Eagle Farm full racing tips & quaddie | Queensland Oaks Day

Race 1: The Phoenix (1500m)

In this Listed race for two-year-olds, a few of these are pushing for a spot in the final field for the Group 1 JJ Atkins next weekend. Influential from the Chris Waller yard has been unlucky at both of his career starts to date, and has been crying out for further than the 1200m he’s seen so far. In the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial, this son of The Autumn Sun missed the start slightly and had to settle at the back of the field before running on to finish fifth, beaten 3.7 lengths by Russian Alliance. That is a much better form reference than any of his rivals in this race. From barrier two, we should see James McDonald hold a prominent position just behind the leaders, and if he gets even luck, Influential should be too good in the opener.

• 4
  

  INFLUENTIAL

• 9
  

  AZULA

• 3
  

  MOJAVE DESERT

• 2
  

  FLYING TRAPEZE

Race 2: Benchmark 90 Handicap (1810m)

After putting in back-to-back solid performances at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast at his first two runs this preparation, Aussie Nugget appears to be one of the better chances in the second race. Going into this race third-up (6:3-0-1) should be the perfect recipe for success, while stepping up in distance from 1600m to 1800m is also a positive for this stayer. At his last start, this son of Dansili finished eighth – only beaten 1.2 lengths – when he missed the start by five lengths and made up a lot of ground in the home straight. From barrier 15, we should see Ryan Maloney settle Aussie Nugget at the back of the field and give him time to wind up on the outside and finish off strong down the outside.

• 6
  

  AUSSIE NUGGET

• 10
  

  SNEAK PREVIEW

• 12
  

  WAIRERE FALLS

• 14
  

  CLAIM THE CROWN

Race 3: Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m)

After having two starts at 1350m and one at 1400m, Legal Esprit should be at peak fitness and will drop back to 1200m for only his second attempt at the distance in five starts this preparation. Last start this son of Bel Esprit finished two lengths behind the very smart Antino, settling on a strong tempo before fading out in the final 100m to finish fifth. When this gelding raced over 1200m last, he finished third behind The Big Goodbye and Hilal, who have since gone on to run nice races at Listed or Group level. After drawing a nice barrier (3) and getting the services of Angela Jones with her 1.5kg claim, Legal Esprit will have a lot of factors in his favour.

• 3
  

  LEGAL ESPRIT

• 9
  

  LADY OF LUXURY

• 6
  

  HELLFEST

• 17
  

  DEEPOUR

Race 4: Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m)

One of the more open races on Queensland Oaks Day will be the Listed Lightning Handicap, where we have the James Cummings-trained Athelric on top after his win in the Ortensia Stakes last start at Scone. Even though there was a good case to be made that Quantico would have beaten him that day with more room and even luck, this son of Exceed And Excel was strong in the final 200m and will love the drop back in distance from 1100m to 1000m. Malkovich and this bloke will have to give the rest of the field weight; however, from barrier three, we expect to see Nash Rawiller settling behind the leaders and taking the box seat. With a longer straight and a bigger track, Rawiller will have time to wait for a gap to appear and then let Athelric go through his gears and let down with that blistering turn of foot in the final 200m.

• 1
  

  ATHELRIC

• 9
  

  RUBIQUITOUS

• 2
  

  MALKOVICH

• 4
  

  MISHANI SNIPER

Race 5: Magic Millions National Classic (1600m)

The fact that we are getting better than even money for Foxy Frida in the Magic Millions National Classic after her dominant win in the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes last start is a steal. This five-year-old mare has been in great form this campaign, winning two of her three starts, with her only defeat coming at the hands of Caste in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes two starts back. This daughter of Foxwedge will be having her first run at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but considering the form she is in right now, we don’t expect the big track to worry her one bit. With Billy Egan following her to Queensland to continue his strong affiliation with her, it fills us with more confidence. If Foxy Frida finds a nice position mid-field from barrier eight and gets even luck, she should be winning again.

• 2
  

  FOXY FRIDA

• 5
  

  FRUMOS

• 10
  

  PRINCESS RHAENYS

• 11
  

  OSMOSE

Race 6: Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1500m)

After having what appeared to be two fitness runs at his first two starts this preparation and carrying weight both times, the Annabel Neasham-trained Military Expert should be peaking third-up. With the slight weight drop from 58.5kg to 56kg for this next start, this four-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice gets into this race nicely. If he can recapture his form from last preparation – where he finished second in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes and third in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap – he should prove extremely hard to beat. Top jockey James McDonald will be legged aboard for his second ride on this guy, and if he can find the lead without having to do too much work early on, Military Expert will be very hard to run down.

• 3
  

  MILITARY EXPERT

• 5
  

  MUHNAMEK

• 10
  

  BRIGANTINE

• 13
  

  ALBURQ

Race 7: Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m)

As mentioned in the preview for race four, Quantico probably should have won the Ortensia Stakes last start when he got very little room on the inside and only got out into clear running room when the race was just about over. The John O’Shea-trained gelding was clearly the best run in defeat that day, and now that he steps up to 1200m on a bigger track when second-up, the race should set up perfectly for him. With the likes of Prince Of Boom, Frosty Rocks and Far Too Easy in this race, we anticipate a solid tempo that should suit this son of I Am Invincible to settle mid-field and run on strongly in the final 300m. If James McDonald can have this gelding in clear air around the home turn, Quantico should prove too strong in the concluding stages.

• 4
  

  QUANTICO

• 2
  

  PRINCE OF BOOM

• 1
  

  BALLER

• 5
  

  GRAVINA

Race 8: Group 1 Queensland Oaks Day (2200m)

The 2023 Queensland Oaks will mark the 74th running of the Group 1 classic for three-year-old fillies, with a full field of 18 runners clashing over 2200m. The Gary Portelli-trained Fireburn is the current favourite with online bookmakers at $3.80, closely followed by Renaissance Woman ($4.20) and Affaire A Suivre ($7). Will Affaire A Suivre claim her second Oaks in as many starts, or can Fireburn become the first filly to complete the Golden Slipper–Queensland Oaks double?

Check out our full preview and betting strategy for the Queensland Oaks here

Race 9: Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m)

The Annabel Neasham-trained Lady Laguna has risen to another level this campaign, finishing in the top three at six of her seven starts, including a win in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate three runs back. This three-year-old daughter of Overshare was very unlucky in the Darby McCarthy 3YO Plate last start, as she was bumped with 300m to go and lost her momentum before picking up to drive to the line and finish third behind Spacewalk and the winner, Golden Boom. On Saturday, this filly will get a 1.5kg weight swing in her advantage over the current favourite, which should suit her given she will get back from barrier 18 and look to run on down the outside. Getting onto the bigger track at Eagle Farm – where she is one win from one start – will be another positive. At around $13 with the best betting sites, we are more than happy to back Lady Laguna.

• 9
  

  LADY LAGUNA

• 12
  

  RED CARD

• 2
  

  GOLDEN BOOM

• 10
  

  EKATRERINA