Queensland Oaks Day at Eagle Farm took centre stage last Saturday, while Flemington and Randwick held solid support programs as the winter season starts to heat up. From the Eagle Farm and Flemington meetings, we have found three runners that are worth following at their next start after producing impressive runs last weekend. You can add these horses to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and get notifications when they have their next start.
Flemington
Rail position: +8m entire circuit
Race 1: 2YO Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:10.49
- Horse to follow: Wonder Boy (1st)
Wonder Boy backed up his strong trial form on his debut at Flemington, as the Jerome Hunter-trained gelding let down with a strong finish to nab Pisces in the shadows of the winning post. The son of Cosmic Force had shown an ability to finish off strongly from the rear of the field, and he showed the same capability by finishing over the top of his rivals on debut down the Flemington straight.
When to bet: With that win, Wonder Boy has qualified for the Next Generation Sprinters Series Final at the same track and trip on July 6. It is expected that Hunter and his team will take him there, and he will be one of the leading chances.
Race 3: 3YO Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:35.89
- Horse to follow: Craig (2nd)
After an impressive debut at Bendigo, Craig was sent around as the race favourite in the third race over 1600m. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained import had one run at Newmarket before being sent to Australia, and it is fair to say he should be undefeated on Aussie soil. Luke Currie settled on the fence midfield and allowed his mount to travel around the home bend, but when he wanted to get into clear air, Currie was smothered up by horses on his outside. Meanwhile, the leader and eventual winner, Rise At Dawn, had skipped four lengths clear, and when Craig got into clear air, he flew home but just missed in a photo finish, leaving his backers wondering what could have been.
When to bet: Trent Busuttin confirmed post-race that Craig would go to another 1600m race at Flemington in two weeks, and we will be one of many that will be following this very progressive galloper at his next start.
Eagle Farm
Rail position: +2.5m entire circuit
Race 2: Class 6 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:09.84
- Horse to follow: Millane (2nd)
After being heavily supported in the lead up to the second race of the day at Eagle Farm, Millane made up significant ground from the rear of the field but couldn’t run down the leader and eventual winner. James McDonald took his medicine from barrier 13, but post-race it was clear that he settled too far back, and with the winner breaking clear with 300m to go, he set the Tony Gollan-trained gelding too much of a task. The son of Zoustar let down with a blistering turn of foot to fly past the rest of his rivals and finished less than a length off Hidden Wealth.
When to bet: If Tony Gollan can find a race under the same conditions for Millane, he can end his lengthy preparation with another victory if he can produce a similar performance.
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