Race 1. 1200m Hampton Stakes
A 1200m dash for two-year-olds that has plenty of different formlines meeting.
Winner – 8. Berimbau. A Darley filly that won really well a week ago and looks as if she can make the huge jump in grade quite easily. A recent 2nd behind the smart Festivity is another plus.
Hardest to beat – 2. Sports Edition. A great 2nd behind the smart Festivity is another on debut behind a fancied runner in the J.J. Atkins gives this colt a massive chance in this race. He is the full brother to the nice filly Amanpour that has recorded two huge city wins in Sydney.
Best longshot – 9. Storming Pleasure. A last start winner with an in-form hoop aboard and $51 all adds up to a nice outsider.
Race 2. 1600m Strawberry Road Handicap
1600m quality handicap.
Winner – 5. Choice Bro. A storming 3rd last start shows that this boy is back in form. He can mix his form a bit, but when gets it right, he can hold his form very well.
Hardest to beat – 10. Veewap. This horse usually wins a race at some stage during a carnival. He can pop up at any time and this is the weakest field he has contested for a while.
Best longshot – 7. Elusive Storm. This mare is in grand form and she only needs to run up to any of her last five starts to be in the finish here.
Race 3. 1600m Daybreak Lover
1600m set weights race where Gai Waterhouse looks to have a great hand.
Winner – 2. Liberty’s Choice. A very consistent colt of late that will love the 1600m. He can sit anywhere and looks close to an each way special.
Hardest to beat – 4. Longma. This colt can do anything but he does mix his form a little. He should thrive over the mile and his talent has never been doubted. But we just need him to run his best. Back both Waterhouse runners, because the word around the stable is that they are both flying at the track.
Best longshot – 3. Hopfgarten. This horse is a winner. He wins more often than not and wins really well. He is out to a big price now after an average last start, but his best is good enough to figure.
Race 4. 1000m Lightening Handicap
Cape Kidnappers is one of the best horses in QLD but he is very short against some good horses in this race. He is weighted to win and he can win if he produces his best. The interesting runner is the top weight Howmuchdoyouloveme, but I am prepared to risk him over 1000m with a huge weight. Cape Kidnappers might be a touch under the odds as it looks a pretty good race.
Winner – 4. Cape Kidnappers. A winner that just wins more often than not. If he does not win he gets beaten but only narrowly. He is very short but he is just so good and has the record to prove it. We still have not seen his best and this might be our chance.
Hardest to beat – 2. Adebisi. This boy will be out in front and that is the place to be in a big field of even runners. He can hold on for a place for sure.
Best longshot- Liesele. First up last time in, this mare beat Lonspresso at Caulfield. She is first up here and at a very big price. Worth $1 each way.
Race 5. 1400m Dane Ripper Stakes
The first of the very tough races for the day. This 1400m dash for fillies and mares contains most of the best female equines in Australia. It will be a great race with some very impressive types getting out to good odds.
Winner – 2. Catkins. [Late Scratching]
Hardest to beat – 9. Cosmic Endeavour. This filly is flying. She can win from anywhere and she would be the tip if she got just a little more weight off Catkins. She is not well in but she might just be good enough to overcome this weight.
Best longshot – 4. Fire Up Fifi. Has beaten Catkins before and is Group One placed. She is out to a good price and should run pretty well.
Race 6. 1600m J.J. Atkins
This is always a good race. 1600m for the three-year-olds at Group One level at the end of the season. Brazen Beau is the even money favourite but we are prepared to risk him due to him being so short. He will be very hard to beat and might be very good but evens is way too short.
Winner – 8. Furbish. This horse is over 30-1 but he has been aimed at this race for a long time and will relish the mile. He will be flying home and if he gets the breaks and runs his best, he is worth a go.
Hardest to beat – 6. Almalad. An unbeaten Waterhouse runner that is tough enough to lead from start to finish here. He was impressive last start and is the one to beat at the odds for sure.
Best longshot – 4. Mohave. A consistent performer that has already won a good race as a juvenile.
Race 7. 2400m Queensland Derby
Another very tough race but it is a Derby and a Group One so it is to be expected. The filly that was storming home in the Oaks is the pick for mine at double figure odds. But there are really 8 good chances in this race.
Winner – 16. Rock Diva. This filly was storming home in the Oaks and the Kiwis always pick up something on this day.
Hardest to beat – 2. Vilanova. Sometimes we can’t simply ignore the obvious. This boy won by three lengths last start and meets many of the same horses in this race. He will be storming home.
Best longshot – 11. Elusive Runner. Has been backed after some recent good form. He is maybe even under the odds a little now, but he is a must include.
Race 8. 1400m The Stradbroke Handicap
The best race in Queensland and this year’s edition is a classic. There are no out and out superstars but there are up and comers, stayers, sprinters and milers all meeting over 1400m. All the favourites have wide barriers so anything can happen in this race.
Winner – 2. Rebel Dane. Despite having the worst barrier imaginable, all the calculations comeback to this boy. He will be storming home from the rear and is out to a descent price. The horses out the front will be off and gone, but the swoopers will be coming.
Hardest to beat – 4. Red Tracer. We have been with this mare for her entire career. It would be a bonus if it was raining, but it is not. She still runs well on the dry and she rarely runs a bad race.
Best longshot – 10. Knoydart. The horse that has been backed the most in this race. He is well drawn compared to his counterparts and he saves his best for handicap races. He is weighted to win. Worth a go.
Race 9. 2400m Brisbane Cup
It is a disgrace that this race is not over 3200m and at Group One level. That is all!
Winner – 4. Mr O’Ceirin. Strong last start and the extra distance suits. Will be very hard to beat and looks an each way special.
Hardest to beat – 5. Zephyron. In form and not just that, but he is beating some good staying types.
Best longshot – 3. Historian. The best longshot of the day.
By Zeb Armstrong
