Sunshine Coast Racing PJ O’Shea Stakes Preview 2018

This year’s edition of the PJ O’Shea stakes looks a very tactical affair, due to a small field and what looks to be a distinct lack of speed on paper.

Egg Tart is all the rage and odds on in current markets, however if you are looking to back her I suspect she will jump much closer to black figures on the day.

It is likely that professional syndicates will single out those on speed, where there looks to be a distinct lack of pressure, and with a drying track Egg Tart could be one to oppose.

 Race Track Traits

Sunshine Coast is currently rated a Heavy 10 with the rail in the True position the entire circuit and fine conditions forecast. With drying conditions predicted in the lead up to race day, expect the track rating to improve significantly.

The rail’s true position for racing on Saturday will allow most runners to have their chance and whilst a close watch for any track bias is advised, the track should be playing fair.

 Market Movers

There are no significant market moves in early betting.

 Key Runners

#1 One Foot In Heaven $12

Comes out of the Hollindale Stakes last start where he finished well back in eleventh placing, beaten 7 lengths.

Gets to a more suitable distance here and will most certainly appreciate the step up to 2,200. However, suspect he will need even further and lacks the dynamic turn of foot required to run over the top in this grade. No.

#2 Gallic Chieftain $8.50 > $9.50

Came with a withering burst to win a deep form race over the Warrnambool Cup Carnival two starts back, before not having much go his way in the Premiers Cup at Doomben last start.

Was trapped wide and got too far back there and convinced he is good enough to figure in the finish here. Good each way value.

#3 Man Of His Word $9.50

Had solid market support at big odds last start in the Doomben Cup, where they elected to take a position close to speed and he disappointed when running 10 of 11.

The field on this occasion is much weaker and it would pay to go off his solid third placing in the Hollindale Stakes two back, where he had the opportunity to get back and run on. Could surprise some here.

#4 Megablast $12

Kiwi raider whose Australian form looks suspect. Last outing finished 6 of 15 in the Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben where he never threatened at any stage.

Whilst he does get to a distance which should suit, suspect some of these will have him well covered.

Could only entertain with a significant market move late in betting. No

#5 Tradesman $6.50

Was one of the most savage betting moves you will see last start over “The Bool” carnival, where he raced away to win as he liked.

That gave Weir the confidence to travel him to run in the Doomben Cup last start, where he did fade the last furlong after absorbing moderate pressure close to speed.

This is a significant drop in grade and it looks like he will find the lead easily and get away with some cheap sectionals. Goes on top.

#7 Egg Tart $1.60

Surprised a few last start when just missing in the Doomben Cup. She got back midfield before coming with a barnstorming run, fighting right to the line on that occasion to run second.

Suspect she was flattered on the day by a Doomben surface that was described as “shifting” and more akin to soft. Current track rating of a Heavy 10 here suits and any rain-affected conditions will make her extremely hard to beat.

The natural pattern represents a small query, with her likely to get back in a slowly run race.

Of The Others

None Preferred

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