The Queensland Derby meeting will be held at Eagle Farm this Saturday (27th May). The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with mainly fine weather in Brisbane leading up to the weekend, Eagle Farm will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Chrysaor won well at Gosford first-up and he can continue his winning form by taking out the Qld Sirs’ Produce Stakes (Brisbane Race 6, 1400m). The Better Than Ready colt gave nothing else a chance last start when he came from second last and ran over the top of the field. Up in class on Saturday but has drawn a nice gate (1). Nash Rawiller will hug the fence mid-field behind a good pace and Chrysaor will be flying home in the last furlong.
Kovalica is unbeaten at Eagle Farm having won the Grand Prix Stakes and the Queensland Guineas and the gelding can make it three wins at the venue by winning the Queensland Derby (Brisbane Race 7, 2400m). The 3YO finished an eye catching 3rd to Huetor in the Doomben Cup last week and he is rock hard fit being 4th up on Saturday. James McDonald will put the 3YO to sleep sitting somewhere mid-field and Kovalica looks hard to beat.
Rothfire maps well and he could be the one to beat in the Kingsford Smith Cup (Brisbane Race 8, 1300m). The talented 5YO loves Eagle Farm having won six times with two placings at the venue including victory in the J.J. Atkins and a 3rd placing in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap. The gelding has come back well this campaign having finished 2nd in the Ascot Handicap first-up before taking out the Victory Stakes. Blake Shinn is going to settle just behind the leaders in a fast run race and Rothfire looks set to win another Group 1 race since taking out the J.J. Atkins three years ago.
By Owens Wong
