WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, AUGUST 1, 2020

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, July 30, 2020

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2020

We are back at Eagle Farm this weekend with the track rated “GOOD”. The rail is out 0.5 metres the entire circuit. It is the National Jockey’s Trust Day – a day where we open our pockets and give to the trust that supports our heroes of the sport – the jockeys! Oh – it is the horse’s birthday as well – they all get one year older today, the start of the new season.

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day

Race 1

A small field to start us off – not much to say here.

Desleigh Forster and Taylor Marshall combine again with Apache Chase (2) after he resumed with a front running win here at a midweek meeting. A repeat of that effort should see him post consecutive wins.

Selections:

2 – Apache Chase
3 – Igor
1 – Treasure of Gold
4 – Borlotti

Race 2

A small field but a competitive race.

I will again go with the Jason Edwards trained Sir Barnabus (2) as he has a solid record here at the track. His last start effort at Ipswich was solid enough to suggest he will be competitive here. Jimmy Orman is in the saddle.

Humbolt Current (7) is trained by Chris Waller and has had a month between runs after a win here over 2212 metres. He will be ridden by Michael Cahill after trialling solidly at the Gold Coast.

Aiden Nunn, from Tasmania, trains Brilliant Jet (6) who has a striking second up record. This stable has landed some massive plunges with this runner over his career and he always seem to go well second up. They have gone with Ryan Wiggins to see if they can get the chocolates here.

Selections:

2 – Sir Barnabus
7 – Humbolt Current
4 – Romakash
6 – Brilliant Jet

Race 3

This is an even affair over the mile.

Robert Heathcote has Stuttering (5) going around here. He has been scratched twice recently from some wet tracks. He goes well on top of the ground and will be ridden by Ronnie Stewart. I just have one slight reservation as he has not posted a win at this track.

Mangione (4) is Chris Waller’s Racing runner here with Luke Dittman in the saddle. Rule a line through his latest effort at Ipswich. That race was not run to suit and I think the track did not suit him. Back to a wider open circuit look for an effort that will test the other runners. He has won here previously as well which is a positive.

The rest of the field – well, take your pick.

Selections:

5 – Stuttering
4 – Mangione
6 – Drumadoir
2 – Prometheus

Race 4

The Gollan Racing runner Bleu Zebra (9) is a truly short priced favourite. She will be partnered by Jim Byrne. She was prohibitive odds when she debuted at the Sunshine Coast with a powerful performance slaying the opposition. She does meet some more seasoned runners here, but she looks a ready-made, serious racehorse.

Chris Waller trains Clairvue Star (3) who won on debut back in March 2020. He recently was solid in a trial win on the Gold Coast. I think that he will take a sit in behind the speed on Saturday - as he has drawn barrier 11 – but he can let down and does possess a good sprint late.

Edmonds Racing’s Xerri (4) won a trial on the Gold Coast recently. This Snitzel colt could just test these more favoured runners.

Selections:

9 – Bleu Zebra
3 – Clairvue Star
4 – Xerri
7 – Mishani Miss
Rough chance – (8) Snitzari

Race 5

The Grafton trained Bugalugs (5) looks for a hat trick of wins here. Trained by John Shelton he looks to be well placed after a solid win midweek on this track. Sure, he steps up to Saturday class, but at $8 he looks a great each way bet. Andrew Mallyon rides him for the first time.

Chico Milagro (12) – I suppose the thought police may be offended by this runner’s name. I wonder when they will start whining and having names of horses changed? They have whinged about Coon cheese – Chico and Redskin lollies – HO HUM! This Tony Gollan trained runner was sent out favourite last start and went well. This looks an easier assignment and, with Jim Byrne to ride, maybe can post a win.

Now I have stirred the pot – the logical horse to go with Chico Milagro (12) is Aggravate (2). I mean why not aggravate and challenge this nonsense! Aggravate (2), trained by Les Kelly on the Gold Coast, won last start there on a heavy track. He could fill a hole here. Adin Thompson – the jockey with no whip (or maybe he got a refund on the old one and replaced it) takes the mount!

Selections:

5 – Bugalugs
12 – Chico Milagro
2 – Aggravate
4 – Alderman
Rough chance – (8) Arthur In Charge

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie this weekend is over 1400 metres. Looks a tough race on paper.

Dynamic Duo (4) has made an imposing impact in Queensland. He has won both starts in Queensland for Tony Noonan and Jason Taylor has ridden him both times – maybe they are the perfect duo! Dynamic Duo is meeting some tougher opposition here and it is Saturday metro class but I am prepared to gamble and say this runner will be strong at the finish and if he handles the track he will be tough to hold out.

Euro Belle (14), from Gillian Heinrich stables on the Gold Coast, won here a month ago before racing well at Ipswich where the track and race did not pan out well for her. Orman won on her here on 4 July and he gets back on for this assignment. There has been some good early market support for her as well. Where there is smoke there can be fire!

Starla (12) from Waller Racing is looking for a hat trick. She has had a five week freshen up and gets her first look at the Eagle Farm track. Luke Dittman rides another one for the stable here – could they make it a winning double?

Selections:

4 – Dynamic Duo
14 – Euro Belle
12 – Starla
7 – Smooth Move
Rough chance – (2) Slow Hands

Race 7

A No Metro Wins for fillies and mares – this is tough.

I am no musical buff, but I hope my form reading has helped me here when tipping Musical Genius (1). He is trained by Barry Lockwood who has been getting a consistent flow of winners in the past month. Jimmy Orman is aboard here. The mare resumed with a respectable effort behind Tullio at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago. She has some solid form second up and I think she will be suited by the firmer track. There is that “X” factor again – with three runs at Eagle Farm for no wins or placings – maybe Orman can help amend the statistic this weekend.

Winning Shot (3) is a Stuart Kendrick runner to be ridden by Tegan Harrison. “Tegz” has a solid record on this mare – 5 rides for 3 wins and a second. She likes to lead and set a good tempo and Tegan rates them well in front. She will jump clean from barrier 9 and take up the running. If they leave her alone in front she should kick and win this race.

Socialising (5) – that’s probably a bad term after the debacle this week with the “enemies of the State” sneaking into Queensland and deceiving the authorities and now we are all scared as we don’t know what will happen in the coming weeks - STAY SAFE – no socialising if you live on the southside or in the areas where these ‘&*#*@’ visited.

Oh – back to the races! Socialising (5), trained by Tony Gollan, was sent out favourite last start at Sunshine Coast on a heavy track. I think she does not handle the wet – so forget the run. She had won three starts in a row prior to that run on good tracks. She gets a firm surface this weekend and should bounce back and be in the finish when the judge calls a halt here.

Selections:

1 – Musical Genius
5 – Socialising
3 – Winning Shot
7 – Kedah
Rough chances – (6) Bubbles Ball (13) Woman of Gold

Race 8

This is another open race with many chances – over 1400 metres.

Mr Bellagio, trained by Toby & Trent Edmonds, was sent out favourite in the Eye Liner at Ipswich where he ran a solid race, but got too far back and had no real luck in the straight – however, still finished off strongly late. He steps up to 1400 metres, a distance over which he has posted 8 out of his 9 career wins. Ryan Maloney takes the reins this weekend.

Smartedge (4) makes his debut for Gollan Racing for the Triple Crown Syndication team. He is fourth up and has been unlucky in all three starts in Sydney when striking wet tracks. He is an absolute duffer in the wet. So, it will pay to forgive him those runs and look for a dramatic improvement here on a good track.

Persuader (6) is a visitor from Victoria for the Mick Price & Michael Kent team. She ran at Ipswich last start and was never in the race – I think the track and the way the race was run was the issue. She has some solid form over 1400 metres.

Skate To Paris (9) is a Chris Munce runner who has been well supported in the early markets so it may pay to keep this runner safe.

Selections:

3 – Mr Bellagio
4 – Smartedge
6 – Persuader
9 – Skate to Paris
Rough chances – (13) Red Doulton

Race 9

The last race of the day – I think we will get to see it this weekend – there is no rain forecast.

Steven O’Dea’s runner, Parangas (14), won at the Gold Coast last start over 1800 metres. She looks progressive and should be able to handle the step up to metropolitan weekend company.

Waller Racing team on the Gold Coast has a few runners here. I like Fairy Me Home (9) as the best of them. He worked home late last start and just missed as he ran out of time to run down the eventual winner. He has not drawn well – barrier 17 – this should not be too bad as he will race midfield and Ronnie Stewart, who takes the ride, is a man of patience. Lord Gododdin (5) and Spirit (8) are the other runners from the stable that could run a cheeky races and cause an upset.

Joymaker (11), from Kelly Schweida Racing, finished third in the same race that Fairy Me Home (9) ran in last start. I think that is a strong form race and this runner does like this distance. Jim Byrne in the saddle. He did win the last race at Doomben on Wednesday – maybe a last race win again for jockey Jim!

Selections:

14 – Parangas
9 – Fairy Me Home
11 – Joymaker
5 – Lord Gododdin
Rough chances – (8) Spirit
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think the result will come from either Ryan Maloney, Andrew Mallyon or one of the two “Jims” – Jim Byrne or Jimmy Orman. I slight edge to Orman to beat Byrne this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

2,4,7 / 4,5,6 / 3,4,9 / 2,5,12 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,7 / 4,5 / 3,9 / 5,12 - cost is $16 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,7,12,14 / 1,3,5,7 / 3,4,6 / 5,9,11,14 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,14 / 1,5 / 3,4,6 / 9,14 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,5,7 / 3,4,6 / 5,9,11,14 - cost is $48 to $1

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