XXXX Colts, Geldings and Entires Benchmark 78 Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Eagle Farm Value Bet - Race 3 No. 11 Shot Of Whiskey
The Spirit Of Boom gelding won three times in 2024 including when racing first up over 1000m in a Class 1 handicap at Toowoomba in July last year.
The selection went on to register a victory at Sunshine Coast subsequently prior to delivering his first win over this distance in a track and trip contest in September.
The four-year-old won by nearly a length when contesting a Benchmark 78 handicap that day and he returns to this venue for just the second time since that triumph.
Matthew Hoysted’s gelding made just two starts last prep including when finishing at mid-division in a similar race to this at Doomben on his second start back.
The pick has won first up twice in the past while he boasts a strong record on the forecast soft going while the gelding goes well for his rider here having won both previous starts under Justin Stanley.
The Star Benchmark 90 Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Eagle Farm Best Bet - Race 4 No. 5 Victory Win
The four-year-old performed well last prep winning three times with two of those victories coming on wet tracks.
The second of those wet track wins saw the gelding take out a Benchmark 70 handicap held on a soft 5 surface at Doomben in August.
The selection went on to complete a double when stepped up to a Benchmark 78 contest held over the same course and distance on a sound surface the following month.
The son of Santos failed to shine in his sole barrier trial prior to resuming this prep and he shaped as if he’d improve for the run in finishing sixth over 1400m here on his return to action.
The gelding took a step forward switched to a wet track and stepped up to 1600m when getting home by a narrow margin in a Benchmark 85 handicap at Doomben at the start of last month.
The second and third that day have both won since and the pick looks up to completing a double with Craig Williams booked to ride.
Sky Racing Queensland Guineas (Group 2) Tips (Race 7)
Eagle Farm Feature Bet - Race 7 No. 2 Wonder Boy
Jerome Hunter’s gelding has demonstrated that he can compete at Group level in the past including when placed in a couple of Group 3 contests at Caulfield in August.
The gelding registered respectable efforts in his first two starts this prep and was dropped in grade when placing third in a Benchmark 84 handicap at Flemington when racing third up.
A career best second place finish when beaten just under two lengths in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill followed.
The youngster may have finished closer but for his jockey dropping his whip with around 200m to run and he was freshened following that effort.
The pick broke through for the second win of his career when saluting by half-a-length in a 1400m Listed event held on a good 3 track at Bendigo.
Jamie Mott, on board at Bendigo is again set to ride and his mount looks up to completing a double.
Seven QTIS 3yo Tips (Race 9)
Eagle Farm Next Best Bet - Race 9 No. 2 Snack Bar
James Cummings’ representative takes the eye here having shown a liking for the forecast wet conditions in the past.
The youngster has finished in the first three in all three previous starts on wet tracks including when breaking his maiden at Ballarat in April last year.
The son of Frosted showed up well in Group 3 company at Rosehill earlier this season most recently when half-a-length third in the 1400m Ming Dynasty Quality in September.
The pick was spelled following a below par fifth place finish in the valuable Listed Tapp-Craig over the same track and trip the following month.
The grey jumped as favourite when ridden cold prior to being beaten less than a length into third dropped to 1100m for a Benchmark 78 handicap at Warwick Farm last month.
Snack Bar is expected to have improved for that effort and with the extra distance here in his favour he looks capable of saluting in the finale.