WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 1 MAY 2021

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 29, 2021

EAGLE FARM RACES – 1 MAY 2021

Eagle Farm this weekend and the start of Stradbroke Season.

At the time of writing, the track is rated “GOOD” and the rail is 3.5 metres out for the entire circuit.

A quick shout-out to apprentice Jasper Franklin who had his first ride at Murwillumbah last week and scored a winner on his first ride – a heady ride as well from this young bloke. He will be an added boost to the apprentice jockeys ranks as he refines his skills over the coming years – I think this bloke has that “X” factor that could take him far.

Also, I must wish my MUMMY Lynne a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, as I will be working at the track whilst she will be celebrating her birthday on the Gold Coast! Oh – yes, I forgot, Buster (my beagle) had his 12th Birthday last Friday – clearly my social media had plenty of Buster Beagle spam last weekend.

Ok, here we go!

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

Tough way to start the day here.

Robert Heathcote has two nice chances here in Alpendurada (10) and East Asia (11). Alpendurada (10) won here last start with a solid effort with Michael Rodd in the saddle. Up in class a little but is weighted well to win this race.

The stable mate is East Asia (11) To be honest I have been waiting for him to get over a mile – but he will appreciate the open track here this weekend. Last time out at Ipswich he was held up at a vital stage and then flew home too late. He will be right in this race – Ben Thompson to ride again.

The Dark (14) and Dr Why Not (4) are from the Scott Morrisey yards on the Gold Coast. Dr Why Not (4) held on last start here in a narrow victory – Madeleine Wishart takes over this weekend. The Dark (14) - I just keep on putting him in every week. I really do think he has some ability but he just seems to find ways to throw it away at the start or runs into trouble at some point – maybe he can put it all together and upset these more favoured runners at $26 with Mark Du Plessis to ride.

Rough chances to Maslow (1) and Westlink (3). Both must be considered on their latest efforts on the track.

Selections:
11 – East Asia
10 – Alpendurada
14 – The Dark
4 – Dr Why Not
Rough chances – (1) Maslow & (3) Westlink

Race 2

The first leg of the Early Quaddie is over 2212 metres. Who wants to win this weekend?

Bold Executive (8) will race on the speed and has Jim Byrne taking the reins again this weekend. Trained by Garnett Taylor he was solid last time out when he was run down late by Traduce (4). He meets that runner better at the weights and I think that he will have stripped fitter after a 4-week period between runs leading into that race.

Traduce (4) was heavily supported last start when the Maryann Brosnan trained runner got the chocolates here with Robbie Fradd riding the gelding to perfection. He does meet many of his rivals from that race worse at the weights, but he was impressive in his win – maybe he can post consecutive wins (that would be a first in these distance races!).

Do not underestimate Joymaker (2) trained by Kelly Schweida – apprentice Alex Patis aboard again and her 3 kilogram claim 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.

Motamayiz (2) is a UK runner who has transitioned to Australia and trained by the master staying trainer Bevan Laming. This runner debuted at the Gold Coast and led and was run down late. He is only a four-year-old and is silly odds this weekend – he could cause a major upset with Michael Cahill to ride. Michael was in superb form last weekend with a wonderful double.

Selections:
8 – Bold Executive
4 – Traduce
2 – Motamayiz
1 – Joymaker

Race 3

An 1815 metre race – with only a relatively small field.

Chris Waller Racing has So You Win (4) second up here – Luke Dittman to ride. Has a tremendous second up record and does like Eagle Farm.

Junction (5) was first past the post last start and then had the race taken from him with Get Stuck In (2) awarded the race in the steward’s room. This weekend Mark Currie will be looking for a change of luck and he has engaged Glen Boss to ride his runner. Boss has announced that he will be based in QLD for the Winter Carnival and his services will surely be picked up by trainers and owners over the coming weeks.

Get Stuck In (2) has a good winning ratio and is weighted well again this weekend – Leah Kilner retains the ride here for Gollan Racing. He gets in well with her claim.

Platinum Invador (1) is the runner I have a huge watch on. Returns to Australia after racing in New Zealand at Group 1 level and is in the Barry Lockwood yards. He gets in very well with the conditions of the race and maybe could show up. He has not won in 69 weeks – but this may change this weekend.

Zouzouzalo (9) is co-owned by Brisbane bookmaker Con Searle. This gelding stepped out at Kilcoy last start with a huge weight and won easily over 1900 metres. He is up in class, but seriously down in weight with Wendy Peel to claim three kilograms. I think that he will race close to the speed and his sectionals were good at Kilcoy – he could salute at massive odds of $51.

Selections:

4 – So You Win
5 – Junction
2 – Get Stuck In
1 – Platinum Invador
Rough chance (9) Zouzouzalo

Race 4

A three-year-old quality over 1300 metres. A nice even race.

The race is dominated by the Tony Gollan stable with 5 of the 10 runners. Each of them has a chance.

I like Setanta (6) who made his debut run for the stable and won here over 1200 metres – Glen Boss rides this weekend. I just think he looked like he had plenty of improvement left in him after that first up effort and he handled the Eagle Farm track as if he had raced here previously. Glen Boss will have this runner on the speed and in recent meetings that has been a distinct advantage.

Starosa (4) resumes here for the stable. Brenton Avdulla rides. A recent trial would suggest that she is going well enough to be competitive here. She has a tremendous second up record – but there has been some strong support since markets have opened seeing her firm from $21 to $14.

Mass Destruction (1) worked home well late last start – has the services of Hugh Bowman – cannot be overlooked.

Georgie’s Pride (2) from Desleigh Forster’s yards with Jim Byrne aboard will be looking to spoil the Gollan party. She races well at the track with six starts for four wins. Up in the weights but has posted wins in her last two starts. She looks well placed.

Selections:

6 – Setanta
2 – Georgie’s Pride
4 – Starosa
1 – Mass Destruction

Race 5

A class 6 race over the mile.

Kubrick (2), from the Chris Waller Racing yards at the Gold Coast, was run down here late in the final bound two runs back. I can forgive his last start effort at Doomben – I think back on the firm track here this weekend he could post a win. He has not won in 78 weeks – that is the only concern.

Mocambo (11) is a Mick Lakey runner who won on debut at Doomben and then stepped out at a midweek meeting here and was heavily backed over 1400 metres but could not reel in the winner. This weekend Taylor Marshall will probably race a little handier and he should be strong at the line third up from a spell.

Guntantes (3) is on a quick seven day back up for Heathcote Racing. Last weekend he seemed to just work home fair. He does race well at this track and distance.

The horse that has been in good form and racing consistently is the Kelly Schweida Racing trained Slow Hands (5). He stormed home late and did win here at the track and distance two runs ago. The anticipated tempo in this race would suggest he gets a cosy run here this. Stephanie Thornton will ride him again – she was so lucky last weekend after being thrown off Simply Fly in the Mick Dittman Plate. She escaped serious injury and is back in the saddle. It will be great to see her win this weekend.

Selections:
5 – Slow Hands
11 – Mocambo
2 – Kubrick
3 - Guntantes

Race 6 The Dalrello (Listed)

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend over 1000 metres – this time the two-year-old runners step out. Many of them are resuming from a spell, so it may pay to follow any market movers.

I think that there is some serious speed here – maybe they will just keep going and nothing will make ground. Now IF they are making ground the runners you want to be with are The Stifmeister (2) and Ashema (6).

Stuart Kendrick trains The Stifmeister (2) and he has blown in the markets since they opened out to $21 in some places. I think that he will be finishing strong late – just depends if horses from the rear get an even chance this weekend. Jimmy Orman to ride.

Ashema (6) - the girls combine here – Annabel Neasham & Stephanie Thornton. This runner comes to QLD after a very smart effort in Group 3 company last start. She has drawn nicely and will not get too far back. I think that if she brings that Sydney form here , she could win this.

Miss Hipstar (6) has trialled well and worked well on the track in the lead up to this race, Larry Cassidy is up again and if he can get across from barrier 9 and not get caught wide, she is right in this race. I am not going “all in” with her this weekend, but she is a serious contender.

Stellar Magic (8) was good winning here last start at the distance. Back to set weights she gets in well and has drawn handy to get the run of the race. Ben Thompson rides her for the Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted racing team.

Military Gambler (1), from Munce Racing, may just upset them as well. Drawn well with Glen Boss aboard and the only concern I have is that he is taking his first look at Eagle Farm.

Selections:

2 – The Stifmeister
7 – Ashema
6 – Miss Hipstar
8 – Stellar Magic
Rough chance – (1) Military Gambler

Race 7 Queensland Guineas (Group 2)

Over the 1600 metres here for the first leg of the treble. Some early scratchings in the race. A tough race despite the small field.

Desleigh Forster and Jim Byrne combine again here with Apache Chase (1) who will be the leader and set the tempo of the race. Last time out over 1400 metres here he was superb. He led and gave nothing else a chance. He has some Sydney horses unproven on the track to attempt to lower his colours this weekend – but, if the track has a leader’s bias on Saturday, this runner will hold his own and prove difficult to roll.

Private Eye (4) resumed at Randwick and thundered home late over 1400 metres. He has a wonderful strike rate with 5 wins from only 8 starts. Trained by Joseph Pride, he will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla – who has a 100% strike rate on the gelding with two rides for two wins! He has a superb second up record with two wins and a second from three starts. He looks like he ticks a few boxes here, but, the big question is, will he become an Eagle Farm statistic of horses who do not like racing on this surface? If not, he looks a promising horse to follow in the coming weeks over the Carnival.

Tumbler Ridge (5) was solid last time out winning in good fashion at Doomben over the mile. He will race handy behind the speed and could be one that could upset these more fancied runners. Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted combine here with apprentice Justin Huxtable again looking to win a Group race with this colt.

Kukeracha (8) from the Chris Waller stables has a win here over the mile. Granted it was not against opposition like he is meeting this weekend – but this keeps him safe. Luke Dittman will be looking to grab another feature win this weekend. He continues to make the most of his chances when he rides in town.

Selections:
4 – Private Eye
1 – Apache Chase
5– Tumbler Ridge
8 – Kukeracha

Race 8 Victory Stakes (Group 2)

WFA over 1200 metres. an even field here to face the starter.

There is some serious speed in the race with horses like Master Jamie (7) and The Odyssey (4) engaged. Will this mean that the speed will enhance the chances of the back markers – or will it mean that these horses have a distinct advantage on the day? Time will tell.

Trekking (1) is a proven Group 1 winner and loves this track. The Godolphin team have placed him perfectly this weekend in this race and Hugh Bowman rides. His barrier trial at Hawkesbury ten days ago was exceptional and he looked like he will be further improved after that hit out. He just seems to race better second up for mine – but he cannot be overlooked.

Fasika (10) resumed with an awesome win in the Sapphire at Randwick a fortnight ago. Brenton Avdulla stays in the saddle for the Joseph Pride team – can these two combine to win the feature Group 2 races on the day – or will the spoils be shared? She has performed well second up as well and has drawn nicely in barrier 1. She will benefit from the speed in the race and will camp in behind them and then just hopefully power over them late. Again, some concerns with the first look at the track and at Group 2 level, but she looks well placed here.

With the speed on you must not overlook or under-rate the chance of the Gollan Racing trained Vega One (2). He flew home in the Ascot Handicap two weeks ago finishing on the heels of the place getters. He loves this track and he will be flashing late. If it was 1400 metres and he was third up, I would be declaring him. Glen Boss has been booked for the ride.

Niccanova (3) from the Steven Tregea yards just always races consistently and I think will race well fresh at this distance. Jimmy Orman has a unique association with this gelding, and they will be looking to add a Group 2 victory to his resume when he goes around here this weekend.

Master Jamie (7) did nothing wrong first up over 1000 metres. He will have derived some benefit from that run – Taylor Marshall to ride. I may stand corrected, but I think if he salutes it would Taylor’s first Group 2 winner?

Selections:
10 – Fasika
1 – Trekking
2 – Vega One
3 – Niccanova
Rough chance – (7) Master Jamie

Race 9

The last race of the day is over 1200 metres.

Tony Gollan has Garibaldi (3) racing here instead of in the Victory Stakes (race 8). Michael Rodd will be riding him again. Last preparation these two formed a winning relationship with Rodd having two rides for two wins on the gelding. He has drawn wide in barrier 13 but his trial recently showed he was going great for this first up assignment. I think the fact that last preparation Rodd was able to get him to settle and race home late is a big bonus moving into the Winter Carnival as he can lead or take a sit a few pairs back. I just hope he doesn’t get pratted wide from the barrier and have to work hard first up.

Fender (2) is from the Brett Cavanough yards in NSW. What can you say after his win three weeks ago at Doomben when he slayed the opposition. Since then he has gone home, had a barrier trial and will be ridden by Hugh Bowman this weekend. If he is going to measure up for some tough assignments over the coming weeks, he must finish in the top two this weekend. He has a great record with 8 starts for 5 wins.

Hard Labour (14), from the Edmonds Racing team on the Gold Coast, is a mare who comes to hand very quickly and gets into this race with a light weight. Two solid hit outs in trials on her home track would suggest that she could be the one to cause an upset in this last race if you wish to steer away from the two favoured runners. No doubt Robbie Fradd will be sitting in behind the speed and making his run around the 200-metre mark with this mare. Do not overlook this runner.

Centrefire (12) from Munce Racing has the services of Bobby El-Issa again. They combined in a midweek race recently for a nice win. She has now posted two consecutive wins and has proven that she is a very tough and she fights hard in her races.

Bold Style (1) is second up this weekend with Ryan Wiggins to ride. Must be time that Will Allam comes out of the woodwork and starts making his fearless predictions about State of Origin 2021 soon – although he always seems to appear after the race or game has been won. Back to the racehorse – trained by Garnett Taylor – he likes this track and distance and does race well second up. Could be value in your exotic bets.

Selections:

3 – Garibaldi
2 – Fender
14 – Hard Labour
12 – Centrefire
Rough chance – (1) Bold Style
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Jockey’s Challenge

Tough field this weekend – Michael Rodd, Jim Byrne, Brenton Avdulla and Stephanie Thornton. Maybe stay local and go for Jim Byrne – consistent book or rides – could get lucky.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,4,8 / 1,2,4,5 / 2,4,6 /2,4,5,11 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,4,8 / 2,4,5 / 2,6 / 2,5,11 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,6,7,8 / 1,4,5 / 1,2,3,10 / 2,3,14 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,6,7 /1,4 / 1,10 / 2,3 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,4,5 / 1,2,3,10 / 2,3,14 - cost is $36 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO got FLEMO last weekend in a close contest in our tipping competition. The BULLDOGS won – the BRONCOS got bashed – an all-round win for me! 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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