Eagle Farm racecourse is in tip top condition ahead of one its biggest meetings of the year.
Forecasters have predicted fine weather for the Queensland Oaks meeting, meaning the track should not be downgraded from its current reading of a Dead 5.
The racing surface has not been watered by track staff and just 10mm of rain has fallen on the track in the last seven days, so if it stays dry overnight an upgrade to a Dead 4 is likely.
Saturday will mark the first meeting at Eagle Farm for the winter carnival and stewards have made the decision to leave the rail in its true position for the entire course.
At this stage there are six confirmed early scratchings.
In the first race the day, the Mittys Class 6 Plate, the Tracey Bartlett trained Surpassing has been taken out.
There are two scratchings in the third race of the day. Iron horse Mentality will not run in the Spear Chief Handicap after Team Hawkes decided against entering the rising seven year old in the listed 1500m race, while Blazing Hearts, who is also nominated for the QTC Cup, has been taken out of race three.
There is just one scratching from the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes, with Lady’s Angel being declared a non-runner.
The last of the early scratchings appear in race six, the QTC Cup. Top weight Pinwheel has been scratched after Peter Snowden decided against running the horse because of his outside barrier and big weight. While the Mick Price trained Rightfully Yours has also been taken out of the Group Two affair.
At this early stage there are only two confirmed riding changes. In the first race of the day Chris Munce will be aboard Bugsytwoshoes after Surpassing was scratched. While in race six of the day, the QTC Cup, Ryan Wiggins will now ride Blazing Hearts.
Jim Byrne is the only jockey with a dual engagement throughout the day. Byrne is down to ride both Tallow and Varenna Miss in the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes.
However it appears more likely that he will ride Tallow as Varenna Miss is also nominated for the QTC Cup.
