It’s been a stellar season for Victorian Trainer Darren Weir who has led the winner in over 200 races this year and he looks set to add another to that list, and his second Group 1 of the season, with Akzar in Saturday’s Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup.
Like last year’s edition, only a small field will contest the $250,000 feature and Akzar tops the betting after a strong finish in the Doomben Cup a fortnight ago, at $2.50. Challenging her for favouritism are Chris Waller’s Moriarty and Darley’s Wistful, both at $4.00.
Moriarty started a similar price last year when fourth (1 length) behind Quintessential whilst Wistful, who is aiming to be the third mare in as many years to win the race, produced a strong effort in the Lord Mayor’s Cup last week.
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1. MORIARTY – N Rawiller (1)
Competing on a couple of heavy tracks saw him finish just behind the place-getters in both the G3 Neville Sellwood (2000m) and G2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) prior to taking his spot in last fortnight’s Doomben Cup. Settled in the second half of the field, he got a lovely run through the field on the turn to be positioned right behind eventual winner Streama as they straightened. As he was being asked for his effort, he was tightened by Mr. O’Ceirin and Junoob on his outside and could only hold his position in the run home, finishing fifth (2.7 lengths). At his best on top of the ground and under those conditions, would rate a place chance. He ran a length fourth to Quintessential in this race last year before taking out the Brisbane Cup.
Odds: $3.80
2. AKZAR – B Rawiller (3)
After an ultra impressive 6 length win in the Warrnambool Cup, his fourth win from six starts this year, the 7yo gelding stepped up to G1 class and WFA conditions for the first time in his career when contesting last fortnight’s Doomben Cup (2200m). He settled back in the field and was last leaving the 600m. Sticking to the fence as the field turned, he had restricted room in the straight and never had the opportunity to wind up. He finished fourth (2.3 lengths) behind Streama and Leebaz who had dominated proceedings from up front. The bigger Eagle Farm track suits as will the additional 200m of this race. Stable has had him flying all year and he’ll be hitting the line hard.
Odds: $2.60
3. MR. O’CEIRIN – G Boss (4)
Ciaron Maher’s 6yo ran a great half length second to Streama in the G2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at only his second run back from a spell, before finishing seventh (3.9 lengths) to the same in the Doomben Cup a fortnight ago.From a wide gate he found a nice spot fourth in the run and peeled out as the field rounded the turn. Making the run with him on the outside was Junoob who laid in and tightened Mr. O’Ceirin onto Moriarty at the 150m, squeezing the son of Postponed out of contention. Forget that run and go on his Hollindale effort. He could lead here, an advantage in the small field and any cut out of the track will be to his benefit. He’ll take plenty of running down.
Odds: $7.00
4. FLORIA – L Nolen (7)
At her fourth run back from a spell, she got within a head of Tango’s Daughter when second in the G2 Queen Of The South (1600m) in Adelaide before making the trek to Queensland and lining up in the Doomben Cup. The Peter Moody trained mare settled three back on the fence and was disappointing when looking for a run along the fence at the 250m. That slowed her momentum a little but from then onwards, only held her ground in the run home, finishing sixth (2.9 lengths) behind Streama. Honest effort last start, it was her first go at the distance but will find this even no easier.
Odds: $11.00
5. WISTFUL – K McEvoy (2)
Darley’s mare who has finished second at each of her last three starts, including to Leebaz in the G3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) and narrowly to Angel Of Mercy in last week’s G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) The 4yo Tiger Hill mare was scrubbed up from a mid-field position heading into the turn before pulling to the centre of the track and closing strongly late to miss picking Angel Of Mercy, who saved ground and secured a lovely run closer to the fence, up by a nose. Steps up considerably in trip here and tackles a WFA race for the first time in her career however, her recent form as been solid and gave the impression last start that a longer distance will suit. Will have her share of admirers.
Odds: $4.20
6. PERFECT START – M Du Plessis (5)
New Zealand mare who had won of her ten starts in her homeland this year before coming across to contest the G3 Chairman’s Handicap. The daughter of Perfectly Ready settled at the tail of the field and didn’t make much of an impression in the run home, finishing seventh (6.1 lengths). At her next and most recent start, she made ground from the tail of the field to finished fifth (5.6 lengths) in the G3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) behind Zephyron. Rises in both class and weight here and hard to see her figuring in the finish.
Odds: $151.00
7. LAUREN TATE – D Browne (6)
New Zealand mare who boxed on well behind Pretty Pins in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) two starts back when making her Australian debut but followed that up with an average effort in last week’s G2 Premier’s Cup (2200m). Jumping from a wide gate, the 4yo daughter of Pins took up a forward position in the run but was quickly under pressure when the pace picked up heading into the turn. She struggled up the straight to run.
Odds: $41.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Small field here makes for a tricky race. Going to go with Mr. O’Ceirin on top who should make his own luck rolling along out in front. He was excellent in the Hollindale behind in-form Streama and had no luck when starting to make his run in the Doomben Cup. Likewise, Moriarty didn’t have a great deal of room looking for a run closer to the fence and a plus here is Rawiller getting back on board. Rawiller’s last five rides on Moriarty have resulted in three wins and a close up fourth and fifth. From barrier one, he should be positioned to produce his challenge when needed. Akzar just keeps improving and both he and trainer deserve to cap of a tremendous campaign with a big win however, the tempo here will be critical to his chance.
- MR. O’CEIRIN
- MORIARTY
- AKZAR
- WISTFUL
