WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, JUNE 4 - OAKS DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 2, 2022

Another massive day this weekend with 10 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday – What a day!

The Group 1 QLD Oaks is our feature race with the track is rated “Good” and the rail out 2 metres.

One thing for sure is that we will see some amazing racing.

NB: As these selections were made prior to raceday please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

A 1800 metre race starts off the massive program.

Not a race I'm keen on.

Kristen Buchanan has brought a team of horses north to avoid the wet tracks in Sydney and she has had some recent success. I think that Casino Mondial (5), to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, gets in well and should be considered. Should race on the speed and get all the favours.

Ostermeier (7) has a great record second. He is trained by Alyssa & Troy Sweeney and, with Samantha Collett in the saddle, he could race well again second up.

Cognac (9), with Craig Williams in the saddle, may improve after running here a month ago in a midweek race.

Oceanic Flash (10) is another horse that has been failing on wet tracks. Will get a firm surface this weekend and Tommy Berry could start this week’s program with a win – after winning the last race last weekend!

Youngblood (4) is back in distance; however, he does race well at this track and looks well placed. Jim Byrne will ride for the local Tony Gollan stables.

Selections:

5 – Casino Mondial
7 – Ostermeier
9 – Cognac
10 – Oceanic Flash
Rough chances – (4) Youngblood

Race 2

1400 metres - Class 6 we are warming up!

Some early scratchings here.

Ventura Ocean (4) is the way to go here – I think he can surf his way into the winner’s stalls for the Kris Lees Racing stables with Andrew Mallyon to ride. Last time out was solid in Rockhampton and the start prior he was working home in a similar class race over the over this distance. Should prove hard to beat and at $10 looks over the odds.

Francesco Guardi (7) is trained by Chris Waller and will be ridden by James McDonald. He is second up here with a heap of gear changes on board as well. He has always had some ability – just needs a dry track to show it!

See Marie is trained by hold on – GROUP 1 winning trainer Desleigh Forster. This mare ran into wet tracks last preparation, and I think will appreciate the dry track here this weekend. Tommy Berry will ride her and she will race handy in the running, and she could be hard to hold out.

Smart N Sexy (13) is trained by Edmonds Racing and has Ben Thompson aboard. She does get back in her races and works home late – she may need some luck from back there, however, I think the speed in the race should see her working home late.

Palladas (6) is a rough chance for mine.

Selections:

4 – Ventura Ocean
7- Francesco Guardi
11– See Marie
13 – Smart N Sexy
Rough chance – (6) Palladas

Race 3 THE PHOENIX – LISTED

A 1500 metre race here where the runners look like an even bunch.

Chris Waller and James McDonald combine again here with a promising maiden Political Debate (10) who raced last time out in the Group 2 Champagne Classic. Worked home well late to finish third and will appreciate the extra distance this weekend.

Do not underestimate the chances of the Annabel Neasham trained West of Africa (12). Ran at the Gold Coast over 1200 meters on a heavy track which did not suit the colt. Look for an improved effort this weekend with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

Veteran trainer Graeme Rogerson from New Zealand brings a nice type across the ditch to race here – Sharp N Smart (5) with Hugh Bowman to ride. Last time out won in New Zealand impressively over the mile and certainly will be competitive in this lineup.

As for the rest it may pay to play wide, however, if there is any track bias for leaders this weekend the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained Mount Brilliant (11) may just roll along in front and prove hard to run down late. Tim Clark, a master tactician when riding in front, takes the ride.

Selections:

10 – Political Debate
12– West of Africa
5 – Sharp N Smart
6 – Ringmaster
Rough chance – (11) Mount Brilliant

Race 4 BILL CARTER STAKES – LISTED

A massive field.

Midnight In Tokyo (7) is trained by Kacy Fogden and will be ridden by Nash Rawiller. This filly flew home in the Ken Russell a month ago on the Gold Coast and the form has since been franked with the dynamic win of Sheeza Belter who came out and won sensationally last weekend. The only concerns that I have is … was her performance enhanced by the heavy track?

Chris Waller has two solid chances engaged here – Madame Pommery (3) who will be ridden by Hugh Bowman and Zougotcha (5) to be ridden by James McDonald. Madame Pommery (3) won last time out at Rosehill on a heavy track, and she looked like she had plenty of improvement left in her. She was unwanted in the betting, but I think that she could go right on with it here this weekend.

Zougotcha (5) is the stable mate – “Jay Mac” to ride. Has had a six week freshen up and a recent barrier trial. There has been solid support for this runner since the markets opened.

Plymstock (2) is a Godolphin runner trained by James Cummings who will be suited by the extra distance here - Kerrin McEvoy rides. When she resumed in the Dalrello she worked home well over 1000 metres and could cause an upset here.

Exo Lady (1) is on the quick back up after racing in the Group 1 Sires Produce last weekend. Jim Byrne will ride her again. If she backs up well, she is a genuine threat. They have posted $8 about this runner – that is just rude odds-on offer.

Selections:

7 – Midnight In Tokyo
3 – Madame Pommery
5 – Zougotcha
2 – Plymstock
Rough chance – (1) Exo Lady

Race 5 LIGHTNING HANDICAP – LISTED

A sprint race over 1000 metres.

I think it is a toss up between the Chris Munce trained Boomnova (9) and the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained Contemptuous (7). Nothing much between them for mine.

Boomnova (9) has won her past two starts here – last time with Sam Collett in the saddle. She will race on the speed and will be handy throughout. Has had two starts here for two wins.

Contemptuous (7) will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy – maybe 1000 metres a little is too sharp for him – however, he is resuming after a 12 week freshen up. He races well here and must be respected.

Tony Gollan Racing has Garibaldi (3) – first up - in the race. Craig Williams has been booked to ride him. He normally races well better second up. He does love this Eagle Farm track and the money has come for him since the markets have opened.

Esta La Roca (2) won the Bat Out of Hell on the Gold Coast a month ago. Has had plenty of time to freshen up. Trained by Lloyd Kennewell, she will sprint well fresh and always races well when her races are spaced apart. Ben Thompson will ride.

Selections:

7 – Contemptuous
9 – Boomnova
3 – Garibaldi
2 – Esta La Roca

Race 6

The last leg of the early Quaddie with a ten-race program – over the mile for fillies and mares.

Chris Waller Racing is well represented with four runners.

Both Kiku (2) and Nudge (1) have been in recent races where the speed has not been genuine, and they have been able to work home late. This weekend with Dzsenifer (6) in the race there should be some genuine speed on this weekend. With the big track as well, and the small field both Kiku (2) and Nudge (1) should be respected here.

A third Waller Racing runner is Atishu (3) who will be ridden by Tim Clark. She has been plagued by wet tracks. This weekend she gets a firm track, and I would suggest that she is the one to beat here on top of the ground.

Yamazaki (5) is now trained by Annabel Neasham and under the set weights gets in well here. Tommy Berry will ride. This mare will enjoy the speed on - and the small field - as she will settle back in the field and storm home late.

It is a very open race – they all have genuine chances.

Selections:

3 – Atishu
1 – Nudge
2 – Kiku
5 – Yamazaki
Rough chance – (8) Never Talk

Race 7 SPEAR CHIEF HANDICAP – LISTED

This is the first leg of the Quaddie. A Listed race over 1500 metres.

I like the chances of the Chris Waller trained Bullfinch (11). He seems to thrive at this Eagle Farm track. He has William Pike riding him for the first time this weekend and he gets in well at the weights.

Matthew Dunn Racing has Never No More (8) in the race with Tim Clark to ride. Has finished second in his past three outings and each time has come from the rear of the field with a sustained run and just missed. The extra distance and the speed on in the race probably mean that this is his best chance to win a race.

Le Ga Soleil (10) is trained by John O’Shea who has Kerrin McEvoy riding the mare. Last time out at Scone she got too far out of her ground and just worked home late. The extra distance suits this weekend.

Chris Waller also has Kubrick (1) with Tommy Berry to ride. He is second up here after resuming at Rockhampton in The Archer and that form has stood up in recent weeks. He is the type that needs everything to go well in the running to win – but he is weighted well here and will be suited by the fast tempo.

Selections:

11 – Bullfinch
8 – Never No More
10 – Le Ga Soleil
1 – Kubrick
Rough chance – (2) Lightning Jack

Race 8 ASCOT GREEN MORETON CUP – GROUP 2

Feature sprint on the program today.

I like the chances of the Bjorn Baker Racing trained Prime Candidate (4) who is second up this with Tim Clark to ride. Clark has ridden this gelding 9 times for 2 wins and 4 placings. Prime Candidate (4) resumed at Gosford on a heavy track which didn't suit him. Since then he has had a solid barrier trial which he won impressively. He comes here second up this weekend with a superb second up record and I just expect him to be racing on the speed and he may just prove too hard for these other runners to rundown late. He is sensational odds, currently around the $21 mark.

Shooting for Gold, trained by Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted, failed miserably on a heavy track at the Gold Coast a month ago. The rider reported to the stewards that he didn't handle the heavy surface. Now he is back at the Eagle Farm track where he has a superb record, and he races well on top of the ground. He gets those conditions this weekend I expect him to improve here with Kerrin McEvoy to ride. Look for him to be flashing home late as the judge calls a halt to the race.

The stablemate is Tumbler Ridge (6) who will be ridden by Boris Thornton. Could cause an upset – keep safe.

Letzbeglam (11), trained by Tony Pike, performed well in his first up run in Australia a fortnight ago on this track in the Bright Shadow (Listed). She looked the winner in the straight however was run down late. I am sure that she will strip fitter this weekend for that effort and could be a genuine roughie in this race to knock the more favoured runners out – Craig Grylls will ride.

Wandabaa (10) stormed home late in the Dark Jewel Classic (Group 3) at Scone in her last effort. She is trained by Kris Lees and will be ridden by William Pike. With the speed on in the race, her chances are enhanced and she will be flying home as is customary. Another thing in her favour is that she has previously raced well on this track.

Selections:

4 – Prime Candidate
5 – Shooting For Gold
11 – Letzbeglam
10 – Wandabaa
Rough chances – (8) Sir Warwick & (6) Tumbler Ridge

Race 9 QLD OAKS GROUP 1

Can a Queensland horse take out the feature race on today's program?

Gypsy Goddess is trained by David Vandyke and has been set for this race. She is drawn terribly this weekend in barrier 22. This could be a problem. She does normally races back in the field and has a strong finishing sprint. William Pike will ride her again and I expect her to be flashing down the outside late but, if it turns out by this race that there is leaders bias, you'll have to look elsewhere for horses that race close to the speed as she will struggle to reel in the leaders.

Barb Raider (1) comes off and exciting win last weekend and is on the quick backup after winning The Roses. Craig Williams will ride again for Jerome Hunter. She was strong to the line last weekend and will race in behind the speed – so she fits the criteria if they need to be close to the lead coming into the straight.

Le Villi (16), trained by Kris Lees Racing, was working home nicely last weekend in The Roses finishing a solid fifth behind Barb Raider (16). I really thought last weekend was just a pipe opener in preparation for her grand final this weekend. She certainly motored to the line late making up many lengths. I think that Tim Clark has a super chance to win another Group 1 race in QLD – she is fabulous odds at around $25.

Glint Of Hope (3) is trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young and will be ridden by Daniel Moor. This filly last time out won the South Australasian Oaks (Group 1) over 2000 metres. She was given a peach of a ride there and got all the favours skirting along the rail to win this race. She is a nice stayer and must be respected.

I think that there are some rough chances like Aravene (12) trained by Caroline Jennings and to be ridden by Brett Prebble and Belle Savoir (11), trained by Nick Ryan with Ryan Maloney to ride.

Honeycreeper (6) from the James Cummings stable will appreciate the freshen up as well - and the firm surface and has Hugh Bowman aboard.

Selections:

2 – Gypsy Goddess
1 – Barb Raider
16 – Le Villi
3 – Glint Of Hope
Rough chances – (12) Aravene – (11) – Belle Savoir - (6) Honeycreeper

Race 10

The last race is over 1200 metres.

Tony Gollan has Zavaboom (7) in the race with James McDonald taking the ride. A gear change with the blinkers going on for the first time is an important adjustment that should see him perform well. Last time out he was very solid in the race run over 1300 metres where the race was run in above standard time. He looks well placed this weekend and dropping back in distance should be hard to beat.

Ingratiating (2) is trained by James Cummings – and has the Godolphin Blue on. Talking about the BLUES – State of Origin Game 1 is on next Wednesday and I am sure that NSW will get the job done on their home ground. I digress – back to this runner to be ridden by Nash Rawiller. Resumed at Doomben on a heavy track six weeks ago – the blinkers come off here and I expect a dramatic reversal in form.

The stablemate is Athelric (3) who will have Hugh Bowman riding. Has won his past three starts and looking to post four successive wins here. He steps up to 1200 metres – hasn’t won at this distance in his career, however, will race just off the pace and should get the run of the race.

Arentee (6), who is trained by Chris Meagher, didn’t handle the 1400 metres last time out. He drops back to a suitable distance and has Kerrin McEvoy back aboard. They partnered two starts ago to win here over 1200 metres at Class 3 level.

Stellar Magic (11) is a solid roughie around the $25 mark – do not leave her out of your exotics and multiples.

Selections:

7 – Zavaboom
2 – Ingratiating
3 – Athelric
6 – Arentee
Rough chance – (11) Stellar Magic
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Jockeys Challenge

Tough weekend – Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy, James McDonald, and Tim Clark have some nice rides. I think Tim Clark could get the job done here- maybe a rough saver on Kerrin McEvoy – he does normally get some big results on these huge days in QLD.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

5,10,12 / 2,3,5,7 / 3,7,9 / 1,2,3,5 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

10,12 / 3,5,7 / 7,9 / 1,2,3 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1,8,10,11 / 4,5,10,11 / 1,2,3,11,16 / 2,3,6,7,11 - cost is $400 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

8,10,11 / 4,5,11 / 1,2,16 / 2,3,7 - cost is $81 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,10,11 / 1,2,3,11,16 / 2,3,6,7,11 - cost is $100 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues this weekend with WINNO and FLEMO in out tipping competition, just like NSW and QLD who are about to go into battle in State of Origin – we all know NSW will win. Just waiting for FLEMO to agree to terms of a bet for the upcoming series – come on mate – show your pride – be prepared to open your wallet!

Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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