TATTERSALL'S TIARA G1

RACE 8 - 1400m F&M WFA

FIRESTORM / TASHI / OLENTIA

The Chris Waller-trained FIRESTORM should be very close to producing her best after a sound fresh up third in the Gr.3 Dane Ripper at Eagle Farm. The SATONO ALADDIN mare appears well suited going up to 1400m, and she has run over much further, however far less effectively. No pace on in the Gr.1 Doncaster which didn't help much, but she ate up ground for a brilliant 2nd to LADY SHENANDOAH in the Gr.1 Coolmore back in March. Wasn't pushed too hard in that effective first up effort so likely to be very sharp and good too go.

☆☆☆☆

TASHI could be highly competitive here and this may be her best chance of landing a G1. The SEBRING mare trained by Peter Snowden finished runner-up the last three and and kept finding in both recent 1300m runs at Eagle Farm. While held last start in the Gr.2 Dane Ripper, the horse showed strong performance once out the final 400m, despite limited time to recover revs. This exceptional mare boasts a consistent record in 20 starts and will be impeccably prepared for the 1400m distance.

☆☆☆

The ZOUSTAR mare OLENTIA was bumped and drifted back in the Gr.2 Dane Ripper at Eagle Farm last start but couldn't go on with it from the 200m when asked to go. The Waller-trained mare was very tidy in the Spring, but far too often allows herself to be trapped in behind runners before producing a late burst of speed. What is required is a clever steer from Damien Thornton, and if saved for one last shot at them, she could be lethal over the final stretch. Dynamic at best but certainly some risk involved.

☆☆

TATTERSALL'S CUP G3

RACE 5 - 2400m

HEZASHOCKA / MORMONA / MANZOICE

The Price/Kent Jnr trained HEZASHOCKA looks ripe for the picking after a sound effort for 5th over 2400m in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Eagle Farm last start. Made good ground for 2nd in tge Gr.3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick, but the bird had flown. Missed our on the Gosford Cup after winning it last year, however followed the same path as 2024 and should be in fantastic shape to face this trip once again.

☆☆☆☆

The French imported mare MORMONA has settled towards the rear the last couple in Sydney and offered very little. Needs to find that form that saw the Grey gelding run 2nd in the Listed Queensland Cup (2400m) back in October 2024. Finished well but peaked when 3rd over 2800m at Flemington in the Bagot Hcp and kept coming steadily in the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm. Expecting much better here for the Archibald trained gelding and one that may surprise.

☆☆☆

The Chris Waller trained MANZOICE is a G1 winner who ran in last year's Melbourne Cup, and the five-year old ALMANZOR gelding is a fine staying talent. Finished 2nd at Eagle Farm over 1835m, then 3rd over 2000m at Doomben. Warmed up late in the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) last start, however fitness levels should be peaked at maximum and coming back in trip by 800m is ideal. Does loom as a major threat and well worth including.

☆☆

WJ HEALY STAKES G3

RACE 9 - 1200m

APPIN GIRL / BARBER / MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO

The Matty Hoysted trained APPIN GIRL kept finding in a sound run for 3rd in the Listed Hinkler Hcp (1200m) here two weeks ago and we picked the CAPITALIST mare to go well. Finished 2nd in the Listed Tatts Classic in November, then lost momentum in the Gold Market on the GC in January. Race not run to suit resuming fresh at Doomben, before running on while appreciating a Good 4 surface last start. Not the kindest draw, but an under-rated type worth a buck each way at these odds. Natural improvement towards peak fitness could see her coming through late.

☆☆☆☆

BARBER is a talented sprinter who transferred from the James Cummings stables to Richard Litt in November 2024. The EXCEED AND EXCEL gelding resumed in April with a dubious ride when 3rd at Canterbury Park over 1100m before winning the Listed Takeover Target (1200m) at Gosford where he just kept finding to the line. Slow away in the Bob Charley last start, but had no favours when trapped out on a limb and an easy forgive. Drawn well here for Jordan Childs and can bounce back with a dynamic performance. Can win.

☆☆☆

A long shot worth considering is MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO, whose strong performance in Queensland and consistent presence during the winter carnival warrant attention. Steadied off heels at the 300m when 3rd in the Listed Bright Shadow at Doomben, before giving all but collared late at the 50m in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes. Rachel King gets a chance to ride the KOBAYASHI mare from the Archibald stable, and he is drawn to be right in this. Should be in sharp condition 3rd up, but best with soft footing.

☆☆

BATTLE OF THE BUSH FINAL 2025

RACE 3 - 1200m

HERESAY / PESHWA / RECRUITER

John Manzelmann trains the STAR WITNESS mare HERESAY up North and she won the last two at McKay over 1560m and the Qualifier at Atherton over 1200m. Has performed well up to the mile but loves to run handy and possesses a very effective sprint kick. Could really dish it up here once turning for home only only needs minimal space to throw down a late thrust. Wasn't terrible racing in Brisbane metro grade a few years ago, so definitely worthy of finally winning one in town. Could make bush tucker of this lot.

☆☆☆☆

PESHWA qualified for the Battle for the Bush when winning over 1175m at Burrandowan, but the TAPIT mare hard work of it by running wide, bumping another competitor and laying in the final part. The Grey gelding is potentially a little headstrong and doesn't know how to relax in the running, however Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch is a wise individual who prepped him with a quiet 1400m run in the Gayndah CUP last start. Looks a reasonable chance here.

☆☆☆

RECRUITER is an ultra consistent DEEP FIELD gelding from the Ricky Ludwig stable at Atherton after moving North from team Hawkes in Sydney. Performed well in lowly Benchmark races over shorter at Mareeba and Innisfail before a tidy win over 1300m at Townsville. Won the Qualifier over 1400m at Mareeba before a final preperation run for 2nd over 1200m on his home course two weeks ago. Over races and often too keen for his own good but sure to be up there for a long way. Ace gate a big bonus, as is jockey Tim Clark.

☆☆

TATTERSALL'S MILE (L)

RACE 7 - 1600m

RISING PACIFIC / DEMOCRACY MANIFEST / DEMON DARB

The Tony Gollan barn have a booming horse in RISING PACIFIC who has done little wrong in winning this prep. Won at Eagle Farm over the mile twice in March before winning well there again over 1835m. Not the easiest run last start in the Listed Spear Chief (1500m), although the PREFERMENT gelding halved the margin when finally clear. Loves it here and the trip, so only needs a wise steer from Mallyon to get into the finish, although this hoop can sometimes get it totally wrong which is a concern.

☆☆☆☆

Few punters will want to touch DEMOCRACY MANIFEST as an unpredictable type resuming, however the Waller-trained gelding is super talented on his day and shouldn't be completely ruled out. The FLYING ARTIE gelding has had occasional periods of poor performance, and his most recent strong showing was a third-place finish in the Gr.3 Craven Plate at Randwick in October 2024. Didn't seem to enjoy the trip to Perth and underperformed, then not suited by the early fast tempo resuming in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) up here three weeks ago. Nevertheless, he will strip much fitter and has a stonking finish if the race is run to suit. One for a price and the class horse in this field.

☆☆☆

Possibly worth giving DEMON DARB another chance as the PIERRO gelding was never going to be suited by the set up last start and appears much better off here. Won over the mile here in April before an even effort for 3rd on a Heavy 8 across the road at Doomben. Strong to the line and all over at the 200m when dealing to them back on his favoured Eagle Farm, but hampered early up against the brilliant Kiwi PIER in the Listed Wayne Wilson and never gave a shout. Awkwardly drawn but a Heathecote star who loves it here and Emily Lang can probably extract a late burst with some cover.

☆☆

TATTERSALL'S GOLD CROWN (L)

RACE 6 - 2100m

MARE OF ST BULLER / QUIETNESS / PULCHRITUDINOUS

MARE OF ST BULLER took out the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in March, thanks to a perfect ride from Zac Lloyd on the Chris Waller-trained mare. Stuck back 12 Lengths off them from a wide draw in The Coast at Gosford but ran on strongly for 3rd. Trapped out on a limb last start in the MM National Classic (1600m) here at the Farm and did well once again from a rotten gate. Finally lands a good one and JMac can get her home. Best of the day by a margin.

☆☆☆☆☆

QUIETNESS is an interesting runner who was scratched from Rosehill to head up North this weekend. The UK imported mare made ground in her first run over the mile on Australian soil, and it wasn't a bad effort at the Randwick mile. Fair bit of the unknown, however the BATED BREATH mare now trained by the O'Shea/Charlton team was a very good filly in England with 5 wins from 9 raceday starts, with a formline that read: 2333111211 up to 2414m. Should strip in sharper condition with Tommy Berry in the saddle and it would be no surprise to see her put in a dynamic performance up in trip. Keep very safe.

☆☆☆

The former Kiwi PULCHRITUDINOUS may be up against it a bit here, however she was a promising 3yo stayer who won the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes, before winning the Gr.1 NZ OAKS (2400m) with a powerful finish at Trentham, beating home a progressive young horse in POSITIVITY. Transfered to the astute Gai/Bott stables in Sydney, she finally showed her true worth when narrowly winning the Gr.3 MM Fillies & Mares Mile at Doomben in May. Kept coming last start over the mile on this track, but likely to appreciate the step up in trip, and ideally, a firmer surface. Handles the weight, then a real chance.

☆☆

TATTERSALL'S STAKES (L)

RACE 4 - 1400m 2YO

AUTUMN BOY / BRAVE DESIGN / ROYAL CHIC

James McDonald will ride THE AUTUMN SUN colt AUTUMN BOY who ran on strongly to win on debut over 1250m at Canterbury Park three weeks ago. Waller looks to turn him around and come north aiming for an easy kill and his potential is thus far untapped. The colt is by an unraced NZ mare ROSEGARDEN by SAVABEEL out of a brilliant racemare O'Reilly Rose who won 8 from 15 in New Zealand. Some faith required here, although he should get every chance with the golden boy aboard.

☆☆☆☆

BRAVE DESIGN has more experience and has looked fairly dynamic as a progressive young talent. The BRAVE SMASH colt was close up twice at Flemington, including a nice 2nd in the VRC Sires Produce Stakes. Found one better again in the Gr.3 David Coles at Morphettville in May, then went forward in atrocious conditions at Eagle Farm to capture 4th place. Far too good for them in the Listed Oxlade back on a Good 3 here over 1200m and he will be hard to hold out if not pressed in the early stages over 1400m. Drawn to win it really.

☆☆☆

The Archibald trained ROYAL CHIC is worth keeping an eye on going up in trip and we don't believe you can entirely rule out this filly. Resumed after a couple of promising runs around the New Year and was forced forward from an inside draw to stay with the front-runners. Had her chance when dueling from the 100m, and finished a credible 2nd. Slow away but found the line well for 3rd in the Listed Oxlade Stakes last start suggesting the filly is on the improve and has gained more confidence through racing. Will need to produce her best yet.

☆☆

BEST BET: MARE OF ST BULLER

NEXT BEST: FIRESTORM

BEST VALUE: HERESAY

LONGSHOT: BARBER