Eagle Farm hosts the final day of the Brisbane Racing carnival on Saturday.
Two time-honoured Group One clashes highlight the day's action, with the JJ Atkins Plate taking place over the mile and the Stradbroke to be battled out over 1400m.
There is a smorgasbord of Group 2 and 3 events and some very good black type races also making up the card.
In the JJ Atkins for two-year-old’s, some of the runners have been up a fair while and will need to call on all their resources over the gruelling mile.
In the state's premier race the Stradbroke Handicap, weight certainly won’t be a factor with the majority of the field carrying light loads.
Can the locals pull off another win? Or will an experienced inter-state raider grab the accolades?
The Eagle Farm surface is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail out 4 metres for the entire circuit.
Mostly sunny conditions are predicted for the remainder of the week, so you can expect the track rating to remain the same with irrigation added.
Keep an eye on the early races, with fresh ground near the rail likely to favour on-pace runners.
However, the big track is usually fair for all provided they can handle the firm surface.
Eagle Farm Race 7 – JJ Atkins Plate 1600m (G1)
The Map
Expect the Waterhouse/Bott trained filly Volcanic Rock (6) to take up the running, with Blushing Tycoon (12) coming across early from the wide gate.
Overpass (3) will duck in behind them and race handy to the speed.
Port Louis (13) will settle towards the rear, however that is his normal racing style so you can expect him to finish strong late. Outsider Dark Rebel (1) will also race at the rear.
The Favourite
Converge $3.70 was the standout run in the Sires Produce over 1400m, which looks the best form reference now that they are stepping up to a mile.
The Waterhouse/Bott trained gelding was held up near last at the top of the straight, before thundering home late to run second.
He is a big chance and this is his third go at 1600m this prep, so he should be the fittest of these babies.
Analysis
Converge is the one you know will be there in the final furlong, having won at this distance already.
You can expect Tim Clark to ride him conservatively midfield and not too close to the leaders. That will give him every hope to finish off strong again.
This son of Frankel will take a power of beating and with luck on his side this time, is the one for me.
Port Louis chased hard behind Tiger Of Malay last run and may be better suited coming from behind Converge this time. He is getting better with each run and it will be no surprise if he does turn the tables here.
Cape Breton fought off his challengers last start, though I liked the way he was strong through the line. He’s on the week back-up which is a good sign, so if there was to be an upset over the two main fancies this bloke is the one that could cause that.
Giannis could be a sharp improver third-up and stepping up to the 1600m will suit.
1st Converge
2nd Port Louis
3rd Cape Breton
4th Giannis
Eagle Farm Race 8 – Stradbroke Handicap 1400m (G1)
The Map
The early speed should come from Savatoxl (13) from out wide, Apache Chase (7) and Master Jamie (6) will also push up to the lead from their good gates
Vega One (6) and Emerald Kingdom (10) will sit just off the speed.
The Harrovian (11) will position himself just shy of midfield, whilst Subpoenaed (20) and Imaging (17) will have to race rearward after coming out from the wide barriers.
The Favourite
Vega One ($6.50) is the favourite on the back of that miraculous win in the Kingsford Smith.
He will get a nice run this time just off the pace and will have the services of Rachel King this time in the saddle.
The track and distance are big ticks and he was a close up fourth in this race last year and is a first four contender again.
Analysis
I’ve had my eye on The Harrovian for a while for this race and he didn’t let us down in the Doomben 10,000 first up.
He has also been kept on the fresh side with almost 4 weeks between runs and stepping up to 1400m should be right up his alley.
He was brilliant in the All Star Mile finishing fifth behind Mugatoo.
The former Victorian is an adopted Queenslander nowadays having done much of his racing in Cairns and Townsville, before being transferred to the Toby and Trent Edmonds stable.
It really would be a Cinderella Story if he can take out this main event and on ability, he certainly can.
The only time Tofane raced at 1400m she won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
She finished off nicely for second in the BRC Sprint over 1350m last start.
Third-up she looks ready to make a real play at another Group 1.
Amish Boy needs another scratching to take his place in this field, however if that occurs he will really give this a shake carrying 50kg on his back. He finished hard for second in the Fred Best over this same track and distance.
Subpoenaed is reaching his peak and will be having a crack late with the light weight.
1st The Harrovian
2nd Tofane
3rd Amish Boy
4th Subpoenaed