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Eagle Farm Cup preview

A late addition to tonight's ranks, a preview of the Eagle Farm Cup from a new follower in Manny Galouzis, @mannygalouzis. Hope you enjoy it!
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Formerly known as the P.J O'Shea Stakes, the Eagle Farm Cup is a Group 2 race run over 2200m at Eagle Farm racecourse in Brisbane. The winners list includes a few from this year's field as well as Group 1 winners like Glass Harmonium and even a few champions such as Rough Habit and Tulloch.

With the track already a Slow 7 and a further 20-30mm of rain expected, we look towards horses with a bit of wet form.

1. Scenic Shot

Winner of this race in both 2008 and 2009, this rising 10 year old seems to grow another leg when he comes to Brisbane. He loomed up as a serious threat last start in the Doomben Cup before just being out-paced in the closing 200m. Handles the wet fine and if he brings his best he's a live winning chance.

2. Triple Honour
His last win came in this race in 2010. Showed some sings of life early on this prep but has been only fair in his last two. Wouldn't shock if he came out and won but I can't have him.

3. Ginga Dude
Loves it wet and loves rolling along in front, which he might be able to do here. Won first up over the mile with Triple Honour and Scenic Shot running the placings. The 2200m shouldn't be a problem but I can really only entertain him as a place chance.

4. Booming (SCR)
His last win was in January 2011 and he's never been able to break his Aussie maiden. Ran a lacklustre 8th in the Doomben Cup and couldn't see him finishing much closer in this.

5. Rundle
Has been given a new lease on life since coming up north last year. An ex Lloyd Williams horse, he posted a few nice wins last prep, but in much lesser classes. Ran a good 5th in the Chairman's last start but is meeting a much better group of horses here. Not for mine.

6. Warrior Within
Ran a shocker in the Premier's Cup last week, he's 100/1 an entitled to be. No.

7. Shez Sinsational
Won the 2 mile Auckland Cup in March, then was freshened up for 6 weeks and won first up over 1400m. Went on to win will in the Hollindale but not a great showing in the Doomben Cup. Quite a strange prep in my opinion and don't know how much she is appreciating it. On her best she's a big chance but I couldn't step into the 3/1.

8. Lights of Heaven
Has found one just slightly better in her last two. Seemed to handle the Heavy track in the Hollindale ok. Deserves to be favourite but she certainly is short enough. Should be in the finish, but at even money she won't be carrying any of mine.

9. Fibrillation
A bit of an enigma this horse, but it seems to have found another level this prep. Kicking off well with 2 wins on the trot and then a good second in the Emancipation Stakes, she was running on very nicely to finish 5th last start in the Doomben Cup. Loves it wet and will be thereabouts. I think she represents good value at the 8/1 on offer.

Ginga Dude should take up the lead from barrier 1 with Triple Honour and Lights of Heaven not too far away. Shez Sinsational probably sits midfield with Fibrillation and the rest bring up the rear. Won't be a ridiculous amount of pace but it should be steady enough.

I've settled on Fibrillation. She's flying this prep and based on her last run I think the 2200m suits. Definitely the value in the race in my opinion. For second I've got Lights of Heaven. The class horse of the race, she will be hard to beat. Triple Honour in for third, he should get a lovely run in transit and is a nice place price at ~3/1. Shez Sinsational in for fourth, on her best she's in this up to her ears.

9. Fibrillation
8. Lights of Heaven
2. Triple Honour
7. Shez Sinsational

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