WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 7 MARCH, 2020

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, March 5, 2020

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2020

Eagle Farm races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD.” The rail is out 6 metres for the entire course with the weather forecast to be warm but then with storms late in the afternoon.

Just a brief thanks to the staff and surgeons at St Vincent’s Hospital Chermside who took care of WINNO last week after he got sick. They were amazing and I think have patched me up yet again and I hope to be back at the track soon.

A special thanks also to you all who have called and sent messages over the past week – it really has lifted my spirits and has assisted my spirits when lying around in bed recovering.

Time to look at the program this weekend.

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day
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Race 1

The small field here probably will assist the very progressive The Kingdom (5) in getting home again and posting his fourth consecutive win for Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly. Apprentice Adin Thompson remains aboard this weekend. He has won on him two times in his last three starts.

The danger must be the David Vandyke trained Savwell (4). He steps up to 1830m this weekend and has Brad Stewart in the saddle. He could be the one to wreck the winning run of The Kingdom (5).

Selections:

5 – The Kingdom
4 – Savwell
1 – Gresham
2 – Mawaany Machine

Race 2

Ingear (12), from Gollan Racing, won here last start with an all the way win. Matthew McGillivray stays in the saddle. The step up to 1300 metres should not be any trouble for this runner. She looks well placed here.

Edmonds Racing has Nick The Skip (10) going around. Forget the last start run at Toowoomba when he was sent out as favourite. The race was not run to suit the runner and that run should be overlooked. Back to Eagle Farm and the wide track he should be able to find his feet and come wide late.

Classic Gaming (6) is trained in Victoria by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. He was impressive last start winning at Canberra. Louise Day takes the ride and probably is taking her first look at the Eagle Farm track. Maher seems to be making a habit of these hit and run missions to Brisbane in recent weeks – keep your eye on any serious market moves for this runner.

Guy Racing (Bryan and Daniel) has Fortification (2) here and he gets his chance to roll the more favoured runners at massive odds.

Selections:

12 – Ingear
10 – Nick The Skip
8 – Dreaming of Biscay
6 – Classic Gaming
Rough Chance – (2) Fortification

Race 3

This is the two-year-old race over 1300 metres.

Bellissimi Amici (1) won last start here in a small field. She is trained by Robert Heathcote and will be ridden by Robbie Fradd. I think that she is looking for further now but her win last start was impressive. I just am concerned with the larger field that she may get caught up in the pack and may not get such a great run in transit like she did a fortnight ago.

Apache Chase (3), trained by Desleigh Forster, is second up here this weekend. I think this runner would have taken some benefit from his first up effort when he led and was run down late. He has drawn a little wide, but I think Mark Du Plessis will bounce him out again and go forward – this could see him winning the race.
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Kris Lees trains Redoute’s Image (10) who has been well supported in the early markets. I am not a fan of her being a genuine winning chance here, but she should fill a place.

Selections:

1 – Bellissimi Amici
3– Apache Chase
10 – Redoute’s Image
2 - Statesville

Race 4

A huge field over 1000 metres at Class 3 level.

This is a lottery – who knows what can win this race.

Looks like a battle between the Sunshine Coast trainers Darryl Hansen and Natalie McCall. Hansen has two runners - Deep (6) and Missie Archer (4) – but my choice is the Natalie McCall trained Platinum Euros (7) who looked smart winning first up at his home track a fortnight ago in solid time.

Ronnie Stewart remains in the saddle. You will see when you review the statistics for McCall’s runners here at Eagle Farm that they seem to thrive and perform exceptionally on this track!

Ruuca (8) resumes from a spell for Edmonds Racing. His trial at the Gold Coast last week was very good. Don’t let this runner get under your guard he looks one that could be special.

Selections:

7 – Platinum Euros
6 – Go Deep
8 – Ruuca
4 – Missie Archer
Rough chance – (5) Brocky

Race 5

Another difficult field selection. This time the field will chase over the mile.

I think the Nothdurft and Gollan show may continue here with Galtero (3). He is third up this weekend and he just seems to have been getting fitter with each start. This weekend, up to the mile and third up where he has performed well in the past, I think he is wonderful value at $13 each way.

Slow Hands (7) has been beaten in a photo in his past two efforts here. To say he has been unlucky not to be in the winner’s stalls for Kelly Schweida is an understatement. Maybe this weekend, back in distance, he will get all the favours. If there is a runner that deserves to post a win – this is it.

Plitvice (1) carries a massive weight again this weekend, however, it is offset by the claim for the inform Adin Thompson. He will be in the finish too – but the weight remains my concern with this runner.

Selections:

3 – Galtero
7 – Slow Hands
1 – Plitvice
9 – Great Powers

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie – a 2200 metres distance race – finding a winner here is like finding a needle in a haystack!

Penhurst (7) is second up here for the Matthew Smith stables in Sydney. His first up effort at Canterbury over 1900 metres was pretty good, finishing off the race strongly late to claim a nice third. The ground he made was very notable at Canterbury and if he replicates that run at Eagle Farm on the long straight, I think he will be winning this race.

Twilighter (11) I think resented the quick back up last start - two runs in two weeks. Three weeks between runs now I think the mare will be ready to thrive this weekend. Mark Du Plessis is back aboard and she could have a big say in the outcome here.

The top weight Quality Seeker (1) met an average lot last start here, led all the way and was way too good for them. It was a brilliant ride by Matthew McGillivray on that occasion. This weekend, despite the massive 61 kilograms he has been allocated, there is relief in the claim for apprentice Louise Day with her 3 kilogram claim still making him competitive in this field. I just think that there are other runners with less weight that could roll this $1.90 favourite!

Selections:

7 – Penhurst
11 – Twilighter
1 – Quality Seeker
2 – Breakdance

Race 7

Chris Anderson has two good types of runners engaged here Epic Girl (3) and Boomtown Lass (5). They are difficult to split with both of their recent runs suggesting they will be highly competitive here. Adin Thompson is aboard Epic Girl (3) and his claim may be the deciding factor in the outcome and allow her to post a win over the stable mate which will be ridden by Brad Stewart.

Defence Missile (13) could be an interesting runner this weekend for Les Ross Racing with Madeline Wishart to ride. She takes three kilograms off and he has drawn barrier 1. I think they may take advantage of the draw and lead on this runner. If she is able to get some cheap sectionals out in front, he will be very hard to run down late.

Clockwise (7) stays under notice again. A quick back up from last weekend and back to 1200 metres will enhance his chances.

Selections:

3 – Epic Girl
5 – Boomtown Lass
13 – Defence Missile
7 – Clockwise
Rough chance – (9) Pressway

Race 8

An Open sprint over 1400 metres.

Robert Heathcote Racing continues to get the best out of Emerald Kingdom (6). He has successfully worked through his grades and this is his biggest test to date. He is looking for five successive wins this weekend. Robbie Fradd remains in the saddle. He looks well placed and gets in well at the weights. He meets Open Class runners for the first time; however, it is not really a strong field.

Qiji Phoenix (13) has been racing very well. He has drawn a barrier this weekend and with Michael “Muppy” Hellyer aboard should be given a good run in transit.

Lucky Prospector (14) has had a three-week break and resumes after a hit out in a barrier trial earlier this week. He really wasn’t tested there and I think he will race well this weekend. He gets in well at the weights with Jackson “McLovin” Murphy to ride.

The real question here is can Muppy and McLovin bring down the Kingdom?

Selections:

6 – Emerald Kingdom
13 – Qiji Phoenix
14 – Lucky Prospector
3 – Ken’s Dream
Rough chance – (9) – Get Stuck In

Race 9

The last race of the day – over 1400 metres.

It is a large field. Anything could happen here!

The two class runners are Star Of Michelin (2), trained by Stuart Kendrick, and Ballistic Boy (3), trained by Chris Anderson. They both resumed last start and ran solid races.

They are difficult to separate and they both have solid second up records.

Star Of Michelin (2) has won here at the course and distance so that is the way I am going – but there is a healthy respect for Ballistic Boy (3).

Robert Heathcote has a good roughie here as well – Dee Day Diva (6). She had no luck in the straight a fortnight ago here and probably should have figured closer in the finish. Maybe she can cause an upset.

Donald “Ducky” Baker trains Quart Pot (8). I saw this filly win on debut at Kilcoy. She comes off a solid Toowoomba win last start three weeks ago. A massive price of $61 is on offer if you want to look for a knock out chance here.

Selections:

2 – Star Of Michelin
3 – Ballistic Boy
6 – Dee Day Diva
9 – Sunday Sassy
Rough chances – (8) Quart Pot
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Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like a solid battle between a few jockeys – Matthew McGillivray, Brad Stewart, Robbie Fradd and apprentice Adin Thompson. It will come down to the last race – maybe Matty to just beat Adin.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

6,8,10,12 / 1,3,10 / 4,5,6,7 / 1,3,7 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

8,10,12 / 1,3 / 5,6,7 / 3,7 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,7,11 / 3,5,7,13 / 6,13,14 / 2,3,6 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

7,11 / 3,5,13 / 6,13 / 2,3 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

3,5,7,13 / 6,13,14 / 2,3,6 - cost is $36 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO smashed WINNO last weekend again – he tipped 5 winners on the program. I had better bounce back this weekend – last weekend I used the excuse I was up until 4am in the hospital doing my tips – no excuses this weekend! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!