Extra nominations boost Eagle Farm Cup numbers

Five extra nominations have boosted the numbers to twelve entries for the Group 2 $250,000 Pages Event Equipment Hire Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

The Chris Waller trained Index Linked is among the extra nominations for the Eagle Farm Cup at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Chris Waller trained Index Linked is among the extra nominations for the Eagle Farm Cup at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Premierships winning trainer Chris Waller has taken his tally to five with the addition of Index Linked to his four early nominations Foreteller, Moriarty, Hawkspur and I’m Imposing.

The Robert Heathcote trained Volkhere, Victorian mare Epingle and Toowoomba trained three year old filly Col ‘N’ Lil were among the original entries in the weight for age Group 2.

As well as Index Linked being added to the list, John Sargent has nominated Banksters Bonus  and three year old filly Champion Stage, John O’Shea added his import Magic Hurricane and Kiwi three-year-olds Werther make up the rest of the late entries.

I’m Imposing looks the pick of the Waller five with the nine year old racing as good as ever with placings in top company at his three starts during his Queensland Winter Carnival campaign.

The Danehill Dancer gelding kicked off his Winter with a third to Leebaz in the Group 2 $358,000 Sky Thoroughbred Central A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 followed by a third to Pornichet in the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 9.

Then at Doomben last Saturday he chased hard but was no match for stablemate Strawberry Boy and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Lucky Lago in the Group 3 $125,000 Programmed Property Services Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m).

Moriarty, Hawkspur and Foreteller all went around in the Doomben Cup to finish fourth, sixth and seventh while the Michael Kent trained Epingle finished behind them in ninth spot.

Index Linked was back in the winner’s stall last start with a gutsy win in the Listed $175,000 Linked Group Plumbing Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16 after running second to Epingle at the Gold Coast at his previous start in the Group 3 $125,000 Goldcoastwebsites.com.au Chairman’s Handicap (2200m) on Anzac Day.

O’Shea has given English import Magic Hurricane two barrier trials at Randwick for a fifth over 1050m on May 8 and a sixth over 1200m on May 25 in preparation for his Australian racing debut.

Magic Hurricane has won twice over 2200m and 2400m from ten starts and it will be interesting to see how he handles the Australian style of racing if O’Shea decides to send him around this weekend in the Eagle Farm Cup.

The Ben Currie trained Col ‘N’ Lil is also nominated for the Group 1 $500,000 Treasury Casino & Hotel Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday as is Champion Stage while Werther is among the entries for the Group 1 $600,000 Channel 7 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben next Saturday.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.