WINNO'S WINNERS - EAGLE FARM - STRADBROKE DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 11, 2026

EAGLE FARM races this week … with the Group 1 Stradbroke and the Group 1 J J Atkins headlining the showpiece meeting of Queensland racing with three support races at Group 2 level. Nine races are scheduled with the track rated a ‘HEAVY 8’ at the time of writing. The rail is out four metres for the entire track. The racing looks superb – even if the weather this week has been disgusting!

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 THE WAYNE WILSON

A Listed race over 1600 metres to start us off.

Most importantly, the race honours Wayne Wilson, a master of his craft and one of Queensland racing's most iconic voices. His calls brought countless great moments to life, and today, when we watch replays of the champions who graced Queensland racetracks, it is often Wayne's unmistakable commentary that transports us back. A superb race caller and a genuinely wonderful person, his contribution to the sport remains unforgettable.

Selections:

4 – War Eternal
2 – Yellow Jersey
9 – Pasima
1 – Welwal
Rough chance – (3) Tavi Time

Race 2 TICKETMASTER OXLADE STAKES – LISTED

A Listed race over 1200 metres for two-year-old runners.

Selections:

5 – Hard to Exceed
11 – Lady Catalina
8 – Pearl Of Dubai
3 – Portico
Rough chance – (7) Double Cool

Race 3 XXXX BRISBANE CUP – GROUP 2

An Open class race over 3200 metres at Group 2 level.

Selections:

7 – Montagna
1 – Alalcance
11 – Hutchence
5 – Highland Bling
Rough chance – (12) Zibulon

Race 4 SKY RACING GUNSYND CLASSIC – GROUP 3

An Open class race over 1600 metres – Group 3 level.

Selections:

1 – Sixties
2 – Skyhook
10 – Within The Law
11 – Tupakara
Rough chance – (13) State Opera & (7) Congressman

Race 5 SEVEN HINKLER HANDICAP – LISTED

An Open class race over 1200 metres at Listed level.

Selections:

18 – The Arabian
13 – Golden Straand
5 – Midnight In Tokyo
4 – Pereille
Rough chance – (8) Fire Star & (6) Barber

Race 6 MAGIC MILLIONS DANE RIPPER STAKES – GROUP 2

First leg of the Quaddie. A fillies and mares race over 1300 metres.

Selections:

8 – She’s Got Pizzazz
9 – Snow In May
13 – Poster Girl
12 – Gerringong
Rough chances – (14) Soft Love & (3) Tuileries & (7) Paradise City

Race 7 TRACKSIDE NZ – J J ATKINS – GROUP 1

A Group 1 race over 1600 metres for the two-year-olds. First leg of the Treble.

Chris Waller is looking to win Group 1 winner 202 – can he succeed? I am saying not in this race! Hopefully no egg on my face after the race. He saddles up Tron Bolt (4) – James McDonald … and Stormy Marco (5) – Nash Rawiller.

Stormy Marco (5) comes off a more traditional set up for this race, racing last start in the Sires Produce (Group 2) where he had no luck in the running and could not let down late – probably an eye-catching run even if full of disappointment. That was only his second race start – plenty of improvement left in him for mine. Nash is looking for his third win in the race – having won in 2010 on Pressday for Chris Waller and again in 2013 with Romantic Touch for Gai Waterhouse.

The stable mate is Tron Bolt (4) who looks to have plenty of upside to him. A Rosehill winner on a heavy track at his last start over 1300 metres at his third career start. He has been smashed in the betting and now is around the $2.10 mark. J MAC is looking for his second winner in this race after partnering Broadsiding to win in 2024.

Voynichese (12) won for good bloke and country trainer Nick Olive last weekend in the Listed Phoenix over 1500 metres. Declan Bates is looking for his first win in the race. Olive is looking to train his first Group 1 winner since Single Gaze won the Vinery Stud Stakes in 2016 – what an achievement if he can win this Group 1 feature with another filly. She was strong to the line last weekend and I would think that she will get 2000 metres or even further.

She looks well placed here.

Berzelius (1) was the winner of the Sires Produce last time out. Trained by Michael Freedman with Tommy Berry riding him again. His sectionals late were sensational – a repeat of that performance will see him right in the finish. Do not underestimate this runner.

I think we can get a local winner here – A QLD victory – something for you lot to cheer about! I am tipping Tony Gollan to get his first win in this race with Martist (2) with Mark Zahra riding. He is looking to post his first win in the race. This colt is third up – has been unlucky in both the Sires and first up in the Spirit of Boom (Group 2) over 1200 metres. If he can just get some luck in the running and a clear passage in the straight, I can see him winning.

Selections:

2 – Martist
5 – Stormy Marco
12 – Voynichese
4 – Tron Bolt
Rough chance – (9) Glenorchy & (1) Berzelius

Race 8 LADBROKES STRADBROKE HANDICAP – GROUP 1

The feature race is over 1400 metres at Group 1 level.

Chris Waller has two genuine chances – Fangirl (1) and an emergency The Sixties (19). Fangirl will be ridden by James McDonald. She was excellent in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith. When you look at the replay of the race, she was flashing home out wide doing her best work, probably better than any other runner in the race, and had ‘back me next start’ written all over her. She is a proven Group 1 winner, and the extra distance is right up her alley. James McDonald is looking for his first win in this race.

The Sixties (19) will be ridden by Jamie Melham if he makes the field. He will handle a heavy track and no weight on his back will be competitive if he makes the field – if not he should win Race 4! He was taken back from a wide barrier last time out and got too far back. With the light weight and barrier 3 look for them to be more positive and position him in the first half of the field.
Another Wil (4) is trained by Ciaron Maher who is having a tremendous Winter Carnival. Ryan Maloney will ride. He was gallant in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith, loves a wet track and 1400 metres is his best distance for mine. With 9 starts 5 wins and 2 seconds – I think the stats support this.

Private Eye (3) is the ageing but very consistent war horse of the field – Nash Rawiller to ride for Joe Pride. When you look at the replays of the Kingsford Smith he just ran up behind a wall of them late – had no luck and could not get a fair crack at them in the final 150 metres. He will handle a wet track and loves this distance. Nash won the race in 2010 aboard Black Piranha trained by Con Karakatsanis.

The stable mate is Headley Grange (7) who won the Kingsford Smith with Adam Hyeronimus aboard. That was a huge win plus WINNO did tip him! I think 1400 metres will test him – but keep him safe. He just thrives on wet tracks.

Splash Back (14) is trained by Graeme Begg and Craig Williams will ride. Williams won this race in 2021 on Tofane trained by Michael Moroney and in 2007 on Sniper’s Bullet for Tracey Bartley.

I am putting Spicy Martini (16) on top here. Trained by Toby Edmonds and with Taylor Marshall, looking for his first Group 1 winner! Toby Edmonds has won this race with his son Trent in 2020 with Tyzone with Robbie Fradd riding. Spicy Martini has been freshened up since the Doomben 10,000 (Group 1) a month ago. A solid recent barrier trial on her home track on the Gold Coast tops her off nicely. I think she performs best when her races are spaced apart and Edmonds has ensured that she has been four weeks between each run this preparation. She is ideally placed with no weight on her back on a track that she will enjoy and thrive on - the heavier the track gets the more I like her chances to win this prestigious race. Barrier 2 – Taylor can place her nicely in the running and hopefully as they turn hold her up for one final sprint late to get the chocolates! The other thing is that they say horses need to perform well at this track – look at her record here – 4 starts for 3 wins. Her only failure at this track was in last year’s Stradbroke where she got belted in the running and was put out of the race.

Selections:

16 – Spicy Martini
1 – Fangirl
4 – Another Wil
3 – Private Eye
Rough chance – (7) Headley Grange & (14) Splash Back

Race 9 HKJC WORLD POOL Q22 – GROUP 2

A Group 2 race over 2200 metres. The last race to round off a great day of racing.

Selections:

10 – Pride Of Jenni
8 – Zambardo
2 – Vauban
1 – Half Yours
Rough chance – (5) Militarize
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

5,8,11 / 1,7,11 / 1,2,10,11 / 4,5,13,18 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

5,8,11 / 1,7 / 1,2 / 5,13,18 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

8,9,12,13,14 / 2,4,5,12 / 1,3,4,7,16 / 2,8,10 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

8,9,13 / 2,5,12 / 1,4,16 / 8,10 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,4,5,12 / 1,3,4,7,16 / 2,8,10 - cost is $60 to $1.

BIG 6 (race 4 to 9)

1,2 / 5,13,18 / 8,9 / 2,5,12 / 1,4,16 / 2,8,10 - cost is $324 to $1

Jockey Challenge

The big race jockeys in town this weekend! It is an open field - Tommy Berry, Rachel King, Mark Zahra, James McDonald and Craig Williams. I think it will be between Rachel King and Mark Zahra this weekend. Rachel was in amazing form last week with a winning treble as well.

WEEKEND UPDATE

I will post some late mail this weekend, so Bbe sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!

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