The 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival gets underway Friday night with the running of Queensland Guineas Day at Eagle Farm.

Tips by Craig Sheppard

Eagle Farm Race 1 – BENCHMARK 90 Handicap
No. 3 Wapiti
Wapiti (3) will be having his third run in as many weeks when he lines up here from a wide gate. The Gary Duncan-trained gelding proved too strong two starts ago when running on strongly to win by a nose over 1600m at this track. He backed that strong form up last start when fighting on well after being caught wide in the Listed Brisbane Mile Quality Handicap to finish fourth. He again draws wide but there doesn't look to be a great deal of speed so he should be able to settle in a prominent position.

Selections: 3-2-1-8

Eagle Farm Race 2 – BENCHMARK 78 Handicap
No. 6 Tenzing
Tenzing (6) improved second-up when winning over 1660m at Doomben last start. The Tony Gollan-trained son of Contributor enjoyed a nice run before finding the line well to win by a nose. He looked to have more improvement to come which bodes well for him third-up. He races well over this course and distance and top jockey Jimmy Orman sticks.

Selections: 6-11-14-7 

Eagle Farm Race 3 – FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP
No. 3 Typhoon Taavi
Typhoon Taavi (3) has been setting the Doomben track alight lately and will look to do the same thing at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of I Am Invincible controlled the race from in front two starts back when easily winning by 1.5 lengths over 1200m at Doomben. She repeated the dose last start over the same track and trip, but that time she demoralised her opponents with a four-length victory. Tahlia Fenlon has been aboard for both wins and her 3kg claim is beneficial.

Selections: 3-9-7-1 

Eagle Farm Race 4 – BENCHMARK 85 Handicap
No. 11 Blakmax
Blakmax (11) returned in good order last start when finishing second to Typhoon Taavi over 1200m at Doomben. The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old gelding settled a long way back after drawing the outside barrier before charging through the pack to finish four-lengths behind the speedster. He'll take benefit from the run and boasts a second-up record of two wins and a second from three starts. Given the way he powered through the line, the rise to 1400m looks ideal with the massive weight drop.

Selections: 11-6-8-5 

Eagle Farm Race 5 – QTIS 3YO QUALITY
No. 3 Golden Decade
Golden Decade (3) resumes here and looks ready for a bold showing following two trials. The Matt Dunn-trained son of Sooboog finished runner-up in his first trial before letting down nicely under his own steam to win the most recent trial at Deagon over 1050m. He has a very good record of four wins and four placings from 11 starts with his last win come last start at Randwick despite suffering from heat stress. The draw is a touchy sticky but if Ryan Maloney can find some cover then he'll be finding the line strongly.

Selections: 3-4-9-10

Eagle Farm Race 6 – LISTED DALRELLO STAKES
No. 4 Pareto
Pareto (4) could not have been more impressive when winning on debut at the Sunshine Coast last start. The David McColm-trained Pierata gelding lost the plot in the mounting yard and sweated up badly but still proved to be in a different class when winning the 1000m contest by 3.5 lengths. He'll take great benefit from the experience and will be better on a dry track. He has the early speed to take up a forward position.

Selections: 4-2-3-10 

Eagle Farm Race 7 – COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP
No. 10 Warby
Warby (10) looks ready for a big preparation based on his excellent recent trial. The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old gelding worked home powerfully to just miss the win. Last preparation he won two of five starts including once over 1400m here. He gets back in his races so the likely strong speed will aid his chances.

Selections: 10-4-12-2

Eagle Farm Race 8 – GROUP 2 VICTORY STAKES
No. 9 Wee Nessy
Wee Nessy (9) arrives in Queensland in brilliant form and looks well placed in the Group 2 Victory Stakes. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare finished close thirds in the Group 3 Weona Girl Quality Handicap and the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes to kick her preparation off before an impressive display last start. She chased strongly to charge past her rivals and win the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes by 1.3 lengths. From the inside gate, Adam Hyeronimus should give her the run of the race.

Selections: 9-1-8-2

Eagle Farm Race 9 – GROUP 2 QUEENSLAND GUINEAS
No. 11 Press Link
This year's Group 2 Queensland Guineas is a cracking affair with numerous chances, including Press Link (11). The Rob Heathcote-trained son of Press Statement tasted defeat for the first time last start but was far from disgraced. He settled a long way back in the Listed Daybreak Lover before running on strongly to finish third by 2.2 lengths. He ran the quickest final 200m of the race so the rise to 1600m looks ideal now that he's rock hard fit.

Selections: 11-9-6-1