Eagle Farm Tips 04/01/2023
Our form expert provides Eagle Farm tips for today’s horse racing at Eagle Farm Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 3: No.8 AQUA ALTA ($3.10 with Neds)
Toowoomba galloper AQUA ALTA is third-up today and should be fit enough now to challenge this field for victory here today. Last start, the lightly-raced mare came off a runner-up finish in Class 3 company at Doomben when she finished a close-up fourth (beaten less than a length) in a NMW contest over 1400m on this track. She ran that out, 1 length slower than benchmark, the best last-start effort here and a new personal best for her as well. She also recorded the fastest final 200m sectional in that race. Jim Byrne has his first ride on the five-year-old today who maps to settle in the first four from gate six. With a trouble-free run here, she can give this a real fright today.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 5: No.9 MERIMEE ($4.60 with Unibet)
The Chris Waller-trained MERIMEE is fresh off a lengthy 19-week break and after two successful trials looks well placed here to figure in the finish. Last preparation, the Winning Rupert mare had just two starts, ending it by finishing fifth in a BM0-72 over the mile at Doomben. Although missing a podium finish, she still ran the trip out, 4.2 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best in this field and a new personal best for her as well. She has twice since her break, placing in both of them. All three career starts have been over this trip and Jim Byrne steered her to two of them and he has control again today. She draws wide here but gets back in her races anyway. Already a winner at the track and distance, watch for a late charge from her in this contest.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 8: No.4 I PONDER ($4.80 with Palmerbet)
Sunshine Coast galloper I PONDER is second-up today and looks nicely placed at the distance here to give this contest a real shake. Last start, the well-bred So You Think gelding was fresh off a lengthy six-month break when he put in an eye-catching effort, finishing fifth (beaten less than two lengths) in a Class 2 Hcp over an unsuitable 1400m. Coming from well back on the turn, he took plenty of ground off the leading group and will only benefit from the run. Already a winner when second-up and a winner over 2000m, today’s trip looks ideal for him and draws to do no work early from gate one. After the claim, he comes in well at the weights here (carrying just 55.5kgs) and fitter for that first-up run, he should be finishing strongly here.