WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM - QLD DERBY DAY
By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 30, 2025
EAGLE FARM this week. There are nine races on the program. The QLD Derby is the highlight of the day for me. The track is rated “SOFT”. The rail is in the true position.
The BRC Stradbroke Season continues!
Oh, and did I mention the best thing that happened this week was NSW flogging QLD on State of Origin 1.
NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
Race 1
A Class 6 race over 1600 metres to start us off.
The form is hard to assess here with so many coming off runs on heavy tracks where they were disadvantaged. If you forget them and go on the previous efforts, you may get a good result to start off the day.
Demon Darb (7) is trained by Robert Heathcote and Tommy Berry will ride. Races well over the mile and loves a firm track – has won here two times as well – looks ideally placed by the stable.
Ciaron Maher trains Space Age (6) who led them up on a bog track at Doomben at his last start. He is a duffer in the wet – back on top of the ground and with the 2kg claim for Cody Collis he looks well placed and should be right in the money. It would be a wonderful way to start the day with Cody celebrating his 22nd birthday on Wednesday.
Selections:
7 – Demon Darb
6 – Space Age
8 – Anemacore
2 – Victory Win
Race 2
A BM78 race over 1400 metres.
Aerial Dancer (7), trained by Matthew Hoysted with Jason Collett to ride, has a good second up record. She was unsuited on the heavy track at the Gold Coast first up.Looking for an improved effort here.
Deep Respect (2) will be ridden by Cejay Graham for Kelly Schweida. He is third up here – racing at a distance that he enjoys – keep safe.
Lady Shotgun (3) is trained by Angela Plumb.. She races well at this distance and her past two starts would suggest that she will be competitive here.
Zac Lloyd who won the 2024 Stradbroke makes his first appearance in this year’s Carnival aboard the team Hawkes trained Terrestar (9) who is first up. She is in barrier 16 – will need some luck – but on her previous form she is right in this.
Selections:
7 – Aerial Dancer
2 – Deep Respect
3 – Lady Shotgun
9 – Terrestar
Rough chance – (8) Redzoust
Race 3 QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP – GROUP 3
A Group 3 race over 2400 metres.
Open field here. I like the lightly raced Waterhouse & Bott runner – Campaldino (14) stepping up into Group racing for the first time. I think these conditions suit him – Tim Clark to ride. He has won his past two starts and so aims for a hat trick of wins – winning form is great form.
Staying with that thought – winning form is great form - the new addition to the Hulbert Racing yards Dillian (15) has been nothing short of impressive winning his past two runs. Down again in the weight, he looks well placed and this is the acid test to see whether he can shape up against a more seasoned bunch of stayers – Martin Harley will ride.
The most promising of all these runners must be Immediacy (3) with James McDonald to ride for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young yards based in Victoria. A four-year-old gelding with 5 wins from 12 starts – this is his fourth run this preparation and he has won his past two starts as well.
Chris Waller Racing has four runners – they all have genuine chances. Etna Rosso (5) with Zac Lloyd to ride and Strathay (11) with Ronnie Stewart aboard looks the best.
Flying Bandit (7) is trained by Kerry Parker and Jay Ford will ride him again after winning the Wagga Cup last time. He has been freshened since then – keep safe.
Selections:
14 – Campaldino
15 – Dillian
3 – Immediacy
5 – Etna Rosso
Rough chances – (7) Flying Bandit & (11) Strathay
Race 4 SKY RACING LORD MAYORS CUP – GROUP 3
A Group 3 race over 1800 metres.
The Waterhouse & Bott train Osmose (7) resumed over a mile first up on a wet track. He has no good form on wet tracks. I think stepping up in distance and a better track here we will see the best of him second up at $26 with Rachel King riding.
Gollan Racing is having a great Carnival. Can it continue with a rising star – Rising Pacific (9) with Andrew Mallyon riding? He won here at this track and distance last time out – keeps on winning – a genuine hope.
Tavi Time (1) is a Kris Lees Racing runner with James McDonald riding. He loves dry tracks and won the Scone Cup last start over 1600 metres. He raced midfield before unleashing a barnstorming finish and destroyed the opposition. He looks like a safe bet and is the early market favourite.
Regal Amazon (2) is a South Australian runner trained by Phillip Stokes. He is a seven-year-old racing in career best form. Craig Williams will ride this week. He has won his past two starts over the mile. The last win was sensational – being tailed off last and then being brought out wide, balanced up before storming away to win impressively.
Selections:
7 – Osmose
9 – Rising Pacific
1 – Tavi Time
2 – Regal Amazon
Rough chance – (4) Brookhaven
Race 5 BRC SIRES PRODUCE – GROUP 2 – TWO-YEAR-OLDS
A Group 2 race over 1400 metres. A large and open field.
I think that Gallo Nero (2) is the one to be on. First up drew wide and was forced to race wide throughout. He is trained by team Hawkes and Tommy Berry will ride. It was a super effort just running out of time to run down the local Munce Racing runner – Cool Archie (3) – I think he turns the tables here this weekend.
Cool Archie (3) is just racing in superb form – the Munce stable is on fire! Martin Harley will ride him again. He is looking for four wins in a row this preparation – he can go on with it – do not overlook him – he looks like he will get a strong 1400m as well.
Aerodrome (7) is trained by Michael Freedman and Regan Bayliss has the ride. He has won both his career starts – that is two from two – undefeated. He raced at Hawkesbury last time out over 1400 metres on a heavy track. His time and sectionals were fantastic. If he lets down here like he did there he will be storming home and very difficult to beat.
Kelly Schweida trains Grafterburners (1) with Jason Collett riding. He drew wide last start and had no luck. Unfortunately for the stable he has drawn barrier 16 this week. Collett will need to get in early – get some cover and ride for luck – he is a genuine threat if he gets a conservative run from the awkward barrier.
The horse that I liked for months has been United States (15) trained by Chris Waller and James McDonald riding. He is still a maiden – but he just oozes ability and just needs some luck. He worked home last start well over 1200 metres on a heavy track – probably was a nice fitness run to get him ready for this and the J J Atkins in a few weeks. The stable has put in a cross over nose band and the winkers – this will be of a significant benefit.
Selections:
2 – Gallo Nero
7 – Aerodrome
15 – United States
1 – Grafterburners
Rough chances – (3) Cool Archie
Race 6 MULLINS LAWYERS FRED BEST CLASSIC – GROUP 3
A Group 3 race over 1400 metres. First leg of the Quaddie.
Maybe we can party after this if the Nash Rawiller mount Just Party (3) wins the race. Trained by Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou he comes off a dramatic second in the Hawkesbury Guineas (Group 3). He jumped poorly from the barrier and then had a disrupted run throughout prior to Rawiller peeling him wide and going hard to only go down by a narrow margin to Media World (4) who led throughout.
Media World (4) is trained by Peter Snowden and Mark Zahra will ride. He led throughout at Hawkesbury on a wet track where leaders had a distinct advantage on the day. He will be competitive here.
El Morzillo (15) is a last start winner for local trainer Kelly Schweida and Jason Collett. They unite again here in this race. She won over 1350 metres at Doomben – she will get better as the distances increase. They were more positive with her last time riding her closer to the speed and she appreciated the change in riding tactics to be too strong at the end. Look for the same tactics this weekend.
Chris Waller Racing has some nice chances. Angel Capital (2) who resumes with Ben Melham in the saddle. He won a Group 2 event at Caulfield at his last effort over 1400 metres. He was trained by Clinton McDonald for that run and has his first start for his new trainer. His recent trials suggest that he is very forward and will be ready to go hard first up.
Emirate (9) will be partnered by James McDonald. Forgive the first up effort at the Gold Coast on a very heavy track. He did not go a yard in the wet conditions – look for an improvement in this race.
Tony Gollan trains Boomtown Boss (7) who didn’t fire a shot over a mile last time out. Back in distance - watch for a huge improvement from her.
Selections:
3 – Just Party
15 – El Morzillo
2 – Angel Capital
4 – Media World
Rough chances – (7) Boomtown Boss & (9) Emirate
Race 7 EVA AIR KINGSFORD SMITH CUP – GROUP 1
A Group 1 race over 1300 metres.
The win of Bosustow (13) on the Gold Coast Guineas – Group 3 was awesome! Trained by Annabel & Rob Archibald and ridden by Josh Parr, they unite again here to see if they can get this three-year-old colt his first Group 1 win. He is drawn well in barrier 4 – Parr will have him placed well throughout with a couple of speedsters engaged in the race that will probably string the field out.
Joliestar (10) is a Chris Waller runner – James McDonald aboard. She is a proven Group 1 performer. Five starts in this grade – 2 wins and a second – impressive stuff. She won the Group 1 Newmarket three starts ago. Last time out she was a gallant second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes over 1400 metres. She rates well for this race and must be respected.
Golden Mile (4) is a Godolphin – James Cummings runner with Jason Collett aboard. He is a $41 chance and I think may cause a massive upset. He has had a month freshen up since a good effort in the Group 2 Victory Stakes. He got too far back on that occasion and worked home well from a wide gate. Has had a recent barrier trial where he wasn’t asked to do too much – super odds and this race can normally serve up a massive upset!
The Hayes boys won the last race last weekend with War Machine. In that race Rise At Dawn (8) was scratched and saved for this event. Clearly a harder assignment – but in saying that a good pipe opener for the Stradbroke. Ethan Brown will ride him. His last start effort in the Group 1 Doncaster was fabulous when he led them up and was swamped late in a blanket finish. This distance suits him. He won a trial at Caulfield a fortnight ago – he looks forward and will improve on this run. He is looking for his first Group win.
Giga Kick (1) cannot be overlooked – the highest rating runner in the race – I just want to see him win a race and I am not sure whether the Eagle Farm track will give him this opportunity.
Selections:
13 – Bosustow
10 – Joliestar
4 – Golden Mile
8 – Rise At Dawn
Rough chance – (1) Giga Kick
Race 8 LADBROKES QUEENSLAND DERBY – GROUP 1
A Group 1 race over 2400 metres for the three-year-old runners.
This is a very open race. You might want to play wide.
Chase Your Dreams (18) is trained by the Hayes boys – she has the winkers coming off this weekend. She has been up a while – her last start at Group 3 level at Morphettville showed she will run this distance out. She is taking on the boys, but she may just run a solid race. Ethan Brown will ride.
Maison Louis (10) is trained by John O’Shea & Tom Charlton. Has been working through the grades and stepping up in distance as well. His last start effort in the Rough Habit (Group 3) on a heavy track was solid. He didn’t enjoy the wet conditions; however, he was strong to the line – looking for a better effort on top of the ground. Ben Melham is in the saddle.
Belle Detelle (17) is a Chris Waller runner – with James McDonald to ride. She was heavily supported in the Rough Habit last time out – but the wet track was a massive issue – she settled back in the field and despite finishing off the race never looked like a winning hope. I think that she has been crying out for this distance and if she doesn’t win this race I think she will win the Oaks if she backs up in that race next week.
Statuario (3) comes out of the South Australian Derby – Group 1 with John Allen riding and trained by Emma Lee and David Browne - where he ran second. He was heavily supported and sent out favourite in that race and just failed to reel in the leader late. He has had a five week freshen up and he has a nice barrier – barrier 5. He gets every chance to win his maiden Group 1 race. He will be easily identified in the running. He is a grey racehorse.
Lavalier (6) will be ridden by Jamie Melham – can history be created with the Melhams running 1 – 2 in the feature race. She rode him last time out in the SA Australian Derby. He was caught wide early and could not get in – had to be used up early to find a place in the running and this showed late when he peaked on his run. Given some more luck here – look for him to be competitive.
Politely Dun (7) has drawn woefully in barrier 22 – Jordan Childs will ride this Danny O’Brien trained gelding. A last start winner at Flemington – his sectionals late were great – he could sprint well here. Having not being subjected to a heavy track last start – he could come here with fresh legs.
Selections:
3 – Statuario
17 – Belle Detelle
6 – Lavalier
18 – Chase Your Dreams
Rough chances – (10) Maison Louis & (7) Politely Dun
Race 9 MAGIC MILLIONS HELEN COUGHLAN – LISTED
A Listed race over 1200 metres. Time to head home after this one.
I like one from interstate in the last race. Trained in South Australia by Phillip Stokes this mare – Zaszou (15) had her last start at Randwick over 1200 metres at Group 2 level. She drops back in grade and has drawn well. Third up record is solid and has Ethan Brown to ride – a seven week freshen up – look for her to sprint well here – super each way odds $21.
Bubbas Bay (5), trained by Kris Lees Racing, comes off a heavy track run at Hawkesbury in the Listed Gold Rush over 1100 metres. He has a solid record at this track with six starts for five wins – he just thrives here. Andrew Mallyon rides him as well – seven rides – 4 wins and 2 placings – the track the jockey the distance – ticks a few boxes and he is a $21 chance.
Tony Gollan Racing has Comrade Rosa (6) racing here third up – she was awesome in the Archer running a gallant second. Craig Williams remains aboard. She ran some amazing sectionals in the race. There is some speed in this race – hopefully she doesn’t get too far back - she will be right in the race late.
Floozie (8) is the stablemate – Angela Jones to ride. She was dominant at the Gold Coast last start winning the Gold Coast Stocking at Listed level – drawn a little sticky in barrier 12, but she has won her last three and deserves a chance to post another black type win.
Kin (7) is the Godolphin runner with James McDonald aboard. She was solid in the Listed Bright Shadow at Doomben in her last start. Her wins have always been better on firm surfaces – look for an improved effort here.
Tashi (10) is trained by Snowden Racing – he seems to sneak one in each year to the Carnival and grab a win. She comes off a solid second at Group 3 level last time out. Just got run down late – will be fitter and ready to fire.
Selections:
15 – Zaszou
5 – Bubbas Bay
6 – Comrade Rosa
8 – Floozie
Rough chances – (7) Kin & (10) Tashi
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Jockeys Challenge
Looks like a difficult day. Jason Collett has a nice book of rides – will put him on top.
James McDonald has some great rides too – they just need to transition from a heavy track to a dry track and that will see him win. Tommy Berry and Ethan Brown are rough chances as well
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
2,3,7 / 3,5,14,15 / 1,7,9 / 1,2,7,15 - cost is $144 to $1.
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
2,7 / 3,14,15 / 7,9 / 2,7,15 - cost is $36 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,3,4,15 / 4,8,10,13 / 3,6,10,17,18 / 5,6,7,8,15 - cost is $400 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,3,15 / 10,13 / 3,6,17 / 5,6,15 - cost is $54 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
4,8,10,13 / 3,6,10,17,18 / 5,6,7,8,15 - cost is $100 to $1.
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 any late mail!
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