LIVE COVERAGE: Eagle Farm 18 January 2020

The TAB Queensland Summer Racing Carnival may have drawn to a close last weekend, but the action doesn't stop there. The Brisbane Racing Club hosts Queensland metropolitan racing at Eagle Farm today. 

Follow our live blog for all the comments from jockeys and trainers, photos and race replays from all nine races on the card. 

Race 1 - 12:49PM MAKERS MARK QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1000 METRES)

1^st – Mishani Miss – Les Ross – Jackson Murphy

2^nd – Uncle Frank – Stephen Kirkwood – Adin Thompson

3^rd – Mass Destruction – Tony Gollan – Baylee Nothdurft

Trainer – Les Ross

“We thought she’d run a cheeky race we had to scratch one to get her in the field, so I’m glad it paid off.”

“I didn’t educate the horse but she’s very professional for a two-year-old and looks like a nice filly.”

“I’ve got about fifteen two-year-old’s at home that we’ll let go in the upcoming months, very excited to see what comes off that crop.”

Jockey – Jackson Murphy

“It’s been a bit of a lean spell for me but luckily Les put me on this pretty handy two-year-old.”

“She bounced a little bit too good we thought we’d be a few pairs back, but luckily Adin’s horse pressed on to lead and we got the sit.”

“She’s still a little green but I’d say she’ll definitely get 1200 and has a good future.”

“Honestly I think the track is as good as it’s ever been, just the right amount of give in the ground it should play fair for all horses.”

“We haven’t had much rain and the track here at Eagle Farm can get a touch hard, it felt perfect out there today.”

Race 2 - 1:24PM CANADIAN CLUB Class 3 Plate (1000 METRES)

1st - Emerald Kingdom - Robert Heathcote - Robbie Fradd

2nd - Wandabaa - Kris Lees - Andrew Mallyon

3rd - Pizonie - Tony Gollan - Baylee Nothdurft

Trainer - Robert Heathcote

"They're strange animals sometimes horses, it took six of us to saddle him up and he was in a real mood then went out and delivered."

"The stewards let us get him out on the track early, but a lot of credit has to go to Robbie Fradd and his horsemanship."

"He sat four wide the trip but Robbie kept him balanced the whole way which is key here at Eagle Farm and to the track staffs credit the track is playing beautifully and we were able to come down the middle."

"I think his manners will start to improve the more starts he gets, he's a cool dude at home but when he gets to the track something is not quite right between the ears, we fix that he's a serious horse."

Jockey - Robbie Fradd

"He's lost a bit of his early toe so even though we were posted a few off you can get away with that at Eagle Farm as long as you don't burn much fuel."

"I think once he gets his head right he can be a very good horse the 1200 not out of the question at all."

Race 3 - 2:02PM CASCADE BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (2200 METRES)

1st - Romakash - Matt Kropp - Larry Cassidy

2nd - Art Attack - Jenny Graham - Mark Du Plessis

3rd - In Your Element - Kevin Kemp - Madeleine Wishart

Trainer - Matt Kropp

"He kicked off this preparation well and we had the Roma Cup in mind for him, that didn't quite go to plan, but he's started to work back into some handy form up in ground."

"I'm going to turn him out now for a little blow he's got a few miles in his legs this time in."

"Larry was prett sure the gate cost him the win at Doomben the other day and in a similar sort of field today with the better run he finished it off."

Jockey - Larry Cassidy

"He was probably unlucky not to win at Doomben the other day i got stuck behind some slow horses and once we got clear he made a lot of ground quick and he franked that run today.'

"He ate up Eagle Farm today, the track is beautiful I must say I think it's the best it's ever been, it's not jarring up underneath you there is great cushion on it."

Race 4 - 2:42PM GRINDERS RATINGS BAND 0 - 70 Handicap (1500 METRES)

1^st – The Kingdom – Les Kelly – Adin Thompson

2^nd – Mosshiki – Robert Heathcote – Robbie Fradd

3^rd – Starbuster – Robert Heathcote – Adin Thompson

Trainer – Les Kelly

“He’s pretty forward as a stayer for a Four-year-old and the older he gets the stronger he’ll get, I’m looking forward to getting him over more ground.”

“His forms been great, we were going to look for something further, but this race came up and looked ideal and he’s delivered.”

“I have Glen Boss’s word that he’s a 2000 and above horse, he’s a pretty good judge.”

“Adin does a bit of riding for me I like to support apprentices, I think he’s one of the best young ones coming up.”

Jockey – Adin Thompson

“This is something I’ll always remember and happy to do it for Les who’s showed a lot of faith in me.”

“I was getting a little bit worried it was a waiting game with Mosshiki I knew Robbie would pull out on him I just had to wait my turn and he found the line strong.”

“He was going further in front late a rise in distance is certainly not beyond him.”

Race 5 - 3:22PM ROKU GIN OPEN Handicap (1600 METRES)

1^st – Cool Chap – Robert Heathcote – Robbie Fradd

2^nd – New Universe – Chris Waller – Brad Stewart

3^rd – Cruze – Barry Lockwood – Stephanie Thornton

Trainer – Robert Heathcote

“Thanks to Robbie Slaydon and the group of owners they’ve kept the faith with me in his drought, we had to take him up to Rocky at one stage to try to get that elusive win.”

“Now he’s got that one in the book two weeks’ time 1800 metre Open Handicap here looks ideal for him.”

“He’s just had bad luck even today no apparent speed in the race, but Robbie stayed calm rode him cold and came into it when the whips were cracking.”

“Everything is humming at the moment the stable is going well racing in Queensland in thriving starting with this track.”

Jockey – Robbie Fradd

“I thought his form was really nice this horse, Rob didn’t give me too many instructions just said put him where he fits in and we ended up in a good spot.”

“Cruze was the horse we wanted the back off and he gave us a nice tow into the race and the horse did the rest.”

Race 6 - 4:02PM CASCADE QTIS Three-Years-Old Fillies Handicap (1200 METRES)

1^st – Roasted – Robert Heathcote – Ron Stewart

2^nd – Oh Five Glory – P & W Hulbert – Adin Thompson

3^rd – Mishani Romance – Les Ross – Jackson Murphy

Trainer – Robert Heathcote

“I used to race the mum Princess Quallo, you know you’re not getting any younger when you’re training the progeny, but it adds a little bit more weight to the win.”

“Good ride by Ronnie he seized the initiative and snuck away with the race.”

“I knew she would give a good kick this filly won her maiden against Raging Pole in an Open Handicap and finished just behind Kalik at the Sunshine Coast, who’s in the next race I’d expect him to shorten up a bit.”

Jockey – Ron Stewart

“It was a good win today she’s got a bit of attitude but plenty of young fillies have that and she did it tough out in front.”

“She’s a bit of a handful in the gates, but we were able sit quietly and ping out, she was a bit of a handful like my wife but I had her under control.”

Race 7 - 4:42PM TAB QTIS Three-Years-Old Colts and Geldings Handicap (1200 METRES)

1^st – Master Jamie – Graeme Green – Les Tilley

2^nd – Bells Approaching – Matthew Dunn – Robbie Fradd

3^rd – Raging Pole – Tony & Maddysen Sears – James Orman

Trainer – Graeme Green

“It’s very emotional to see the horse come and win in the city he means a lot to the family.”

“He’s been very competitive up North and the couple of times we’ve brought him down before he’s missed the kick but today he nailed it, Bubba got him out and got him rolling that’s how me likes it.”

“He’s a bit of a bulldog if he gets in front he doesn’t give in and is very hard to run down.”

“All going well we may come back in a fortnight three weeks, then we’ll give him a little blow before bringing him back for the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast in March.”

“I believe it’s restricted to the March sales horses, so he doesn’t run into the real big southern purchases it looks a good race for him.”

“He’s the dopiest horse you’ll ever come across in the stables he’s very hard to work on track work he marches to the beat of his own drum.”

Jockey – Les Tilley

“He’s a bit of a prick in the gates when he wants to be, but he’s proven himself as the best three-year-old in north Queensland and deserved his shot at a Brisbane race.”

“He’s beaten open horses up at home and Graeme presented him in fantastic order we thought we could win today and I appreciate his loyalty keeping me on.”

Race 8 - 5:22PM CANADIAN CLUB Class 6 Handicap (1400 METRES)

1^st – Akage – Brian Crowley – Andrew Spinks

2^nd – Red Doulton – Natalie McCall – Ron Stewart

3^rd – The Tax Accountant – Tom Button – Jake Bayliss

Trainer – Brian Crowley

“On her day she has a big run in her like she produced fresh up today it was a fantastic win.”

“She’s so exciting to come I’m a bit lost for words that’s my first Saturday Metropolitan winner.”

“I thought she was a really good chance she trialled magnificently on Tuesday our work rider gave a massive rap on her I’m just so excited she’s gone on with it.”

“She’s a bit quirky and does a few strange things, but it’s just brilliant I’m thrilled for my daughter down in Scone who bought the horse she’ll be over the moon.”

Jockey – Andrew Spinks

“The track is safe enough it’s just visibility with the loose stuff on top, but the outside fence was the place to be.”

“I watched her trial and did a bit of form I knew she’d be a chance today, she’s a bit difficult to ride she’s slow out and then wants to get going mid-race, you just have to save her for that last sprint.”

“If she over races she doesn’t finish off, luckily we got it right today.”

Race 9 - 5:54PM MOUNT FRANKLIN BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (1200 METRES)

1st - Pennino - Darryl Hansen - Stephanie Thornton

2nd - Impasse - Matthew Dunn - Robbie Fradd

3rd - Femme Fireball - Robert Heathcote - Ron Stewart

Trainer - Darryl Hansen

"This win is well overdue she's been racing well on good company and not quite finding the right race, but Steph rode her perfectly today and she didn't look like getting beaten in the straight."

"She'll go to the Sunshine Coast Guineas next week along with Balboa rocks, she's racing at peak fitness and Balboa is excellent second up and won the race last year."

"She's just a brilliant horse to have in the stables very versatile good temperament she's a gem."

Jockey - Steph Thornton

"She left no doubt today we travelled beautifully midfield and the runs opened up a bit like the clouds did today and she put them to bed."

"The track was definitely soft out there the surface hasn't soaked in the water yet but all in all has held up perfectly."