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The Queensland Summer Racing Carnival heats up this Saturday at Eagle Farm with the running of The Gateway Day.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Ten races will be run and won with the winning connections of The Gateway earning a slot in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap where they will have the option to run their own horse or negotiate with other owners and trainers to fill their slot in Queensland's most famous race.
Other highlights on the card include the Listed Phelan Ready and Calaway Gal where the two-year-olds will be looking to cement their spot in the Magic Millions Classic.
The Bribie and Ladbrokes Just Now round out black-type racing on what looks like a cracking meeting.
We've provided our top selections in each race below.
RACE 1 - 1:03PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2400 METRES)
Kureder (4) has been racing in a purple patch of form with three wins from his past four starts including back-to-back wins in his two most recent races.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old gelding rounded up a similar field last start over 2200m Doomben before racing away for an easy 1.5 length victory.
Two starts back he won over this course and distance with something in hand.
He rises just half a kilogram following his last start win and maps to get a great run for Jimmy Orman.
RACE 2 - 1:38PM: RQ SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES FINAL (1300 METRES)
Miss Tambo (14) is an honest mare from the Tony Gollan stable that is rarely far away.
The daughter of Smart Missile raced three-wide the trip but still fought strongly to win over 1350m at Doomben two starts ago before placing at the same course last start.
Three starts back she once again covered extra ground when finishing second by just under a length over this course and distance.
Ben Thompson takes the ride with just 53.5kg and will need some luck from the wide gate but there looks to be good speed in the race which helps.
RACE 3 - 2:13PM: LISTED PHELAN READY (1000 METRES)
Spywire (1) gave them a galloping lesson on debut at Rosehill over 1100m.
The Maher and Eustace-trained two-year-old colt was highly impressive, jumping straight to the front and dashing clear to win comfortably by 2.3 lengths with a further four lengths back to third.
He's drawn barrier six of seven, but Ryan Maloney should have no issue crossing to lead or box seat.
The promising son of Trapeze Artist should put a gap in them and continue his march towards Magic Millions.
3 Units – Spywire (1) to win by 2+ lengths
RACE 4 - 2:48PM: LISTED CALAWAY GAL (1000 METRES)
Barbie's Sister (5) showed an abundance of speed when winning a Deagon trial in slick time prior to her debut at the Sunshine Coast.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Spirit Of Boom looked like she was going to romp in but got lost when she found herself a few lengths in front.
She was swamped late to finish second by a neck.
The pre-race ear muffs go on and she's drawn perfectly in barrier 1 for Jimmy Orman so I'm expecting a big bounce back second-up.
RACE 5 - 3:28PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400 METRES)
Weigall Tiger (3) has come back this preparation in scintillating fashion with three wins from as many starts.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding won his maiden at Sunshine Coast and then a Benchmark 65 Handicap at Ipswich before coming to town last start.
He created a massive impression by putting a Saturday field away by 4.8 lengths while appearing to have plenty left in the tank.
It's been five weeks since that win, and he does perform best with his runs spaced.
From barrier 3, Cejay Graham who claims 1.5kg, can enjoy a sweet run on speed.
RACE 6 - 4:08PM: LISTED BRIBIE HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Shooting For Gold (2) looks ready for a peak performance following two very good runs to start this campaign.
The O'Dea and Hoysted-trained six-year-old gelding ran on strongly last start in the Swiss Ace Plate at the Sunshine Coast to finish second to Nettuno by two lengths.
That was despite racing wide throughout.
Unlike his first two races this preparation, he draws nicely in barrier 2 which should see Justin Huxtable settle a touch closer in the run.
He has a great record over this course and distance and if he gets clear air, he'll be right in the finish.
1 Unit – Shooting For Gold (2)
RACE 7 - 4:48PM: LISTED LADBROKES JUST NOW (1300 METRES)
Better Get Set (3) won the Listed Just Now last year and is racing in the type of form to suggest she can can win back-to-back titles.
The O'Dea and Hoysted-trained Better Than Ready mare found the line strongly when resuming last start in the Listed Tatts Classic at Doomben.
The winner, Comrade Rosa, had a slightly better run in the straight which saw 'Betty' finish second by a length.
She'll have come on since that run and has raced well when second-up in the past.
Ben Thompson can give her a great run on speed from barrier 6.
RACE 8 - 5:28PM: THE GATEWAY (1400 METRES)
Queensland's premier trainer Tony Gollan really wants to book a spot in next year's Stradbroke Handicap with no fewer than seven of the stable's horses looking to win the 2023 The Gateway.
I'm with 'Big Tone' and will throw my support behind one of his, Freedom Rally (5).
The four-year-old gelding resumed at the Sunshine Coast last start and made good ground at the end of 1200m to finish second to The Face, who has since won again.
He loves Eagle Farm, having won all three starts at the track including last preparation when romping in over this distance.
He's undefeated second-up and will get every chance with Jimmy Orman in the irons.
RACE 9 - 6:05PM: BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Helluva Barty (17) signalled he was in for a good preparation when storming past his rivals to win easily at Doomben first-up.
The O'Dea and Hoysted-trained son of Hellbent settled too far back last start at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m but found the line strongly to finish a length second to Standing Order.
He'll strip fitter third-up but amazingly he's never got this deep into a preparation which is a good sign to the condition he is.
Justin Huxtable is building a good combination with this guy and will just need to find the gaps in the straight to be fighting out the finish.
RACE 10 - 6:41PM: BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Evocator (5) hasn't run a bad race since joining the Barry Lockwood stable in August.
The five-year-old gelding won over 1400m at this track first-up before returning here two starts ago and going within a whisker of winning again.
Last start he raced wide over 1350m at Doomben and it told with him weakening late to finish third by 2.7 lengths.
He's since been back to the trials where he worked home nicely.
Martin Harley can settle midfield or better from the inside gate before letting him loose in the straight.
