WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, DECEMBER 31

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, December 29, 2016

This week we are at Eagle Farm with the rail out 1.5m the entire course with a forecast “Good” track and a fine day – perfect racing conditions, so we should see every runner get every opportunity this week. The fields are massive. I think I may bet with some caution this week and save the $$ for Gold Coast next week. I managed to get to Murwillumbah earlier this week – for the first time ever – a great course and I had a wonderful day. They race again on Tuesday 3 January so if you have nothing planned and want a great day out get down to the NSW track.

Well I hope Xmas has been good to all my loyal readers – thanks for those who have taken the time to message me and wish me the best for the festive season. Other thanks for the positive feedback for the “60 seconds with Winno” articles that have been recently published on HRO.

To be fair this came about through a friend who said to me, “I know nothing about these people in racing. It is a wonderful sport but the only person I know or read about is Michelle Payne. It would be good to know about other jockeys and people in the sport”. So over the last week I have interviewed trainers, media personalities, strappers, more jockeys and over the coming months we will publish them. If you have any “special requests” please contact me on Facebook or email the editor@horseracingonly.com.au with any suggestions.

I would like to thank all the wonderful people engaged in the sport for their support so far. It is a bit of fun but hopefully also an opportunity for people to see how the participants are passionate about their sport and involvement. They do have a quite wonderful outlook on life. So stay tuned in weeks to come.

Finally a reminder that the final round of the UBET State of Origin Series concludes next week – guess what ... NSW lead, but are under some pressure from New Zealand (2015 winners) and South Australia and Western Australia. Next weekend NSW will be represented by Tye Angland and Josh Parr – whilst the kiwis will have Damian Browne and Michael Walker flying the New Zealand flag – I would get out down to the Gold Coast for the big finale ....

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

Wow, this is the toughest race for months.

Look I am going to tip two of the emergencies on top here – they will probably need a lot of luck – so I am going to post two sets of tips just in case they do not both get in.

I cannot go past the massive run of Yoho (21) first up. It has average second up form, however, its best runs are over longer distances. The Kelso Wood stables have had no luck whatsoever in recent months – so I am hoping the six year old gelding makes the field and destroys them! (Note that Yoho is nominated for race 6 as well).

The other one I like is Legal Procedure (19) with Michael “Muppy” Hellyer to ride. I just remember this gelding storming home behind Mr Epic back in July. Granted it was on a heavy track, but that run and the subsequent defeat next start behind Sagaronne were full of merit – so there you go – I have lost the plot and it is only race one!

Now if these two do not make the field the Edmonds/Lloyd dynamic duo have I Am The Sculptor (7) engaged here. I think the weight was the issue last start at the Sunshine Coast – looks well placed here. Kim Noir (11) is another one that looks well in here. Anthony Allen on board maybe he can “finger” a way to get this four year old mare home. She is trained by Steve Tregea – they have a formidable record – Anthony having 8 rides on the mare for 2 wins and 3 placings.

Stuart Kendrick has a trio of runners engaged, from the top – Spur Le Jouer (2), Banda Spice (3) and Camouflage (8) all have genuine chances. Maybe the newly engaged Ryan Wiggins on Spur Le Jouer (2) looks the best of the three runners. As mentioned Ryan Wiggins proposed to the lovely Kate Collingwood on Xmas eve – congratulations to Ryan and Kate!

Last but not least is the improved Cornrow (1) – trained by Peter and Will Hulbert. I note the Queenslander Jim Byrne has the ride this week.

Selections: IF emergencies get in 21-19-7-11 - rough chances 1 and 2

If they don’t get in 7-11-2-1 - rough chances 3 and 8

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Race 2

Darren Weir has High Church (1) engaged here. He had a nice strike rate over the Summer Series last year in Queensland. I can hear the chants of “Darren Weir we drink beer” if the horse wins! The Matthew Dunn trained Flitero (13) looks well in here – with the good track I think we will see the best of the stallion this weekend. An interesting engagement of Tye Angland should be noted.

Then you have the Donald “Ducky” Baker trained Rock On Ivy (10) who was seriously unlucky last week coming back to the 2000 metres at Doomben – but a wonderful ride by Dylan Dunn who just ran out of time to get the five year old mare home. I reckon “Ducky” would have wished for just another 50m last week. This week he gets another 200m and Jeff Lloyd to steer his stead in the race.

I note that Feltre (2) gets a gear change this week with Brian Smith taking the blinkers off – look for an improved performance. Two weeks ago I declared that Emphasis (6) goes much better at Doomben than Eagle Farm – that ended up being the case with Robbie Fradd steering the Richie Stephenson gelding home to a great win at good odds of $8. Stephen Lee has Anton En Avant (5) engaged this weekend as well – this seven year old gelding as a great affiliation with the Eagle Farm track with two wins here over the distance. Ben Currie has Col ‘N’ Lil engaged here. He has been well supported in the early markets firming for $14 to $9.50.

Selections: 13-1-10-2 - rough chances 4, 5 and 6

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Race 3

The Sydney trained Heart Testa (4) comes off a recent barrier trial win at Randwick, but the gelding has drawn barrier 15 here this weekend. It is a rough call, but drawn wide at the new Eagle Farm track may be an advantage if the jockeys decide to track wide in the straight.

We all know how good the Barry Lockwood trained mare Hidden Pearl (7) is. She goes well fresh (3 wins from 4 starts) and has two strong wins at Eagle Farm. She will be in front for a long way here and may prove hard to run down. The Toby Edmonds trained Prompt Return (5) comes off a nice barrier trial win at Coffs Harbour 11 days ago – those who saw it were left in awe of the performance.

The two war horses of the field are Into The Red (1) and Casual Choice (3). Both of these horses will be right in this race if they find their old form. As I said it is an open field, many chances and many of these will be getting ready for the rich sprint on Magic Millions day in two weeks time.

Selections: 4-7-5-3 - rough chances 1 and 13

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Race 4

I will just be lazy and cut and paste my comments from two weeks ago .......Winning Rupert (1) wins the end!

People who keep tipping against him will continue to lose money ... simple!

Now to see what may run the placings. Billy The Kid (3) was impressive last start. He may be the one to test the favourite if there are any chinks in his armour. Candika (7) was a barnstorming run first up from a spell and it always runs well second up. Tiyatrolani (11) is a speed machine. Many people think that the filly won’t get the 1300m here this week but I disagree. The change in riding tactics seem to have settled her and I think she may fill a place. Damian Browne rides the Liam Birchley trained Natural Black (5). Although he is lightly raced and stepping up in grade here I think there is plenty of improvement left in this gelding.

Selections: 1-3-7-11 rough chance 5

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Race 5 – 2016 B.J.McLachlan Stakes

This is the opening leg of the quadrella. It has a great competitive field of two years olds – many of them on the path to get a run in the 2017 Magic Millions in two weeks time.
Chris Munce has a great number of two year olds in his stable this season – another one stepped out at Eagle Farm on Wednesday and won well (Sir Cass, a nice 2 year old colt sired by Casino Prince, raced impressively to win with Larry Cassidy aboard). I think Ours To Keep (1) is a serious contender for the MM in two weeks. Will Eagle Farm stop him this weekend? Only time will tell.

The two best performed over the track are Bring It Home Pop (2) and Colosimo (11). Both have won here and both will test the favourite, Ours To Keep (1) that has been sensationally backed from $6 into $3.20 in the early markets.

The boys in blue from Darley have Coorg (7) engaged here and he too has met with early interest since the markets have opened. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have Debonairly (13) engaged with local front running rider Tegan Harrison on board. If they lead and win on Saturday this could be one at odds to keep your eye on.

Snitzcraft (6) led last start and was a solid second behind Ours to Keep (1) in that run. I think he should strip fitter for that outing – but barrier 14 may be a hindrance. Maybe Luke Dittman will ride the colt quiet this week and see what happens. They have unloaded on the colt with the early price of $12 being snavelled up and it has now firmed into $7.50. Do not underestimate this one. Kelso Wood has a knack with getting his two year olds to peak at the right time.

Selections: 1-2-11-7 rough chance 6

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Race 6 – Buffering Quality Handicap

Has the handicapper caught up with Most Important (3)? The gelding cops 58kilograms this week – but the last few runs have been nothing short of superb and amazing but, again, will the large weight this week impede his winning ways?

Too Good To Refuse (6) was beaten last start by the favourite Most Important. This weekend, with the weight difference and back at Eagle Farm, I think the Desleigh Forster trained stallion, to be ridden by Jim Byrne again this weekend, should be able to turn the tables. In His Stride (11) was an eye-catching run last start at Eagle Farm when Michael Rodd brought the Rex Lipp trained four year old gelding wide an down the outside in the straight. This week there is no Rodd – instead there is an able substitute – Jeff Lloyd.

The old warrior Steel Zip (4) was first up from a spell last start and put in a tremendous performance – a longer distance will suit this week. A gear change by trainer Darryl Hansen on his charge Monsieur Gustave may see an improved performance. The gelding is undefeated second up in his preparation and undefeated at Eagle Farm – he may be some value at the price of $15.

Selections: 6-11-3-4 rough chance 13

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Race 7 – 2016 Magic Millions Bernborough Quality

This is a good even field here. Man of His Word (7) is in career best form and looks the one to beat. Cylinder Beach (5) looks the likely danger and has been hammered in the early betting from $4.80 into $3.80. The Victorian runner Lord Lumberjack (12) is only lightly raced – steps up in grade here but has the services of Kerrin McEvoy.

The Rob Heathcote trained Hopfgarten (1) ran a great race last start at Randwick in the Villiers and was only beaten by two lengths there. I think that he is good odds here at around the $7 mark this weekend and with Damian Browne back on top watch for a dramatic improved performance!

Selections: 7-5-1-12 rough chance 9

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Race 8 – 2016 Nudgee Quality Handicap

The last race of the program. This is tough. Many of these are looking to secure a run on Magic Millions Day with the winner getting a Magic Millions wildcard entry.

Global Glamour (2) from the Waterhouse/Bott stables has had a great barrier trial to get the filly ready for this race – easily winning at Randwick around two weeks ago. There has been some money as well since the markets have opened. Last start Elegant Composure (6) stepped up to 1300m and didn’t fire. This was a second up run, so I am prepared to overlook the run and give her a chance here this weekend.

Peter and Paul Snowden have Secret Trail (16) engaged here. She races well fresh. In a recent barrier trial she really did not show much but she may have just needed a hit out for this race. Zestful (10) from the Kris Lees stables at Newcastle is another lightly raced mare with an impressive record. Kerrin McEvoy is on board - well placed here and is down in the weights. Ocean Embers (3) is a Victorian trained by Shea Eden and has been treated poorly in the barrier draw copping barrier 18 – I would have had her in my top three if she had drawn better.

Sold for Song (5) resumes here this weekend for Kevin Kemp and Jimmy Orman. She has drawn poorly as well in barrier 16 but she did prove over the Winter Carnival that she has some quality about her. Kinshachi (13) is the Darley runner . She has been working nicely through her grades in Sydney and they have booked Jeff Lloyd to ride her. I expect that David Fowler will be looking wide across the track with a number of them being close together and making their runs late here in the last.

Selections: 2-10-16-6 rough chances 3,5,13

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Early Quaddie (Races 1 to 4 NSW TAB only) 7,11,19,21 / 1,10,13 / 4,5,7 / 1,3 - cost is $72 for $1

Quadrella (races 5 to 8) 1,2,7,11 / 3,6,11 / 1,5,7 / 2,6,10,13,16 - cost is $180 for $1

Small Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 1,11 / 3,6,11 / 1,7 / 2,6,10 - cost is $36 for $1

Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 1/ 6,11 / 1,7 / 2,10,13 - cost is $12 for $1

Treble (races 6 to 8) 3,6,11 / 1,5,7 / 2,6,10,13,16 - cost is $45 for $1

Jockey Challenge

This week Jeff Lloyd gets the honours (again).

Good luck and good punting.

See you all next year!

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