Midweek racing in Queensland comes to us from Eagle Farm this Wednesday where nine races are scheduled to be run and won.
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The track at time of publication is rated a Soft 6 but we could see a downgrade with showers forecast. The rail is out a massive 11m the entire course.
We've studied the form and provided our top selections in each race below.
RACE 1 - 12:00PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
This is a tricky way to start the day with all two-year-olds facing the starter for the first time in a race.
Hearts Are Better (7) looked good in a 650m trial at Deagon where he jumped to the front before gapping his rivals in the straight despite not being asked for an effort to win by 5.5 lengths in good time.
That was three weeks ago so no doubt the O'Dea Hoysted team have put more work into him since then to have him ready for a bold showing.
The inside barrier is a massive advantage which should see Justin Huxtable settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Hearts Are Better (7)
RACE 2 - 12:33PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
A slow start cost Provance (2) the chance of winning on debut at Doomben over 1100m last start.
The David Vandyke-trained Star Witness colt was forced to settle back after missing the kick, but to his credit he finished off nicely for a 1.3 length second.
He'll strip fitter second-up and draws to get a lovely run.
Top jockey Ryan Maloney remains in the saddle and boasts an impressive 32% winning strike-rate when teaming up with 'DVD'.
1 Unit – Provance (2)
RACE 3 - 1:08PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Payline (7) resumes here on the back of a nice trial where he settled back and charged to the line under a hold to finish a nose second.
The Chris Munce-trained gelding had a luckless last preparation where he should have broken his maiden status in at least two of his four races.
He boasts an exceptional turn of foot so the key to him is to not rush forward early and to allow him to settle into his rhythm. Those tactics should work well here from the good barrier with a likely strong speed.
Tahlia Fenlon's 3kg claim is a big advantage under the set weight conditions of the race.
1 Unit – Payline (7)
RACE 4 - 1:43PM: BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Ichiban (7) was scratched from race 5 against his own age over this distance to take on this easier line-up.
The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old gelding won first-up over 1640m at Doomben before two solid outings where he wasn't beaten by more than 1.4 lengths.
Last start he was heavily backed when stepping up to 2020m and he almost got the cash, charging to the line to finish a neck second.
He's rock hard fit and makes to get a great run for Jimmy Orman in a race that lacks speed.
1 Unit – Ichiban (7)
RACE 5 - 2:18PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Hiyaam Proud (4) ventures north for Victorian trainer Matt Laurie following a debut win.
The son of Pride Of Dubai settled outside the lead over 1500m at Geelong before sprinting hard and fast to win by 1.3 lengths.
The way he let down suggests that the rise in trip will suit.
Laurie no doubt has brought his gelding to Eagle Farm for the Carnival and it should not go unnoticed that Ethan Brown is here for just the one ride.
2 Units – Hiyaam Proud (4)
RACE 6 - 2:53PM: Maiden Plate (1400 METRES)
Flywheel (4) will appreciate the massive drop in class after an excellent run in the Listed Daybreak Lover last start.
The Rob Heathcote-trained raced wide but still fought on well to finish 3.4 lengths fifth over this course and distance.
Prior to that he was beaten a nose at Ipswich over 1350m by the undefeated Exceed Speed so he's close to a win.
Martin Harley should be able to settle in a prominent position and give him every chance to breakthrough for a maiden win.
1 Unit – Flywheel (4)
RACE 7 - 3:28PM: Class 5 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Brookhaven (2) was last seen a month ago working home well from the back to finish 6.1 lengths seventh over 1600m here.
The Chris Munce-trained son of Spieth charged home two starts back to win by two lengths over 1400m at this track so 1500m should be in his sweet spot.
Being a month between runs will put some freshness in his legs so I see that as a positive.
Martin Harley can settle off what looks a decent speed before launching in the straight.
1 Unit – Brookhaven (2)
RACE 8 - 4:03PM: Class 1 Handicap (1400 METRES)Boom In The Dark (5) improved significantly from his disappointing debut performance to his second race start when working to the line well at Doomben to finish third to South Sea by 1.8 lengths.
That upward trajectory continued third-up for the Tony Golan-trained three-year-old gelding when easily accounting for his rivals last start over 1200m at Doomben by 2.5 lengths.
He's at peak fitness now and is drawn to get the run of the race.
2 Units – Boom In The Dark (5)
RACE 9 - 4:38PM: BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)Metalart (9) has started his career in fine style with wins in both his races.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Better Than Ready resumes from a 7-week let-up but does race well fresh given he led all the way on debut for a 1.8 lengths over 1200m at Doomben.
He followed that up with a length victory over 1350m when coming from off the speed to run them down.
That versatility will come in handy given he has drawn wide for Michael Rodd.
1 Unit – Metalart (9)
