WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, JULY 20, 2019
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, July 18, 2019
Eagle Farm this weekend with the track rated “GOOD.” The rail is 6 metres out for the entire course. The weather looks promising for the rest of the week so we should be racing on a surface that will be great for racing!
I see that Nash Rawiller has served his 15 months ban and is due to get back in the saddle next week. With the departure of Blake Shinn to Hong Kong I am certain that Nash will take no time to make his presence felt in Sydney racing over the coming months!
Meanwhile Brenton Avdulla who was the 2017/18 champion rider in Sydney has declared that he will be back in the upcoming 2019/20 season after a year where he had some distractions. He is a great rider and with Rawiller, Sam Clipperton, James McDonald, Tommy Berry, Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy vying for the title it will be a tight contest.
Meanwhile back in Brisbane the departure of Jeff Lloyd has left the door open for a jockey to take over the mantle as the premier jockey in Queensland. Brad Stewart has been riding in career best form and will finished second to Lloyd this season – will it be him?
Jim Byrne is on the comeback after a recent set back with an injured shoulder and has been back riding winners. Then you have Robbie Fradd, Ryan Maloney and the young guns Matthew McGillivray and Jimmy Orman.
Lastly, Trent and Toby Edmonds will unite as a father-son training partnership in the coming weeks – Edmonds Racing now has double trouble! I am certain that they will form a formidable partnership that will be successful in the new season.
Well nine races for decision – it is time for my 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
Malahide (8) went around in the Sunshine Coast Guineas last start on a heavy track. I think there were several factors against her – the mile, the heavy track and she lost a plate in the running. Back to Class 3 grade, a firm track and 1300 metres plus the addition of a tongue tie this weekend – I think she looks well placed to return to the winner’s circle.
Shes Spicy (11) from the Matthew Dunn yards resumed at Ipswich and was a good thing beaten when she could not get a run at any stage in the straight, only getting out late and then she flew home. A jockey change with Ryan Maloney this weekend and up to 1300 metres she will be the testing material for Malahide (8).
Chris Waller has the topweight Sparky Lad (1) who resumed with a solid second first up and he will strip fitter here.
Sienna Rose (9) I think was disadvantaged by the heavy track when she resumed at Doomben. Watch for an improved effort this weekend.
Selections: 8-11-1-9 rough chance 6
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Race 2
The two-year old’s go around in the second race.
Tony Gollan and Jim Byrne combine here with Knight Mariner (3) having his second career start and stepping up to the 1500 metres. He was beaten by Kim Alicia (5) last start who stormed home to win. However, this runner made steady ground from the rear of the field and gives me the impression that the extra distance will suit him. Since the markets have opened, he has been well found firming from $4 to $3.40.
Toby Edmonds trains Ensenada (2) who is third up here this week after two solid runs on his home track on the Gold Coast. He steps out onto the Eagle Farm track for the first time and someone must like him as he has been smashed from $13 to $6.50.
Kim Alicia (5), trained by Desleigh Forster, finished off the race strongly last start at Doomben and was impressive.
Baylee Nothdurft rides Violet (12) for Michael Nolan – another runner who should appreciate the longer distance and the big Eagle Farm track.
Selections: 3-5-1-12 rough chance 2
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Race 3
A 2200 metres races. These are always hard to find the winner!
Matthew Smith has his exciting stayer Attorney (1) nominated here and in Sydney. He looks a promising type winning both starts in Australia since being imported from France. He is prohibitive odds of around $1.70. The 2018 & 2019 Grafton Ramornie winning jockey Matthew McGillivray takes the ride.
Ocean Addict (8) is trained by Edmonds Racing and was flashing home late at Eagle Farm last start over 1800 metres. I think the extra distance along with the claim for apprentice Jackson Murphy may give this runner a slight advantage on the top weight – 8 kilograms off his weight. This may be the deciding factor.
Grafton Cup runner No Money No Honey (7) settled too far back in the Grafton Cup and made steady ground out wide late. Down in class here and trained by Richard Laming she could be on her way to the Darwin Cup if she performs well here. Michael Hellyer rides the mare.
Anderson & Heathcote Racing’s runner Our Mantra (2) raced well last start and will appreciate the extra distance.
Selections: 8-1-7-2
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Race 4
A tough race – no idea what to do here to be honest.
I am going for Paper Trade (7) from the Peter & Will Hulbert stable who comes off two wins leading into this race. A month between runs. Drawn nicely he could be the one to follow in those blue silks and with a cheeky Dale Smith to ride this weekend after a short holiday courtesy of the stewards – keep them straight mate!
Soul Star (10) makes her debut in Queensland - from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stables. She has been racing on wet tracks of late and I think we will see a dramatic improvement this weekend on top of the ground - another nice ride for Jackson Murphy.
Unlikely Story (2) resumes for the Gollan Racing team. Two recent trials should have him ready to go well here.
Steven O’Dea Racing trains Argent D’Or (5) who may not have handled the bog track last start – maybe there is room for improvement this week.
Lips N Hips (12) won midweek last start at Doomben at $20. She will race on the speed and with the rail out 6 metres maybe this could assist her winning chances.
Selections: 7-10-2-12 rough chance 5
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Race 5
A three-year-old sprint over 1000 metres.
Hollaback Girl (14) resumes here. She ran a very solid trial after a 43-week spell. She looks well placed and should get a run here despite being the second emergency. She is trained by Tony Gollan.
Epic Girl (7) likes to race handy and this could be an advantage this weekend – she has had a 6 week freshen up.
Kris Lees Racing has snuck another runner into Brisbane this weekend – Designer Maid (4) who has won three of her four career race starts and loves these short sprint distances. She has had two recent barrier trials on her home track at Newcastle. She won them both impressively. Larry Cassidy takes the ride. I can see her leading this field from barrier 3 – has she done enough work to hold off the ones coming home late when the judge calls a halt to the race?
Jami Lady (1) comes back in distance from 1200 metres to 1000 metres this weekend. She is the class runner and gets in well under these conditions.
Selections: 14-4-7-1
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Race 6
Only a small field this week for the first leg of our Quaddie.
My old mate – the PIG – “Oink” (3) is going around here. He was not suited by the heavy track last start at the Sunshine Coast. Watch out that he doesn’t show up this week.
I like the chances of Looks Like Elvis (5) who is trained by Bryan Dais and will be ridden by that noisy (well not so much now) Queenslander Jake Bayliss. How did QLD go last week mate?
This runner loves this distance and goes well second up. Expect him to be ridden off the speed and for Jake to bring him down the crown of the track or wide – he is best ridden that way!
The Avenger (6) raced over the Winter Carnival without much fortune. He has had an eight week freshen up and has had a solid barrier trial a fortnight ago. This runner will be competitive.
Lucky Prospector (7) is trained by the John & Chris Meagher team. They have had a series of winners in recent weeks – their stable is on fire! Maybe it is worth following them here this weekend with this runner. Tegan Harrison will be aboard. I think the last start on the heavy track was solid – but I am not certain that he gets through the going.
Selections: 5-6-3-7 rough chance 8
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Race 7 THE QUEENSLAND CUP – Listed
The feature race over 3200 metres – it will be a slugfest!
It looks like a battle between the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable with Yogi (1) and Azuro (5) versus the Kris Lees Racing team of Saunter Boy (4) and Doukhan (6). These four seem to have some solid form for this race.
Azuro (5) comes off a good win in the Stayers Cup at Rosehill when he defeated Doukhan (6). He should again be very competitive here. Matthew McGillivray rides him this weekend in this Listed Race.
I think Maher & Eustace will quinella the race with the solid grand performer Yogi (1). Despite the large weight and a month between runs he comes to the race with fresh legs and he had a good hit out in a barrier trial last week over 1200 metres.
Selections: 5-1-4-6
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Race 8 The Tattersall’s Mile – Listed
There are a few horses backing up from last weekend – it is tough to pick a winner here.
Silvera (5) comes off a fortnight break after winning the Rockhampton Cup on a wet track. He is fourth up and he looks like he will be in the race for a long way. I just have some concerns that his best form is on rain affected tracks.
Prioritise (4) comes off two weeks in a row having been racing in Mackay. This is his third run in as many weeks for Steve Tregea. He despises the wet tracks. He did not enjoy the 2000 metres of the Mackay Cup last weekend which his stable mate won – Bergerac (1) with Michael Murphy in the saddle. At $21 this weekend, a firm track and over a mile and Ryan Wiggins in the saddle let me on!
Magnufighter (7) backs up after a nice effort last time. He likes these longer distances and Dale Smith seems to get the best out of him.
The interesting runner is the Billy Healey trained Balf’s Choice (3). He goes down in weight and debuts in Queensland and for the new stable. I think that he may need the run but could be finishing the race off nicely.
Gold Ambition (9) won very well last start at Doomben over the mile for Michael Costa. I think the mile is his go as well – a rider change with Luke Tarrant in the saddle this weekend.
Awake the Stars (10) ran a nice second behind Gold Ambition (9) last start. She is racing for her fifth time this preparation and I just wonder whether she will be ready to show up this weekend.
This is a very tough race – anything could win. The winner of the Mackay Cup – Bergerac (1) could even post another win. I would suggest that you play wide here.
Selections: 4-5-7-10 rough chances 1, 3 and 9
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Race 9
A large, open field to finish off the day – I hope you have some $$ in your pocket and can stand back and watch!
Enterprise Louise (6) is a Mick Lakey runner – only lightly raced and will appreciate the large track and the mile. She will probably enjoy the firm footing as well. Matthew McGillivray to ride.
Trevelyan (7) has been racing well and is third up this weekend for the Meagher Racing team. The mile looks perfect for him this. Robbie Fradd is in the saddle.
Red Chase (3) from the Desleigh Forster yards has been in good form since returning from a spell. Fourth run up here and I think he will go on with his recent nice runs.
There is a roughie here at around $31 – the Anderson and Heathcote Racing trained Plitvice (4). His recent win at Rocky over the Carnival was good enough for me to say he will be competitive here this weekend.
Yamazaki (8) is his stable mate. She raced well last week on a track that she did not enjoy. Back on top of the ground this weekend and with Ryan Maloney aboard she could be one that comes right in for some support on race day – keep your eyes on the markets here for this runner.
Diplomatic Miss (10), trained by Steven O’Dea Racing, has won her past two starts – a rough hope!
Selections: 6-7-8-4 rough chances 3 & 10
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Jockey’s Challenge
Matthew McGillivray to win for mine. The only danger is Jim Byrne.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
1,3,5,12 / 1,7,8 / 2,7,10,12 / 1,4,7,14 - cost is $192 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
3,5 / 1,8 / 2,7,10 / 4,14 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,5,6,7 / 1,4,5 / 4,5,7,10 / 3,4,6,7,8 - cost is $240 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
5,6 / 1,5 / 4,5,7 / 6,7,8 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 8 to 10)
1,4,5 / 4,5,7,10 / 3,4,6,7,8 - cost is $60 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
FLEMO was crook last weekend – could not face up after NSW smashed QLD on Wednesday night He left his other QLD mate Anthony Collins to take me on at Grafton – and I drubbed him 4-0 over the Carnival. So – NSW won the tipping – we won the footy! This weekend FLEMO is back – hopefully in good health and I look forward to catching up with him at the track and saying “hello”. Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes of scratchings!
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