Eagle Farm hosts a nine-race card on Saturday with the Tattersall’s Cup, Mile and Tiara as the key races. The first race commences at 11:43am AEST and the last concludes at 4:35pm AEST. rail is out 6m from the 1600m-1000m mark and out 7m the remainder – selections are for a GOOD/SOFT track with some showers predicted – watch and monitor if possible
Shannon Buckley offers his three best bets for the card below, and you can head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country this weekend!
Eagle Farm Racing Tips: Saturday, June 29th 2024
Race 5: Hmw Group Tattersall’s Gold Crown 2143m – 2:07pm (AEST)
(4) Princess Rhaenys $2.40: she looks one of the better bets on the card. She ran second to key rival THALASSOPHILE over an unsuited 1400m first-up before going to 1600m second-up to run fourth behind MARACANA (beat home THALASSOPHILE). They went to 1810m LS and she was forced to race 3WNC throughout off a hot tempo before really knuckling down late to get the better of BROOKHAVEN in track record time. If we go back to last prep she had a very similar recipe to this time in – she ran second to MADAME ODETTE over 1810m off a strong tempo coming from last on the corner before getting out to 2020m next start and winning by 0.9L over RED WAVE (was strong through the line). I think she’ll have a head-start on THALASSOPHILE who tends to be tardy away and draws wide, she only meets that runner 1kg worse at the weights after beating her home two-back, and I think she can map handy to the speed from gate 1. Hard to beat
(2) Thalassophile $3.40: 5YO mare who won comfortably three back and has had nil luck at most recent outings. Unsure about this trip with her, but definitely worth thought here.
(11) Sunset Soiree $15.00: Roughie of the field who has a great record and loves the soft track. Rock hard fit and worth thought here.
Race 8: Tattersall’s Tiara 1400m 3:58pm (AEST)
(1) Bella Nipotina $2.20: clearly the best horse in the race and deserved favourite. She’s been enormous this preparation claiming the G1 Doomben 10,000 and finishing close up in various other Group 1 races including the G1 TJ Smith (0.3L second to CHAIN OF LIGHTNING), the G1 Kingsford Smith (0.4L second to I WISH I WIN), and her LS performance behind STEFI MAGNETICA in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp over 1400m where she had to give them all weight (she was very good / best L200m split in the race). If she can slot in from the wide gate again today and land midfield, I think she’ll win. This is the easiest assignment she’s had for a while; I just hope they haven’t kept her going for one run too many.
(8) Zoes Promise $71.00/$15.00: although she’s poorly weighted under WFA conditions, I’m convinced she’s going better than a $71 chance. She absolutely bolted in first-up over this track/trip before they stepped her up to 1600m second-up in a total forgive job (she went that hard in front she gave herself no chance). They stayed at 1600m LS and she was in front for a long way (still looked a winning hope inside the furlong) before getting overhauled late (only beaten 2.3L / MARACANA and THALASSOPHILE ran earlier – form franked?). This race looks devoid of much speed on paper, so I think they can roll forward from the gate and dictate in front / OSL. Dropping back to 1400m could be a big tick. Blowout hope.
(4) Opal Ridge $15.00/$3.50: Tipped her first up where she won well and then she was flat second up. Expect improvement for this third up run and capable of playing a key role.
Race 9: Eureka Stud W.J Healy Stakes 1200m 4:35pm (AEST)
(14) Iowna Merc $6.50/$2.60: very open race to end the day, but I think this guy is a nice each-way chance. He arrives third-up and gets out to 1200m for the first time this prep after two solid performances over 1100m in Sydney. He produced a very good finale LS on heavy ground and looked the winner at the 200m mark, but MNEMENTH gave a good kick and held him off (good gap to third). He gets back on top of the ground today and draws a beautiful gate for Thornton to hopefully settle closer to the speed. His last win over 1200m came at Randwick in BM78 grade when he sat behind the leaders before just edging out KIBOU who since won (big gap to third). I think he can measure up and is a great chance to fill the placings.
(12) Tashi $9.00/$3.20: happy to have something each-way on this girl too at the price. She’s had a super consistent prep with most of her runs well spaced (she arrives here 49 days between runs) and the form around her has really stacked up. She beat home PEREILLE four starts ago (he’s since walked in at the Sunshine Coast and was a certainty licked two weeks ago at Listed level) and then ran very well behind CHAIN OF LIGHTNING in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes (hot form race with 6 subsequent winners). She was sound behind WEE NESSY in the G2 Sapphire Stakes which threw subsequent winner C’EST MAGIQUE (ties in with GHANAATI et al). She looked to hit a bit of a flat spot LS behind SEMILLON but really surged late to hit the line hard. She has a sticky gate to contend with, so they’ll need some luck, but she’s very much up to these.
(2) All That Pizzazz $4.60: 4YO gelding who boasts a terrific resume and has been excellent with all three runs this prep. Inching closer to a win and must be respected fourth up. Big sniff.