WINNO'S WINNERS, EAGLE FARM, JANUARY 19

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, January 17, 2019

EAGLE FARM - ROUND 2!

After a successful meeting on 22 December we return to Queensland’s headquarters of racing!

The track is rated “GOOD” (Thursday morning) and the rail will be out 2 metres for the entire course this weekend. There is a hot weather forecast for the coming days in South East Queensland. The track will be lightning fast is my tip!

I must reflect on the Gold Coast Magic Millions Carnival 2019.

The whole week was amazing culminating with Godolphin Racing claiming their inaugural Magic Millions victory with their first ever runner – Exhilarates. Trained by James Cummings and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy the filly stormed home down the outside and was far too good for her opposition.

It capped off an amazing few months for Kerrin McEvoy who has claimed notable feature race victories in recent months including no less than The Everest aboard Redzel and the Melbourne Cup on Cross Counter. James Cummings was excited after the win telling WINNO: “It was all about the first pump! We will see how she pulls up and then hopefully target her towards the Golden Slipper”.

There are some tough fields this weekend – I am still not certain about the pattern of racing here at Eagle Farm – so I am doing a brief preview!

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

The first race today is for the two-year olds. Some unraced that have trialled well.

I like the emergencies here so let’s hope they make the field.

I am going for the Chris Waller trained debutant Clairvue Missy (13). She has trialled well and looks well placed here. Larry Cassidy, who has been riding well lately, is in the saddle but, as I said, we need some luck to make the final field.

The other first starter is the Billy Healey trained Aheadofhistime (12) who ran a nice fourth in the trial won by Clairvue Missy (13). I think that she had a little more to show and will have derived benefit from that hit out. The Healey Racing stables have had some recent luck of late – maybe it will continue. Jimmy Orman takes the ride.

Gollan Racing has Epaumada (8) having her second career start after a slashing win first up at Gatton when favourite and leading all the way. Brad Stewart has the ride again. She has been easy in the market since they have opened.

Selections: 13-8-12-4

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Race 2

A Class 3 sprint over 1000 metres. Tough, open race – probably harder to win than Powerball!

I thought that Showus Ya Diamonds (10) has been trialling well and looks well placed here. In the trial she was defeated by the Steven O’Dea trained Masterati (4) who is drawn very well here and is resuming here as well.

Les Ross has River Racer (12) resuming here. His recent trial win was very good and apprentice Clayton Gallagher has a 3 kilogram claim that will be beneficial for this runner. The other thing about Clayton is that he is always clean shaven unlike the Ross stable apprentice Sheriden Tomlinson who seems to have misplaced the razors and shaving cream I gave him a few months ago!

Kelly Schweida Racing has Meet Mr Taylor (5) resuming here. He is undefeated in all three career starts to date. He has fared poorly at the barrier draw this weekend being allocated barrier 15. In all his career starts he has raced near the lead. He may not get across and lead as there are a few runners drawn inside of him that also have pace. He may have to settle in behind the speed and this may see him salute the judge!

This is not a race I am keen on!

Selections: 10-12-4-5 rough chance 2

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Race 3

A good race here – only a small field assembled.

I think it is between the Chris Munce trained Snoopy (4) and Star Reflection (5) trained by Kris Lees.

Snoopy resumed here on 22 December with a massive weight and only just got run down. Michael Murphy retains the ride this weekend. Star Reflection (5) survived a protest to hold the race she won at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago. It will turn out to be a race of tactics – the wily Jeff Lloyd versus the young whipper snipper Michael Murphy – who will reign supreme?

As you all know I love beagles and Buster Beagle loves watching the races on television with me at home – so my heart has swayed me to tip SNOOPY!

Ben Currie has two runners Cantbuybetter (3) and Publishing Power (6). Publishing Power (6) comes off a solid win last start at the Sunshine Coast and Corey Bayliss is in the saddle. His three-kilogram claim gets this runner in very well and with the small field he will get a clear crack at them in the straight.

The Rockhampton Paradis Imperial (8), who is a prolific winner in Central Queensland, has won here at the track. Could prove a knock out chance.

Selections: 4-5-6-8

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Race 4

You know I say it each week – one of this distance races where anything can happen.

High Power (4) was unlucky at the Gold Coast over this distance last start. I think the bigger track and Jeff Lloyd on board will see him be very competitive.

The top weight is Capital Gain (1) and will be ridden by Baylee Nothdurft who claims 3 kilograms. He ran a super race last start at Doomben over 2200 metres when beaten narrowly by Tally. On that occasion he worked home well and was held up slightly in the straight. This weekend he is down in class and pays the penalty with a hefty 62 kilograms to be carried.

Chris Waller has two runners who should be competitive as well. Miss Shanti (7) who may have found the 1800 metres too short at the Gold Coast last start. The other runner is Korodon (14) who has had 5 weeks since his last run. He had a barrier trial on 8 January over 1200 metres to sharpen him up. The trial was good and Michael Cahill takes the ride.

Selections: 4-1-7-14 rough chance 11

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Race 5

Not a race that interests me.

Looked for some value here and tipped the Gold Coast trained Sidetrip (9). Scott Morissey trains this gelding and Ryan Wiggins takes the ride. He resumed at the Gold Coast last start over 1400 metres and attempted to lead all the way. I think second up, looking here to get the mile, he may be some value.

Billy Healey has Al Magico (14) stepping up to the mile for the first time. He has booked Mark Du Plessis to ride the three-year-old gelding. He is bred to run the mile – let’s see what happens!

Stuart Kendrick trains Pierre Bizel (16) who has drawn barrier 1 and will love the mile and the big new Eagle Farm circuit.

Selections: 9-14-16-5

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Race 6

A race for the three-year old’s over 1200 metres.

I have a personal big wrap on the Bevan Laming trained Calzini (4). She was scratched from an earlier race for this slightly tougher assignment. She is around the $16 mark and represents great each way value for mine. Jason Taylor takes the ride. He does not come to town too often and he has ridden this filly for all three career wins.

Mishani Hustler (1) ran a sensational race first up when defeated by Fiery Heights. He drops back to his own age this weekend and will be super competitive. He normally likes to lead and gets the chance to jump cleanly and take up the running from barrier 1 this weekend. Could Baylee Nothdurft claim his second Saturday metropolitan winner with this ride?

Ramtastic (5) resumed at Beaudesert for the Schweida Racing stables and won impressively. Jimmy Orman stays aboard this weekend for this tougher assignment. He has drawn well in barrier 2 and I expect Orman will be stalking Mishani Hustler (1) everywhere in the running. The weight differences may favour this runner.

Selections: 4-1-5-3 rough chance 9

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Race 7

Tough and open race over the mile for the second leg of the Quaddie.

I think the Chris Munce trained Constantine (11) gets in well at the weights. He is fifth up from a spell and was beaten last start by Bergerac (1) in the Bernborough Listed Race.

Bergerac (1) was dynamic winning that race and despite the rise in the weights has in the past strung wins together. The Michael Murphy and trainer Steve Tregea combination pair again here to attempt to win another race together. They have a pretty good strike rate when the unite and must be respected in this field.

Fomo (8) is another good chance for the Ben Currie stables. Again, the claim for new apprentice on the scene in Brisbane, Baylee Nothdurft, gives him a unique opportunity to ride a race to race double.

Selections: 11-1-8-3

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Race 8

This is another hard race.

King Lear (1) was sensational over the Grafton July Racing Carnival last year winning two races. I do remember chatting to trainer Tony Newing about this Charge Forward gelding thinking that he could be a genuine 2019 Ramornie chance. He has won a recent barrier trial at Port Macquarie and I think whatever he does this weekend he will be better next start.

I only say this as he has drawn barrier 19 that may nullify his chances this weekend, but he will be flying home late out wide under the urgings of Matthew McGuren who has tuned in the GPS to find his way to Doomben Saturday.

Envy Of All (16) should be ready to fire this weekend being fourth up from a spell and dropping back in class. Last start she ran a terrific race behind Manicure who nearly won at the Magic Millions program last weekend – that is great form for this race!

Pressway (4) is a runner that can pop up. Trained by Steven O’Dea Racing he is probably better suited over a longer distance, however, he normally performs well fresh. I think with the speed in this race it enhances his chances to settle off them and then make a run in the straight.

Tony Gollan has two great chances. My Girl Hayley (8) should take up the running and be difficult to get past. The other runner is On The Day (9) who went around in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race and was not disgraced when beaten by Invincibella by 3.6 lengths.

Selections: 4-8-9-16 rough chance 1 & 19

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Race 9

Brains (11) resumed from a spell with a dominant win over 1200 metres when he settled back in the field and stormed home with the assistance of a fast speed. I think he will get the same conditions this weekend and should be able to get a similar run. He steps up to 1400 metres for this start and I cannot see this being a problem.

Coral Bay (10) was a certainty beaten last start being held up and basically running up onto the heels of Ecker Road (5) without being fully extended. Robbie Fradd takes the ride this weekend as Damian Browne has fallen ill and had surgery and hopefully is recovering well. Best wishes Brownie!

Auerbach (8) is probably the most consistent runner in Brisbane now and has been racing consistently. He was defeated by Star Reflection (race 3 number 5) last start on the Gold Coast despite a protest being lodged. Jeff Lloyd remains on this Chris Waller runner and he will be there about again when the race concludes.

Bluebrook (4) gets a claim this weekend with the engagement of apprentice Baylee Nothdurft. He is coming back from the mile to 1400 metres this weekend – that is my only concern.

Selections: 11-10-8-4 rough chance 5 & 9

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Jockey Challenge

I think Jeff Lloyd may just pip Brad Stewart this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

5,10,12 / 4,5 / 1,4,7,14 / 9,10,14 - cost is $72 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,4,5 / 1,8,11 / 1,4,8,9,16 / 4,8,10,11 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4 / 1,11 / 4,8,16 / 8,10,11 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,8,11 / 1,4,8,9,16 / 4,8,10,11 - cost is $60 to $1

FLEMO v WINNO

FLEMO won out tipping competition last weekend – a sensational tipping effort in a tough assignment on Magic Millions day. Remember to check out our last-minute tips and preview on Facebook on Saturday morning after the track and final scratchings have been sorted out!

Good luck and good punting!

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