WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, AUGUST 13

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 11, 2016

Well I attended the traditional EKKA race day at Doomben this week. What an experience! There were patrons everywhere – the grand stand was full and the lawns overflowing – it was truly a great event with some unique sights to be seen!

Looks like Larry Cassidy will be back in the saddle this weekend at the Gold Coast. Cassidyhas been off the scene for just over twelve months after a knee injury – it will be great to see him back as a regular jockey around South East Queensland in the coming months!

We return to Eagle Farm again this week with the rail out 5 metres the entire course and the track rated as a “Soft 5” at the point of doing the tips.

As you all are aware I have been at Gatton and Gold Coast meetings in recent weeks and taken some amazing photos of these tracks, the horses, the jockeys and the participants. It brings so much joy to work with people in the industry and have so much fun.

*****************************************************************************************************

NB *As this form assessment was made prior to raceday, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

Race 1

Rednav (1) returns to Brisbane racing after winning his last three starts. I have been tipping him now for a few weeks – he certainly is in fine form at the moment but I think he may struggle on the Eagle Farm track. This week I am going to tip Panno Rossa (6) who goes up in grade and gets a large weight relief to just pip Rednav. Best Case (3) from the Steven O’Dea stables looks a promising type and may prove the testing material to these two. As for the rest take your pick!

Selections: 6-1-3-2

Race 2

This is a tough race. Last week I tipped Bearskin (9) but it was scratched – it has drawn badly this week in barrier 16 however, it has been working well from all accounts and may be a good rough chance here. Abracadash (6) is looking for a hat trick of wins and has been racing in career best form. It has fared poorly at the barrier draw as well drawing 15 – she is coming back in distance but I think the way the track has been racing in recent weeks that this will be no problem for the mare. Sharpsburg (15) is an interesting runner from the Matthew Smith stable in Sydney being sent north after an impressive win at Kembla Grange. Hi I’m Back (2) has been racing consistently and does go well at Eagle Farm.

Selections: 15-6-9-2 rough chances 4 and 10

Race 3

I was at the Gold Coast last week to see Smart Devil (4) win – it settled back and then Dan Griffin brought the horse wide and ran away to win convincingly. It looks like this gelding has some ability and on the fast back up the Laming stable must be confident that it will measure up to the city grade. O’Reilly Cyrus (12) ran on well when resuming and should appreciate the extra distance here – it has drawn a little wide in barrier 14 but being settled off the speed and making a run late could provide a long overdue win for the filly. Kit De Luca (14) from the Meagher team won impressively at the track in mid-week company – will probably race handy here and with Jimmy Orman aboard may take some running down if the back markers cannot make any ground. Cushion Pink (10) is coming off a win recently and must be respected here with the Rob Heathcote stables firing at the moment with another double on Ekka race day.

Selections: 4-12-14-10 rough chance 2 and 6

Race 4

Royal Occasion (6) raced well first up from a short break and probably will derive some benefit from that run and the extra distance here should help. Sony Legend (9) always seems to race well fresh – it has a short let up and will be one to watch here late. Other chances include Urban Knight (7) who is returning from a short spell. Divine Service (5) backs up from last week after running well in a tougher race. May be able to lead all the way if the track favours front runners – he will be ridden by Michael Hellyer who has been in fine form of late.

Selections: 6-9-5-8 rough chances 7 and 13

Race 5

A Class 3 race to start the Quaddie this week – looks a tough induction into the first leg. Man of His Word (3) is a nice type from the Bruce Hill stables on the Gold Coast and has a good second up record – he has drawn the Nudgee road fence in barrier 20 but this should not hinder his chances as he normally settles back and runs home late. I tipped Oberland (5) on top last week; however, he did not make the field. He looks a progressive type and should race handy from barrier 7 and has a good weight relief for Sairyn Fawke’s claim of 3 kilograms here. Ziggy Willie (11) makes a debut in Brisbane after some solid Sydney form and has drawn well in barrier 1. Daisy Duke (14) has had stable change from Tony McEvoy to Doug Roberts at Deagon and on its previous form could be one with some value in this field – the mare has a great record resuming from a spell. Quick Ketch (6) is coming back in grade here and will appreciate the 3 kilogram claim for apprentice Rebecca Williams who has been riding well recently. I’ll Take the Jag (9) has been trialling well on the Gold Coast and has the services of premiership winning jockey Jeff Lloyd. This is a tough race with many chances – some known and some unknown.

Selections: 5-3-11-14 rough chances 6, 9 and 10

Race 6

I am going to tip Flamboyer (2) here. The gelding has been racing in consistent form and has the services of apprentice Matthew McGillvray and gets some weight off its back this week. It is sure to push forward and will be hard to run down. Lucky Tom (7) will take up a forward position as well – I just hope that these two don’t worry each other out of the race. It you are looking for some run on horses you can’t go past Beckham (5) and the Sydney trained Zin Zan Eddie (4) who loves the sting out of the ground. Angel Dancer (12) is looking for its fourth win in a row and the mare does like the distance of this race. Our Boy Nicholas (11) being third up is probably ready to show some of his good form and will not be bothered by the soft track.

Selections: 2-12-5-4 rough chances 7 and 11

Race 7

Shipwrecked (10) was impressive winning a No Metro Win race at Doomben two weeks ago and is looking for a hat trick of wins here. It looks like the horse can race handy or settle back and this may be of benefit in a race that looks like it has some genuine pace in it. Colinelle (11) is back in grade for this run and will be better suited this week with a nice barrier draw. The ultra-consistent One Inch Punch (3) is racing in fine fettle and like Shipwrecked is looking for a hat trick of wins this weekend. I do like the chances of Total Authority (9) here. Is back in grade and may be a smoky in the field.

Selections: 10-11-3-9 rough chance 12

Race 8

Mr Epic (2) was gallant in defeat last weekend at Doomben at the hands of its stable mate Sagaronne. Matthew McGuren is back on this week and has ridden the horse twice for two wins! The Iliad (6) won well at Doomben over 1615 metres two weeks ago. Sea Red (5) and Desert General (7) are in consistent form and should round out the placing’s nicely. A watch on the David Vandyke trained Emerald City (4). It won a recent barrier trial.

Selections: 2-6-7-5 rough chance 4

*******************************************************************************************************

Early Quaddie (NSW TAB only races 1 to 4)
1,6 / 6,9,15 / 4,12,14 / 5,6,9 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddrella (races 5 to 8)
3,5,6,9,11,14 / 2,4,5,11,12 / 3,9,10,11/ 2,5,6,7 - cost is $480 to $1

Small Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 3,5,11,14 / 2,11,12 / 3,10,11 / 2,5,6 - cost is $108 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 3,5 / 2,12 / 10,11 / 2,5,6 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (race 6 to 8) 2,11,12/3,10,11/2,5,6 cost is $27 to $1

Jockey Challenge
This week it looks like a solid win to Jeff Lloyd – looks to have a nice book or rides. Paul Hammersley may be good value!

More articles