WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MAY 23, 2020

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 21, 2020

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 23 MAY 2020

Eagle Farm races this weekend with the track rated “SOFT”. The weather is forecast to be overcast leading into the weekend so the track may stay in this range and should not impact any runner. The rail will be in the true position this weekend.

Time to look at the program – some tough fields face us this weekend and then you have the added burden of having the interstate runners making their appearance on the track.

NB: As these selections were made on the Thursday prior to the Saturday race-day please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

Race 1

A tough way to start the program with the two-year-old runners – some of whom have seen the Eagle Farm track.

Highland Son (2) won on debut at the Sunshine Coast with Dale Smith in the saddle. The run was impressive, and I think he will be better again for that run.

The obvious danger is Tumbler Ridge (1) trained by Steven O’Dea. He has a victory at the track and was only defeated narrowly last start when he just ran out of time to reel in the leader under the massive weight. He has a large weight again this weekend but the claim for apprentice Justin Huxtable will assist his chances.

Selections:

2 – Highland Son
1 – Tumbler Ridge
4 – Ready For Magic
3 – Maya Bay

Race 2

The first of the attacks from NSW runners – this one from the John Thompson stables.

The Kingdom Come (10) was unlucky last start at Kensington narrowly being defeated by Phaistos. I think that if. he can handle the Eagle Farm track, he looks a good bet on the program. Ryan Maloney to ride. He seems to be the go-to jockey for the NSW trainers.

Tricky Gal (11) is from the Matthew Smith stables in NSW as well. She flashed home late last start at Rosehill and looked like she was looking for further. Stepping up here to 1400 metres this weekend, with Baylee Nothdurft aboard, she looks an obvious threat to my on top selection.

Red Chase (8), trained locally by Desleigh Forster, has won his last two starts. He will be ridden by Taylor Marshall again this weekend – looking for a hat trick of winning rides.

Selections:

10 – Thy Kingdom Come
11 – Tricky Gal
8 – Red Chase
1 – Beat The Beast

Race 3

The Tenor (6) is trained by Kelly Schweida and will be ridden Jackson “McLovin” Murphy. He resumed at Doomben three weeks ago with a win. He looks well placed here and he has won at the track.

Wirnpa (8), trained by Will & Peter Hulbert, is third up and will be suited at the track. Maddy Wishart rides and will claim three kilograms. There should be some speed in the race and this runner will settle midfield and then storm home late.

One Stryke (2), trained Lauren Abbott, is second up here. He runs well second up and has raced well without a win here. Jimmy Orman keeps his association going with the gelding.

Selections:

6 – The Tenor
8 – Wirnpa
2 – One Stryke
1 – Royal Witness

Race 4

This is an open race that could be a rough result for punters – be careful here!

Seentoomany (3) comes off an impressive win at the Gold Coast last start. Trained by Michael Costa, she will be ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester who, since becoming a senior rider does not get many chances in town these days. He is a good jockey and he could crack a win in town! The distance will not be a problem and she does like to settle and gain her feet in the running before driving home late.

Jedaffair (4) is an Edmonds Racing runner who looked like she needed the run first up at the Gold Coast on debut for the new stable. This weekend, with that run under her belt and stepping up to 1800 metres, she looks a genuine contender in this race. Justin Huxtable takes the ride and his claim will help her.

Red Stina (5) is one that I just cannot catch. Now, in saying that, the way she races in getting back and flying home late probably will suit her this weekend at Eagle Farm – Stephanie Thornton is in the saddle.

Selections:

3 – Seentoomany
4 – Jedaffair
5 – Red Stina
10 – Ocean Addict
Rough chance – (9) Dissolution

Race 5

Totally Charmed (9) is a Steven O’Dea runner. He resumed at the Sunshine Coast with a solid win after some adversity in the run. He has won previously second up, and I can just see him cruising in behind the leaders in this race and coming home late out wide. There is some serious speed in this race, and I think that will suit him.

I Dream Of Green (7) is second up as well with Daniel Griffin to ride. His first up effort was good. Again, drawn well, he will probably be three pairs back and let the speedsters chop at each the other in the race early.

Ramtastic (11) is third up, however, has a poor record at this track – he may be able to fill a place here.

Hollaback Girl (12) won last start for Jim Byrne and Gollan Racing. She goes up in class and down in weight and could be very difficult to defeat here if she gets to sit handy to the leaders.

Selections:

9 – Totally Charmed
7 – I Dream Of Green
11 – Ramtastic
12 – Hollaback Girl
Rough chances – (3) Elixir (4) Solar Star

Race 6 Group 2 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic

The first leg of the Quaddie this weekend and the first of the Group races – this Group 2 race is for the two-year old’s!

There are some local stars here that will be short in the market and, to be fair, they have the runs on the board and will be hard to toss.

I am just wondering whether the NSW runner from Snowden Racing - Wild Ruler (2) - has been set for a Winter Carnival killing in Queensland. He resumed three weeks ago at Kensington where the on-speed runners had a distinct advantage on the day. He sat in behind the speed and made a late run and seemed to just peak on his run late. This weekend he should be able to stalk the speed and, with the long Eagle Farm straight, get past the leaders. His grand final may be the JJ Atkins in a fortnight – but wow he looks well placed here this weekend and at $6 looks a great each way bet.

Now the locals.

Rothfire (1) – last start I am certain he just over raced and was left a sitting duck late and was pounced on late by a runner that was too good on the day. Resumes here this weekend for Heathcote Racing and Jim Byrne is back aboard for this assignment. Byrne rode him to his first two career starts – he knows him and will get the best out of him here.
The superstar in recent weeks is the Tony Gollan trained Isotope (7) with Baylee Nothdurft looking for a hat trick on this undefeated filly. She has been super in each career start. She looks like she has the potential to be a superstar in the next month whilst the Carnival is on. This is the acid test this weekend. If she comes through this test with a win – you should stay on her!

Godolphin / James Cummings has sent Beyliks (4) to the Carnival looking for some black type races. Don’t underestimate this son of Lonhro – despite being a maiden still he has been trialling and working well before being sent north to Queensland. Larry Cassidy to ride and could cause a big upset here.

Selections:

2 – Wild Ruler
7 – Isotope
1 – Rothfire
4 – Beyliks
Rough chance – (3) The Drinks Cart

Race 7 Group 3 Lexus Gunsynd Classic

A race where the Chris Anderson runner Profit (1) could get his chance to win a Group race. The long straight and speed that is in the race probably sets the race up nicely for him. Jimmy Orman will be looking for some luck turning into the straight and will need to time his run to perfection to post a Group win. The drama will be that if he wins WINNO will not be present to put him on his shoulders (well hopefully won’t drop him like I have done in the past) and celebrate with Jimmy – this bloody COVID-19 disease and these restrictions SUCK!

Kinane (5) comes off a Group 3 win in the Packer Plate at Randwick. He drops back from 2000 metres to 1800 metres and is a short-priced favourite at $2. He looks well placed here – just his price is very prohibitive. Ryan Maloney rides for the powerful Chris Waller stable. He has drawn wide in barrier 17 but this should not bother him too much.

Sky Horse (14) is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace in Melbourne. She comes here facing her biggest test of her career but has won her past two starts. I think the way she races she looks an ideal Oaks chance. Matthew McGillivray has a super strike rate with this stable and he will be looking to post another Group winner.

Selections:

5 – Kinane
1 – Profit
14 – Sky Horse
6 – Couldn’t Refuse

Race 8 Group 2 Victory Stakes

The feature race – the Group 2 Victory Stakes Sprint.
Firstly – other than the topweight there are not many of these that have performed well at Group 2 level – here lies the challenge – what runner will step up here??

Kementari (1) from the Godolphin racing team has been racing in Group 1 and Group 3 races since resuming. He has had a three week freshen up and has been sent north to Queensland obviously looking for some black type races over the Carnival. James Cummings and his team successfully targeted the Carnival in 2019 and had some tremendous results. Kementari has the blinkers coming off and the winkers going on. A fun fact to consider is that he has never won in the past when racing in blinkers. His run at Doomben was good – he probably will race better here at Eagle Farm and the gear change will assist.

I am going to be in trouble from Toby Edmonds for sure here – I am tipping his runner Winter Bride (12) – sorry to Edmonds Racing in advance! The WINNO curse has been cast on your runner. It is no secret that Edmonds Racing has a poor strike rate here at Eagle Farm – so let us look past that this weekend.

Winter Bride resumed 6 weeks ago in the Group 2 at Randwick on a bog (heavy track). She raced well and did not disgrace herself but was a victim of the pattern of racing on the day. Since then she has returned home and was solid in a recent barrier trial. She always races well fresh in her preparation and the booking of Brad Stewart, who is in wonderful form, gives me confidence in putting her on top here.

Outback Barbie (15) always races well fresh. Baylee Nothdurft is in the saddle. She was solid going to the line last start in the BRC Sprint (Group 3). She should be suited here again this weekend – but she has a poor record at Eagle Farm.

Her stablemate is Vega One (8) who has finished off strong in his two starts from a spell. The genuine tempo in the race probably gives Jim Byrne the chance to ride him a little closer this weekend and finish off strongly. I am just not too certain whether he is a genuine Group 2 horse – then again he has always shown his has some serious potential. Maybe he can cause an upset here this weekend and go onto bigger and better things in the coming weeks.

Tambo’s Mate (4), from Stuart Kendrick stables, raced close to the speed in the BRC Group 3 Sprint and held on late as every other runner made a bold effort to run him down. He meets his opposition worse at the weights this weekend after that win, but if they ride him back with the speed on and come home late, as he can do, he may just cause another upset this weekend. Matthew McGillivray always steps up Carnival time and he already does have the first Group race under his belt
!
Deep Image (11) was unlucky in the same race won by Tambo’s Mate (4) – he has a tremendous record here at Eagle Farm. Rob Heathcote has him flying and Stephanie Thornton deserves a victory at Group level.

Selections:

12 – Winter Bride
1 – Kementari
15 – Outback Barbie
11 – Deep Image
Rough chances – (8) Vega One and Tambo’s Mate (4)

Race 9

The last race of the day – not a big fan and it may pay just to hope you are in front and keep your wallet in your pocket for this race.

Ella Divine (18), trained by Robert Heathcote, is silly odds at $26. If she makes the field (as she is the second emergency) I think she may cause an upset and put some value into the Quaddie and exotics.

Zoucara (14) from the Munce Racing team is another runner at decent odds with Ryan Wiggins to ride. He could win the race. Third up this weekend on a track that he has won at previously – he could bob up here.

Spending My Time (10) steps up to 1400 metres and will appreciate the extra distance.

Do not underestimate the chances of the Gollan Racing runner – Trail of Glory (12). She could make improve here at Eagle Farm.

It is a tough way to end the day – anything could and probably will happen!

Selections:

18 – Ella Divine
14 – Zoucara
10 – Spending My Time
12 – Trail Of Glory
Rough chances – (4) Great Keppel
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Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like a solid book of rides for Ryan Maloney – if the Sydney trainers have their horses ready, he could have a massive day!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

8,10,11 / 2,6,8 / 3,4,5,10 / 7,9,11 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

10,11 / 6,8 / 3,4 / 7,9 - cost is $16 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,7 / 1,5 / 1,11,12,15 / 10,12,14,18 - cost is $96 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,7 / 1,5 / 1,12,15 / 12,14,18 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,5 / 1,11,12,15 / 10,12,14,18 - cost is $32 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO beat WINNO in our tipping competition last weekend by default as he stayed home – scared of being bashed again! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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