WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 22 FEBRUARY, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, February 20, 2020
Eagle Farm races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD” and the rail out 3 metres for the entire course. The weather is forecast to be warm but with possible storms late in the afternoon.
Firstly, I must have something to say about the whip rule – sorry the WHIP FARCE.
If you watched the race last weekend with Alligator Blood and the kiwi Catalyst – well what a spectacle it was all the way down the straight at Flemington. But then, after the race, the jockey of the runner up James McDonald was suspended for six meetings for overuse of the whip.
This raises the question – what if Catalyst had won?
Would the stewards have protested, disqualified the horse and taken the race off him on the basis of the rule breach they identified when suspending and fining McDonald? Or would have the Alligator Blood camp have lodged a protest and tested the waters?
One day this is going to occur then the stewards are going to be under the pump on how to manage the situation!
If I had owned the runner up – I would have paid the fine!
As it stands now, the whip rule is a FARCE.
Time for a change.
On a more positive note, Baylee Nothdurft continues his exciting form since coming to Brisbane. He has taken all before him to the extent that he outrode his claim last weekend.
Well done Baylee!
Baylee is riding with such confidence and vigour amassing an impressive 228 winners including 80 in the metropolitan area. He now leads the Brisbane premiership on 43.5 winners ahead of Ryan Maloney, who was in Melbourne last weekend, who sits on 40 wins.
Both outriding his claim and sitting on top of the Jockeys Premiership ladder are outstanding achievements for any apprentice rider!
Time to look at the program this weekend.
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 two-year-old runners are engaged here – over 1300 metres.
Only a small field to face the starter.
Les Ross Racing stables have been winning plenty of races of late. Their runner Mishani Machine (4) I thought worked home well a fortnight ago here. The small field should suit this weekend.
The other impressive runner out of the same race was Bellissimi Amici (7) from the Robert Heathcote yards. I think this filly I will get better as the distances get longer – she will be right in the race this weekend.
Selections:
4 – Mishani Machine
7 – Bellissimi Amici
6 – Statesville
5 – Poupee
Race 2
A distance race here – a different field each week and always a different winner!
Etheridge (4), trained in Sydney by John Thompson, will make his debut her in Brisbane this weekend after a solid win at Warwick Farm last start on a heavy track. His sectionals in the last 400 metres were very good. If he can get his footing here at Eagle Farm, I am sure Baylee Nothdurft will find a path to get him first past the winning post!
Quality Seeker (4) is trained in Victoria by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. Rule a line through his last start failure at Moonee Valley where he was taken to the lead, lost a plate and never was comfortable leading the field. Look for Matthew McGillivray to sit in behind the speed and make a final dash at them in the final 200 metres.
Breakdance (1) comes off a nice win last start at Doomben and must be respected.
Selections:
6 – Etheridge
4 – Quality Seeker
1 – Breakdance
7 – In Your Element
Race 3
Another small field over 1815 metres – another tough assignment. I am going to forgive the effort of Swing Shift (3) last start here over 2215 metres. He got going late but I think he didn’t like the longer trip.
The start prior he was very good winning at Toowoomba for trainer Matt Boland and apprentice Adin Thompson. They combine this weekend again over the shorter 1815 metres and, at $20, I think he is a great each way gamble.
Violet (2) from the Michael Nolan Racing team at Toowoomba ran a great race last start here. That was over the mile and she thundered home and was narrowly beaten. The step up in distance looks like something she will appreciate, and Baylee Nothdurft remains aboard this weekend.
Keep your eye on the Stuart Kendrick trained Cabochori Lil (4) – a lightly raced filly who won a Class 1 race at her home track last start over this distance. She looks a promising type and remains under notice in this race.
Selections:
3 – Swing Shift
2– Violet
4 – Cabochori Lil
1 - Badoosh
Race 4
A no metro win race.
Gresham (3) backs up from a nice effort last weekend over 1400 metres – I think the mile is more his go.
Savwell (6) is trained by David Vandyke – how good was Alligator Blood last weekend! Back to this runner – he is second up looks well placed by Vandyke and Ryan Maloney is in the saddle. Can they combine at Eagle Farm for a win yet again this weekend?
Selections:
6 – Savwell
3 – Gresham
4 – Turnberry
7 – Akage
Race 5
A huge field over 1000 metres. This is a lottery!
There is some serious speed in the race – I think you may have to look for something that can run on late.
I like Blue Seattle (8) first up here with the nice barrier draw at around $41 in the early markets. I have always had an opinion of this runner who races well fresh over these short distances. Whatever he does this weekend he will improve on so don’t let him go this preparation!
Trail of Glory (7) will be better over 1200 metres – but first up with some speed in the race she could get a nice trail into the race and race well fresh. She hasn’t had much luck at Eagle Farm with no placings from three starts. Boris Thornton is in the saddle.
Stellar Power (3) has drawn wide and Nick Keal rides this runner first up for Bryan Dais. He races well on this circuit and gets in well with the claim for Keal. He will be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to the race.
Written With Ease (12) always races well fresh as well and, again, will be well suited with the speed on in the race – taking a trail behind the leaders from the wide barrier.
There are plenty of other chances as well. Some are emergencies and will need some luck to make the field.
Selections:
8 – Blue Seattle
7 – Trail of Glory
3 – Stellar Power
12 – Written With Ease
Rough chances – (4) Weboughtazou, (13) Secret Lady and (15) The Sinner
Race 6
The first leg of the Quaddie – an Open sprint over 1000 metres.
I cannot split the Tony Gollan pair here – Just Orm (5), who comes off a solid win last start at the Sunshine Coast, and Pizonie (10), who won here three weeks ago.
Both runners made their runs late last start and came home over the leaders. The respective times and sectionals were very similar.
I have swung to Pizonie (10) who gets in on the minimum and I think he will be suited by the speed in the race. I think he is better ridden quiet and allowed to race home. Last start he was ridden that way by Baylee Nothdurft and, despite some early trouble in the race, was able to get home. He is up in grade to Open class but maybe he can take the next step.
Epic Girl (6) normally races well here fresh. Chris Anderson will have her primed for a bold first up effort. I see he has gone for a senior rider in Michael Hellyer to ride her this weekend. Last preparation she raced well in Listed grade and she will be ready to fire Saturday!
Selections:
10 – Pizonie
5 – Just Orm
6 – Epic Girl
7 – Boom Chicka Boom
Race 7
Plitvice (2) won here last start and gets in well this weekend with the claim for Adin Thompson. He rides this runner for Robert Heathcote. They combined on Wednesday at Doomben for a winner there – maybe we have a new force to consider in Brisbane racing?
Peppi Le Frew (7) is trained by Edmonds Racing – can they get four winners in a row at Eagle Farm? This gelding races well over 1400 metres and Brad Stewart is in the saddle.
Cape Wickham (5), trained by Mark Currie, has been consistent in recent starts. Keep your eye on this runner as he has been well backed firming from $15 to $8 in the early markets.
Selections:
2 – Plitvice
7 – Peppi Le Frew
5 – Cape Wickham
8 – Ramtastic
Race 8
The three-year old’s race over 1400 metres.
Chris Anderson Racing has some nice chances here with Profit (1) and Ballistic Boy (3). They both are resuming and they both have won first up. There is nothing between his two runners, however, I think Profit (1) is the best of them despite the massive weight this weekend.
Stuart Kendrick has Star or Michelin (2) going around here. His first up run over this distance was striking. He would only need to reproduce that run to win this race. Ryan Maloney takes the ride and he is likely be ridden just off the speed and come down the centre of the track late.
Red Bloom (12) is trained by Tony & Maddy Sears. They had a great win here last weekend. I think that you should not overlook this runner. A definite rough chance in this open field.
Selections:
2 – Star Of Michelin
1 – Profit
3 – Ballistic Boy
12 – Red Bloom
Rough chance – (10) – Shaka Rock
Race 9
The last race of the day – 1200 metres.
It is a large field – throw a dart at the form guide and see what it hits I reckon!
Emerald Kingdom (5) just keeps winning for Heathcote Racing. He has been smashed since the markets have opened firming in some markets from $3.50 to $2.50. He looks a solid way to finish off the day.
Chris Anderson has Boomtown Lass (15) in the race. She resumes after six weeks off after a torrid run on Magic Millions day when she was drawn wide and had no luck in a good quality race. She will be tough to beat in this last race. I am just a little concerned that she may be short one run as she is stepping up to 1400 metres.
Shalwa (16) won well here last start and should go on with it.
Ditmas (11) hasn’t won over 1400 metres previously – I just think the way he has been racing he may be ready to step away from the shorter sprint distances and maybe post a win here in the last race
Selections:
5 – Emerald Kingdom
15 – Boomtown Lass
16 – Shalwa
11 – Ditmas
Rough chances – (4) Star Boy, (6) Qiji Phoenix and (9) Winter Passage
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Jockey’s Challenge
This week I am going for Matthew McGillivray.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
1,4,6 / 2,3,4 / 3,4,6 / 3,7,8 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
4,6 / 2,3 / 3,6 / 3,7,8 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
5,6,10 / 2,5,7 / 1,2,3,12 / 5,6,11,15,16 - cost is $180 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
5,10 / 2,7 / 1,2,3 / 5,15,16 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,5,7 / 1,2,3,12 / 5,6,11,15,16 - cost is $60 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
FLEMO is back this weekend so the rumble is back on. I will post our selections and any late mail! Be 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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