The action continues to heat up in Brisbane on 2022 Queensland Guineas Day!
Group 1 racing is just around the corner, but we’ll be treated to a couple of talent-rich Group 2 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, boasting some of the country’s best gallopers.
You can find my complete 2022 Queensland Guineas Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Treasury Brisbane Open Handicap (1825m) – 11:28am
Tip: No. 10 Major Artie
Major Artie can win the first on Queensland Guineas Day.
The son of Artie Schiller needed his first run back to shake off the cobwebs, but took plenty of improvement into a nice win at The Valley.
He was last seen finishing fourth behind the likes of Austrata at Sandown, and I like that he is a few weeks between starts, heading into something like this.
Treasury Brisbane BM75 Handicap (1825m) – 12:03pm
Tip: No. 5 He Is
He Is has been excellent since joining Lee Freedman’s team, and he can record another win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Pierro gelding was far too good for a BM62 field at Ipswich when resuming, and he repeated that performance and result at Doomben last time.
This is harder again, but he harbours further improvement, and he can continue his rise through the grades.
Treasury Brisbane 3YO Quality Handicap (1300m) – 12:38pm
Tip: No. 1 Robodira
John O’Shea has sent Robodira north this week, and I think that she can have a real impact in this race, at a lovely price ($17 at publish).
The Husson filly has been known to mix her form, but she has also returned some lovely efforts in strong races.
She finished down the order in the PJ Bell Stakes last time out, but this is a big drop in class, and she will relish a return to a firmer track.
Treasury Brisbane BM85 Handicap (1600m) – 1:13pm
Tip: No. 10 Lunakorn
This looks to be one of the more open races on the Queensland Guineas Day program, and there is a case to be made for several, including Lunakorn.
Lunakorn is another who has mixed her form last time in, but she did charge in to finish fourth, beaten less than half a length over 1500m here last time out.
She steps out this week in peak order, any rise in trip suits, and we can have an each-way play at around the $8 mark.
Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) – 1:48pm
Tip: No. 6 Steady Ready
Steady Ready has made only one appearance at the races so far, but he couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, and the Dalrello Stakes looks a nice race for him.
He showed ability at the trials prior to debuting, and Steady Ready put the writing on the wall with a six-length win at Doomben late last month.
He’ll only improve for that experience and will take a power of beating again.
Treasury Brisbane Class 3 Plate (1200m) – 2:23pm
Tip: No. 2 Palladas
Palladas can win the sixth at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The I Am Invincible gelding raced consistently last time in, and he was last seen recording a dominant win on the Sunshine Coast in February.
He’s had a short break since then, trialled well in the lead-up to his return and boasts a class edge over many of these rivals.
Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) – 3:02pm
Tip: No. 5 Cape Breton
This is an open edition of the Queensland Guineas and there are several winning chances engaged, so I am eager to try and seek out the value, I think believe to lie with Cape Breton.
Cape Breton returned some lovely efforts and stamped himself as one to watch during a short two-year-old prep, which ended with a run in the JJ Atkins.
The decision to geld the horse prior to his current prep seems to have switched him on, and he was an impressive winner at Randwick-Kensington when fresh, and he has been far from disgraced in a couple of black type contests since.
He takes his place in the Queensland Guineas at full fitness, and following a nice run for fourth in the Daybreak Lover Stakes.
A mile looks ideal, and we can have an each-way play at around the $16 mark.
Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) – 3:42pm
Tip: No. 11 Startantes
This is one of, it not the strongest edition of the Victory Stakes since the turn of the century, and a classy field of sprinters will chase Group 2 glory at Eagle Farm on Saturday, including Startantes.
Startantes has been a star for the Rob Heathcote stable throughout her career, and she has measured up in some good races south of the border.
She has been freshened since finishing second, beaten a flare of a nostril in the Group 1 Surround Stakes in Sydney, and she’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to this return.
She gets into the race well under the conditions, and with a case to be built for most here, she looks a bit of value.
Treasury Brisbane Class 6 Plate (1400m) – 4:18pm
Tip: No. 5 Go Wandji
Go Wandji is the one to beat in the last on Queensland Guineas Day.
The Wandjina gelding has been a revelated for the Dougall stable since debuting, and he is yet to miss placing in nine trips to the races, winning six times.
He steps out this week third-up and with even luck in running, he’ll take a power of beating again.
