The Brisbane Winter carnival rounds out in style this weekend, as the Tattersall's Tiara highlights a cracking day of racing at Eagle Farm.
An outstanding field has been assembled for the final Group 1 until Spring, with a collection of Group 1 and Group 2 winning mares and fares set to battle it out over 1400m.
A string of stakes races support the feature event, with the Group 3 W.J Healy Stakes stacked full of gun sprinters.
After plenty of meetings at Eagle Farm in recent weeks, the rail moves out 6 metres for the entire circuit.
Showers are predicted in Brisbane over the next couple of days, so you can expect the current Good 4 track rating to be downgraded to a softer range.
The track should play fair as usual, however look for horses that can handle the give in the ground.
The Map
From the rails draw, Reelem In Ruby (1) will hunt up and make a play for the front. Local jockey Jim Byrne will come across from the wide gate and see if the lead is up for grabs on Dame Giselle (19).
Mizzy (13) will also push across and attempt to obtain a sit near the pace handy to the speed.
Back-marker Tofane (14) will need to go back again along with Brooklyn Hustle (12). I expect Nudge (8) to go back again, which has been a winning formula for the mare lately.
The Favourite
Tofane $5.50 ran on brilliantly to claim the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
It’s easy to see why she is favourite, as she is undefeated at the distance and is back against her own sex this time.
My main concern is the wide barrier as she may not get the easiest of runs at the back and she will have to carry 2.5kg more this time.
She is competitive enough to put two wins together all the same.
Analysis & Race Tips
The Mick Price and Michael Kent trained Odeum prefaced this Grand Final, with a fast finishing run in the Dane Ripper.
She just couldn’t hold out the explosive turn of foot from Brooklyn Hustle, who she meets again here.
The difference here is a weight swing of 2.5kg in her favour from that mare and she is better suited up in trip, demonstrated by her victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last spring over 1600m.
Superstar hoop James McDonald is in great form and will elect to drop her back and hope for a hot pace up front.
McDonald will tag onto their backs and look to finish over the top of her rivals.
Subpoenaed put up a great show in the Stradbroke, finishing 1.3 lengths behind Tofane. From barrier 2, look for Hugh Bowman to race handier in midfield this time, which will give her every chance to make a play for victory.
I will be backing my top two for the win.
Nudge is flying at the moment, having nailed her past two runs and it’s the right time for her to stand up and be counted at the top level.
Tofane will be powering home hard again and keep them honest.
1st Odeum
2nd Subpoenaed
3rd Nudge
4th Tofane
The Map
Usmanov (2) is better suited to the shorter sprints, so will have the speed to race up front. Away Game (11) will come across from out wide and attempt to wrestle the lead away.
Craig Williams will position Bella Nipotina (8) in the first few, hoping he can get an even pace. She is yet to win up to this 1200m distance.
Hilo (3) will be able to settle in the first half a dozen from the good draw, while Zaniah (15) will naturally drift back along with Coughlan winner Exhilarates (4).
The Favourite
Away Game ($4.80) was heavily backed first-up when third to Superium, though she caught my eye as she drove through the line strongly.
That run will give her the edge she needs and she does have that touch of class.
Analysis
Away Game might just have these covered, as she has won at a higher level and didn’t disappoint first-up.
She won a Group 2 on a heavy track so if the track suits those who handle the wet, expect her to be well supported.
When she is on her game, the Maher/Eustace trained filly puts in one huge performance each prep. This may be it!
Zaniah motored home late when runner-up to Baller, who would have started favourite in this had he not been scratched. The Kris Lees trained mare appears great each way value.
Jen Rules is in good form, however does find it hard to win. Will be thereabouts around the money.
Exhilarates will be finishing on for the minor placings.
1st Away Game
2nd Zaniah
3rd Jen Rules
4th Exhilarates