Australian racing picks for Eagle Farm

The Brisbane Winter Carnival celebrates its biggest meeting tonight, when Eagle Farm hosts two G1 races, the Stradbroke H. and J.J. Atkins.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the huge crowd that is usually in attendance won’t be there, and normally there is a few more G1 races on the program, but there is still a high-quality, nine-race card available for BetAmerica horseplayers.

Royal Randwick, Flemington, and the Gold Coast are the other three Aussie Thoroughbred venues available tonight, but let’s focus on Eagle Farm.

Here are a few picks!

Race 1, #2 Advance Warning

This 5-year-old gelding from the barn of leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan has a great chance at nice odds. He has been racing well this prep, particularly in his last start, when he scored a gutsy win at the Gold Coast over the same distance he'll contest tonight. He has won three times in four attempts at the distance.

Advance Warning should appreciate a firmer surface tonight. He will likely settle mid-field or worse, so look out for him to finish over the top of them down the stretch.

Race 4, #14 Red Stina

I love the way this mare hit the line for a tough win at Eagle Farm last start. That win was over the same distance she'll contest tonight, and she is carrying around eight pounds less!

Jockey Stephanie Thornton sticks, and she will be able to put Red Stina in a handy position from the draw.

The 4-1 morning-line odds look just about right.

Race 7, #14 Macroura

To the first G1 on the card, and I’m keen on Macroura to make it 4 wins form as many starts tonight.

Macroura has improved each time she has stepped out, and her last win at Rosehill was sensational. As legendary Australian race caller Darren Flindell said, she went “bang” inside the final furlong.

Macroura will step up to 7 furlongs for the first time, but she is bred to get the trip and has given every indication she will appreciate the extra distance. From the perfect barrier, she should get a dream run just behind the speed and hopefully prove too strong.

The other G1 of the night, the Stradbroke (Race 8), looks tough, so I’m not confident enough to declare anything. However, I might throw a win/place/show bet on #15 Bam’s On Fire.

Good luck tonight!