With last week’s abandoned Doomben Cup added to the program, we will now be treated to three Group 1 races on 2022 Queensland Derby Day!
It truly is one of the standout programs of the Brisbane Winter Carnival, and some of the best horses in the country will descend on Eagle Farm, in search of riches and a place in the history books.
I’ve run the rule over all ten races, and you can find my complete 2022 Queensland Derby Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
GROUP 2 THE ROSES (2100M) – 11:08AM
Tip: No. 1 Barb Raider
The final stop on the tradition path to the Queensland Oaks, The Roses was supposed to be contested last week, but will now be run on Derby Day.
Barb Raider has been an excellent horse for the Jerome Hunter yard since debuting, and she is the one that I want to be with.
The multiple black type winner was only just denied by Glint Of Hope in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville last time out and this is a drop in class from that contest.
GROUP 3 PREMIER’S CUP (2400M) – 11:43AM
Tip: No. 3 Steel Prince
Steel Prince can win the Premier’s Cup.
The veteran stayer has been a mainstay in some of the country’s best races for several seasons now, and he has improved with each of his four starts back this time, culminating in a lovely win at Flemington last time out.
He’s rock-hard fit and is certainly still up to winning something of this quality.
GROUP 3 LORD MAYOR’S CUP (1800M) – 12:18PM
Tip: No. 2 Hungry Heart
The Lord Mayor’s Cup is the easiest race that Hungry Heart has contested in some time, and she should prove tough to beat.
The multiple Group 1 winning daughter of Frankel has quite returned to the peaks of her three-year-old season, but she has still managed to return many quality performances throughout her subsequent preps.
She has stripped fitter for two starts back from a freshen-up and she can win this.
GROUP 2 BRC SIRES’ PRODUCE STAKES (1400M) – 12:53PM
Tip: No. 1 Twin Stars
A classy crop of two-year-olds will trade blows in the BRC Sires’ Produce, and Twin Stars is the one that I want to be with.
Twin Stars has made three appearances at the races since debuting back in March, winning both the Magic Millions Classic at Murray Bridge and the Adelaide Sires’ Produce, most notably.
He has opened at BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes odds of $14 at Neds, and I think that is a touch of overs.
GROUP 1 DOOMBEN CUP (2100M) – 1:28PM
Tip: No. 1 Zaaki
It now running at Eagle Farm means that the Doomben Cup will instead be contested over 2100m.
It hasn’t affected my numbers – I still have Zaaki a clear top pick, but make sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Doomben Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
GROUP 3 FRED BEST CLASSIC (1400M) – 2:03PM
Tip: No. 16 Startantes
Ballot-free entry into the Stradbroke Handicap awaits the winner of the Fred Best Classic and this year, I think that it will be Startantes.
She was awful here a fortnight ago, but I thought that performance was too bad to be true, and Startantes can return to winning form this week.
The Star Turn filly went within the flare of a nostril of Group 1 success in autumn, she raced well amongst open company in the Victory Stakes two back, and she steps out this week in peak order.
GROUP 3 BRC SPRINT (1300M) – 2:38PM
Tip: No. 8 Scallopini
Scallopini returned a huge first-up performance to finish second in the Victory Stakes, and while he will require luck in running after drawing barrier 16, I think he is overs at BRC Sprint odds of $16 (at publish).
The Snitzel gelding has been a great horse for Steve O’Dea & co. throughout his career, and he really was unlucky not to strike fresh.
His second-up record is excellent, and he’s another whom we can have something on each way.
GROUP 1 QUEENSLAND DERBY (2400M) – 3:18PM
Tip: No. 12 Paternal
This is an open edition of the Queensland Derby, and there looks to be plenty of live chances.
I’ve put Paternal on top, but you can find my full race preview and complete 2022 Queensland Derby Tips RIGHT HERE.
GROUP 1 KINGSFORD-SMITH CUP (1300M) – 3:58PM
Tip: No. 13 Paulele
Following his near miss in the Doomben 10,000, I think that Paulele will take a power of beating in the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
I’ve got him on top of my numbers, but I’m also having a saver on another horse, which you can find in my 2022 Kingsford-Smith Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
LISTED HELEN COUGHLAN STAKES (1200M) – 4:34PM
Tip: No. 16 Miss Hipstar
I’m sticking with Miss Hipstar in the Helen Coughlan Stakes.
Miss Hipstar was absolutely luckless in the Gold Coast Guineas last time out, but she savaged the line when she finally got clear.
She has been a great horse for the Schweida yard for a couple of seasons now, she should be nearing peak fitness, and this looks a very winnable race for her.
