WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 2 JANUARY 2021

By Darren Winningham | Friday, January 1, 2021

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 2 JANUARY 2021

First – HAPPY NEW YEAR – it is 2021 – hopefully, you are all well and not hungover.

This weekend we are back at Eagle Farm. This looks a wonderful meeting on paper! The track is rated “GOOD”. The rail is out 2 metres for the entire circuit. There is some rain forecast leading up to the meeting – I do not think that will have any effect on the racing.

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 sprint race over 1000 metres to get us started. It is a tough race – I would suggest that you follow the markets and see what they back here.

I am going for Snow Valley (12) to improve. Trained by Steele Ryan and ridden by Ryan Maloney, she is third up this preparation and I think the drop back in distance will enhance her chances.

Genzai The Wolf (14), trained by Diane Murphy, has had a ten week freshen up. He is drawn wide here, but with the speed drawn inside should get across nicely and take up a forward position in the running.

Mishani Rebel (16) resumed with a solid win at the Gold Coast on a heavy track. He could show up at a big price.

Selections:

12 – Snow Valley
14 – Genzai The Wolf
3 – Leroytheconqueror
16 – Mishani Rebel

Race 2

The first leg of the Early Quaddie is over 1200 metres.

Gollan Racing has two nice chances here in Macewen (4) and Say Heya (8).

Macewen (4) is third up and drops back from Listed races to a 0-90 grade. He has a solid record here at Eagle Farm and goes well third up. I think he is a genuine chance for the stable with Ryan Maloney to ride.

Say Heya (8) has the tongue tie going on with Glen Boss to ride. She was scratched out for the first race to race here. Some punters like the dual acceptor bet! She has never won at Eagle Farm. Maybe she does not like the track – some runners seem not to put in here. She is down in the weights this weekend and should get every chance to run home late.

Racecourse Road (2) is from the Kelly Schweida Racing stables. He has won his past two starts by getting out in front and setting a tempo to suit so that the opposition could run him down. This weekend, in a smaller field and over 1200 metres, I think he may be exposed to something flashing home late. He can still win this race – I am just worried that with the extra weight and the long straight the others will be hunting him down late. Ronnie Stewart remains aboard.

Epic Girl (5) has been racing consistently and could pop up at a long price.

Selections:

4 – Macewen
2 – Racecourse Road
8 – Say Heya
5 – Epic Girl

Race 3

A large open field over 1810 metres.

Miss Penfold (16), trained by Kelly Schweida, is third up this weekend and up to a distance that is more suitable. Ben Thompson rides this one and I expect for him to go back and race midfield from the wide barrier. She can find trouble in the running, but I think at Eagle Farm with the wide course she will be able to track wide in the straight and win.

So Dapper from the Laxon & Symons yards at the Sunshine Coast has been racing consistently. Likes to race on the speed and will be suited here.

Green Jacket (8), from Edmonds Racing, found trouble in the running last start – the extra distance will ensure he gets his chance to post his first win third up this preparation. Andrew Mallyon rides.

Watch The Cat (14) is a runner that I have a huge watch on! Trained by Barry Lockwood, he will be ridden by Sean Cormack. He loves this track and I expect him to run well.

Tough and open race – play wide or stay out for mine.

Selections:

16 – Miss Penfold
10 – So Dapper
8 – Green Jacket
14 – Watch The Cat
Rough chances – (1) Picka Plum & (12) Indian Dreamer

Race 4

A two-year-old race which is always a great guide to the Magic Millions.

There are big expectations for the Chris Waller Racing runner Ranch Hand (1) after his impressive win at Warwick Farm last week. Nash Rawiller will ride him here. He had some solid sectionals at both ends of the race that suggests he is a serious contender for the Magic Millions in a fortnight – but for him to be a serious contender he will need to put this lot to the sword.

The only challenger I can see is Gleneagles (5) who comes out of the Magic Millions race at Wyong where he was was defeated by the early Magic Millions favourite She’s All Class (trained by Chris Waller). This runner was great in that race and since it was only his only first race start, he will be ready to improve here. Luke Currie is aboard.

The local trained Princess Bojack (6), from the Michael Nolan Racing stables, could rip in a better performance second up here this weekend.

Selections:

1 – Ranch Hand
5 – Gleneagles
6 – Princess Bojack
2 – Golden Eighty

Race 5

I like the three-year old’s at the bottom of the field here..

Edmonds Racing has Smart N Sexy (15) second up here. She needed the run first up and this weekend will be ready to give this race a shake. She has won here previously and has an impressive record second up. Robbie Fradd stays on her.

Acrobatic (16) from Kelly Schweida Racing has drawn wide, but I think that will be no drama. He has won third up previously and he has won here at Eagle Farm. He has some solid efforts at Eagle Farm and $17 each way looks a wonderful proposition for me. This weekend the blinkers come off and the winkers go on – this will make sure this runner will be ready to perform at his peak.

Love Express (7) was a last start winner at Doomben over 1350 metres and was heavily supported on that occasion. Trained by Gary Duncan and to be ridden again by Brad Stewart the extra 50 metres will not be any drama. He will be competitive again – do not overlook this runner.

Sea Raider (3) was a last start winner here at the track and distance as well. He does go up in weight for that impressive effort – maybe that will be the steadier here this weekend.

Selections:

16 – Acrobatic
15 – Smart N Sexy
7 – Love Express
3 – Sea Raider
Rough chances – (6) Jetski & (10) Hail Manhattan

Race 6 Magic Millions Shoot Out

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend. A distance race over 2206 metres.

Get Stuck In (4), So You Win (3) and Phaistos (2) all went around last start and Get Stuck In (4) led and got the better of them. The other runners do meet Get Stuck In (4) better at the weights this weekend.

It is a difficult race to assess.

So You Win (3) I think probably gets the better weight relief out of the last start defeat. Plus, I think the larger track should enable the Chris Waller Racing runner to be ridden quiet, the way he likes it, and make a late sprint at the leaders. One thing for sure is that Luke Dittman will be looking to post a winner! He has been riding like a man possessed in recent weeks – he comes off a wining double last weekend.

Phaistos (5) will be better for his first effort over 2020 metres last start. This Godolphin / James Cummings runner gets the services of the strong Nash Rawiller in the saddle. If he is any chance in the last 100 metres you will see that unique riding action of Rawiller trying to lift him across the line.

Ballistic Boy (2) is the local runner from Anderson Racing who has posted two consecutive wins. Matthew McGillivray keeps the ride this weekend. I just am worried about the weight here and the large field. He gets back midfield and always surges late and has punters who have backed him gasping hoping he can run down the leaders prior to the winning post. The large field bothers me – he will need a lot of luck. I am not knocking his chances – he goes well – just a few things against him this weekend for mine.

Star Of Michelin (11) is my tip at long odds to upset these more favoured runners. He is trained by Stuart Kendrick and just loves this Eagle Farm circuit with some good statistics here on the track – 8 starts for 4 wins and 2 seconds. He is a runner that can be ridden forward and can be ridden quiet. I think from barrier 1, jockey Luke Tarrant (QLD supporter) who always has an opinion to share, will be looking to upset this red-hot field. Star Of Michelin goes down dramatically in weight from his last start – but up in class. I may be way off here but at $15 I think he is worth each way ticket in a race where some of these can be found wanting.

Selections:

11 – Star of Michelin
3 – So You Win
4 – Get Stuck In
2 – Ballistic Boy
Rough chance – (5) Phaistos

Race 7 Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate (Group 3)

Over 1400 metres and he set weights do benefit some of these runners.

Gollan Racing has two solid chances here in Palladas (8) –-a last start winner - and Starosa (14) who got too far back over 1200 metres last start.

Let us start with Palladas (8) with Michael Rodd to ride him again after he won at the track and distance last start. He was unlucky in the running being bumped and hampered around the 1000 metres, however, Michael Rodd was good enough to get him balanced and keep his mind on the job to blow away the opposition. He will take a power of beating again this weekend without any issues in the running.

Starosa (14) got too far back over 1200 metres last start at Doomben. He got held up as well and still worked home nicely. Stepping up to 1400 metres this weekend and the bigger Eagle Farm track I think he gets conditions to suit. He does race well over 1400 metres with three career wins. Ryan Maloney is aboard.

Gotta Kiss (13) from the Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted stables gets in well this weekend at the set weights. She has had only one start over 1400 metres and that was back in June in the JJ Atkins (Group 1) when beaten by Rothfire. So that is impressive form for this Group 3 race. Last start she was beaten by Isotope, however, it was a superb run. She flashed home over 1200 metres. The extra distance and, with Stephanie Thornton aboard, she look a nice chance in this race.

Do not underestimate a roughie here from the Scott Morrisey yards on the Gold Coast – Safework (3). He likes this track and distance. Jim Byrne remains aboard.

Selections:

8 – Palladas
14 – Starosa
13 – Gotta Kiss
3 – Safework
Rough chances – (17) Plutocrat & (18) Paredo

Race 8 Magic Millions The Buffering

A massive field here – a tough race. Stay with whatever you like here – I can make a case for nearly every runner in the field.

I am tipping the horse that won this race last year – Deep Image (6) trained by Robert Heathcote, who ironically trained BUFFERING. Would be a good story to see him win this feature race named after a true QLD champion!

There is a little magic here if Deep Image can go back-to-back. Stephanie Thornton retains the ride – drawn barrier 1. I was hoping he drew a little further out, but by this stage I expect them all to track wide – maybe just ride him for luck off the rail and he can get the job done.

Krone (16) from Tony Gollan stables was superb last start working home late and going down narrowly. If she had drawn a barrier (she has drawn terrible in barrier 19) I would have had her on top. Look, she has Michael Rodd aboard – he has been riding in wonderful form since returning to QLD. He is timing his runs well and just seems to get the horses he is on to settle and perform to their peak. He will make sure that Krone tracks wide here and he will peel out and come home. If he can get in from barrier 19, she will have plenty to offer late and could win this race quite easily.

Desert Lord (10) is a David Vandyke runner who always races well when his races are well spaced. It has been 8 weeks since his last run (which he did win) – I am just concerned that this may find him out late. But he is a nice type with some good ability.

Tyzone (1) the 2020 Stradbroke winner here at Group 1 level – gets in well at the weights. If he can produce that effort here this weekend, he will put panels on this lot. His first up effort at Doomben was solid and he meets the runners who defeated him in the Lough Neagh (Listed) much better at the weights for that defeat. Trained by Edmonds Racing – maybe they can get him up for this race.

Niccanova (2) is coming back in distance – he thrives on this track and distance.

Soxagon (7) cruised up to them in the Lough Neagh (Listed) and put the opposition to the sword. He does meet them worse at the weights, but he must be still considered in this open field. Mark Currie has retained Glen Boss for the ride this weekend – why would you split a winning combination!

Selections:

6 – Deep Image
16 – Krone
1 – Tyzone
10 – Desert Lord
Rough chances – (2) Niccanova, (7) Soxagon, (12) Hilo, (15) Stampe

Race 9 Magic Millions Nudgee Stakes

The last race – will the rain that they have said will come this weekend in Brisbane stay away?

This race is for the fillies and mares – again you may need to play wide.

Kisukano (18) from the Michael Nolan yards resumes here and is all the rage – she has been heavily backed since the markets have opened. She was a recent trial winner in Toowoomba and has drawn well – just some concern from me first up over 1200 metres here at Eagle Farm against a seasoned bunch of fillies and mares.

I am going wide here and tipping the in-form Sydney stable – the Mark Newnham representative Blazing Miss (9) who was beaten narrowly by Niedorp (4) in the Tatts Classic. I think despite the wide draw she would have stripped fitter for that effort and will be hard to beat.

Niedorp (4) from Gollan Racing has drawn barrier 20 – may well have been starting at the Brisbane airport runaway 2. She proved everyone wrong last start drawing the outside and skirting across to the front of the field and holding them all off. I am sure they will jump her out and lead again this weekend with Georgina Cartwright to ride again – just that long straight at Eagle Farm may be her Achilles heel with them all charging at her late.

Godolphin is well represented with two solid chances – both have been working well since arriving from Sydney on the Gold Coast. Athiri (2) will be ridden by Nash Rawiller and was strong at the line in the Razor Sharp (Listed) at Randwick. She looks well placed and gets in well at the weights. A nice barrier as well in barrier 5 should see her forward and in the finish.

The stablemate is Tailleur (12) who will be ridden by Larry Cassidy who has a superb strike rate when he puts on the royal blue silks for Godolphin. She comes off a solid effort first up at Randwick – goes down in the weights here and, despite being second up, she could be right in this finish.

Maozi (16) from Edmonds Racing just missed last start in the Just Now Quality (Listed) when she could not run down the $151 winner Alison of Tuffy. On that effort, if she can be ridden closer this weekend, she will be right in the finish. She has had three weeks between runs and Robbie Fradd stays aboard – despite drawing wide she will settle back and come home late.

Persuader (6) is second up for Gollan Racing here – Michael Rodd is aboard – look for an improved effort.

Tough way to end the day – could be a good result for the bookies.

Selections:

9 – Blazing Miss
2 – Athiri
16 – Maozi
18 – Kisukano
Rough chance – (4) Niedorp, (6) Persuader, (12) Tailleur
______________________________________________________________________

Jockey’s Challenge

Glen Boss has a solid book of rides and looks like the logical winner this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,4,5,8 / 8,10,14,16 / 1,5 / 7,15,16 - cost is $96 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,4 / 8,10,16 / 1 / 15,16 - cost is $12 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,3,4,11 / 3,8,13,14 / 1,6,10,16 / 2,6,9,16,18 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,11 / 8,13,14 / 1,6,16 / 2,9,16 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,7 / 2,3,4 / 2,6,9,16,18 - cost is $45 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO got FLEMO last weekend in our tipping competition. The battle continues again in 2021 – bring your best this year mate! 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!

More articles