There will be plenty of Christmas cheer at Eagle Farm this Saturday with the running of the Bernborough Plate Day meeting.
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The Listed Bernborough Plate headlines a 10-race card which also features the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes and Listed Falvelon.
The B.J. McLachlan Stakes will create plenty of interest as the two-year-olds look to solidify their spots in next month's grand final, the Magic Millions Classic.
We've spent hours combing through the form guide and have provided our top selections for each race below.
RACE 1 - 1:13PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Southern Stock (4) hasn't done a lot this preparation but can produce a spike performance third-up.
The Chris Munce-trained son of Tavistock was last seen finishing just under 10 lengths behind Knight's Choice over 2000m here in Open company.
He'll appreciate the drop in class but has proven throughout his career that he can turn things around quickly third-up, boasting a third-up record of three wins from four starts.
That includes last preparation when winning in this class over 1830m here.
Martin Harley takes the ride and should be able to settle slightly better than midfield.
1 Unit Each Way – Southern Stock (4)
RACE 2 - 1:48PM: BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Deep Tempest (6) should be at peak fitness now at his fourth run back from a 60-week layoff.
The David Vandyke-trained son of Ocean Park led all the way two starts back to win narrowly over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast before giving a big sight last start when rising to this distance and finishing third.
The blinkers go on for the first time and that should switch him right on.
James Orman retains the ride and should be able to give his mount a great ride from an inside gate.
RACE 3 - 2:23PM: LADBROKES CITY TO SURF PLATE (1600 METRES)
Weigall Tiger (1) is a ripper from the Kelly Schweida stable that has won all four starts this preparation.
He bolted in by 4.8 lengths two starts ago over 1400m here before returning to the same track and trip last start to again win comfortably.
The three-year-old gelding was five weeks between runs so will strip fitter.
This will be the first time he's taken on the mile, but he maps to control proceedings from barrier 1 which should make him hard to beat.
RACE 4 - 2:58PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000 METRES)
Femme Fatale (4) steps back up to a distance that she has won three of four starts over.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Better Than Ready filly can be forgiven for failing over 800m at Ipswich last start when having to lump 62kg while racing deep throughout.
When resuming the start prior over this course and distance, she led and fought strongly to win narrowly.
Cejay Graham, who claims 1.5kg, can go forward from the good gate and give plenty of cheek.
1 Unit Each Way – Femme Fatale (4)
RACE 5 - 3:33PM: BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1820 METRES)
Jumeirah Beach (14) ventures north from Sydney in good form for Richard and Will Freedman.
The five-year-old gelding won at Hawkesbury over 1500m three starts back before a solid run at Canterbury.
Last start he worked strongly to the line over 1550m at Canterbury but just couldn't get past Burning Need.
He strides out nicely suggesting the rise to this distance for the first time should suit.
RACE 6 - 4:12PM: GROUP 3 B.J. MCLACHLAN STAKES (1200 METRES)
Storm Boy (1) looks primed to continue his march towards the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained son of Justify went to the front on debut and dashed clear to easily win by 2.3 lengths over 1100m at Rosehill.
He'll have come on since that run and should go straight to the front and dictate proceedings with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.
RACE 7 - 4:52PM: LISTED BERNBOROUGH PLATE (1600 METRES)
Tazaral (7) will have taken benefit from his first-up effort in the Group 3 Festival Stakes.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding was held up in the straight but once clear got to the line with gusto to finish fifth by 1.49 lengths.
He was 10 weeks between runs so will strip fitter and does boast a good second-up record.
He'll get back but there looks to be good speed in the race which should allow him to finish the race off powerfully for Ben Thompson.
RACE 8 - 5:32PM: LISTED FALVELON (1200 METRES)
Spacewalk (1) has been freshened following a very good Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The James Cummings-trained son of Exosphere bolted in at Hawkesbury first-up before finishing a head second in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint and a nose second in the Listed Century Stakes.
In between those black-type races, he stormed home to run down Najem Suhail and win the Group 3 Rising Fast.
He's had a tick over trial to keep him up to the mark which was a nice piece of work.
A strong tempo will suit with Blake Shinn camping just off them before launching in the straight.
RACE 9 - 6:12PM: Class 3 Plate (1200 METRES)
Bezique (10) has come back this preparation in terrific fashion.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare ploughed through the heavy conditions to win first-up at Doomben.
She then proved too classy when winning last start over 1200m at Doomben as a $1.28 favourite.
She'll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a great run on speed for Ben Thompson.
RACE 10 - 6:52PM: BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1400 METRES)
Go Wandji (1) should be at peak fitness following two runs back from a lengthy spell.
The Toowoomba cult hero resumed from a 63-week spell two starts ago with a head second at Eagle Farm.
Last start the Tom Dougall-trained gelding finished like a freight train despite being held up over 1200m at this track to finish second by just under a length.
He'll appreciate the rise to 1400m and did win his only previous start over the course and distance.
