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LIVE COVERAGE: Eagle Farm 21 December 2019

21 December 2019

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The TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival rolls on this Saturday at Eagle Farm. The nine-race program is highlighted by the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes and the Listed Falvelon Quality.

Follow our live blog for all the comments from jockeys and trainers, photos and race replays from all nine races on the card. 

Race 1 - 12:23PM MAGIC MILLIONS BASIL NOLAN JR QTIS Two-Years-Old Plate (1000 METRES)

1st - Gotta Kiss - Steven O'Dea - Steph Thornton

2nd - Lady Banff - Matthew Dunn - Michael Rodd

3rd - Anders - Maher & Eustace - Mark Zahra

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Trainer - Steven O'Dea

"I think it was a really good win today she probably found herself up there a little bit too soon when she got to the front she wanted to idle off a little bit."

"I think she's going to be even better in a frantically run race two or three pairs back where she can do her best work late."

"She got a little bit hot in the yard today it's still all a little bit new for her but the run will bring her on and I'm looking forward to getting her to the 1200."

"She had the three weeks off and did really well in between put a bit of weight on, she's shown good ability from the get go any never let us down it's exciting to be heading to the Millions."

Jockey - Steph Thornton

"Really pleased with her it takes the pressure off we're in the Millions now and she gave me the feel that the 1200 is going to be ideal."

"We got the gap fairly early in the straight and got up to the leader fairly quickly but she was still running through the line."

Eagle Farm

MAGIC MILLIONS BASIL NOLAN JR QTIS Two-Years-Old Plate 1000m

Race 2 - Memberships at BRC Class 6 Handicap 1000 metres

1st - Rock Beat - Tony & Maddysen Sears - Luke Tarrant

2nd - Ice Forst - Doug Duryea - Andrew Spinks

3rd - Pizonie - Tony Gollan - Steph Thornton

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Trainer - Tony Sears

"He got into a bit of trouble up the back straight and Doomben and was lucky to not go down last start."

"He pulled up a bit lame for a few days after and we thought we might have to tip him out, but everyone in the stable chipped in he got a lot of massages this week and by about Wednesday he was ready to go."

"I was really happy to have Luke (Tarrant) on being a little jockey I think he really could suit this horse and gave him a good ride today."

Jockey - Luke Tarrant

"When I did the speed maps I thought we were going to be forward by Mr Sears said he's a better horse ridden cold and with the speed on it played right into our hands."

"Hot speed or not that turn of foot was blistering he put them away very very quickly, I'd love to retain the ride."

 

Race 3 - 1:33PM TAB QTIS City to Surf 3YO Plate 1600 metres

1st - Guntantes - Robert Heathcote - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Kim Alicia - Desleigh Forster - Mark Du Plessis

3rd - Cellarmaid - Kelly Schweida - Jimmy Orman

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Trainer - Robert Heathcote

"It got a little willing there in the straight you want them to win a bit easier than that at $1.45, but it was good competitive riding and lucky we were smart enough to get there late."

"He needed to be gelded it's done him the world of good he's come back a much more mature horse and has had a really productive prep."

"He's shown us what we wanted this prep, it's time to turn him out now and hopefully come back better again."

Jockey - Robbie Fradd

"There was a bit of race riding but thats what it's about in these small fields."

"I thought he was really good today sticking on when things weren't going his way."

"I think he's a better horse across the rode at Doomben he enjoys that bit of give in the ground gives you a lot more and goes straight."

"Today the las hundred he was lugging in a bit feeling the effects of the track a bit."

"One hundred percent the right time to give him a break, he'll come back a better horse."

Race 4 - 2:12PM TAB Benchmark 80 Handicap 2206 metres

1st - Sir Barnabus - Jason Edwards - Jackson Murphy

2nd Skytrek - Barry Lockwood - Boris Thornton

3rd - Art Attack - Jenny Graham - Mark Du Plessis

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Trainer - Jason Edwards

"The speed was on and Jackson (Murphy) had him in a great position, you always get worried when he gets cluttered up on the fence he's a big horse who needs room to move and the way he was able to weave out won the race."

"Picka Plum drifting off the track probably cost us a length late, he would have been stiff being beat but he kept his momentum coming off his heals."

"He's on the seven day backup, but if he pulls up well we might back him up again for the Shooout next week and I think he's deserved a break after that and I'll bring him back for the Winter Carnival."

Jockey - Jackson Murphy

"He just keeps improving, we always had the right spot from the gate and was able to switch him off while they rolled along out front."

"We got to the 400 and I started to get to work on him and once he got the the outside he's a big striding horse who reigned them in."

"I found the back of the right horse in Equipped and we were able to get there just in time."

 

Race 5 - 2:52PM Mullins Grand Prix Stakes Group Three

1st - Chains of Honour - Gerald Ryan - Mark Zahra

2nd - Mission Phoenix - Mark Newnham - Larry Cassidy

3rd - Mosshiki - Robert Heathcote - Michael Rodd

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Trainer - Gerald Ryan

"He's a promising horse he's got up to this grade a lot quicker than I thought he would he's still got a lot to learn."

"Very fortunate to have Mark Zahra on today when things went pear shaped out of the straight, he worked around them but he didn't do much work getting there and once he dropped anchor I knew they'd have trouble beating him."

"He's a better chaser and is very chilled out which you saw when he wandered around."

"We gelded him early and it's really paid off his demeanour and temperament and excellent for a young horse."

"The whole idea was to see how he went today before tipping him out, I always thought he'd make a good Queensland Derby horse and we'll definitely be back in June."

Jockey - Mark Zahra

"We got posted early but he wasn't pulling and we were able to gradually get around them to the top."

"He relaxed beautifully in front and 600 out I knew he was going to take a world of beating."

 

Race 6 - 3:32PM GIRLS DAY OUT RACEDAY CLASS 3 PLATE 1200 metres

1st - Malahide - Michael Costa - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Churning - Edmonds Racing - Ryan Maloney

3rd - Magic Fox - Kelly Schweida - Adin Thompson

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Trainer - Michael Costa

"She's a handy filly, we do have a lot of time for Phobetor as well and two weeks time there's a nice Class Three/Four at the Gold Coast for $250,000 which looks good for both of them."

"We think Malahide is Group Class she's not the biggest filly in the world but at her best I think she can go with the top liners."

"We'll probably stick to the 1200, but she'll tell us what she likes best."

"I told Robbie (Fradd) just let her settle wherever you land, I have to admit I was a bit worried at the 200 but he timed his run right."

Jockey - Robbie Fradd

"I wanted to get the back of Steve O'Dea's horse and ended up out the back after he didn't carry me into the race, I had to pull out and let go it was a big win."

"She got a bit keen but I think that's just freshness, she pulled out and dug down she'll be better next time."

 

RACE 7 - 4.12PM HAMILTON HOTEL CLASS 6 HANDICAP 1400 METRES

1st - Cruze - Barry Lockwood - Steph Thornton

2nd - Skate To Paris - Chris Munce - Justin Huxtable

3rd - Sofie's Gold Class - Debbie Newham- Robbie Fradd

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Trainer - Barry Lockwood

"He loves Eagle Farm and it was a race he had every chance to win from barrier one and a kilo and a half off the back with Steph (riding), everything fell into place today."

"He'll go to the Magic Millions Cup, he ran in it as a Class two horse last year and went really well and he's far better prepared this time in."

Jockey - Steph Thornton

"Barry (Lockwood) didn't have too many instructions he just said use the gate and you can figure the rest out."

"We got that cosy run on the fence we were looking for and with the Eagle Farm straight there was plenty of time for me to get him out and let down."

RACE 8 - 4:52 PM MAGIC MILLIONS FALVELON QUALITY LISTED 1200 METRES

1st - Isaurian - James Cummings - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Scallopini - Steven O'Dea - Boris Thornton 

3rd - Fiery Heights - Barry Lockwood - Brad Stewart

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Stable Representative - Nacim Dilmi

"Five from five first up he seems to just love running fresh and he's done that off one trial and two runs last prep, very impressive."

"Robbie Fradd only picked up the ride around lunch time after Josh Parr's flight was cancelled, but it didn't take him long to do the form and he was very confident pre-race."

"I was very comfortable during the ride he was wide early but Robbie (Fradd) slotted him in to a great spot."

"Three weeks until his Grand Final and I'm sure he'll be nice and fresh for the big day."

Jockey - Robbie Fradd

"Nice and fresh that's the way he likes it and we always travelled well in the run, I was able to get him some cover without getting too far back and he cruised up and did the rest."

"I knew Scallopini would be coming late but was confident if I pinched a break we could win the race and that's how it played out."

RACE 9 - 5.32PM RACING QUEENSLAND SUMMER SERIES PROVINCIAL FINAL HANDICAP 1300 METRES

1st - Love You Lucy - Barry Squair - Ron Goltz

2nd - Clockwise - Tony Webb - Nathan Evans

3rd - Happy Hooves - Tony Gollan - Michael Rodd

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Trainer - Barry Squair

"She's really picked up this campaign every run I'm getting a bit more out of her, she's won five of her last six with a narrow second."

"She used to carry on in the stalls early in her career so I used to tap her on the back leg with a stick to stop her kicking, it worked because she gets out great nowadays."

"There's not much of her so I still ride her at track work and swing on it keeps me young."

"I stuck with Ronnie (Goltz) he's been with her for her winning streak and why change things."

Jockey - Ron Goltz

"She's been on a terrific run and to top it off with a city winner for Barry (Squair) is fantastic."

"I got to where I wanted to be today and thought I'd got away with it the one out wide dived at us late but she was too good."

"She's a dream to ride she's got a nice long stride and doesn't like being hit with the whip."

"I couldn't tell you when the last Eagle Farm winner I rode was it's been years but what a nice Christmas present."

 

Jockey - Ron Goltz