best bets for Eagle Farm below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tipspage for more free tips from around the country this Saturday!
Eagle Farm Racing Tips: Saturday, June 1st 2024
Race 3: Living Turf Premiers Cup 2400m – 12:53pm (AEST)
(12) Regal Lion $11.00/$3.20: he’s been up for a while, but his runs have been well spaced. He beat all-bar FAWKNER PARK three-back in the Albury Cup over 2000m before going to 2200m at Eagle Farm and beating all-bar WARP SPEED who got the nose down at the right time in a fast run race (big gaps to third). He went back to 2000m LS in the JRA Cup (ties in with SPIRIT RIDGE, FAWKNER PARK, KING FRANKEL et al) and I thought he went enormous. He was no better than 3WNC the entirety, dropped off KNIGHTS ORDER on the home turn, hit the front about 500m out, was still in front with 150m to go, and stuck on bravely to finish fourth beaten 2.6L (NEW ENDEAVOUR since ran second in the G1 Doomben Cup). He meets SPIRIT RIDGE 2kgs better at the weights, gets back out to 2400m with 2-weeks between runs, and can handle the cut out of the ground (doesn’t want it too wet). If he can get some luck from the sticky gate, he looks overs the odds.
(9) Alegron $19.00: I concede he hasn’t won since late 2022, but I can’t let him go around without having something on. He too comes through the key lead-up race behind SPIRIT RIDGE two weeks ago, and I thought it was a sneaky good run. He was second-up that day and took forever to wind up but hit the line hard (second best L200m split of the race). He draws a nice gate today, should be able to settle closer in the run, gets .5kg off his back from LS, will be fitter for the run, and he’ll eat the extra trip. Nice blowout hope.
(6) Hezashocka $3.60: Early fav here who won well two back and then had no luck in the Doomben Cup most recently. Jamie KAH in the saddle boosts confidence and worth thought here.
(12) Regal Lion E/W
$11.00/$3.20 (0.5U/1U)
Race 7: Eva Air Kingsford Smith Cup 1300m - 3:13pm (AEST)
(9) Bella Nipotina $6.50/$2.35: She has to be the best each-way bet of the day again! I’m still perplexed as to why the market has such a gap between her and current fav I WISH I WIN given she beat him fair and square LS after being tardy away (loved the way she knuckled down late / was the best L200m split of the race). She draws a lovely gate for Willow to put her into the race, so long as she doesn’t miss the start of course. She’s proven to handle all track conditions so the rain won’t be a disadvantage if it arrives. If we go back to last prep, she beat PRIVATE EYE over 1300m in the Giga Kick Stakes after being badly held-up inside the furlong before really hitting the line hard to nail him on the wire (still can’t believe she won). MAGIC TIME and IN SECRET add a point of difference today, but BELLA NIPOTINA has fitness on her side and is super genuine. Each-way, all day
(1) I Wish I Win $3.80: 5YO who is a very talented horse and will only be improving off last starts run. 1 from 1 at this distance and gets a gun draw again. Main danger again here with Bella Nipotina.
(5) Antino $11/$3.00: 5YO who boasts a very impressive record with 10 wins from 15 runs. Most recently won in nice fashion taking the inside run to kick clear of Wee Nessy who had gaps to third. On the home track her and is unbeaten second up. Must be respected here.
(9) Bella Nipotina E/W
$6.50/$2.35 (1 Unit)
Race 8: Queensland Derby 2400m 3:42pm (AEST)
(18) Autumn Angel $2.70: she’s a terrific young stayer and is deserved favourite. She comes through some key lead-up races and has been impressive in each of them. Three-back she was forced to lump 61kgs over 2000m in the G3 Adrian Knox and beat all-bar GOOD BANTER who had an 8kg swing at the weights (good gap to third). She then went to the G1 Australian Oaks over 2400m and was an excellent winner after finding clear air between runners down the straight beating home boom Kiwi filly ORCHESTRAL and G1 VRC Oaks winner ZARDOZI (loved her strength late / best L200m split of the race). She had a month between runs before stepping out in the G3 Rough Habit Stakes over 2000m when she went back to near last from a wide gate before running second to TANNHAUSER who had a head start on her. She was strong through the line again that day and produced the best L200m split of the race / 3rd best L200m split of the meeting. She’s had two weeks between runs, gets back out to 2400m, draws the pole for ‘Money’ Mark Zahra, and she handles all conditions. If she gets clear air at the right time, I think she’ll win
(1) Tannhauser $5.00: Second fav here and won well last start after not being that far away with the 2 runs prior. Nash Rawiller for Waller is a gun combo and deserves thought again of last starts win.
(14) Saban $12/$3.40: Roughie of the field who has had some early fans. $21 into $12. Last two runs have been terrific and is rock hard fit. Jamie Kah to ride boosts confidence and can be a knockout hope here.
(18) Autumn Angel
$2.70 (3.5 Units)
