WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 17 APRIL, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 15, 2021

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 17 APRIL 2021

Eagle farm this weekend with the track rated “GOOD”. The rail is 0.5 metres out for the entire circuit. Day 2 of the Championships in Sydney so the spotlight on racing is at Randwick. A solid support program in Brisbane with warm weather and a sunny day forecast.

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

The two-year-old boys start the day.

The smoke signals from the Gold Coast track suggest that the Toby & Trent Edmonds trained Debussy (1) will be hard to beat after winning two trials impressively. It is his debut here this weekend – the odds may be prohibitive, but the whispers are strong that this one goes well.

If you want to play a little wider and look for some value Grey Defence (2) broke his duck last time out at the Sunshine Coast – he could go on with it here and the Les Ross trained two-year old’s have a tremendous strike rate at Eagle Farm. Bobby El-Issa will ride this one.

Two other unraced propositions have been trialling well – keep your eye on these runners as well in case there are any moves for them – Jan Aitkenhead trains Star Chance (4) and the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained Vantan Express (6) who will be ridden by Baylee Nothdurft – I think this is his first Saturday ride since his return to racing – good luck bruz!

Selections:

1 – Debussy
2 – Grey Defence
6 – Vantan Express
4 – Star Chance

Race 2

The first leg of the Early Quaddie is over 1000 metres and features the two-year-old girls.

Baylee Nothdurft combines with Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted here again with Stellar Magic (1) who was run down in the final stride last start at Doomben. She races handy I would expect her to race in the first three and be hard to hold out here.

Gillian Heinrich trains Invisible Tears (4) on the Gold Coast – will be ridden by Michael Cahill. She is resuming from a 21-week spell – was incredibly good in her only career start and I think that she will be forward enough to run a nice race here.

Chris Anderson is the new trainer for Snowdrop (3). She is a very speedy filly and will probably lead this field. Michael Rodd will ride – she just seemed to run out of steam late in her previous race starts – or find a better one on the day – maybe the change of trainer and state will see her find the winning post first.

Sears Racing have Illiciate Affairs (3) going around with Jim Byrne in the saddle. A solid win at Ipswich last time out. With the speed in this race – look for Byrne to box seat them and expose her late – could be value.

Selections:

1 – Stellar Magic
4 – Invisible Tears
2 – Illiciate Affairs
3 – Snowdrop

Race 3

A mile race – with an average field.

Chris Waller Racing’s Gold Coast crew could trifecta the race here.

Guise (4) comes off a win last start – Jim Byrne stays on here – hard to beat.

Word For Word (3) has been up a while but does race well here at Eagle Farm – Luke Dittman stays aboard, and his tactics could see this runner beat the more favoured stable mate home.

Jay Jay D’ar (5) steps up in distance to the mile this weekend – look for an improved effort.

Slow Hands (6) and the Kelly Schweida / Stephanie Thornton look like the only team that can spoil the Waller dominance here. He is firth up this preparation and could cause an upset.

Selections:

4 – Guise
3 – Word For Word
5 – Jay Jay D’ar
6 – Slow Hands

Race 4

AGHH – the distance race – which one is going to win this week?

Bold Executive (9) will race on the speed and has a rider change this weekend with Jim Byrne taking the reins. Trained by Garnett Taylor and on his great win last start he will be tough to run down here this weekend.

Chris Waller Racing as usual has a few runners engaged here – Stardome (1) and Kimpembe (5) to me appear the best chances. I just think that with Kimpembe (5) stepping up in distance that he may have more improvement in him – plus he is starting for the fifth run this preparation.

Do not underestimate Joymaker (2), trained by Kelly Schweida – got bogged down with the large weight last start. This weekend they have put apprentice Alex Patis aboard – her 3 kilogram brings her right into the race again this weekend – she just will need to get her wide on the track into open spaces – she seems to race better with no other horses around her.

Not a race I have huge confidence in to be honest.

Selections:

9 – Bold Executive
5 – Kimpembe
2 – Joymaker
1 – Stardome

Race 5

A three-year-old sprint over 1400 metres – only a small field – but a quality field.

I am torn here – my logic says leaders will be having an advantage this weekend – but then I go and tip two back markers here.

Gotta Kiss (6) trained by O’Dea and Hoysted and to be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. The tongue tie goes on this weekend after a terrible run here last start – too bad to be true!

The Cullinan (3) returns to Brisbane after racing in Sydney – trained by Bryan Dais and to be ridden by Leah Kilner – he will get back as well but with the small field will be in the race.

I think that these two in the small field should be able to get home late.

Now if leaders are coming around the corner and nothing is making ground you must consider the Billy Healey trained Wolf Moon (4) who should roll along in front with Jimmy Orman on board. If he gets away with some cheap sectionals, he may be the one to get on!

Mass Destruction (2) will race in behind the speed – maybe the right place at the right time and cause an upset.

You can make a case for all 6 runners here – just pick one and stay with it!

Selections:

6 – Gotta Kiss
3 – The Cullinan
4 – Wolf Moon
2 – Mass Destruction

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend is over 1200 metres – take the field in the first leg!

Contemptuous (9) trained by Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted is fourth up here and I think will race forward. Just looking for a change of luck for this runner this weekend – maybe the Baylee factor could see him get the chocolates.

Dr Why Not (4) is trained by Scott Morrisey on the Gold Coast – Madeline Wishart to ride and her claim will come in handy in this race. I think stepping up to 1200 metres this weekend will suit this runner and gives him a genuine chance.

Golly Hutt (5) comes off a short six week break here. Last start he was beaten by Wren’s Day – Taylor Marshall will ride this runner hard and I think that will make sure he keeps his mind on the job and is a genuine chance.

The Gollan Racing runners – Leadership Spill (7) and Ingear (12) must be considered as well.

Selections:

9 – Contemptuous
4 – Dr Why Not
5 – Golly Hutt
6 – Hidden Eyes
Rough chance – (7) Leadership Spill & (12) Ingear

Race 7

Over the 1400 metres here for the first leg of the treble.

Some solid support for the Chris Anderson trained Epic Girl (6) who likes this Eagle Farm circuit. Will be ridden again this weekend by apprentice Adin Thompson. They combined two starts ago to win over 1200 metres. I just think she is suspect at the 1400 metres and may be found floundering late.

I like the Mark Currie trained Junction (5) with Michael Rodd aboard. He goes down on the weights this weekend and I think that sees him with a very good chance to post a win at his third run this preparation. Mark has had made some changes at his stable recently, however, he is now hoping that going back to his previous successful formula will start to see a dramatic improvement in his runners. Let’s hope so – I hope this gelding can win!

Love You Lucy (4) is third up this preparation for trainer Barry Squair – Larry Cassidy aboard in the saddle after his recent hand injury. This mare is third up here this weekend. She thrives at Eagle Farm and I think you can safely forgive her first two starts this preparation – they have been on wet tracks and she doesn’t appreciate them. She is wonderful each way value and could see her upset the more favoured runners here.

Donna Grisedale trains Banjo’s Voice (8). This gelding has been racing honestly and coming to town for the first time on a large track should be running home late.

Selections:

5 – Junction
4 – Love You Lucy
6 – Epic Girl
8 – Banjo’s Voice

Race 8

The TAB Ascot over 1000 metres. A great field.

The Rockhampton trained Master Jamie (2) looks well placed here at these conditions. Graeme Green normally has him primed to go fresh and in a recent trial on his home track he showed that he is ready to return to racing in fine form. He has an excellent record here at Eagle Farm as well with 4 starts for 3 wins. Taylor Marshall swings his leg over this gelding for the first time.

The danger is clearly the Gollan Racing trained Le Palmier (8) who resumed with a dominant win first up here at this distance. Jim Byrne will sit in behind the speed like he did last time before getting out and making a dash at the leaders late. This runner must be respected second up where he has a tremendous record, never being out of the money. It is very hard to split my top two selections they both have amazing chances to get the money.

Le Palmier’s stable mate is Pizonie (6) who was heavily backed first up and really, on face value, appeared disappointing. He goes down sharply in the weights this weekend and with a genuine fast speed guaranteed he is the likely beneficiary as he does like to storm home late – a win would not surprise - Georgina Cartwright will ride.

Kylease (5) was beaten behind Le Palmier (8) last start. She is fifth up this preparation with her races being spaced out by the Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted team. Stephanie Thornton to ride here this weekend.

Selections:

2 – Master Jamie
8 – Le Palmier
6 – Pizonie
5 – Kylease

Race 9

The last race of the day over 1400 metres – and guess what it is a No Metro Win race – these are always difficult to find the winner!

I am staying with the Scott Morrisey trained The Dark (13). Last start he played up in the barrier and then flashed home late. I spoke with Scott after the race and he said that this gelding does sometimes play up in the barrier. If he jumps on par with them this weekend, he should be right in the finish. Mark Du Plessis was aboard last start when he played up and retains the ride – so hopefully he will be prepared for any antics in the barrier and we can see a win!

The Axe (3) won easily last start on the Gold Coast for Michael Costa. This runner has some ability. Jimmy Orman to ride this Written Tycoon gelding – drawn a fraction wide – but should get across and race in the first five or six runners. Steps up to 1400 metres for the first time in his career but does give the impression that there will be no drama in getting a solid 1400 metres.

Keep your eye on the Rockhampton trained Spring Creek (5) who comes to town for his third run this preparation. Chris Whiteley has the ride here for trainer Jim O’Shea. I was worried about his record at Eagle Farm with no placings in four starts – but his last start win on his home track over 1400 metres was good enough to suggest he could be a genuine each way chance here.

Bonaparte (6) comes back from a mile for Stuart Kendrick. I think that 1400 metres is more his go. Jim Byrne has been booked for the ride and I think that the engagement of a senior rider will see him very competitive in the last race.

Selections:

13 – The Dark
3 – Axe
6 – Bonaparte
5 – Spring Creek
Rough chances – (10) Enterprise Keren
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Jockey’s Challenge

Jim Byrne has a solid book of rides this weekend – looks like obvious choice. Baylee Nothdurft has limited chances but could accumulate points across the day to challenge and he is likely to be a big price!

Best Bet

Race 4 – Bold Executive

Best Roughie

Race 9 – The Dark

Best Trifecta

Race 9 – box 3,6 and 13

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,4 / 3,4 / 2,5,9 / 3,4,6 - cost is $54 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,4 / 3,4 / 5,9 / 3,6 - cost is $16 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,5,9 / 4,5,6 / 2,6,8 / 3,6,13 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,9 / 4,5 / 2,8 / 3,13 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,6 / 2,6,8 / 3,6,13 - cost is $27 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO got FLEMO last weekend in a close battle in our tipping competition. This weekend the battle will continue. 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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