Global Weekly Preview - 10.06.16

The build-up to Royal Ascot continues at a fierce pace. A real buzz can be detected in Newmarket this week as trainers from Australia and America join the familiar faces on the gallops at Racing Headquarters in preparation for the most glamorous and exacting five days of Flat racing in Europe.

But, equally, from a global perspective, this weekend signals other important events in racing -- the American Classic, the G1 Belmont Stakes, centrepiece of a cracking card in New York on Saturday, plus the delayed grand re-opening of Eagle Farm racecourse in Brisbane on the same day.

Don't underestimate the significance of what is happening in Queensland this weekend. Not since the great champion Tulloch took his revenge on Sharply in the 1961 G2 Brisbane Cup has there been a more important event at Eagle Farm, the home of quality racing in the North of Australia.

Tulloch was a phenomenal racehorse, who won 36 of his 53 races, at distances ranging from five furlongs to 2 miles, and when connections decided to bring the curtain down on his long career, Eagle Farm was the venue chosen for his much-publicised swan song. A huge crowd gathered to say farewell.

Last week, rain scuppered the scheduled re-opening of Eagle Farm, but that has just intensified interest in this week's meeting -- and it has led to an impressive programme, extending to 10 races. This re-opening is a first step to Brisbane racing regaining a major chunk of its former glory.

The G1 Stradbroke heads one of the most impressive cards seen in Australia in many years. On the same all-quality programme, there is also the G1 Queensland Derby, G1 Queensland Oaks, G1 J J Atkins Stakes, G2 Brisbane Cup and G2 Dane Ripper Stakes.

Godolphin trainer John O'Shea, who is at Newmarket, UK, supervising Holler in an attempt to win the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18, said he will be following the Brisbane racing in the middle of the night from his temporary base.

"We have some good chances there," the trainer said.

Ghisoni, in the G2 Dane Ripper Stakes, is the chief hope for Godolphin, but the hardy staying three-year-old Etymology is also a major chance in the G1 Queensland Derby.