The Sunshine Coast will play host to 2017 Queensland Cup Day on Saturday, highlighted by the state’s only race contested over two miles.
Talented fields have been drawn to all nine races on 2017 Queensland Cup Day, however we have analysed every runner in each, in order to help you find a winner.
The action on 2017 Queensland Cup Day is set to get underway with the running of the No More Than Two Metro Wins Handicap (1000m) at 12:12pm, while the feature race will be run and won at 4:02pm.
Race 1 (12:12pm) No More Than Two Metro Wins Handicap (1000m)
A classy field of nine remains in contention for Race 1 on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, but it shaping as a race of two between in-form sprinter Irish Constabulary (barrier 10) and the resuming Tumbler (barrier 4), who has been outstanding throughout her light racing career to date. Irish Constabulary ran a close second in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) on June 24th, before returning to winning form in the Spicers Balfour Hotel (1200m) last weekend. Tumbler has posted six wins and a minor through her eight starts to date, but was returned to the paddock after failing to beat a runner home in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) on April 29th. While charged with overcoming a race-high 62kgs, Irish Constabulary is rock-hard fit and the horse to beat.
Tip: No. 1 Irish Constabulary ($3)
Race 2 (12:47pm) Pool Pro Celebrating 25 Years Ratings 0-70 Handicap (1200m)
It is an open field of fifteen set to contest Race 2 on the Sunshine Coast and there is a case to be made for close to every runner winning the race. Bold Shot (barrier 16) has steadily built to the task this time, but his chances of a return to winning form took a hit when he was allocated the outside gate. Driving Wheels (barrier 15) recorded a smart win at Ipswich last time out, but he has also drawn terribly into this race. Our Jamaica (barrier 11) is weighted well, has found strong and consistent form and will be partnered by in-form hoop Tiffani Brooker, while Limestone Cowboy (barrier 1) has conditions to suit and is yet to finish outside the first three through four starts this time in.
Tip: No. 11 Limestone Cowboy – Each Way ($15/$4.70)
Race 3 (1:22pm) Neptune Pumps For Swimming Pools BM90 (1400m)
One of the strongest fields of the day will line up for Race 3 and there is several legitimate winning chances amongst the fifteen confirmed horses. Aomen (barrier 5) was scratched from the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday with a view towards this race and he was last seen finishing third with a heavy weight in the John Carlton Cup (1206m) last week. Brotherly Secret (barrier 6) went amiss last time, but has produced a number of strong performances and results this time and is certainly in with a shot here. Bushy (barrier 1) flew home to win at Doomben last weekend and will only improve into this race, while Spur Le Jouer (barrier 12) is also in winning form and will enjoy the conditions of his home track.
Tip: No. 9 Bushy ($4.40)
Race 4 (2:02pm) Pool Pro Quality Chemicals Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200m)
A capacity field of two-year-olds will step out in Race 4, including last-start winner Bring It Home Pop. The Rothesay colt has shown plenty of ability throughout his short career and will be tough to beat in this race, even with the 58kgs topweight in tow. Saxton Rock (barrier 6) appears set to peak in the race third-up and is drawn to get an ideal run in transit, while Too Easy Bro (barrier 15) and Dalaney’s Desire (barrier 9) both debuted for wins, but face a noticeable step up in class into this field. Unique Magic (barrier 17) has also found terrific form, but will require plenty of luck from a wide draw.
Tip: No. 1 Bring It Home Pop – Each Way ($6.50/$2.70)
Race 5 (2:42pm) Become A Pool Pro Stockist Class 6 Handicap (1600m)
Several consistent performers have been confirmed in the field for Race 5 and subsequently inject plenty of value from a betting perspective. Former Godolphin runner Gouldian (barrier 3) has finished fifth in his first two starts this time and should be rock-hard fit leading into this race, while High Degree (barrier 9) is seeking a third-consecutive race win, albeit amongst smarter company this time. Biantic (barrier 8) is drawn to get a good run in transit from a central draw, while Steamin’ (barrier 4) beat a similar field to this on the Sunshine Coast last time out and is probably the horse to beat.
Tip: No. 3 Steamin’ ($2.60)
Race 6 (3:22pm) Pool Pro – Simply A Better Choice Class 6 Plate (1200m)
Agapantha (barrier 10) has returned to racing in slick form this time and should prove tough difficult to beat in Race 6 on Queensland Cup Day. The Clang gelding resumed for a dominant three-length win in the Hit FM Handicap (1050m) at Toowoomba on June 10th, before repeating that effort in the Create Financial BM75 (1200m) last time out on June 24th. Stella Ombra has produced a number of impressive results of late and is drawn to get a great run with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, while Tansy (barrier 5) would not look out of place in the winner’s stall, third-up. Earlstoun Ruler (barrier 9) and Prince Manitou (barrier 7) should be both ready to peak.
Tip: Np. 4 Stella Ombra ($3.70)
Race 7 (4:02pm) Listed Queensland Cup (3200m)
The only race contested over two miles in the state, the Queensland Cup has drawn a typically smart field of stayers to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will launch an impressive two-horse attack in the Queensland Cup, in the form of Soviet Courage (barrier 3) and Richard Of Yorke (barrier 11). Soviet Courage has steadily built to the task this time and was last seen running fourth in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill. Richard Of Yorke failed to beat a single runner home last time out, but will relish a step back in company. Araldo Junior (barrier 4) is generally a notable performance in races like this, while Quartermaster (barrier 13) appears as though he will enjoy racing a two miles. My Diamantine (barrier 16) is primed for a big run and will be partnered by Jeff Lloyd.
Tip: No. 2 Soviet Courage ($5.50)
Race 8 (4:37pm) Pool Pro Proudly Australian Owned Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000m)
Sixteen three-year-olds will contest Race 8; another race whereby half the field are live chances of winning. Oink (barrier 1) has been racing amongst tougher company than this during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and should be right in the finish, from an inside draw. Gingersnap (barrier 8) has been strong and consistent this time and could receive the run of the race from the middle of the field, while Mishani El Lobo (barrier 9) will only improve off his first-up second on the Gold Coast last week. Keep On Loving You (barrier 16) faces a reasonable step up in class into this field, but returned to the races for a smart win over subsequent race winner Dubawi Sniper in the Farewell Tricky Maiden (900m) on June 25th.
Tip: No. 3 Mishani El Lobo – Each Way ($9.50/$3.30)
Race 9 (5:18pm) Pool Pro Products Professionals Use Plate (1400m)
A capacity field will take to the barriers for the final race on 2017 Queensland Cup Day. Tycoon Flutter (barrier 21) has been charged with overcoming the outside gate, but was last seen winning the Sky Racing Handicap (1400m) on the Gold Coast with relative ease. Ragazzo Del Corsa (barrier 18) step back in class into this race and has the class to overcome an awkward draw, while Natural Black (barrier 4) is drawn to get a dream run, but will need to muster his best performance to date if he is anything of a chance. Tap This (barrier 12) is ready to peak third-up, while Lord Mamaduke (barrier 9) and Jexerlent (barrier 11) are both seeking to continue a winning run of form. Deitch (barrier 8) is yet to gain a start, but is more than a chance should that occur.
Tip: No. 8 Ragazzo Del Corsa – Each Way ($26/$7.80)