WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 6 JUNE, 2020

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 5, 2020

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2020

Well it is officially WINTER in Queensland. It has been freeeeeezing all week.

So, here we are at the pinnacle of Queensland Racing – the 2020 TAB Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm – without the crowds!

This weekend the track is rated “GOOD”. The rail is out 3 metres the entire circuit. There has been plenty of commentary about the track in recent weeks. I think they will be racing wide most of the day from around race 3. This probably will suit horses that can race just off the speed and swoop late. The weather is forecast to be cold – but no precipitation (wow that’s a big word for WINNO – I think I may have stolen it from Grafton race caller Anthony Collins)

I think you should play wide and look for value on the program – you could make plenty!

The footy was back last weekend – Broncos got thrashed – YAY!
Ok – just for Mr Fleming – the Bulldogs got belted as well!
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Race 1

An even race to start the day.

I think that the result the occurred at the Gold Coast over 2200 metres on a heavy track between Advance Warning (2) and Sentoomany (3) last time will be reversed here on a good track. Last start Advance Warning (2) won and there is a weight differential this weekend in favour to Seentoomany (3) for a narrow loss.

Seentoomany (3) is trained on the Gold Coast by Michael Costa and Jag Guthmann-Chester is aboard. I think that on top of the ground and at Eagle Farm she looks a solid way to start the day.

Stardome (5) is trained by Chris Waller and I see Luke Dittman has the ride. This runner looks like he is a stayer in the making. I would not be surprised if he finds his feet over this longer distance and prevails at a good price.

Selections:

3 – Seentoomany
2 – Advance Warning
5 – Stardome
6 – So Dapper

Race 2

A small but competitive race. Any one of these runners can win!

The Kingdom (5) resumed at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago with a booming win first up. Adin Thompson retains his winning association with this gelding – he has a 100% strike rate on him – 4 rides for four wins! At $10 they are seriously kidding! I think with the small field he can sit back off the pace and fly home like he normally does.

Soxagon (4) has enormous ability. He is trained by Mark Currie and has won his two starts back from a spell. Brad Stewart is aboard. He loves this Eagle Farm circuit and has been heavily backed since the markets opened.

Steven O’Dea trains Reckless Choice (3) who is second up here. He raced well first up home storming home late to go under narrowly to Red Chase (1). I think he will finish in front of that runner this weekend.

Desleigh Forster trains Red Chase (1) who has now won his past three starts. He is up in weights, but he has been super consistent this preparation. Taylor Marshall is looking for four wins in a row on this runner.

Selections:

5 – The Kingdom
4 – Soxagon
3 – Reckless Choice
1 – Red Chase

Race 3

This is one of the toughest races of the day. It may pay to stay away and watch it.

Totally Charmed (7), trained by Steven O’Dea, is third up here. The only problem I have is that this runner will get back and need some luck late to win. Boris Thornton rode an O’Dea runner cold last weekend to claim victory in the final bound. If he can reproduce that effort, he will be difficult to beat here.

Plenty (5) won last start with Jake Bayliss aboard. They combine again here a fortnight later trying to claim consecutive wins. Once they have won or raced well on this track they seem to perform well. Taking that into consideration, and with the fact that there is some good speed in the race, I expect this runner to be midfield and have four lengths on Totally Charmed (7) when they come into the straight.

Stylish Saga (16) is trained by Chris Anderson Racing and Jimmy Orman retains the ride on this lightly raced gelding. Down in the weights this weekend and third up he could be a knockout chance at some decent odds.

Pinnacle Star (2) was scratched last weekend to be saved for this race. He has raced well previously at the track and David Vandyke can certainly train a winner on big race days like these.

Selections:

7 – Totally Charmed
16 – Stylish Saga
5 – Plenty
2 – Pinnacle Star

Race 4

Red Stina (14) was well backed and well ridden last start to victory here a fortnight ago by Stephanie Thornton. The small field again should see her hard to defeat this weekend. She will get back and come late. She races well at Eagle Farm and I think we will see will trainer Rex Lipp in the winner’s stall here.

Picka Plum (10) is second up. The 1800 metres will be right up her alley. She is trained by Paul Jenkins and Jake Bayliss is aboard. She could win at decent odds without any great surprise. At current odds of $25 in some markets, I will be having something each way!

Seat of Power (8) was defeated here last start by Red Stina (14). Maybe he will take some further improvement from that run and give the favoured runners a run for their money.

Gresham (2) won well last start at the Gold Coast with apprentice Nick Keal aboard for the Chris Waller team out of the Gold Coast stables. They stay together again this weekend. Could be a big win on the big stage for Nick!

Selections:

14 – Red Stina
10 – Picka Plum
8 – Seat Of Power
2 – Gresham
Rough chance – (4) Bold Assassin

Race 5

This race is tough and, if some of the emergencies make the field, they could well be serious contenders in the race.

Steven O’Dea Racing has Jami Lady (6) who is resuming here this weekend. She has had a nice trial a fortnight ago. Boris Thornton has ridden her to two previous victories and resumes his association with the mare. Her run on Magic Millions Day 2020 was exceptional – she will be tough to beat here.

Spirits Choice (7), a Matt Kropp runner, always races well fresh. He has gone with apprentice Alex Patis to ride him first up. Her 3 kilogram will be a great asset to this impressive mare. She has drawn a little wide and there a couple of other runners that may take up the running. I just hope they sit in behind the speed this weekend and not leave her exposed late. She does have some class.

Wirnpa (13) is trained by Hulbert Racing and apprentice Maddy Wishart again has the ride this weekend. She rode this gelding to success a fortnight ago here over the same distance. Again, she could be hard to knock off given a good run in transit.

Kalik (16) is owned by the BRC Chairman Neville Bell and his wife. This runner is a dual acceptor (Race 9 as well). I think that if he makes the field here, he can win this race. He is only lightly raced, with nine starts for four wins. He recently trialled well at the Sunshine Coast and finished well behind Pinnacle Star (engaged in race 3).

Ozark (1) despite the massive weight could upset this field as well – don’t leave him out.

Selections:

6 – Jami Lady
7 – Spirits Choice
13 – Wirnpa
16 – Kalik
Rough chances – (1) Ozark (15) Hi Fever

Race 6 Rough Habit – Group 3

The first leg of the Quaddie and the first of our feature races – the Group 3 Rough Habit!

This looks like a rough result race for punters. WINNO’s thoughts? Play wide – get heaps (well I am hoping)!

I like the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained Navy Cross (4) who is looking to post three consecutive wins. He is stepping up in grade, but I really think he is the fresh horse on the scene.

This would be Waterhouse’s first Rough Habit Plate since the race’s inception on 1993. Ryan Maloney also gets the chance to ride his first winner in this race when he partners this runner. He rode him last start in an all the way effort at the Sunshine Coast.

Marakopa (11) is a Chris Waller runner who will be ridden by Jim Byrne. History shows that Chris Waller has dominated this race with three wins in the past seven years. Keeping that statistic in mind, this runner looks well placed by the stable. Marakopa is only lightly raced as well and comes off a solid win in only a Class 1 grade race at Sunshine Coast over 1800 metres.

Then you have the Mark Currie trained Mishani Secret (15) who won at Ipswich over 2170 metres about 2 months ago. Since then she dropped back to 1800 metres at the Gold Coast where she appeared to not appreciate the track – but still raced well enough. I think that stepping back up to the longer 2200 metres she will be right in this race late. James Innes Jnr is looking for another Group winner after riding his first Group 1 winner Nettoyer in the Doncaster back in April. It has been well documented that he has been in isolation for two weeks in Queensland to ride the Stradbroke runner Dawn Passage. Maybe it could be a really big day for him at Eagle Farm!

Supergiant (3) gave Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa and jockey Alan Chau there first Group winner last start when he led all the way and held off a late charge by Ballistic Boy (1) in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic. He will be leading again this weekend. If he gets a soft lead and some cheap sectionals he may have a strong kick late!

Ballistic Boy (1), trained by Chris Anderson and again ridden by Brad Stewart, was held up at a vital stage last start in the straight. I think the extra distance will suit him this weekend and the way he powered home last start it would strongly suggest that he is the logical winner of this race. He has been well backed since the markets opened and he is now the pre-race favourite.

Selections:

4 – Navy Cross
11 – Marakopa
15 – Mishani Secret
1 – Ballistic Boy
Rough chance – (3) Supergiant and (8) Neptune’s Choice

Race 7 Group 1 JJ Atkins

The Group 1 feature for the two-year-old’s over 1400 metres. This could be a rough result as well. I am looking for some value here.

Before going on to my selections you must say that Rothfire (1), trained by Robert Heathcote and to be ridden by Jim Byrne, is a serious contender here. He has only had one career defeat in 6 starts and, to be fair, he probably should be undefeated. He was amazing in winning the Champagne Classic (Group 2) here last start in the logical lead up race for this feature Group 1 event.

The stable mate is Minjee (16) who has drawn wide in barrier 20. I am not worried about the barrier! She has winkers on for the first time this weekend and Blake Spriggs (NSW based jockey and good bloke – go NSW – sorry) will ride here in this feature race. She will be at the rear of the field, but I have ALWAYS said we will see the best of her once we see her over 7 furlongs or more. The way she races and storms home this race looks ideal for her. I expect to see some early scorching speed and maybe some runners going silly. If that occurs and the race is run at a silly tempo, she will be storming home late at around $71.

Macroura (14) is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. She has won all three career starts and faces her toughest test of her career. She has had a nice three week freshen up since her last win at Rosehill over 1100 metres. The step up in distance is my only concern but she is a runner who thrives with a solid speed, tucks in behind the speed and can unleash a powerful sprint late. Her sectionals in winning last start at Rosehill were the best of the day and I think that she will be the one finishing strong late here. Oh hold on - Andrew Mallyon has been booked to ride this runner – maybe a Group 1 winner for him? He works hard and doesn’t get many chances but the big Melbourne based stable has turned to him to get this filly home – a massive stamp of approval and show of confidence in him. You have WINNO on board mate – you may be in trouble!

Trent and Toby Edmonds have a very genuine chance in this feature race – Wisdom of Water (3) to be piloted by Robbie Fradd. He comes off a wonderful effort and win in the Ken Russell (Group 3) over 1200 metres last start. He is certain to get the 1400 metres the way he races.

Then you have the locally trained Gollan Racing runners Isotope (17) and Starosa (18). Isotope (17) chased Rothfire (1) home solidly last start and looks like she will be happy stepping up to 1400 metres. Baylee Nothdurft rides her for the stable and will be looking for his first Group 1 winner. He has been in tremendous form in the last month and it would be amazing to see him post a Group 1 winner at a young age and still as an apprentice. There have been some talented jockeys who have achieved this – Blake Shinn, Darren Beadman to name a couple. These are big shoes to fill – but he gets given a unique chance by his master Tony Gollan to achieve this accolade.

Starosa (18) will be partnered by James Innes Jnr this weekend. She raced last start at the Sunshine Coast over 1400 metres when she led and seemed to just not finish off the race late. I think if they elect to take a sit with her this weekend, she will run out the distance and could cause a massive upset at around $61.

Selections:

14 – Macroura
16 – Minjee
3 – Wisdom of Water
1 – Rothfire
Rough chances – (2) Wild Ruler (17) Isotope (18) Starosa

Race 8 Group 1 TAB Stradbroke Handicap

The feature race – the Group 1 TAB Stradbroke 2020 edition!

This is a Group 1 race but not many genuine Group 1 contenders for mine!

I am staying loyal with the proven Group 1 winner – Trekking (1) to be ridden by Michael Cahill. He is the perfect partner for this Godolphin runner trained by James Cummings. He comes of a solid effort winning the Group 1 Goodwood last start at Morphettville. He went to the line so strong as well – it was over 1200 metres but the way the race was run it was a dominant effort.

Trekking won this race last year coming off some solid form in the lead up. He has a good record at Group 1 level with 7 starts for 2 wins and a third. At Group 2 level he has had 1 start for 1 win so he has been impressive at the higher levels. The price is seriously ridiculous at $9 in some markets. The barrier 22 may have some impact on his price but I can just see him running midfield and getting some cover (I hope) and then asserting his class and dominance late to win the feature race! There have been only a few runners to win back to back Stradbroke’s – the last being Black Piranha in 2009/2010 and prior to that the New Zealand champion Rough Habit in 1991/92.

One of Trekking’s stable-mates is Ranier (4) who has won his past two starts. He seems to race best with his runs spaced apart. It is no secret that Cummings has had this race pencilled in for this runner some months ago. He is a Group 3 winner and comes off a Listed win at Rosehill last start in the Luskin Star Stakes over 1300 metres. He has a solid record at 1400 metres as well. Larry Cassidy is booked to ride, and he has a tremendous record on the “Blue Army” runners in Queensland. Ranier has drawn poorly in barrier 19 as well but races off the speed before unleashing a powerful sprint late. At $21 he could be a serious upset or, at very least, he might add some value for your trifecta and first 4 wagers.

Exhilarates (12) is the horse that must be not underrated after her effort in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and then her last run as well when she chased home Dawn Passage (16)in the Group 3 Fred Best. Is she as good as Impending who won this race in 2017 as a three-year-old? This race has always been difficult for a three-year-old to win. I think whilst they are all quality runners they may struggle this year against the older horses who have been weighted favourably.

Victorem (5) is proven at the track – well he actually loves this track and gets in well at the weights, is drawn well and was impressive winning the Group 2 Victory Stakes last start here. He drops to a light weight and Dale Smith has the key ride on him. He will be looking to get his first Group winner since moving to Queensland. Jenny Graham based at Port Macquarie is looking to claim her first Group 1 success – so there are many good stories here to talk about if this runner can frank his dominant win from a fortnight ago!

Winter Bride (12) and Tyzone (6) are the Edmonds Racing runners. Who can ever forget the great effort of Tyzone (6) last year racing home strongly late to run a great second behind Trekking. Winter Bride (12) is ridden better off the speed and I think, from barrier 16, she will settle midfield. She races well fresh – I am forgiving her last start effort when she led and did not finish off the race. The stable has always had this race marked for her. At $81 in some markets, I can see Jake Bayliss and those striking Segenhoe colours of red with yellow seams being in finish when the judge calls a halt to the race. There is another wonderful story here with Jake making Queensland his base and working tirelessly on his family’s farm west of Brisbane – a great story looms here is he can claim a Group 1 victory.

The early market favourite Dawn Passage (16) won well last weekend. I am not too certain there was much left in the tank after that win – maybe I will be proved wrong come Saturday! She has two solid wins at Group 3, no weight on her back and the jockey of the moment James Innes Jnr aboard.

Finally, a word on a local runner Niccanova (3), trained by Steve Tregea and to be ridden by Jimmy Orman. Orman has wasted and worked hard for the past 10 days. He employed a trainer to train him and create his meals so that he will be at peak fitness and power to ride at the light weight. This runner smoked home late to be beaten by Victorem (5) in the Group 2 race. Now he has never raced at Group 1 level but has some solid form in Group 3 and Group 2. He won the Fred Best (Group 3) in 2017 – giving Orman his first Group winner. Would it not be awesome to see the same horse – at the same track give them both jockey and trainer their first Group 1 victory! Go get them Jimmy – into them bra!

An open race – you could win a motza if you jag the trifecta or first 4 I reckon!

Selections:

1 – Trekking
5 – Victorem
4 – Ranier
12 – Winter Bride
Rough chances – (3) Niccanova (6) Tyzone (16) Dawn Passage (17) Hightail (18) Exhilarates


Race 9

The Listed race is 1000 metres – wait keep quiet … shhhh … Can you hear the crowd cheer Maybe not this week – but hopefully soon!

I am going to be brief here – everyone knows I am a BLUE – so I must tip the Godolphin runner Aquitaine (7) to cap off a probable good day for James Cummings?

She was wonderful first up at Rosehill when beaten by the impressive Fituese. If she can repeat that effort, she will be hard to hold out here with Larry Cassidy wearing the royal blue silks!

Niedorp (5), from Gollan Racing and to be ridden by Baylee Nothdurft, was run down late last start at the Gold Coast in a Listed Race over 1200 metres. Dropping back to 1000 metres and a track where she goes well – she is the logical danger.

Better Reflection (6) resumes from a 16-week spell. She races best fresh and she will be powering to the line late. Ryan Wiggins will sit down and ride hard in the final 150 metres and at some stage in the final 100 metres she will look the winner.

Kalik (3) is a dual acceptor (race 5). If he races here, he probably may be tested – but again do not underestimate his chances.

Selections:

7 – Aquitaine
5 – Niedorp
6 – Better Reflection
3 – Kalik
Rough chances – (2) Bold Style (11) Sukwhinder
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think the result will come from the early race winners – therefore I am tipping a wild card here Boris Thornton to beat Baylee Nothdurft this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

3,4,5 / 5,7,16 / 8,10,12,14 / 6,7,13,16 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5 / 5,7 / 10,12,14 / 6,7,13 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4,11,15 / 1,3,14,16 / 1,4,5,12 / 3,5,6,7 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,11,15 / 3,14,16 / 1,4,5 / 5,6,7 - cost is $81 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,14,16 / 1,4,5,12 /3,5,6,7 - cost is $64 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO beat WINNO last weekend with some great tipping in our tipping competition. We had some long-priced winners and place getters – hopefully we can lead you into some value again this weekend. 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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