Preview & Best Bets – Eagle Farm 12 August

Our form expert provides Eagle Farm tips for today’s horse racing at Eagle Farm Racecourse and gives his best bets.

Eagle Farm 12/08/2023

BEST BET 🏆  

Race 1 No. 8 VODKA MARTINI ($1.90)

The time VODKA MARTINI ran at Doomben when he beat Jemeldi last start rated through the roof. Cejay Graham had Vodka Martini out and into a striking position early after being taken on in front by Matilly. Graham sent her mount out after the leader shortly after straightening with Matilly boxing on gamely. No sooner had Vodka Martini finally put that horse to bed did he have to deal with the fast finishing run of Jemeldi. Vodka Martin held on and the form out of the race was enough to have us backing Jemeldi last week. We’re going to stick with the formline, and in particular with the winner of that race Vodka Martini who has had three weeks between runs to get over the gut-buster.

NEXT BEST 🥈  

Race 6 No. 5 JEMELDI ($5.25)

Recent Gatton winner JEMELDI continues to improve with racing as witnessed at Doomben last start. Jemeldi wasn’t the cleanest out of the machines with Kyle Wilson-Taylor picking runs as the field started turning for home. Wilson-Taylor had Jemeldi out in clear running by the top of the straight and ready to produce. The bird had flown with Vodka Martini shooting for home, completing the race in one of the fastest relative times to the day. This allowed Jemeldi to record a career peak rating as the 4yo flashed home with the fastest last 600m and 400m sectionals of the day. We were on Jemeldi here last start when he was honest to the line again over 1000 metres. Should think the slight step-up in trip will suit and Jemeldi can be amongst the finish should he hold his form.

BEST VALUE 💰  

Race 5 No. 2 HASABRO ($9.50)

Local trainer Annabel Neasham finds an opportunity for HASABRO on his home track while coming back in class. Looked the winner in this class over the track and trip when Chad Schofield trailed a strong tempo into the race. Hasabro put paid to them nearing the 150m to look all over a winner. Saturday’s rival Trevelyan had other ideas under the light weight for Melea Castle who gave her mount a quiet run early. She snuck her horse along the fence to poke up to the inside of Hasabro and nail him in the shadows. Hasabro meets that horse better at the weights in a race where there appears to be less early pressure. Hasabro has also had the benefit of putting together a couple of handy runs in stronger company since.