The following is a survey of Australian horse racing tips for Saturday, June 12. The focus is on the race card at Eagle Farm, which features the $1.2 million Q22 (Race 5) and two Group 1 races, the J.J. Atkins (Race 7) and the Stradbroke Handicap (Race 8).
More tips will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Eagle Farm Race 3: 2. Ayrton
Eagle Farm Race 5: 1. Zaaki
Eagle Farm Race 6: 9. Garibaldi
Eagle Farm Race 7: 2. Converge
Eagle Farm Race 8: 1. Vega One
Eagle Farm Race 9: 6. Sweet Deal
Eagle Farm
Race 4: 4. Knights Order
Race 7: 2. Converge – BEST BET
Race 8:
BEST BET: Wild Planet
EXOTIC: Boxed Exacta: 1,7,8,12,20
TOP 5:
1. Wild Planet
2. The Harrovian
3. Amish Boy
4. Mr Quickie
5. Niccanova
Quaddie: 4,6,8,11/2/1,7,8,12,20/1,2,3,6,10,13
Race 7: Port Louis (4.80) (win)
Race 8: 1 – Vega One (6.00), 2 – Mr Quickie (9.50), 3 – Savatoxl (31.00)
Race 1:
MAOTAI (8) Won by a big margin last run at Ipswich and fitter for debut run. Winner in a barrier trial at Aquis Park Gold Coast on May 31st. Top prospects. IN THE CONGO (5) Finished on top last time at Randwick and having second career run. Among better hopes. PARK AVENUE (2) Won narrowly last time at Randwick and will try to take advantage of the barrier. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Flawless this preparation with 2 wins from as many runs. Can fill a place in this field. SOCIALIST (12) Winner two runs back at Canterbury but facing a stronger class today. Winkers on could be an important change. Can be competitive.
Race 2:
MISTER SEA WOLF (2) Good run when placing 2nd two runs back at Rosehill and back in an easier grade. No shock to see a win. KEMENTARI (1) Weakened under pressure when 11th last run here. Should be suited and will appreciate the drop in grade. Always seems to find the line well. Solid claims. DELPHI (5) Got the upper hand late when winning last run at Curragh and blinkers go on for the first time. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Placed 2nd in a barrier trial at Sunshine Coast on Jun 1st. One of the main dangers. PROFIT (8) Game effort to win last run here and shows good finishing speed. Contender.
Race 3:
AYRTON (2) Landed the spoils when winning two runs back at Caulfield and shows good early pace. Hard to see anything getting past this today. ELLSBERG (1) Gave them a lesson when winning three runs back at Randwick but facing a stronger class. Displays good tactical speed. Winnable race. WITHOUT THINKING (5) Handy enough when winning last time at Sunshine Coast and third up. Should just about get the run of the race. Going well this preparation winning 2 from as many attempts. Will be there at the finish. EASY CAMPESE (4) Nice effort when winning last time at Randwick and carrying less weight this time. Will be around the mark at odds.
Race 4:
RONDINELLA (3) Flew home into 2nd two runs back at Randwick but goes up in weight today. Finishes off strongly. Looks a winning hope. KNIGHTS ORDER (4) Bold effort to win last time at Rosehill and should muster plenty of early toe. Blinkers off could be an important change. Cannot underestimate. CARIF (1) Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd last start around here but rises in weight. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Can win this. LORD BELVEDERE (5) Came on strongly when 5th last run at this course but going up in trip. Worth a bet.
Race 5:
ZAAKI (1) Won by a big margin last time at Doomben and goes down in class. Very competitive this campaign. Has plenty of claims. TOFFEE TONGUE (14) Good show when finishing 2nd last start at Doomben and looks well graded. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Honest enough to be an each way player. WARNING (6) Really dug deep when winning last time at Doomben but might be ridden for luck. Placed 3rd in a barrier trial at Sunshine Coast on Jun 1st. Exotics hope in this event. SPIRIT RIDGE (4) Game effort to win last run at this course and gets a favourable barrier. Could surprise at odds.
Race 6:
GARIBALDI (9) Having third run back from a spell. Found another gear when winning three runs back at Doomben and dropping in grade. Hard to hold out. I AM POWER (10) Third up from a spell. Fought on gamely when winning last time at Rosehill and gets some weight taken off today. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. OUTBACK BARBIE (2) Game effort to win two runs back at Doomben and will appreciate the drop in grade. Displays very good finishing speed. Big danger. GEE TEE TEE (11) Strong record when third up with 2 wins from 3 runs. Nice effort when winning last start at Doomben and suited at this trip in the past. Ran 2nd in a barrier trial at Aquis Park Gold Coast on May 31st. Worth an each way bet in this.
Race 7:
CONVERGE (2) Did a good job when winning three runs back at Randwick but up against stronger competition. Has run into the money 4 from 5 attempts this campaign. Could prove hard to beat. PORT LOUIS (5) Managed to run 3rd last time around here and displays very good finishing speed. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Can go on with it. TIGER OF MALAY (1) Game effort to win last start around here but racing in stronger company. One of the major players. OVERPASS (4) Showed promise when winning two runs back at Gosford and going well this preparation. Trainer has gone for the blinkers on, take note. Can fill a place in this field.
Race 8:
VEGA ONE (11) Fought on gamely when winning last run at this course and gets a reduction in weight. Should be swooping on the field late. Expect to go close. WILD PLANET (7) Having second run back from a break. Got the upper hand late when winning three runs back at Caulfield and has good finishing speed. Can give this a shake. THE HARROVIAN (12) Ran on strongly when 3rd last run at Doomben and second up from a break. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Place hope. MR QUICKIE (1) Fought on well to win two runs back at Caulfield and possesses good closing speed. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. One of the chances.
Race 9:
SWEET DEAL (6) Good win two runs back at Hawkesbury and suited at this distance in the past. Always seems to find the line well. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. COVENTINA BAY (7) Game effort to win two runs back at Trentham and should race just behind the speed. Success in a barrier trial at Sunshine Coast on Jun 1st. Racing consistently since returning from a break. One in a race with many chances. FUNSTAR (1) Weakened to finish 19th last start at Randwick and first up from a spell. Blinkers off could be an important change. Placed 2nd in a barrier trial at Aquis Park Gold Coast on May 31st. Could give a show. ODEUM (2) Finished 2nd two runs back at Rosehill and let up. Won a barrier trial at Aquis Park Gold Coast on May 31st. Has scope so do not ignore.
Race 1: Maotai
Race 2: Kementari
Race 3: Ayrton
Race 4: Carif
Race 5: Zaaki
Race 6: Garibaldi
Race 7: Converge
Race 8: Vega One
Race 9: Sweet Deal
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
The big day of the year in Brisbane has arrived with the Group 1 Stradbroke taking centre stage at Eagle Farm on Saturday, there’s a cracking support card as well with the Group 1 Atkins, Group 2 Q22, Brisbane Cup & Dane Ripper plus another 6 black type races. Weather – Sunny 21 degrees, Track – Good. Strong tempo likely in this opening race, nos.4, 5, 7, 11, 13 & 17 all on paced types with the toppy in the mix also. I’m with the Sydney form putting PARK AVENUE on top, unbeaten he went ‘last to first’ at his latest win, the additional 100m suits. IN THE CONGO did it both ends on debut.
Selections: 2. Park Avenue (Top Tip – SCRATCHED), 5. In The Congo, 1. Conexy, 7. Uncommon James
Race 2:
Only a small field to go around here & on the map there is no clear leader, in fact Mister Sea Wolf is the only one likely to push on (that’s on paper), I’d say expect some early surprises, this could be very tactical from the start. To be totally honest I can’t get confident about anything in this race, there’s just too many question marks. SO YOU WIN is back in trip which isn’t ideal however he’s racing so well he’s still in with a show, MISTER SEA WOLF should he get that soft run is a definite chance also. No knock on PROFIT however he races best when ridden cold, he’ll need tempo up front.
Selections: 6. So You Win (Top Tip), 2. Mister Sea Wolf, 8. Profit, 5. Delphi
Race 3:
Looking forward to seeing AYRTON go around again here after his narrow defeat a fortnight back. He’ll again likely settle close up with Ellsberg out front, Starosa & Easy Campese the others capable of going forward. I’ll tip AYRTON however feel he is way unders at odds-on, going on his last start 2nd at 1400m others were closing on him late & here he is at 1600m, the time was quick though & he’s no doubt going to improve with that run under his belt. WITHOUT THINKING the knockout chance, he’s not running the same numbers as AYRTON however he can only win which he’s doing & impressively.
Selections: 2. Ayrton (Top Tip), 5. Without Thinking (Value Bet), 1. Ellsberg, 7. Puntura
Race 4:
Small line up to contest the Brisbane Cup which is always a spectacle over the two miles. Knights Order looks like leading for fun however don’t be surprised if something decides to go out with a big break midrace! Narrowed it down to CARIF & RONDINELLA with a slight leaning to the latter who will carry 1.5kg less, liked the way she finished off here a fortnight ago & although yet to win in Oz has been quite consistent, 2nd in the Sydney Cup two back is a definite plus. CARIF beat Realm Of Flowers in the Sandown Cup over this trip, that’s a very strong form line. LORD BELVEDERE good latest.
Selections: 3. Rondinella (Top Tip), 1. Carif, 5. Lord Belvedere, 4. Knights Order
Race 5:
The inaugural running of the 1.2 million dollar Q22 was always going to be a highlight however the appearance of the runaway Doomben Cup winner & now Cox Plate favourite ZAAKI elevates it to an even higher level. He absolutely demolished his opponents that day & this is certainly no harder, it will be off to the paddock after this & on to that Cox Plate campaign later in the year. TOFFEE TONGUE clocked in second running on a distant 7 lengths away, she looks the obvious quinella/exacta hope again. HOMESMAN back to WFA goes can place at a price, on the pace last time was ok, they did run along.
Selections: 1. Zaaki (Top Tip), 14. Toffee Tongue, 2. Homesman, 6. Warning
Race 6:
The resuming Away Game can likely cross & lead here with only Southern Lad & In Good Time showing up on the map as possible on-pacers, expect 1 & 4 to land good runs tucked in behind. Going to stick with GARIBALDI however this is not an easy race, there’s some stiff competition engaged however back to 1200m with room in the straight he’ll figure in the finish. Giving KING OF HASTINGS a definite chance, back to the trials won his heat after a wide trip in the Chief De Beers. AWAY GAME will look the winner at some stage in the straight, may well be on the line! GEE TEE TEE going very well.
Selections: 9. Garibaldi (Top Tip), 4. King Of Hastings, 6. Away Game, 11. Gee Tee Tee
Race 7:
The Group 1 JJ Atkins sees a genuine tempo with nos.4, 6, 8 & 9 all capable of leading. CONVERGE courtesy of a better draw this time around could be another however the way he hit the line from the back in the Sires surely he’s a better chance ridden in behind? I’m with him, like to see him about 3-4 lengths off in the run with room to move once into the straight. PORT LOUIS will be the one motoring from the back late, he loomed to win the Sires before his condition gave out, fitter now. TIGER OF MALAY won the Sires, should he run the mile out is also in the mix. It’s the Sires form for me!
Selections: 2. Converge (Best of the Day), 5. Port Louis, 1. Tiger Of Malay, 10. Cape Breton
Race 8:
Well we’ve arrived at the Stradbroke which looks very open on paper, my map suggests Apache Chase leads Emerald Kingdom with 2 & 17 possibly parked in behind, there’s a lot of midfield/backmarking types in the race who will be cutting loose late. Tony Gollan has said all along VEGA ONE needs cover & cannot be exposed too early, having drawn an inside gate he’ll get the cover & we all saw last start how quickly he can pick up when clear, no reason he can’t blow them away again late. 3, 7, 8, 12 & 16 are those backmarkers who will be charging. Massive respect MR QUICKIE who could park midfield.
Selections: 1. Vega One (Top Tip), 8. Niccanova, 7. Wild Planet, 12. The Harrovian
Race 9:
What a way to wind up the big day, the Group 2 Dane Ripper which is the main lead up to the Group 1 Tiara in 2 weeks time. Tempo early on doesn’t look anything special on paper however I’d say this will be genuinely run. In an absolute raffle I’ll go with SWEET DEAL who has hit her straps this prep winning two back before closing from too far back here last time out, good alley today Nash can park her wherever he wants! ODEUM & BROOKLYN HUSTLE draw wide gates however their class will carry them a long way. Respecting the Kiwi COVENTINA BAY who trialled well on the Sunshine Coast.
Selections: 6. Sweet Deal (Top Tip), 2. Odeum, 10. Brooklyn Hustle, 7. Coventina Bay
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 8 #8 Niccanova (16.00)