WINNO'S WINNERS - STRADBROKE DAY, JUNE 12, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 10, 2021

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 12 JUNE 2021

Eagle Farm this weekend – featuring the Group 1 TAB Stradbroke Handicap – the pinnacle of QLD racing each year!

The program also features Listed and Group races – a feast of great racing on the Grand Final of the Brisbane QLD Winter Carnival.

This weekend the track is rated “GOOD” and the rail is out 4 metres for the entire circuit.

The weather is forecast to be cold, but no rain.

Last weekend the track played well – winners coming from back in the field and on the pace. They seemed to be racing 4 or 5 off the rail and making ground. Late in the day I thought the best section of the track was wider – I think this will be the pattern of racing this weekend.

It would not be fair not to mention the result of State of Origin One in Townsville. Who would have thought NSW would demolish QLD in a 44-point drubbing? I suppose I should be humble and say that QLD will improve in Game 2 back at Suncorp Stadium – well I hope so! It was an ordinary game to watch. But as a good NSW supporter a win is a win!

Ok, let’s get straight into it now!

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

We start the day with a Listed event for the two-year-old runners over 1200 metres.

I think there is a roughie here that could get the job done for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stables – Socialist (12) to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. Last time out she was checked in the running in the Bill Carter at Doomben – she seemed to resent that and then just plugged home. This weekend the winkers go on and, given some luck in running, I hope she can start the day on a winning note at around the $9 mark.

In The Congo (5) has only the one start for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and won on debut. This son of Snitzel looked promising and will lead them here. He may just get all the favours in front and just keep going and not give anything else a chance. Tim Clark remains aboard here for his second career start.

Park Avenue (2) and Warrior Hero (3) are both trained by Richard & Michael Freedman who have been having a good trot in QLD. Park Avenue (2) won last start at Randwick over 1100 metres and gives the impression that he is looking for further. He will be storming home late and Craig Williams will ride.

Warrior Hero (3) won a midweek race at Doomben and steps up to a higher grade. Has drawn wide in barrier 12 – but has Tommy Berry aboard this weekend. Tommy finally has come to QLD – so he must like his book of rides.

There has been some solid support for the Kacy Fogden trained Maotai (8) who won on debut five weeks ago at Ipswich – winning by 5 lengths. Brad Stewart will ride him here – keep your eye on this one.

Selections:

12 – Socialist
5 – In The Congo
2– Park Avenue
3 – Warrior Hero
Rough chance – (8) Maotai

Race 2 The RADIOTAB Wayne Wilson (Listed)

The first leg of the Early Quaddie is over 1600 metres.

A race named in honour of a superb race caller who was a joy to listen to. Each year his family members attend the meeting and present the winning trophies – it is a great initiative that his memory is honoured in the way.

Despite the small field I think you can make a case for every runner in the field.

Kings Will Dream (3) is my selection from the Chris Waller Racing team. He is second up here after what I thought was a reasonable effort in the Doomben 10,000 over an unsuitable distance. He loves this distance and has a notable second up record. Nash Rawiller will ride him. He has raced in Group 1 events last preparation and drastically drops in grade. If he brings his best form here for this race – he should just be winning.

There has been support for the stable mate Mister Sea Wolf (2) who has been well backed since the markets opened. He comes out of a solid run in the Hollindale behind the barnstorming Zaaki (Race 5 – number 2). James McDonald to ride – keep safe.

Kememtari (1) is trained by James Cummings for Godolphin. To be fair the stable has had what could be classed an ordinary Carnival to date. This runner was flashing home in the Kingsford-Smith Cup when beaten around 2.65 lengths by Vega One. He has had three goes here at Eagle Farm for no placings, but I think he gets in well enough at the race conditions to pop up here this weekend – Kerrin McEvoy will don the royal BLUE colours for the stable this weekend – could be an omen after the BLUE’s win earlier in the week in the rugby league.

The runner that has my attention on this program is the Anthony & Sam Feeedman trained Delphi (5). This will be his first run for the stable and in Australia. He ran well in a recent barrier trial at the Sunshine Coast – looked well above himself in that trial. Jim Byrne has the ride. I am just wondering whether we may see I possible star in the making on Saturday. Either way I will be watching with great interest and probably seeing what they do with him in the coming weeks and then into Spring when the Sydney and Melbourne Carnivals come around.

Profit (8), from the Chris Anderson stables, resumed with a win that had authority about it last time out. He loves this track and a small field gets perfect conditions to suit again this weekend. There is no knock on this gelding who has always shown ability – he may just do it for QLD and get a win. He deserves the chance at this level – just some reservations at the weights. Glen Boss will give him every chance.

Selections:

3 – Kings Will Dream
1 – Kementari
5 – Delphi
8 – Profit
Rough chance – (2) Mister Sea Wolf

Race 3 James Squire Gunsynd Classic (Group 3)

A 1600 metres race featuring the short-priced Ayrton (2) from the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) stable – that I said could not win last start and was proven right!

This weekend he gets his second look at Eagle Farm, steps up to the mile and has set weights, James McDonald and a great barrier. For mine there are no excuses this weekend. I think he can win but I will not be backing him at the prohibitive odds-on offer.

I think this race is a match race between Ayrton (2) and the top weight Ellsberg (1) trained by Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou. This colt comes off some solid efforts recently in New South Wales where he has been sent out favourite in his past two starts and I believe has been disappointing. I can make excuses for him in the Hawkesbury Guineas, but last start at Rosehill he led all the way and was run down in the shadows of the post. He looks the likely leader here – given any track bias you may want to be on him – Tim Clark rides again.

Magic Conqueror (3) is one from the Kelly Schweida stables who will be ridden by Larry Cassidy and somehow is $71 in the markets. Cannot see why he is that price to be honest. I think that his best form is over the mile and now he is third up this weekend I expect him to show some improvement.

Puntura (7) is a New Zealand runner having his first run in Australia for the Robbie Patterson stable. Interesting that Samantha Collett has come across to ride him here. She has ridden him in all four career wins. He won a recent trial at the Sunshine Coast. The mile is no drama – just some concerns on a firm track. I think that maybe he will be better suited on a wet track and if he hangs around Sunshine Coast Cup Day normally yields a wet track and he could snatch a race on that day – either way follow him in the following weeks.

Selections:

2 – Ayrton
1 – Ellsberg
3 – Magic Conqueror
7 – Puntura

Race 4 The Lexus Brisbane Cup (Group2)

Over 3200 metres – a true staying test – but, sadly, only seven runners.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott train Knights Order (4) who is on the quick back up from last weekend when he ran the opposition into the ground in the Winter Cup at Rosehill. He will have Tim Clark aboard again this weekend and looks the likely leader – no pressure on and if he can run out 3200 metres)he just wins for mine. The blinkers are coming off this weekend as well – an important gear change.

Rondinella (3) looks a likely contender from the John O’Shea yards to be ridden by Glen Boss. He was second in the Sydney Cup over 3200 metres working home strongly late to be beaten by 1.3 lengths. He was superb in the Premiers Cup on this track a fortnight ago coming from tenth at the 400 metres to finish 1.6 lengths from the winner. His sectionals were great on that occasion. He will be ridden the same way. One thing for certain is that he will and can run out the distance and he has had a previous look at this track.

Carif (1) from Snowden Racing put in a solid effort last start when narrowly beaten in the Premiers Cup on this track over 2400 metres. He too has won over 3200 metres and must be kept safe here – Tommy Berry will ride for team Snowden.

Brimham Rocks (2) is a Chris Waller Racing runner – he has won on the track and may just get in the placings. I have had a whisper the Group 1 Johnny Wright is coming from Port Macquarie to strap this one – could be a sign!

Selections:

4 – Knights Order
3 – Rondinella
1 – Carif
2 – Brimham Rocks

Race 5 Q22 - (Group 2)

There will be plenty of interest in this 2200 metre race this weekend – the first running of the Q22. With a first prize purse of $720,000 you can see why it has attracted a massive field.

Zaaki (1) the Brisbane Winter Carnival sensation is a very short-priced favourite here – after his utter demolition of the field in the Group 1 Doomben Cup three weeks ago. A seven-length winner – and to be fair could have beaten the track record in my opinion if “JMAC” had asked him for more. There have been some concerns with the firm Eagle Farm track by trainer Annabel Neasham in recent weeks, but I think that he should win this race easily. Then who knows what will happen in the spring if he spells well and returns to racing in this type of form! James McDonald will be looking for another feature race winner over the Carnival here at Group 2 level.

Homesman (2) is a genuine Group 1 contender. He has some great efforts in 2021. I think that the conditions of the race will suit him, and he meets many of his recent opposition much better at the weights this weekend. Anthony & Sam Freedman have this seven-year-old going well enough to at least put the acid on the short-priced favourite – Zaaki (1). He may lead or alternatively let his stable mate Le Don De Vie (8) take up the running. Either way they should be 1 – 2 in the running when they get out of the straight and settle going down the side of the track.

Warning (6) is the other stable mate – he was amazing storming home to win the Chairman’s Handicap last start at Doomben when he returned to the form of old – he could just go on with it again here. That effort was striking and Jim Byrne retains the ride. With a solid speed on and the wide track at Eagle Farm, I expect Byrne will let him settle early and then pull him extra wide late and surge to the line. The Freedman team certainly are well represented in this race.

Spirit Ridge (4) won well last time out here in the Premier’s Cup over 2400 metres – the drop back in distance will not be any concern. Trained to the minute by Mark Newnham, he will be ridden by Josh Parr again. This 6-year-old gelding will be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to this race.

Toffee Tongue (14) flew home late in the Doomben Cup when beaten by Zaaki (1). Trained by Chris Waller and again to be ridden by Nash Rawiller, this runner will appreciate the extra 200 metres distance of this race. Look for another solid effort.

Selections:

1 – Zaaki
6 – Warning
14 – Toffee Tongue
2 – Homesman
Rough chance – (4) Spirit Ridge

Race 6 Jim Beam Black Hinkler (Listed)

The first leg of the Quaddie over 1200 metres – looks a tough assignment for punters on paper despite the smallish field.

Plenty of strong mail around for the Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted trained Gee Tee Tee (11), with Ben Thompson in the saddle, to post another win here after he won at Doomben in his last start a month ago. He races well fresh and with his runs spaced and does like this course and distance. Has the ability to race forward or sit back in behind the speed as well. Looks ideally placed here by O’Dea / Hoysted Racing and will be very difficult to roll. I think that if he won this race – he would be an ideal runner for a race like the Ramornie at Grafton in a month’s time. Not that I am telling these guys where to go next with this runner!

King Of Hastings (4) is another Anthony & Sam Freedman runner who resumed at Doomben and on face value looked disappointing, after trialling well in the lead-up to that race. Not sure what happened on that day, but he has trialled since with a good win at the Gold Coast. This distance will suit him better and if you go back to his run in the Magic Millions Sprint in January where he was beaten only 1.9 lengths by Jonker – that holds him in good stead for this race.

Now here comes the WINNO bombshell for the week. This race has always turned up a roughie in recent years. I have found one that I think can upset them and get the job done at huge odds – around $31 in some places if you shop well. The runner I think that can win this is …. (Drum roll) In Good Time (7) trained by Tracey Bartley. This mare won here last year at massive odds – she just seems to pop up in a big race and win. Second up, she has a good record and I watched the Coughlan Stakes at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago where she was motoring home at $81 to go under narrowly in a blanket finish when Exhilarates won the race. Long priced jockey Ronnie Stewart is aboard. Drawn well – I think she can cause an upset.

I Am Power (10) has carried some huge weights in Sydney. Trained by Mark Newnham, he posted a win last time out at Rosehill in good time. He will be ridden by Rachel King here – drawn wide – but this ex-Hong Kong runner has always demonstrated he is an above average sprinter and gets in well at the weights.

There are some others that you can make cases for.

Southern Lad (5) is trained by John O’Shea and will be ridden by Tommy Berry – has had a look at Eagle Farm – will appreciate the distance.

Away Game (6) is a three-year-old filly who, on her old form, could absolutely make a mess of this field – she just must find her best and the result will be all over at the 100 metres – Kerrin McEvoy will ride her for the first time.

Garibaldi (9), from Gollan Racing looking for another win for the locals as well, loves this track and distance – Tim Clark booked to ride.

Take your pick – and get on! Anything can happen here.

Selections:

7 – In Good Time
4 – King Of Hastings
11 – Gee Tee Tee
10 – I Am Power
Rough chances – (1) Blazejowksi (5) Southern Lad (6) Away Game & (9) Garibaldi

Race 7 Treasury Brisbane J.J. Atkins (Group 1)

Over the 1600 metres here for the first leg of the treble at Group 1 level for the 2-year-old runners.

Let us go back to the Sires Produce (Group 2) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.

The two unlucky runners would have to have been Converge (2) and Port Louis (5). Bothe drew wide and both had no luck in the running and both were flashing home late and if the race had been 20 metres more one of them would have been saluting.

I am going with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Converge (2) to win from barrier 5. There is no way Tim Clark will take him back to the rear of the field this weekend. Look for him to be ridden positive from gate 5 and be two pairs back probably with cover getting the run of the race. That should see the travesty of the loss on the Sires Produce reversed and have him posting a Group 1 win. He won the Fernhill at Randwick over the mile. He will be cherry ripe for this. He just wins for mine.

The danger is the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trained Port Louis (5) to be ridden again by Hugh Bowman. Who did not see that superb display by Bowman on Dualis last weekend in the Group 1 Oaks – a master tactician and what a ride! They jumped out of trees last start to back this runner – he was heavily supported and had to be ridden for luck and was doing his best work late. Again, this weekend he has drawn wide in barrier 13, but I think that there is good speed in the race and the extra distance should see him pulled out wide and making a run late. I just think that Converge (2) may be closer to the speed and may just have set up a lead that cannot be run down – I am happy to be proven wrong!

I have been on this filly from Chris Waller Racing for the last few weeks – I just cannot get off her and must say she has a genuine winning chance – Giannis (11). She is third up this preparation and I think this is her Grand Final – I have said all the way through this is her race and she has been racing very consistently in the build up to the mile. I think that she will get every chance to get away with this Group 1 race with Kerrin McEvoy aboard. I am not too certain when was the last time that a maiden won this Group 1 event – but I tell you what this daughter of Flying Artie has all the credentials to change the course of history.

Overpass (4) is trained by Bjorn Baker. Joshua Parr remains aboard. His run in the BRC Sires was good. Just some concerns with him getting a solid mile. The blinkers go on this weekend – maybe that will assist.

Overmann (9) will be partnered again by Tommy Berry for the Hawkes team. There have always been huge wraps on this gelding – this weekend he gets every chance to prove these expectations are correct.

Tiger of Malay (1) got the run of the race in the BRC Sires and was ridden a treat by Craig Williams, who stays on him here.

Selections:

2 – Converge
5 – Port Louis
11 – Giannis
9 - Overmann
Rough chances – (1) Tiger of Malay & (4) Overpass

Race 8 2021 TAB STRADBROKE (Group 1)

The feature race of the Brisbane Racing Winter Carnival -over 1400 metres for the second leg of the treble – at Group 1 level.

Plenty to say here – let us see what I can come up with.

Let me start from the top – Tofane (3) trained by Michael Moroney and to be ridden by Craig Williams who has been in tremendous form over the Carnival. She hit the line strongly in the BRC Sprint (Group 3) and drops 5.5. kilograms for this run. I think she is drawn perfectly in barrier 12 as well – she could be one to cause an upset.

Wild Planet (7) – team Hawkes – Tommy Berry – can you get a more lethal combination in big races? I have always rated this runner on a firm track. He gets those conditions this weekend. He stormed home late in the Doomben 10,000 and just could not run-down Eduardo. It was a solid effort in preparation for this Group 1 event.

Local runner Niccanova (8) is trained by Steve Tregea and will be ridden by his regular rider Jimmy Orman. This would be Orman’s first Group 1 winner. People will probably jump off him on the face value of his run in the Kingsford Smith Cup (Group 1) – but he drops 5 kilograms here. He will love the speed on, and I can just see him getting home late when someothers are maybe struggling. He runs a strong 1400 metres and goes very well here at Eagle Farm. The duck egg in his form is from the last start where he ran tenth beaten just 1.9 lengths in a blanket finish – I give him a massive chance – good luck bruz!

Vega One (11) won the Kingsford Smith Cup (Group 1) last start. He was cantering at the 150 metres behind a wall of horses and looked like he was going to be certainty beaten and somehow the master jockey Jamie Kah managed to weave a path from an impossible position and win the race going away. I have always said this horse desires 1400 metres and he thrives here at Eagle Farm. This weekend the number two female rider in the country Rachel King takes over. The drop in weight under the handicap conditions of the race certainly brings him right under notice. Can a locally trained runner – Gollan Racing win the big race in 2021? Go back to last year – I declared this runner in the race – he was beaten 0.6 lengths after being drawn wide and having no luck in the running – he will be very hard to beat.

The Harrovian (12) is trained by Edmonds Racing. (Tyzone won this race last year and gave Toby & Trent Edmonds there first Group 1 winner). To be fair he comes into this race off a superb effort in the Doomben 10,000 – big race jockey Glen Boss rides. There is plenty to like about this runner – he just will not lie down and is a war horse. It would be a long time since he has every carried 53 kilograms. He must be respected and given a chance to win this from barrier 11.

Subpoenaed (16) is trained by Chris Waller Racing. Unfortunately, she has drawn wide in barrier 21 and Ronnie Stewart will need to be a magician to get her in and a nice snug run. She is down in weight – coming off an enormous effort in the TAB Classic (Group 1) in Morphettville. She is only lightly raced and with any luck she will be in the finish late.

Here is the big story – Desleigh Forster and her runner Apache Chase (18) who won his way into the field with an all the way win in the Fred Best (Group 3) last start. He will get across nicely from barrier 7 and probably let Savatoxl (2) lead – but then again – he may just motor to the front and give them plenty to run down. Jim Byrne has the ride – he has been working hard to get down to the 50.5 kilograms. Five wins at the track – four wins at the distance – what a fairy tale this could be for local trainer and jockey. So, I must wish these two all the best – good luck Desleigh and Jim!

Selections:

11 – Vega One
7 – Wild Planet
8 – Niccanova
16 – Suppoenaed

Rough chances – (3) Tofane (12) The Harrovian (18) Apache Chase

Race 9 Dane Ripper (Group 2)

The last race of the day is over 1300 metres at Group 2 level.

If you are having a winning day coming to this race – you may want to just grab a drink from the bar and sit back and watch and keep the wallet firmly in your pocket!

There is some serious speed in this final race – it could be a blanket finish with these mares and fillies like it was the other week in the Coughlan at Listed level.

I suspect that the swoopers may be the ones to be on here. I expect them to be flying home late and extra wide come this last race on the program – they will be looking for the best going to give their horses the best chance.

At set weights this race is interesting. You can go many ways here, but I think we should be on one of these two – Dame Giselle (8) or Lyre (13). Dame Giselle (8) comes out of the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup where she resumed and was not disgraced. Trained by the astute Snowden Racing team I am confident that Tommy Berry will have this filly right in this race. They have added the blinkers on as well for the run this weekend and she has drawn well.

The stable mate is Jen Rules (14) – despite barrier 15 she has a habit of running a place and causing drama in exotic bets in big races – she gets those conditions here this weekend and Ryan Maloney will give her every chance – massive odds of $51 probably means that she will find a place.

Then you have another Anthony & Sam Freedman runner in Lyre (13) who last start was drawn out wide and I said I would have declared her if she had drawn a barrier. On that occasion she raced wide but still powered home and was only beaten by 1 length. Jim Byrne will give her a good run from barrier 8 in this race – she likes a good tempo, and she gets a distance that should suit. My only concern is that she is a consistent place getter – I just hope there is a change of fortune this weekend.

In the Coughlan Stakes Exhilarates (9) went straight past Sweet Deal (6) when it looked like she had the race won. On that occasion Kerrin McEvoy brought Exhilarates (9) down the outside of the pack and she went away to win the race convincingly. Trained by James Cummings the extra distance will be no drama here this weekend. I cannot understand why she is $13 again this weekend after that effort.

Sweet Deal (6) is trained by John Thompson – Nash Rawiller to ride again – at some point in the straight she will look a winning chance again – they jumped out of trees and jumped the fences to get in and back her last start here. This weekend she gets 1300 metres where she is proven – maybe she will get some luck and post a win at Group 2 level.

Some roughies include Madam Rouge (3) from the Chris Waller Racing team. Second up here with Hugh Bowman to ride – she must be respected. Scratched as well from the Stradbroke for this race – I just wonder if her grand final is the Tatts Tiara.

Sierra Sue (5) is a Victorian visitor – second up here this weekend – she has won second up. I think you can make genuine excuses for her last time out as I think she was caught in the wrong section of the track in the last race – maybe give her a genuine rough each way chance.

Selections:

8 – Dame Giselle
13 – Lyre
9 – Exhilarates
6 – Sweet Deal
Rough chances – (3) Madam Rouge (5) Sierra Sue (14) Jen Rules (15) Incredulous Dream
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Jockey’s Challenge

Tough field this weekend – Kerrin McEvoy, Tim Clark and Jim Byrne have some nice rides. Maybe have something on Tim Clark – plus he is a NSW winner!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3,5 / 1,2 / 1,3,4 / 1,6,14 - cost is $54 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3 / 1,2 / 3,4 /1 - cost is $8 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,7,10,11 / 2,4,5,11 / 3,7,8,11,16 / 3,5,6,8,9,13 - cost is $480 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,7,11 / 2,5 / 7,8,11,16 /8,9,13 - cost is $72 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,4,5,11 / 3,7,8,11,16 / 3,5,6,8,9,13 - cost is $120 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO got FLEMO last weekend in a close contest in our tipping competition.– we found 6 winners between us on the day! Good effort from us both – this weekend looks a little tougher.

We all know State of Origin was run and won on Wednesday night – I have not heard from FLEMO in 72 hours – I hope that he is okay – I may have to bring some BLUE face paint to the races on Saturday to take away his red face after the Maroons were flogged!

Be sure to check out Facebook on Saturday morning with our updated tips where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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