Queensland Summer Carnival Racing Tips: Grand Prix Stakes, Gold Edition & BJ McLachlan Stakes Preview
The Saturday Set has wrapped up for 2024 with a cracking season finale focused on the Queensland Summer Carnival. With three feature races at Eagle Farm headlining the Queensland racing calendar, our expert tipsters have dissected every runner to find the best value bets heading into the Christmas break.
Here's everything you need to know about this weekend's feature races, plus our official Saturday Set tips and a special interview with Australia's biggest racing influencer, Ben Scarf.
Grand Prix Stakes 2024: Three-Year-Old Staying Test at Eagle Farm
The Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes over 1800 metres is one of Queensland's premier races for emerging three-year-old stayers. It's the perfect distance to identify horses with genuine staying potential heading into the autumn carnival.
Why John Dory Looks Overs at $3
The market has installed John Dory as the $3 favourite, but our analysis suggests that's far too short. Here's why:
Last start, John Dory was beaten by Night Line at Doomben despite getting the dream run. Night Line is now $10 in this race — so why the massive price discrepancy?
John Dory sat outside the leader in a slowly-run race and couldn't put the race away when it counted. Going from 1600m to 1800m doesn't necessarily suit a horse that couldn't finish off over the shorter trip.
Tambola: The Grand Prix Stakes Best Bet
Tambola at $5 represents genuine value in the Grand Prix Stakes. Here's the case:
- Went a little wide last start at Rosehill over 1500m
- The step up to 1800m looks ideal
- Clearly the classiest horse in the field based on race history
- Hit the line strongly in Sydney, suggesting the 1500m was too short
Second pick: Matteas at $9 — This horse was only beaten three-quarters of a length by John Dory two starts back. The $9 vs $3 price gap makes no sense given how close they've run.
"It's a bit rich calling this a Group 3. I'm not sure these horses really deserve that status right now." — Saturday Set panel
Gold Edition Stakes 2024: Three-Year-Old Sprint Showdown
The Gold Edition Stakes is Queensland's feature race for three-year-old sprinters over 1200m at Eagle Farm. The race lost some star quality when Cool Archie was scratched — with reports suggesting he may never race again.
Grafter Burners: Value at $2.50
Grafter Burners was heavily backed last start (backed off the map to $1.60) and delivered, beating Damien despite having to work from a wide gate.
This time? Barrier one changes everything.
Key factors for Grafter Burners:
- Draws barrier 1 (huge advantage)
- Races on pace and puts herself into the race
- Last start required work to cross from a wide draw
- Should get a soft run this time
The $2.25-$2.50 range looks like value. Expect this horse to firm.
Press Star: The Value Play at $8
Press Star shapes as the danger at massive odds. Two quality trials heading into this first-up assignment, and barrier 11 isn't as bad as it looks over 1200m at Eagle Farm where you can sit off the pace and charge down the middle.
Other runners to watch:
- Ian Dreamer (Kieran McEvoy needs to work from the gate but has talent)
BJ McLachlan Stakes 2024: Open Sprint Analysis
The BJ McLachlan Stakes (formerly the Lough Neagh Stakes) is a 1300m sprint for the older horses and features some serious quality including Rothfire and race favourite Accredited.
Accredited: The Horse to Beat
Accredited ticks every box heading into this race:
- Ran fourth behind Yorkshire (who went on to win the Ingham and is being mentioned for the Doncaster)
- Dropping from 1500m back to 1300m suits perfectly
- Drawn barrier one
- Joe Pride is masterful at dropping horses back in distance when travelling
Joe Pride has an exceptional record taking horses to Queensland, and the 1500m back to 1300m is his bread and butter.
Rothfire: Quality but Questions Remain
Rothfire is a champion — over $4 million in prize money as an 8-year-old. Won the Sydney Stakes (Everest consolation) and is clearly the most talented horse in the field.
However:
- Seven weeks between runs with no public trial
- Only placed once over 1300m in his entire career
- At 8 years of age, the clock is ticking
The market hasn't quite found Rothfire, but there are legitimate reasons to be cautious.
Value play: Orton at $10 — Worth a look at the price with a different form line.
Official Saturday Set Tips: Season Finale Picks
Kingsley's Saturday Set Selections
| Track | Race | Horse | Odds | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randwick | 9 | Alabama Fox | $48 | First-up, good trial, lightly raced, on pace, down in weight |
| Eagle Farm | 3 | Ultimatum | $4.60 | McEvoy taking horse to QLD is a great sign, trialled well |
| Murray Bridge | 4 | Beauty Rising | $2.80 | Most improvement in the field, ready to peak third-up |
Fitz's Saturday Set Selections
| Track | Race | Horse | Odds | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caulfield | 4 | Kenobas | - | Up-and-comer looks the goods |
| Caulfield | 9 | Beast Mode | - | Back to 1000m at Caulfield suits after 1100m last start |
| Murray Bridge | 3 | Can Cand | $7.50 | Bowman brings from Victoria, liked the trial |
| Murray Bridge | 8 | Enough Seduction | - | Did it hard on leaders bias, Caitlin Turtle takes weight off |
Ben Scarf Interview: Inside Australia's Biggest Racing Influencer
The Saturday Set welcomed a special guest for the season finale — Ben Scarf, Australia's biggest racing influencer.
Growing Up Around Professional Punting
Ben's father was one of the most significant professional punters of his era, but interestingly, racing wasn't a big part of Ben's childhood.
"He had no interest in racing ever. Just numbers. The races weren't on at home... he could not be — he hasn't watched the Melbourne Cup since 2000."
His father quit professional punting when he lost his edge to Jelo (the betting exchange), and now focuses exclusively on golf and politics betting.
The Art of Not Caring What People Think
One of Ben's biggest insights for content creators: authenticity matters more than anything else.
"You definitely get better at it. You're a bit nervous at the start and then you post it anyway and you can't help but get better."
On handling negative comments: "I prefer it. It's all it is is a reminder that you're relevant. The worst thing is when they stop commenting hate. That's when you know you've lost your edge."
Entertainment First, Winning Second
Ben's approach to content creation prioritises entertainment over betting results — though he maintains that winning matters.
"If you're going to go into gambling being like 'I'm going to make generational wealth,' well, it's a recipe for disaster."
Currently tracking around $70,000 down in his public betting challenge, Ben remains confident: "I'll find a way."
UK Expansion Plans
Ben revealed plans to launch an affiliate in the UK market, where approximately 20% of his audience is based. The US market has proven more difficult due to the lack of racing culture.
The King Zone Now in Pubs: Free Racing Intelligence on Big Screens
Big news for punters in Sydney — The King Zone is now live in pubs.
Currently showing at:
- The Oak — Double Bay
- Gregory Hills Hotel — Gregory Hills
- The Henry — Katoomba, Blue Mountains
This means free access to King Zone racing intelligence on the big screens while you enjoy a schnitty and a beer. The rollout is expanding, so contact the team if you'd like King Zone in your local.
"How good is a schnitty, a parmi, a beer on a Saturday, and having a punt?" — Kingsley
Saturday Set Accountability: 2024 Season Wrap
Both tipsters finished 2024 with an 18% POT (Profit on Turnover) — a strong result across the year with particular highlights in the big feature races.
Season highlights:
- Autumn Boy in the Caulfield Guineas
- Pride of Jenni in a major upset
The accountability tracker resets for 2025-2026, with the next Saturday Set scheduled for Magic Millions Day before a break until early February.
What's Next for The King Zone?
The Saturday Set returns for:
- Magic Millions Day — January 2025
- Regular season — Starting approximately February 5, 2025
In the meantime, catch King Zone content at participating pubs or follow along on socials.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year from The King Zone team.
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