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While the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup, will be the focus of the world racing public on Tuesday November 5th, there’s a nine-race support card at Eagle Farm that serves as a tasty entrée.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
This year's Melbourne Cup will hold special interest for Queensland racing followers with Brisbane based jockeys Mark Du Plessis, Robbie Dolan and Ronnie Stewart earning rides in the famous race.
You can check out who they're teaming up with here.
The rail will be out 8m the entire course with a likely Good 4 surface unless showers arrive earlier than forecast.
We know this is a busy time of year on the racing calendar, so we've put in the hard yards for you and provided our selections for each race below.
Race 1 - 12:32PM: Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
November Sun (11) can be forgiven for failing in her debut in June at Doomben when caught wide and suffering lacerations.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was sent to the paddock following that run and returns here looking a more furnished commodity.
She's had two trials in preparation for this and looked excellent in both, particularly the most recent where she cruised around in front to win while her rivals were being ridden out.
Andrew Mallyon should be able to give her a beautiful run on speed from the inside draw.
1 Unit Each Way – November Sun (11)
Race 2 - 1:12PM: Maiden Plate (1600 METRES)
Autora (11) is bursting for a win and gets her chance on the more expansive Eagle Farm track.
The Chris Waller-trained mare didn't look comfortable three starts back on the Gold Coast Poly Track but still finished third before producing a solid run to again finish a close third at Ipswich.
Last start she took an age to wind up at Ipswich but was doing her best work late when finishing a nose second over 1690m.
She'll appreciate the longer straight and maps to get a great run for Ryan Maloney.
1 Unit – Autora (11)
Race 3 - 1:47PM: QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Ally (10) hasn't had the greatest steers in her two runs back this preparation and has been unlucky not to already have broken her maiden status.
First-up at Ipswich, the Chris & Corey Munce-trained filly was held up on several occasions and then was taken wide by the apprentice but despite that, she still registered the quickest final 600m and 200m splits of the race to finish a half-length second.
Last start over this course and distance she enjoyed a great run but was trapped on the fence behind the leaders waiting on clear air and should have finished closer than the 1.9 length margin.
She'll strip fitter third-up and if Cejay Graham can get her to the outside in the straight then she should take some stopping.
1 Unit – Ally (10)
Race 4 - 2:35PM: QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1500 METRES)
Arisphere (6) has come back this preparation in fine style with three wins from four starts.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Exosphere was very good two starts ago when despite racing wide throughout, she let down strongly to win by a length over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
Last start, again at the Sunshine Coast, she proved too speedy to win by a neck but the final margin flattered those who closed late on here given she was ridden hands and heels when the race was locked up.
Angela Jones is building a good association with her and should give the mare a great run from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Arisphere (6)
Race 5 - 3:42PM: Class 5 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Larrikin Rogue (9) impressed in a recent trial where he produced a powerful turn of foot to win and he took that good form to his first race in almost a year last start.
The Chris Anderson-trained son of Flying Artie settled back over 1200m here and despite being inconvenienced at the furlong marker, let down strongly to finish a length third.
He'll have taken great benefit from the run and has won two of three second-up races.
The rise in distance will suit and he just needs the speed on to be rattling home for Andrew Mallyon.
1 Unit – Larrikin Rogue (9)
Race 6 - 4:23PM: BM65 Handicap (2418 METRES)
Intuitu (1) impressed last start when winning over this course and distance.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding finished off powerfully to put his rivals away with ease for a 3.5 length victory.
While he rises considerably in weight, he meets a similar field and Cody 'Chip' Collis' 2kg claim comes in very handy.
They set a solid speed last start and that again looks the case here, so he should prove hard to hold out.
2 Units – Intuitu (1)
Race 7 - 5:06PM: Class 1 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Velozes (10) returns from a 26-week break on the back of a solid trial.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of I Am Invincible won her maiden in dominant fashion two starts back over 1350m at Doomben.
The stable thought highly enough of the well-bred mare to test her in an Open 3YO Handicap here over 1300m at her next start where she finished a lucky three-length fifth.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid her cause given she'll settle back and run on.
1 Unit – Velozes (10)
Race 8 - 5:46PM: BM65 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Sunlord (7) has raced well besides one unlucky run since joining Tony Gollan's team from the O'Shea & Charlton yard in Sydney.
The four-year-old gelding was doing his best work late when finishing second by two lengths over 1350m at Doomben last start.
Being sired by The Autumn Sun, he'll appreciate the rise in distance and he did win his only previous race over 1500m when breaking his maiden at Newcastle last preparation.
He's at peak fitness now and should get every chance with Ryan Maloney piloting.
1 Unit Each Way – Sunlord (7)
Race 9 - 6:25PM: BM68 Handicap (1840 METRES)
Rock Ya (7) has come back this preparation in good style.
The Jason Edwards-trained gelding found the line powerfully to win by a length when resuming here over 1600m.
Last start he didn't get clear air but was strong through the line when finishing 2.4 lengths sixth over this course and distance in a stronger class race.
He's got plenty of upside and will strip fitter third-up.
1 Unit – Rock Ya (7)
