WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, 26 JUNE, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 24, 2021

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 26 JUNE 2021

Eagle farm this weekend – featuring the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara – the last Group 1 of the current season. This weekend with the track rated “GOOD” and the rail is out 6 metres for the entire circuit.

Who knows what we well get this weekend. Some weeks the track favours leaders whilst other weeks you can win from anywhere – maybe see how the first few races play out to see what runners you should be backing! I think I will go for horses racing handy this week – let us hope that I am right.

A bit of drama for Sydney based jockeys as they have had to make their way to QLD prior to the official lockout midweek. It will be great to see them in QLD for the final day of the Carnival. A shout out to James McDonald who has been in superb form over the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Despite the racing - I must bring your attention to the other feature event in Brisbane this weekend - State of Origin 2 at Suncorp Stadium, or Lang Park, or a cemetery as it used to be known. How ironical – the death of QLD Origin hopes will occur on Sunday night when NSW win by 22 points in Origin 2. Then we will head to Sydney, and I guarantee the Brad “Freddy” Fittler will leave no stone unturned to ensure that NSW puts a whitewash on QLD in 2021. GO THE BLUES!

A big thanks to the punters who messaged me about Anthony Collins and my tipping effort at Kilcoy last Sunday – we tipped 8 winners out of nine races. Plus, WINNO tipped the treble and Quaddie on the day – a great effort!

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.
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Race 1

A tiny field here. I did like the run of the Tony Pike trained Tutukaka (3) who will be ridden by James McDonald. A short, priced favourite – should get the job done.

I can only see Balmaurice (2) with a chance of causing an upset. Solid effort last weekend at Ipswich and on the quick back up with local jockey Ben Thompson to ride.

Selections:

3 – Tutukaka
2 – Balmaurice
1 – General Wolffe
5 – Calpurnia

Race 2

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

Looking for some value here I have gone with the Sears Racing trained Better Than Best (4). I just think that she needed the run first up at the Gold Coast and will come here fitter for that effort. Has a tremendous second up record with two wins from three starts and has Ryan Maloney aboard to keep her mind on the job.

Redoute’s Image (1) comes off a solid win at the Sunshine Coast last time out for Kris Lees Racing. She will again be ridden by Craig Williams here this weekend and is the early pre-post market favourite – just some concerns with her having to carry a huge weight and about her sectional times in that last start win.

Eloquently (8) is trained by Steve Tregea and will be ridden by Anthony Allen. Some solid support for this runner since the markets have opened. Is the stable about to unveil another potential superstar at the track this weekend with this filly. She has won her past three starts and likes to lead – she may have the best credentials this weekend if there is a track bias.

Selections:

4 – Better Than Best
1 – Redoute’s Image
8 – Eloquently
9 – Microwave Jenny

Race 3

Tony Gollan trains the favourite here – Mass Destruction (2) who has been racing consistently finishing second in his past three starts. Hopefully he can find the winning post first here this weekend – Hugh Bowman remains aboard. Has drawn well and should get the run of the race.

Acrobatic (3) is a big price resuming here this weekend for the Kelly Schweida Racing team. This runner is a proven first up performer and has won at the track. Did race is some quality races last preparation without much luck. The recent trial on paper looks average, but I think he raced well. Jim Byrne will ride this weekend – a genuine each way chance and carrying a nice weight as well.

Kingston’s Here (5), trained by Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted, won easily when resuming on the Gold Coast. This stable is firing in recent weeks – it would be no surprise if the step up to Saturday grade brings this gelding another win.

Garoppolo (6) is trained on the Gold Coast by Maryann Brosnan and Jaden Lloyd will be looking for his first Saturday metro winner in Brisbane. This runner stormed home last time out here in the QLD Day when narrowly defeated by Setanta. The speed will be on here in this race and the claim for Lloyd makes this runner appealing.

Selections:

1 – Mass Destruction
3 – Acrobatic
5 – Kingston’s Here
6 – Garoppolo

Race 4

The Tattersall’s Gold Crown - a Listed event – good race.

I am looking for value here as well with the Edward O’Rourke trained Windermere (5). Was second up when she put in a nice effort behind Prince of Arragon nearly a month ago. Since then bolted home in a trial at Deagon. Jim Byrne has the ride. I am banking on her being fitter and racing handy this weekend.

Polly Grey (1) from Chris Waller Racing (1) is the early market favourite. I think she will be better suited this weekend stepping back up in distance and has Tommy Berry to ride. Tommy has ridden her for two wins and he will be looking to add to that record in this feature race with high prizemoney - $116,000 for the winner of the race.

Zayydani (7) is a Ben & JD Hayes (new partnership) trained runner. Looks ideally placed – just one concern is will she handle the Eagle Farm circuit? She did win over 1800 metres impressively last time out on the Gold Coast. Kerrin McEvoy has the ride.

Cellarmaid (4) was well beaten last time out in the Q22 behind Zaaki. Look for an improved effort this weekend on a track where she does race well.

Selections:

5 – Windermere
1 – Polly Grey
7 – Zayydani
4 – Cellarmaid
Rough chance – (6) La Grisa

Race 5 BATTLE OF THE BUSH FINAL

An open race this one – they come from all over the State – will be a wonderful spectacle for the country trainers, jockeys, and owners! They all come to the big stage with the aim of grabbing a win.

Not a fan of the form of this race though as the form is difficult to line up.

Bollente (1) has been racing well – trained by Nick Walsh and to be ridden by the king of Rockhampton, Ashley Butler. Has won his last run and had a freshen up since. A recent barrier trial at Rockhampton would suggest he is primed for a big performance here this weekend – he does have 62 kilograms to contend with 14 wins and 10 placings from 36 starts, he looks well in here.

Ahwahneechee (4) is trained by Raymond Williams and they have elected to get Hugh Bowman to ride. Has had two looks previously at Eagle Farm for no luck – maybe with Bowman aboard their fortunes may alter this weekend. He won last time out at Barcaldine and the time and sectionals were quite good – respect this runner.

Tango Rain (2) is trained by Jay Morris and will be ridden by Ric McMahon. Welcome back to Brisbane Ric! This seven-year-old gelding has posted three wins in his last three starts, all with great winning times as well. I had this runner on top here to win the race until I saw he had drawn barrier 18. Still, if he gets any luck in the running, he probably wins this race.

I give a rough hope to the Todd Austin trained Fully Maxed (6) with Jim Byrne to ride. May be able to sneak a place and get some value into the exotics.

Selections:

1 – Bollente
4 – Ahwahneechee
2 – Tango Rain
6 – Fully Maxed

Race 6 Tattersall’s Cup (Group 3)

One of the feature races on the program – Group 3 level. It is also the first leg of the Quaddie.

The new QLD sensation stayer Incentivise (4) will run a very short-priced favourite here.

Trained by Steve Tregea, he will again be ridden by Anthony Allen after his demolition of the field at Ipswich last weekend. This is his biggest test to date. Another big margin win will probably see his price reduce in feature races such as the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup later in the year.

Southern France (2), with Craig Williams aboard, looks the only danger here trained by the Maher & Eustace stables. Could say was disappointing last time out here in the Premier’s Cup.

Mirage Dancer (1) will be better as well for his last start effort in the Q22 – back to handicap conditions looks well placed.

Selections:

4 – Incentivise
2 – Southern France
1 – Mirage Dancer
6 – Gaelic

Race 7

Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted train Shooting for Gold (6) with Baylee Nothdurft to ride. Baylee comes off a winning double last weekend at Kilcoy with his wins including a win in the 2021 Kilcoy Cup. This gelding was very good last preparation and in a recent barrier trial he showed that he was forward enough and ready to win first up. He has won here at the track and the only slight concern is that he may not suit him if the race is run at a muddling tempo. On paper he looks a nice bet.

Genzai The Wolf (5) is trained by David Murphy and will be ridden by Justin Huxtable. This stallion just loves Eagle Farm and in a close finish or a stoush will always do his best over the final 100 metres. He comes off a four week freshen up and looks well placed.

Devil’s Temptation (4) scored last time at the Gold Coast. Goes well here at this track and distance.

The Sinner (9) is trained by Natalie McCall on the Sunshine Coast. Is first up here with a barrier trial under his belt. Jimmy Orman will ride, and he could be one to cause an upset if they go fast in front.

Selections:

6 – Shooting For Gold
5 – Genzai The Wolf
4 – Devil’s Temptation
9 – The Sinner

Race 8 TATTERSALL’S TIARA (Group 1)

The main feature race today is at Group 1 level.

I think that Subpoenaed (8) ran a terrific race on the 2021 TAB Stradbroke when defeated by Tofane (1). I know she meets Tofane worse at the weights for that defeat, but I just think that she is drawn well in barrier 2 this weekend, should be placed a few pairs back in the running by Hugh Bowman and get the perfect run.

The stablemate is Nudge (9). Kerrin McEvoy will ride. She has been sensational in her past two wins in QLD. She cannot be overlooked or under rated at this level. She just seems to have thrived since coming to QLD. I think that she will be storming home from the rear of the field when the whips are cracking.

Tofane (1), well, what can you say. The win in the Stradbroke was outstanding. Ridden to perfection by Craig Williams and if she turns up with another effort like that here, she will probably win this race by 2 lengths. Trained by Michael Moroney, she will probably be ridden quiet again from barrier 14 – look for her to power home late and wide on this Eagle Farm track.

Odeum (16) is trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) with James McDonald aboard. She looked like the winner in the Dane Ripper until Craig Williams come down nearly the outside fence in freakish ride and won aboard Brooklyn Hustle (7). I think that McDonald thought he could not believe his eyes when he looked across to the left and saw he has been run down in the final stride. That effort gets her in nicely for this race.

Lyre (11) has the addition of the blinkers this weekend – drawn terrible in barrier 17, but she does seem to run a race every time she goes around in this grade. Could be a blow out chance.

Yamazaki (14) I think comes back to her best distance - 1400 metres - after performing well in her last two starts over the mile. Stephanie Thornton will ride looking for a Group 1 winner! Good luck Steph!

Dame Giselle (17) led them up last time out in the Dane Ripper and was swamped late. Not a bad effort for this race. If there is a track bias and leaders have the winning edge make sure you have something on this Snowden Racing trained runner – Jim Byrne will ride.

Selections:

8 – Subpoenaed
16 – Odeum
1 – Tofane
9 – Nudge
Rough chances – (11) Lyre - (14) Yamazaki – (17) Dame Giselle

Race 9 W.J.Healy Stakes (Group 3)

The last race of the day is over 1200 metres in a Group 3 contest.

Godolphin Racing (James Cummings) has Exhilarates (3) with the blinkers coming off this weekend. Not a bad effort in the Dane Ripper last time out – however, I think she is best suited over 1200 metres and she gets the chance to post another win at this track and distance this weekend with Hugh Bowman aboard.

Jen Rules (9), I think, produced a superb effort last time out in the Dane Ripper. Rachel King will ride for Snowden Racing who have had slim pickings over the Brisbane Winter Carnival – maybe they can end it on a winning note! She probably gets midfield from barrier 7 in the running and should make her presence felt late.

Away Game (6) led last time out in the Hinkler and was a sitting duck late and peaked on her run. Look for her to get cover this weekend with Kerrin McEvoy to ride and finish off the race strongly for the Maher & Eustace team.

King of Hastings (8) – I keep on thinking he is going to do something in Brisbane – maybe it is this weekend.

Usmanov (2) last two wins have been wonderful for Edmonds Racing with Baylee Nothdurft aboard. He just seems to fail to run out a strong 1200 metres. He has drawn well in barrier 2 – if they let him bowl along in front with some cheap sectionals maybe he could steal the race.

In Good Time (12), trained in NSW by Tracey Bartley, was second up off a small freshen up last start and wilted late. Maybe an improved effort at massive odds this weekend with Mark Du Plessis to ride.

Selections:

9 – Jen Rules
3 – Exhilarates
6 – Away Game
8 – King of Hastings
Rough chances – (2) Usmanov & (12) In Good Time
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Jockey’s Challenge

Tough field this weekend with Hugh Bowman, Jim Byrne, and James McDonald all likely to have a major say. Maybe stay with NSW here – Hugh Bowman for mine.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,4,8 / 1,3,5 / 1,5,7 / 1,2,4 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

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

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4 / 4,5,6 / 1,8,9,16 / 3,6,8,9 - cost is $48 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4 / 5,6 / 1,8,16 / 3,6,9 - cost is $18 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,6 / 1,8,9,16 / 3,6,8,9 - cost is $48 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO got WINNO last weekend in a close contest in our tipping competition. I plan on smashing him this weekend as will NSW do to QLD on Sunday night! Be sure to check my Facebook on Saturday morning where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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