Feature QLD Racing Preview with Best Bets & Tips 27/5/23
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- Author: Luke HovhanesianMay 25, 2023 03:05 PM
- Photo: Getty
Luke & Mick's Top Picks
The Group 1 action is all up north this week with the running of the Kingston-Smith Cup and QLD Derby.
There is plenty of value on offer and our two jets want to help you have a fill up amongst the four features.
Mick Gannon and Luke Hovhanesian have just dropped their best plays.
Race 5 Fred Best Classic (1400m)
Mick Gannon Tip
Yellow Brick looks a touch short, I have him marked $3.30 in this field and am happy to bet around him.
Hawaii Five Oh ($3.40) has jumped out of the ground since joining the Waterhouse/Bott stable and looks the one to beat.
His Hawkesbury win rated through the roof and was equally impressive to the eye, leaving some talented gallopers flat footed.
From the 200m to the winning post he showed a turn of foot that put a 3L gap in his rivals, something that is rarely seen at that track.
His recent trial suggests he's been kept right up to the mark. Looks like the one to beat.
Luke Hovhanesian Tip
I've always held a very high opinion of this 3YO filly Seven Veils ($21) and are shocked by the price on offer.
Since transferring to the Maher and Eustace camp her two runs in Adelaide have been full of merit.
She has been trapped wide and rearward in races not run to suit.
When asked for an effort, she has knuckled down and hit the line hard.
In particular at her last start she was only 0.7L off Royal Merchant who is now the Group 1 Goodwood winner.
She possesses a ripping turn of foot and while she will need a peach from Tim Clark to find a spot in running she has the ability to be right in the finish.
Race 6 BRC Sires (1400m)
Mick Gannon Tip
Happy to be against the Kiwi Solidify whose ratings don't stack up against his Aussie counterparts.
Zia ($4.60) was very good last start, is third-up and is ready for the 1400m.
She was strong late after doing early work last start and should enjoy a race with slightly less pressure on Saturday.
Luke Hovhanesian Tip
In a full capacity field, I can't steer anyone into shorties.
I am really intrigiued by Felix The Scat ($51) who has been given a month let-up after a disappointing run at Randwick in the Group 1 Champagne.
He was stuck rearward from a wide barrier and struggled to get through the Soft 7 ground.
This weekend he returns to a 1400m race run at a true tempo.
This will mean horses looking for further than 1400m will thrive and Felix is just that.
He can sit handier from barrier 8 and can be one of the strongest late.
Great each-way play.
Race 7 QLD Derby (2400m)
Mick Gannon Tip
Kovalica ($1.65) is the one to beat, he's been favourite for this race for a long time and only furthered his credentials in the Doomben Cup last start.
His nearest danger is the former kiwi trained galloper Andalus ($41), who impressed in the NZ Derby, before failing in the ATC Derby when ridden upside down on a rain affected track.
Back to a drier surface and ridden cold, he'll give a big sight and big place odds.
Luke Hovhanesian Tip
Kovalica at $1.65.... no thanks
I am going to have small specks on two huge priced runners who have given every indication they will eat up the 2400m.
The first is Xtrarevz ($46) trained by the master of stayers, John Sargent.
The second is Smartawi ($81) getting back onto a firm surface of Eagle Farm.
They will both land around midfield with cover and be grinding to the line late.
Worth a few dollars on each.
Race 8 Kingsford-Smith (1300m)
Mick Gannon Tip
Vilana ($7) is two from two over the 1300m, is proven 3rd up and produced his career peak rating at that set-up.
He's drawn perfectly to sit off a hot tempo, pull wide and fly down the middle of the track.
Gentelman Roy ($26) could give a sight at odds, as will Paulele ($15).
Luke Hovhanesian Tip
Eduardo ($13) for the first time in about a year, looked outstanding at the trials.
He looks to have got his mojo back and Nash sticking gives full confidence he is ready to rumble.
He draws well in barrier 5 and will have the speed to burn these off and find the front.
Granted Gentleman Roy doesn't pester him from the wide barrier I can see Eddy cruising in this race to the bend, before hitting the after burners and blowing this field apart.
Huge price for a proven Group 1 horse.
A Case Of You ($6.50) was my top pick in the Doomben 10,000 at a ridiculous $40 quote.
He ran an absolute bottler and as a result we are getting a shorter price here.
If they can run on from the tail he will be hard to beat.
There's over 1,000 tips currently available in the Horse Racing Tips market at thegreattipoff.com.
