18/4/2026 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Eagle Farm, Ascot Handicap day

The Brisbane Carnival warms up some more this Saturday at Eagle Farm, headlined by the Ascot Handicap (1000m) and Daybreak Lover (1400m). The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is out a metre for the entire circuit.

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2 Brumal (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks a nice juvenile for Team Munce that was a strong debut winner over 1350m at Ipswich. Not sure the tight track suited him but class kicked in when balanced up in the straight and was strong to the line. Keen to see how he goes at metro level.

1 Silken Salute (Bet Now:  $SP.00) landed bets when a debut winner over 1300m here two weeks ago, giving them a start and a beating, letting down with purpose to win and win well. Extra 100m, better for the run, she commands respect.

3 The Thorncaster (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is three weeks between runs since a debut at Wyong over 1200m. He got back to near last in the run but really liked the way he closed off in defeat, suggesting 1400m suits and has the C Maher polish.

6 Balance The Books (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a quality mare for Tony Gollan that resumes and I think she can resume a winner. Her last run was in a Class 6 on Dec 13 when far from disgraced behind the well performed Redford. Looks to have trialled up very well and looks suited at the 1000m. Sits off them and launches over the top.

9 Manukau (Bet Now:  $SP.00) appeals for Michael Freedman after a last start second at the midweeks at Warwick Farm when off speed and chased strongly in the straight when second to Wootton Lass. Maps well, gets the claim, she’s hard to beat.

4 Tarps (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a short course specialist that is flying this time in. 2/2 to start the prep, both at the Gold Coast with the latest coming on the Poly when leading throughout and giving nothing else a look in. He’ll lead and give a great sight.

1 Mr Buster (Bet Now:  $SP.00) steps up to 1800m after a first up win over the mile here four weeks back, giving them a start and a beating from the back to win and win well. Good upside to come and he does seem to race well on the fresh side.

4 Make A Call (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was game in defeat at this track/distance a fortnight back. He was ridden with a sit and did try hard to reel them in but had to settle for a second to surprise winner Absolute Sunshine. He’s knocking on the door, racing really well, commands respect.

5 Absolute Sunshine (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was a big track/distance winner from two weeks back, giving them a start and a beating in an impressive effort. Harder here but off last run, I think she can measure up and run well.

6 Mr O’Reilly (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was an impressive a few weeks ago at Doomben. He was ridden with intent by Harley, the only horse in the race to be ridden with intent, and he duly saluted. Good test here but think he can measure up.

4 Saint Emillion (Bet Now:  $SP.00) steps up to 2400m after racing over 2200m at Doomben three weeks back. He got the A1 run in transit just off speed and loomed large to win but just couldn’t quite finish the job when third to Mr O’Reilly. Found positive form, he can go on with it.

7 Clyde (Bet Now:  $SP.00) steps up to 2400m after racing over 2200m here two weeks back behind Kureder when off speed and was winding up okay late but was never really threatening. Like the rise in trip and on a firmer deck, he can run an improved race.

8 Irama (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is on the seven day back up after racing last Saturday over this trip at Doomben. He was tucked in behind the speed but when it came to getting clear air, it didn’t really eventuate and it ended up being somewhat of an ugly watch. Hard to beat with room to move this time around.

2 Canberra Legend (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is three weeks between runs since racing over the mile at Eagle Farm when back off the speed and was never threatening but stayed on and was far from disgraced in defeat. Hard fit, he’ll be strong late…knockout hope.

3 Captain Maverick (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should appreciate getting to 1600m after resuming over 1400m here two weeks back where he looked in need of the run and that’s how it eventuated behind Glass Of Rose. Better for the run, good upside, he’s a knockout hope.

11 Now Is The Hour (Bet Now:  $SP.00) could well be the up and comer in terms of the locals and the Stradbroke. He resumes for Tony Gollan, having not raced since Jan 10 when a sharp winner over 1300m at the Gold Coast, ending the prep on an absolute high. Trial was very good, good racing style and is a line finder.

9 Russian Alliance (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was kept quite safe in betting when resuming in The King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba. She landed near the speed and tried hard but just felt the pinch late behind Cherry Rose. Better for the run and with a more conservative ride, she’s a key threat.

14 Cosmo Centaurus (Bet Now:  $SP.00) steps up to 1200m after resuming over 1000m here two weeks back where he just found them a bit sharp but stayed on and was far from disgraced in defeat. Maps much better this time around, strong late, he can win.

8 Last Command (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is racing really well and should take beating here after a second here a few weeks ago when off speed and was one of the first off the bit but kept chasing and was good in defeat when second to Mr Buster. More positive ride, he should be around the mark.

10 True To Form (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was pretty good at this track/distance four weeks back. He landed on speed and tried hard but just couldn’t quite see it through when a close up third to Cho Oyu. Good racing style, good upside to come and will be strong late.

6 Smart Legend (Bet Now:  $SP.00) will jump up in grade quite significantly here however with some key scratchings it could be winnable. He has been racing really well in lesser company and if he can hold that form or improve slightly he could find himself in the finish.

4 Call Da Vinci (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a key chance for Bevan Laming. He looked all over the winner when resuming in the 3YO Jewel. 300m out, he looked all over the winner but first up, condition just gave out and he had no answers for the finale of Fabulantes. Fitter, he appeals.

2 Fabulantes (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has been given a mini freshen up for Rob Heathcoate, his last start seeing him give his rivals a start and a beating to win the 3YO Jewel. Fresh legs up to 1400m, I think, is okay, and his trial last week was very good.

1 State Visit (Bet Now:  $SP.00) got into a tricky spot from the wide gate when resuming in the Darby Munro several weeks back, getting off speed and was okay late without threatening. Better set up here, I am not dismissing.

2 Hidden Wealth (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a class short course sprinter that resumes for Tony Gollan and I think he can resume a winner. He hasn’t raced since Jan 17 when down the track in the Magic Millions Snippets behind Axius, looking a tired horse. Short course looks his go in life and he looks to have trialled up very well.

1 Uncommon James (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a very interesting runner. Class sprinter for Matty Hoysted that resumes, having not raced since the 2025 Star Kingdom when fourth to General Salute. Over 12 months off, so has clearly had issues but his trial work has been strong and class will carry him a long way.

4 Payline (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is better suited over further but he has a booming finish on him to be respected. He ran second in the Magic Millions Snippets on Jan 17, driving hard late nearer the inside but just missed. He’ll be spotting them a start but motor late.

BEST BET: Race Two Number 6 Balance The Books

NEXT BEST: Race Three Number 1 Mr Buster

LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 8 Irama

Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):

Leg One: 9, 11, 14

Leg Two: 6, 8, 10, 13

Leg Three: 2, 4

Leg Four: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

$50 Investment = 31.25% of the dividend if successful

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