The Q22 is a 2200m WFA race held at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Handicap day. Although a Group 2, the $1.2m contest has become a real highlight on the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival calendar since its first running in 2019. Last year’s edition was taken out by Zaaki, who started a very short priced favourite after winning both the G2 Hollindale and G1 Doomben Cup.
Looking at the market for this year’s G2 feature, Dabble has last start Doomben Cup winner, Huetor, a clear cut favourite at $3.10. Runner up, Maximal, is on the second line of betting at $5.50, ahead of former French galloper and last start Sydney winner, Hopeful, at $8.50. At this stage these three are the only runners under double figures but the chances don’t stop there.
So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of The Q22 in 2022 along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. The Chosen One (9) – $12
Jockey – Opie Bosson 59kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman
Kiwi stalwart who enjoyed the firmer footing last start in the Doomben Cup. He was a bit unlucky on that occasion and should get suitable conditions again here. Bosson sticks and he looks one of the main winning hopes.
2. Kolding (11) – $26
Jockey – William Pike 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Showed a glimpse of his old self last start in the Lord Mayors Cup here at Eagle Farm behind stablemate, Bigboyroy. Clearly enjoys the Eagle Farm surface but will need to improve yet again to win this, and not sure 2200m is his go.
3. Huetor (10) – $3.10F
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 59kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Didn’t look overly comfortable in the going in the Hollindale before a strong win in the Doomben Cup last start. Only has to repeat that performance here to be hard to beat.
Barriers have been drawn for Saturday’s JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm with a few notables drawing wide. Also released the Q22. pic.twitter.com/B5gyxfZEuz
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) June 6, 2022
4. Numerian (5) – $14
Jockey – Tommy Berry 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Rolled forward and kept kicking in the Gosford Cup last start under the big weight. Comes into this five weeks between runs, but will get a good run from the gate and looks a good each way chance.
5. Yonkers (13) – $31
Jockey – Craig Williams 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Looked to have every hope last start in the Doomben Cup, after a strong win in the Chairman’s Hcp. Needs to improve off his last run to win this and the gate makes things tricky.
6. Great House (15) – $11
Jockey – James McDonald 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Got to the line well in the Gosford Cup before another fast finishing effort last start in the Doomben Cup. Looks to be knocking on the door and gets McDonald in the saddle. Respect.
7. Kukeracha (7) – $41
Jockey – James Orman 59kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Ran a big race in the Hollindale before a below par run last start in the Doomben Cup, where he wanted to hang in. Has good form here at Eagle Farm and his form prior to last start was strong. May represent good value for the exotics.
8. Le Don De Vie (12) – $19
Jockey – John Allen 59kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Got the job done first up at cricket score odds over a mile at Flemington. Failed to fire in this race last year but based on his return performance, he may be going better this time round.
🏆 Stradbroke Handicap
🏆 JJ Atkins
🏆 Q22LIVE and FREE on Saturday from 12pm AEST on the screens of 7. pic.twitter.com/Ps2VCBgoFP
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 9, 2022
9. Maximal (14) – $5.50
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 59kg
Trainer – John O’Shea
Regally-bred entire who chased gamely last start in the Doomben Cup to record his best result since arriving in Australia. Looks loaded with potential and can win providing he gets some luck from the wide gate.
10. Ballistic Boy (16) – $41
Jockey – Brad Stewart 59kg
Trainer – Chris Anderson
Local galloper who ran on ok in the Scone Cup before a solid effort in the Lord Mayors Cup. Will appreciate the rise in trip but may find some of these a bit too strong. Place chance at best.
11. Hopeful (6) – $8.50
Jockey – Rachel King 59kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Former French galloper who won at G3 level there. Has run well at both starts down under including a good win in the Mayors Cup last start at Rosehill. Drawn to get a soft run and providing he can handle the firm ground, looks an each way chance.
12. Criaderas (4) – $41
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 59kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Godolphin gelding who has been a very tricky horse to catch for punters. Got back and warmed up late in the Lord Mayors Cup last start suggesting the rise in distance here will suit. Capable of finishing in the money at big odds if he does everything right, but it’s hard to be confident about his chances.
13. London Banker (8) – $81
Jockey – Jamie Kah 59kg
Trainer – Kelly Schweida
Battled away well last start in the Premiers Cup here at Eagle Farm. Lacks the class of some of his rivals here but will be rock hard fit.
The field is set for the Q22! pic.twitter.com/BvACDDTyNi
— TAB (@tabcomau) June 7, 2022
14. Esti Feny (1) – $41
Jockey – Jason Collett 59kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith
Never got on the track in the Doomben Cup and did well to be beaten less than 3 lengths. Drawn the inside gate here so shouldn’t have any problems getting cover this time round. Looks over the odds.
15. Polly Grey (2) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – Tim Clark 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Rolled to the front in the Doomben Cup and was left a sitting shot. Will more than likely employ similar tactics here but prefer her on wet ground.
16. Coventina Bay (3) – $21
Jockey – Craig Grylls 57kg
Trainer – Robbie Patterson
Ran her usual honest race in the Hollindale behind Zaaki before finding trouble in the straight last start in the Doomben Cup. Drawn to get a nice run here and can figure in the finish at odds.
Final Word
This year’s Q22 looks an open and competitive race, much more so than last year, where Zaaki was sent out $1.26F and won with a leg in the air. Zaaki was rolled and subsequently sent for a spell after this year’s Doomben Cup, but the majority of the field line up again here, including the winner, Huetor.
The Chosen One comes out of that race and goes on top in this. He didn’t get much room in the straight on that occasion and was very strong through the line, suggesting the extra 100m will suit him here. He will appreciate the dry track again and Champion Kiwi hoop, Opie Bosson, sticks with him.
Jockey @KPMcEvoy has a number of key rides on Saturday at Eagle Farm including Huetor in the Q22 at Eagle Farm. Went up a cog in the Doomben Cup and feels further improvement is to come. Jumped better last run.
Emerald Kingdom drops sharply in weight with a strong EF record.— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) June 9, 2022
It’s hard to knock the winner Huetor, who has been a model of consistency since arriving in Australia from France, and only has to repeat something similar to be winning again. Much of the same can be said for the runner up, Maximal, who savaged the line and will be hard to hold out here, providing he gets some cover from the wide gate.
A couple at big odds who shouldn’t be far away are Esti Fenny and Coventina Bay. Esti Fenny never got on the track in the Doomben Cup and was beaten less than 3L, and out of the same race, Coventina Bay, was a bit unlucky and rarely runs a bad race. Last start Rosehill winner, Hopeful, Gosford Cup winner, Numerian, and runner up, Great House, also deserve respect in this field.
The Q22 Tip
1. The Chosen One – Each way ($12/$3.70)
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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
