Eagle Farm 23 Aug 2025
GOING: S(5)
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TRACKSIDE WITH RICKY PONTING BENCHMARK 78 Handicap 2206m Track: Soft 5 Clear (Max: 24) Rail: +7m Entire. (Pent: 5.85) |
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A strong tempo is assured with Bitoftheblarney and The Irish leading the charge. BENGAL BOY (2) returned to form with a strong win here at the latest effort and will have derived some confidence from that breakthrough effort. Gets 2kg off with the claim and think he can go on with that now and post another winning result. Speaking of winning from, GUARDED OPTIMIST (6) has strung three wins together on the bounce in lesser grade and has earned his shot at this level. Hard to ignore winning form and he goes in as a key threat. THE IRISH (9) has a handy record over this distance range with two wins and three placings from eight attempts. One of the better hopes. BITOFTHEBLARNEY (10) best of the rest from the inside alley. SUGGESTED PLAY: Leaning towards Bengal Boy.
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| 1 | 0x828 |
CANBERRA LEGEND
CHRIS WALLER 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 60.0KG Legend Racing (Mgr: K K Ho) Dual acceptor. Last start didn't do much in the run home; second last of 9 at Rosehill Bm78 on August 2 over 2000m, on heavy track; 26 len behind Juja Kibo with 59.5kg at $12. Before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 at Randwick Bm88 on July 12 over 1800m, slow going 0.5 len behind Royal Supremacy carrying 53.5kg at $15. Worth following up. |
2 JACE MCMURRAY |
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| 2 | 42451 |
BENGAL BOY
KRIS LEES 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG O T I Racing (Mgr: T F Henderson), R Menchise, J P Spence, Mrs J T Spence, A H Goodfellow, N J McKissock, M P Stone, P A Tasker, Adelante Racing (Mgr: G F Debono), Mrs A G Stone, L D Freeman, Mrs L J Freeman, Beartown 33 (Mgr: B B Martin Oam), A J C Pianta & P N Mansfield At the latest run won by 1.5 len at this track Bm78 August 9 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Bitoftheblarney carrying 56.5kg at $7.50. The start before that 5th of 13 at Doomben Bm78 on July 26 over 2200m, on a wet track; 6 len behind The Irish with 56kg at $9.50. Should put in a bold showing on latest run. |
14 BENJAMIN OSMOND |
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| 3 | 14774 |
KHOR
DECLAN MAHER 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG R A E Lyons, E J Hornbrook, P D Harrison, D Harrison, P N Kean, B J Anderton, Mrs L E Anderton, F K Butler, Mrs K M Butler & J P Van Duuren Comes here off a 38-day let-up. Most recently 4th of 9 at Grafton Rural Cl6 on July 16 over 2200m, 4 len behind Magicon carrying 57.5kg at $4.80. Before that 7th of 10 at Gold Coast Bm78 on May 23 over 2213m, slow going 7 len behind Akrotiri carrying 58.5kg at $14. Hard to ignore the recent efforts so happy to overlook. |
9 JAG GUTHMANN-CHESTER |
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| 4 | 13343 |
PIGGYBACK
CIARON MAHER 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 58.0KG Dynamic Syndications Racing (Mgr: D W Watt), S D Murray, S J Brereton, P S Chiu, M R Egan, M R Alston, L C Griffiths, A L Giddings, Ya Beaten, J Caspersz, R Boekel, S L Lamont, Pig Sty, J Yianni, TS, Ohh Eight & G R Glynn Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. Last start held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Rosehill Bm78 on August 2 over 2000m, on heavy track; 2.25 len behind Juja Kibo carrying 56.5kg at $4.60. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 at Randwick 3&4yo Bm78 on July 12 over 1800m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Aberlour carrying 55.5kg at $3.50. Can go on with the job now. |
6 M HARLEY |
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| 5 | 71473 |
TWIGMAN
PAUL SHAILER 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG Magic Bloodstock Racing (Mgr: P G Tighe), J P Tighe, Mrs N Lloyd & A Williams Last start 3rd of 11 at Beaudesert Bm78 on August 16 over 1650m, 1.2 len behind Chayse 'N' Artie carrying 57kg at $3.30. The race before that 7th of 12 at Coffs Harbour Ken Howard on August 1 over 2000m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Barazin with 57kg at $2.50. Wasn’t too far off the mark last time. Should be thereabouts. |
10 JASPER FRANKLIN |
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| 6 | 24111 |
GUARDED OPTIMIST
PAUL SHAILER 5YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG Newington Farm (Mgr: S Wilson), J R Makepeace, HJ Haydon, S Wilson, S M Watts, J M Hynes, S Haydon, Onestorm Racing (Mgr: G Felstead), Ms S Plangklang, S P Davis, T J Ferguson, R McMaster & P L Shailer On a three run winning streak. Last start came from midfield and won by 2.5 len at Sunshine Coast Bm65 August 15 over 2200m on a rain affected track defeating Hell Follows with 60.5kg at $5. The race before that came from midfield and won by a head at Gold Coast Bm65 August 2 over 1800m in soft going defeating Family Of League with 58.5kg at $4.80. Rates highly. Expected to measure up. |
6 DYLAN TURNER |
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| 7 | 26x91 |
MISTRESSOFILLUSION
CHRIS WALLER 5YO GREY MARE 56.0KG OnTrack Mistressofillusion No 1 (G J Morgan), OnTrack Mistressofillusion No 2 (G J Morgan), Don't Tell Catherine (P A Serong), W Clark, P R Mcgavin, P McClintock, R Richardson, H Armitage, Riddla & The Riff (J A Swannell), J Bristow, J Wilson, Mrs C Morrison, Mrs L Robertson, B Schwartz & A Rosen Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up second last of 10 at this track Cl3 on July 23 over 1800m, 6 len behind Victory Command with 57kg at $14. Second-up won by 0.5 len at Doomben Cl3 August 6 over 2040m defeating Miss Chenery carrying 59kg at $8.50. Can't tip based on recent efforts. |
12 BEN THOMPSON |
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| 8 | 28x96 |
ALDEENAARY
CHRIS WALLER 7YO B/BR GELDING 56.0KG R C Callander, S Saric, Mrs J C Saric, P Webster, P J Gray, R Clarke, P A Clarke, Whitby Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: M J Whitby), D M Kennedy, B M Farrell, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: N R J Werrett), S M Filipek, S Marasovic, Ms B K Callander, Miss J K Callander & N B I Racing (Mgr: P A Clarke) Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 9th of 11 at Randwick Kensington Cg&E Bm72 on July 16 over 1550m, slow going 6 len behind Mornington Pier carrying 57kg at $101. Second run from a spell ran last in a small field at Canterbury Bm72 on August 6 over 1900m, in the wet; 10 len behind The Years with 60kg at $21. This looks a tough test. |
3 KYLE WILSON-TAYLOR |
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| 9 | 36381 |
THE IRISH
JAMES HEALY 5YO BROWN GELDING 55.0KG S Jurkiewicz, Mrs J Jurkiewicz & M S Keeley Last start ran on from midfield and won by 4 len at Doomben Bm78 July 26 over 2200m in heavy going defeating Bitoftheblarney with 52.5kg at $16. The start before that 8th of 14 at this track Bm68 on July 2 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Savannah Gangster with 56kg at $16. Racing well and can feature again. |
7 SIOBHAN RUTLEDGE |
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| 10 | 92122 |
BITOFTHEBLARNEY
CHRIS WALLER 6YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG A J A Bosma, P R Baker, T J Cunneen, P C Faul, G F Wade, C D Prescott, P J Barker, B F Grafas, J W D'Arcy, M A McLaughlan, Mrs C G Donaldson, Mrs L Robinson, Ms S E Stewart & A J Prescott Form hard to fault. At the latest run rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 11 at this track Bm78 on August 9 over 2400m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Bengal Boy carrying 55.5kg at $6. Before that held ground to the line 2nd of 13 at Doomben Bm78 on July 26 over 2200m, on a wet track; 4 len behind The Irish with 54.5kg at $8. Racing well and can break through this time. |
1 JAKE BAYLISS |
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| 11 | 88046 |
ARTFUL GIRL
KEVIN KEMP 6YO B/BR MARE 54.0KG Rumbles Rural (Mgr: Ms J E Kirley) Most recently 6th of 11 at this track Bm78 on August 9 over 2400m, slow going 9 len behind Bengal Boy carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. The run before that 4th of 13 at Doomben Bm78 on July 26 over 2200m, on heavy track; 5 len behind The Irish with 55kg at $14. A better run is on the cards. |
13 EMILY LANG |
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| 12 | 30363 |
CELESTIAL FURY
ROBERT HEATHCOTE 7YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG D Watling, The Penske File (Mgr: L Willoughby), G B Williamson, C I Boardman, M J Howard, R A Templeton, G Pacchiarotta, S J Brown, A J Pratt, C Noyce, M Smith, The AJ And S (Mgr: S M Hutchings), M Engeman & C I McGrath At the latest run 3rd of 11 at this track Bm78 on August 9 over 2400m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Bengal Boy with 53.5kg at $10. The start before that 6th of 13 at Doomben Bm78 on July 26 over 2200m, on heavy track; 6 len behind The Irish carrying 54.5kg at $7.50. In a suitable race and is worth including. |
8 ANGELA JONES |
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| 13 | 55x54 |
OLD SONG
SCOTT MORRISEY 6YO CHESTNUT MARE 54.0KG C S Flynn, B J Bodkin, D M Evans, D J Hannay, P T Hope, P D Jones, T W West, D P Donoghue, Miss C Swain, J Swain, Mrs J Swain & T T Campbell Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up got back early 5th of 9 at this track Bm78 on July 19 over 1600m, slow going 3 len behind Yet He Moves with 54kg at $10. Second run from a spell came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 8 at this track Bm78 on August 2 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Galifianakis carrying 54kg at $9.50. Won't find this easy. |
5 ROBBIE DOLAN |
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| 14 | 75175 |
BACKLIT BEAUTY
ALLAN CHAU 6YO BAY MARE 54.0KG H L Chau, Miss Y Yang, G R Youngberry, J Prosper & Miss M L McIntyre At the latest run 5th of 10 at Gold Coast Bm65 on August 2 over 1800m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Guarded Optimist with 57kg at $26. Before that 7th of 10 at Gold Coast Cl4 on July 12 over 1800m, slow going 1.75 len behind Menazzi carrying 54kg at $5. Will be tested. |
4 TAHLIA FENLON |
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| 15 | 5x454 |
AKKADIAN EMPEROR
ANNABEL & ROB ARCHIBALD 4YO BAY GELDING 53.0KG C E Holt, Mrs S M Gorst, K J Marr, R W Wilson, P Bolt, R W Gamble, Mrs S J Gamble, G D Bayliss, T Edwards, B A Tonkin, M J Miller, P L Ward, Mrs B M Phelan, M T Phelan, H Tam, M Vella, Hon. G J Williamson, Miss A S Neasham & GCM Racing Club Most recently from last on the turn 4th of 8 at Doomben Cl3 on August 6 over 2040m, 2.5 len behind Mistressofillusion with 58kg at $2.25. Before that 5th of 11 at Canterbury Bm72 on July 23 over 1900m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Sly Boots carrying 57kg at $14. Definite winning chance. Capable of a lot more; worth another chance. |
11 HEAVELON VAN DER HOVEN |
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