| What | Grand Prix Stakes Raceday |
| Where | Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 |
| When | Saturday, December 17, 2022 |
| First Race | 12:03pm AEST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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Eagle Farm will once again play host to Saturday metropolitan racing in Queensland this weekend, highlighted by the Group 3 $250,000 Grand Prix Stakes. The track is currently rated a Good 4; however, there is rain on the forecast for Friday, so we may start on a Soft 5 depending on the amount of rain that falls on the track. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire course, while the first race will kick off at 12:03pm AEST.
Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes: Kovalica
In the feature Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes, we will be siding with the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica who has won three on the bounce, recording his first win in Queensland last start over 2000m at Doomben on December 3. This son of Ocean Park defeated four of his rivals that he will meet again on Saturday in that previous start, with the second favourite, Noah ‘N’ A Deel, finishing second by 2.3 lengths. This three-year-old gelding is a up-and-coming staying talent, who is progressing through his grades nicely, getting stronger and stronger the further he goes in his races. James Orman will stick with this guy after riding him last start and if he gets a similar run this Saturday, he will be winning again, while punters will be left thinking that the $1.65 on offer with online bookmakers was a spoil.
Grand Prix Stakes
Race 5 – 
#1 Kovalica (8)
3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James Orman (57kg)
$1.65 with Ladbrokes
Listed Golden Edition Plate: Golden Boom
In the Listed Gold Edition Plate, we will be siding with the Tony Gollan-trained Golden Boom, who has won his first two career starts very impressively over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast by a combined margin of 7.8 lengths. This son of Spirit Of Boom as been heavily backed at his first two starts, starting at $1.44 on debut and $1.22 second-up. On Saturday, we may get out to black odds as he will be rising to 1200m and Listed grade for the first time in his career. There looks to be a lot of speed in this race, with the stablemate Spiritualised, Exo Lady and End Assembly leading at their previous starts. This guy looks to be adaptable and from barrier six, we should see him take a sit off the leaders, giving him every chance to go three-from-three and continue his winning start to his career.
Gold Edition Plate
Race 8 – 
#4 Golden Boom (6)
3yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (74kg)
$1.90 with Betfair
Listed Lough Neagh Stakes: Rubamos
The Listed Lough Neagh Stakes will see half of the field meet again after they clashed in the Listed Recognition Stakes at the Gold Coast over 1350m on November 26. Emerald Kingdom and Holyfield fought out the finish on that day, while Rubamos finished fourth after an unlucky run in the home straight where she didn’t get much room. On Saturday, we will be siding with Rubamos from the Chris Waller yard, as there looks to be much more speed engaged in this race which should suit her better. From barrier three, Larry Cassidy should have this girl settled one of the rail and two pairs back from the leaders. If she gets to the outside on the home turn and gets clear running room in the final 300m, she will go very close with the light weight at double figure odds with online betting sites.
Lough Neagh Stakes
Race 6 – 
#7 Rubamos (3)
5yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Larry Cassidy (54kg)
$6 with Bet365
Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Coco Rox
In the first race of the day, our best bet Coco Rox will be looking for her first win of the preparation as she will drop back to Benchmark 78 grade from Listed grade at the Gold Coast last start. Two Starts back, this four-year-old mare was beaten by the very smart I Am Me at Rosehill, however, she beat the rest of the field easily. With the aid of Kyle Wilson-Taylor’s 1.5kg claim, this girl will only have to carry 58kg, which is only 2.5kg more than she carried in Listed company last start. From barrier four this daughter of Better Than Ready should lob outside the leader or find the lead herself, if none of her rivals want to take it up. If she gets into a nice rhythm mid-race and doesn’t have to do much work, she should kick clear on the home corner and be too hard to run down.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Coco Rox (4)
4yo Mare | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor (a1.5) (59.5kg)
$2.70 with Palmerbet
Next Best at Eagle Farm: Pancho
David Vandyke’s new addition to his stable, Pancho, looks to have found a nice race this Saturday over 1815m, coming off two solid runs first and second-up over 1400m and 1600m, finishing fourth and third, respectively. Last start this six-year-old gelding boxed on nicely after sitting on speed in the Listed Brisbane Handicap, finishing third by half a length. Now that this guy gets to 1815m and drops back to Open grade, we should see the best of this son of Dissident. Stephanie Thornton will stick with this gelding after riding him last start, another positive sign for his followers this weekend.
Next Best
Race 6 – 
#4 Pancho (3)
6yo Gelding | T: David Vandyke | J: Stephanie Thornton (55.5kg)
$6.50 with Neds
Eagle Farm quaddie numbers for Saturday, December 17
Eagle Farm quadrella selections
Saturday, December 17, 2022
- 1-4-6
- 1-2-6-7
- 1-4
- 2-3-9-10
Investment: $96 for 100%
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