Race Preview
Eagle Farm - 4th April 2026
Mick Bennett has dug deep and found a couple of specials in Queensland.
No real highlights to the nine-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday. However, we have found a couple of runners early in the day with form in the southern states who should measure up nicely on their Queensland debuts.
In Race 2, the lightly raced former Victorian DAGGERS has his first run for the Tony Gollan stable and comes off a six-month spell.
The beautifully bred gelding (I Am Invincible – Omei Sword) promised a lot when he opened his career last season with two big wins but has failed to salute in eight subsequent outings.
He opened his four-year-old campaign last September with a close third as $2.40 favourite first-up in a BM84 over 1200m at Moonee Valley, then failed behind the rejuvenated Jigsaw before being turned out.
He now finds himself in the #1 stable in Queensland and racing in this part of the world might be his level now.
A win and a close fifth in his two trials leading up to this return suggest he has settled in well.
There should be a stack of pace as one would expect in a 1000m contest. Ben Thompson from gate two will drop in behind that early speed battle and the long run home at Eagle Farm will give him plenty of time to wind up. On his best form, Daggers looks to have a bit on this field.
We don't wait long for the second special, another Ben Thompson mount in PLACID PEARL in Race 3 over 2200m.
Trainer Matthew Smith has had this mare in work for an extended period but to his credit her form keeps improving.
The highlight came last start when the daughter of D'Argento raced in the leading division and defied her $101.0 quote to hang on for third behind Machine Gun Gracie in the Group 3 Epona Stakes over 1900m at Rosehill.
The fact that the astute mentor brings her north off a peak performance ten runs into a campaign suggests she has pulled up well and has more to offer, particularly away from Carnival time in Sydney.
A step up to 2200m is not an issue as the four-year-old has raced twice at the journey for a win and a minor placing.
The map has Placid Pearl parked in behind the likely leaders Vermilion Kirin and Mr O'Reilly so she gets every chance in the run.
Her main rivals in the market bring Benchmark form to the table, and none would be capable of finishing two lengths from the winner at Group 3 level; class should see her through.
BRISBANE BEST
Race 2 No. 5 - DAGGERS at $2.60.
Race 3 No. 2 - PLACID PEARL at $3.30.
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