Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview

Chris Nelson provides his best bets for the Thoroughbred meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday, 23rd March 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.

Picture: Racing Photos

RACE 1

Toughest race of the day kicks off the card. I'll lean to the Gollan/Orman combination & put AMATHUBA on top, she doesn't win out of turn however she's got plenty of mates in this field who suffer the same fate. Solid to the line her last couple the bigger track should suit. HOOT 'N' HOLLER closed well fresh at Doomben on a day where 7 leaders won, can figure in the finish once again. STRAPPARSI maps well, COMPELLING TRUTH brings Sydney form.

Numbers: 15 – 13 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 2

The must be a good story about the naming of WHO ORDERED DAFISH & we'll likely find out should he win this as I'm suggesting he will. Strong to the line here recently in a dash home over 1400m he looks well placed stepping up to the mile & the engagement of Cejay Graham is a positive pointer. QUOTHQUAN didn't fire here last start, parking 3 deep wouldn't have helped though & note his prior form was solid. Looks quite open away from that pair.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 10 – 1

Suggested Bet: WHO ORDERED DAFISH TO WIN

RACE 3

OCEAN ZAR was well backed to win here last start however pulled up with issues finishing out of the placings. Her previous win was as arrogant as they come admittedly against inferior opposition however should she return to that form can bounce back in a big way. KINETIC was arguably a good thing beaten two back, led last time which didn't suit, drawn well with a quieter ride can improve sharply. BROOKHAVEN a likely improver third-up.

Numbers: 15 – 12 – 5 – 9

Suggested Bet: OCEAN ZAR TO WIN ($3.00 or better).

RACE 4

EL MORZILLO will jump from the outside gate here which after scratchings will be 10 at worst. Her last start 9th at Randwick in the rich Millenium was a very good effort taking into account the margin (2.6L) & the fact she couldn't gain clear running at a vital stage in the straight, there's no doubt she should have finished closer. I'll take the punt she'll be too good for these even accounting for the wide draw. No knock on DEVINE FORCE who is unbeaten, resumes in stronger company though. ZOUNA looks a progressive type who impressed on debut off solid trial form.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet: EL MORZILLO TO WIN.

RACE 5

OUTWEIGHED comes to town for the first time with a very good record at the Sunshine Coast & a terrific last start second behind the smart Chinny Boom at the Gold Coast. She's always shown plenty of versatility in her races which could prove important here as there's good speed, she certainly has the right form to go very close. I'm not surprised BEACHSIDE BABE is well in the market, both wins this prep have been dominant, she'll have to deal with a wide gate rising in grade however looks up to the task. MALABOOM in the mix however she's a filly who struggles to finish her races off.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

Confident APOPHIS can handle the step up in class & continue on his winning way here. Very impressive first up closing from the back of the field running away from his rivals he's been back to the trials winning a heat at Doomben & drops plenty in weight for this tougher assignment. HOLD ON HONEY & OSAMU are always on speed, they can tend to mix their form however if in the right frame of mind will be there at the end. RED RUBI will be zipping home late, that's her pattern.

Numbers: 13 – 2 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet: APOPHIS TO WIN.

RACE 7

Tough race, 3 or 4 winning chances at least. APRIL IN AUGUSTA resumes from a break & did trial nicely recently. Although yet to place fresh she did look stiff first up last prep when back near last & held up before running on late, she then won her next couple. OUTLAWED was well backed to win fresh however in the end may have simply needed the run, her second up record is a good one, expect sharp improvement. TOJAKI has beaten APRIL IN AUGUSTA, terrific last prep must be included as should the front running BUBBA'S BAY.

Numbers: 9 – 4 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 8

The Tony Gollan stable looks to have a couple of great chances here being the first up winner MILLANE & the new addition to the yard ROCKRIBBED. Market moves will be all important particularly around ROCKRIBBED as he hasn't started since August last year when out of the money at Sandown. He holds a good first up record & his recent trial placing at Doomben suggests he's ready to rumble. MILANE got the job done fresh, second up was trapped wide & failed to finish off, won't be trapped wide today. LIBERTY STEPS is another newcomer to the state, trialled well.

Numbers: 10 – 2 – 17 – 8

Suggested Bet: MILLANE/ROCKRIBBED TO WIN.

RACE 9   Best Bet

Keen on the chances of DAYTONA BAY to send us all home on a winning note. Super consistent since arriving in Queensland racking up a win & three placings he maps to lead however should there be any early surprises Jimmy Orman can take a trail & end up with the box seat run. He's raced well here & drops plenty in weight off the last start gallant second at the Gold Coast when spotting the winner 8kg! OSCAR ZULU doesn't win too often however he can land a good run, his stablemate WAIRERE FALLS always gets back & expect the same again today, he'll find the line though.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 11 – 8

Suggested Bet: DAYTONA BAY TO WIN.

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