Only eight runners have been confirmed in the final field for the 2016 Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) in Brisbane on Saturday, but the race is undoubtedly shaping as one of the day’s most highly-anticipated races, owing to the depth of class.
Mighty Lucky has been confirmed in the 2016 Eagle Farm Cup field. Photo: Steve Hart
Mighty Lucky charged home to win the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1615m) at Doomben last weekend and has been confirmed to back up in the Eagle Farm Cup, from the ideal barrier 2.
Capping a typically smart 2015 campaign with success in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m), Mighty Lucky returned this time with a strong performance to beat a talented field to the line in the Royal Randwick 100 (1400m) on April 16th.
Progressing to second in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m), the Casino Prince gelding was luckless when sixth in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m), but responded in the best way possible last weekend.
Puccini charged home for second in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) last weekend, and has also been confirmed to back up in the 2016 Eagle Farm Cup field.
Running fourth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) on March 26th, Puccini again finished just off the pace when fourth in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on April 2nd.
Failing to make anything of an impact or beat a single runner home in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 7th, Puccini’s performance last weekend suggests he will be tough to beat in the Eagle Farm Cup.
Adirondack has returned to racing in slick form this time but may require luck in running in the Eagle Farm Cup from the outside barrier.
Beginning his racing career in the Godolphin fold, Adirondack was sold and transferred to the care of Shawn Mathrick at the conclusion of his 2015 campaign.
Winning the Mitty’s BM70 (1800m) at Morphettville on March 5th, the Lonhro gelding ran a close second in the Stony Creek Cup (2100m) before a luckless run for fifth in the Bill Collins BM78 (2400m) on March 26th.
Having produced a career-best performance to win the Vobis Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield on April 16th, Adirondack has since finished third in the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) and fifth in the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m).
Talented local Col ‘N’ Lil carries winning form into the Eagle Farm Cup and should find a good position in transit from barrier 6, while Maurus (barrier 5) should relish a step-up in distance and step back in class from a last-start fifth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) a fortnight ago.
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2016 Eagle Farm Cup Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43151×1261 | MIGHTY LUCKY | Fred Cowell | Ms Tegan Harrison | 2 | 59kg | 107 |
| 2 | 20×0304402 | PUCCINI (NZ) | Darren Weir | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 59kg | 102 |
| 3 | 1641125135 | ADIRONDACK | Shawn Mathrick | Darren Gauci | 8 | 59kg | 82 |
| 4 | 1x120x2315 | MAURUS (GB) | David Vandyke | Blake Shinn | 5 | 59kg | 99 |
| 5 | 590×611034 | VOLKSTOK’N’BARRELL (NZ) | Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs | James McDonald | 4 | 59kg | 109 |
| 6 | 233×162521 | COL ’N’ LIL | Ben Currie | Josh Oliver (a) | 6 | 57kg | 87 |
| 7 | 844411014 | SNAPPER | John Morrisey | Ryan Wiggins | 7 | 56kg | 68 |
| 8 | 1416×41 | PROVOCATIVE (NZ) | Tony Pike | – | 3 | 54kg | 73 |
