Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: 2025 B.J. McLachlan Stakes Day Preview
Brisbane racing takes centre stage on Saturday as Eagle Farm hosts B.J. McLachlan Stakes Day, a pivotal meeting in the Queensland Summer Carnival.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The Group 3 feature for two-year-olds over 1200m is a key lead-up to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, regularly producing graduates that go on to feature prominently on the Gold Coast in January.
Other feature races on the program include the Members Mile and The Falvelon, adding further quality and depth to a strong supporting card.
With the scene set, it's time to roll up the sleeves and hunt down the B.J. McLachlan Stakes Day winners.
Race 1 – BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 13 Bluepinot
BLUEPINOT (13) ventures north for Chris Waller and as we see time and time again, that is regularly a winning move.
The Blue Point gelding has been freshened since finishing 1.63 lengths sixth over 1550m at Canterbury in November.
Prior to that, he was a strong all the way winner over 1400m at Geelong.
Jason Collett takes the ride and should be able to stalk the speed from the low draw.
Selections: 13-3-7-11
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 1
Race 2 – BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2400 METRES)
No. 5 Tajawal
TAJAWAL (5) has raced well since joining the Declan Maher stable this preparation.
As would be expected with a son of Frankel, he enjoyed the rise to 2150m last start at Ipswich where he enjoyed the drop in class, putting his rivals away easily for a 1.53 length win.
While this is a big step up in class, he's no stranger to this level of racing having finished third in the Orange Cup and placed in stronger multiple times last campaign.
It's a good sign that Ryan Maloney sticks and the top jockey should be able to give his mount an economical run.
Selections: 5-1-3-4
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 2
Race 3 – BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1600 METRES)
No. 11 Carpaccio
CARPACCIO (11) is on the quick back-up after charging home to finish 1.05 lengths second over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.
The Lockwood & Vincent-trained gelding impressed when finding the line powerfully first-up at Ipswich to win easily.
Last preparation he followed a similar setup third-up when quickly backing up over this distance at Doomben where he savaged the line from the tail to finish a neck second.
He's drawn well for Jace McMurray who claims 2kg.
Selections: 11-15-13-10
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 3
Race 4 – Class 6 Handicap (1825 METRES)
No. 3 Perfect Play
PERFECT PLAY (3) has been racing in consistent form and enjoyed a well-deserved victory last start over 1640m at Doomben.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding was a winner over a mile at Kembla Grange five starts ago before coming to Brisbane.
Following three excellent performances, he proved too strong at Doomben despite working early to find a front position.
He was doing his best work late, which suggests he'll appreciate the rise in distance here.
Daniel Moor retains the ride and should race on speed from the kind draw.
Selections: 3-2-1-11
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 4
Race 5 – BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1000 METRES)
No. 1 Belegato
BELEGATO (1) returned in super order in a stronger race than this.
The Liam Birchley-trained gelding fought tooth and nail in the Swiss Ace Plate over this distance at the Sunshine Coast only to be overpowered late to finish a neck second to Hidden Wealth.
He'll strip fitter and races well second-up having won the Darby McCarthy last preparation at his second run back.
With Jasper Franklin's claim, he'll carry just 1kg more than last start and maps to enjoy a great run.
Selections: 1-3-4-2
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 5
Race 6 – Group 3 B.J. MCLACHLAN STAKES (1200 METRES)
No. 2 Paradoxium
PARADOXIUM (2) was held up in the Group 3 Breeders' Plate on debut but to his credit, he found the line well once clear to finish 1.55 lengths.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt was sent for a spell following that run and resumed last start in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
He shared the lead before exploding in the straight to dash clear and win by 2.84 lengths.
The son of Extreme Choice maps to get the run of the race.
Selections: 2-3-1-6
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 6
Race 7 – LISTED MEMBERS MILE (1600 METRES)
No. 7 Miss Joelene
MISS JOELENE (7) produced a flashing light run two starts ago in the Mooloolaba Cup that suggested 'back me' next start.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare settled a long way back from the wide gate before rocketing home despite having a chequered path to finish a neck fourth to Walsh Bay.
We took the back me next start advice and were well rewarded at $13 when she stormed home from the back of the Listed Tails Stakes field to win by a length.
Once again, she draws an outside barrier, but Cejay Graham would have settled back anyway, and it's only a small field, so she shouldn't be too far off them entering the straight.
Selections: 7-1-8-5
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 7
Race 8 – LISTED FALVELON (1200 METRES)
No. 3 Payline
PAYLINE (3) has been freshened since a Melbourne Spring Carnival campaign.
While the Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding didn't place in five Melbourne runs, he ran well in races such as the Group 1 Moir Stakes and Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes so looks well placed kicking off his Magic Millions preparations in a Listed race on his home deck.
The striking chestnut will carry just 1kg more than what he was in Group 1 Weight For Age races.
He looked super in a recent trial win where he worked home powerfully under his owns steam, so he looks ready for a bold showing.
A strong speed and the big Eagle Farm straight will aid his cause.
Selections: 3-1-2-16
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 8
Race 9 – QTIS Three-Year-Old & Four-Year-Old BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 3 Scripted
SCRIPTED (3) produced an eye-catching performance last start when returning from 14 months off the scene.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare settled near the rear over 1000m here before launching in the straight in the fastest final 400m of the day to finish a half-length second.
She'll strip fitter, enjoy the rise in distance and won her only previous second-up race.
There's the potential that she may race flat second-up after such a long break, but if at her best then she'll take a power of beating.
Selections: 3-5-12-14
Bet Now: Eagle Farm Race 9
Race 10 – Class 6 Handicap (1400 METRES)
No. 2 Scud
SCUD (2) will appreciate the drop in class after producing an excellent effort in the Listed Just Now over 1300m here last start.
The Paul Shailer-trained mare settled a long way back after drawing wide but rattled home at a rate of knots to finish 2.6 lengths fifth.
She's been racing in good form this preparation including a strong win at the Gold Coast just two starts ago.
Jai Williams' 3kg claim will see him carry just 55kg and there doesn't look to be too many go forward horses in the race so the young hoop will hopefully settle in the first half of the field.
Selections: 2-1-9-6
