WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, DECEMBER 18, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 17, 2021

Eagle Farm this weekend. The track is rated ‘Good’ and the rail is in out 5 metres for the entire circuit. As this is the last week before X-mas – I will take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Merry X-mas. Hopefully Santa finds us some winners today to make your wallets full!

NB: As these selections were made on the Thursday prior to raceday please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

The first race is a no metro win race. Lucky it is lunch time – grab some lunch and let this lot battle it out!

For the record maybe something each way on the Bruce Hill trained Alatar (6) first up from a spell. The small field will assist as he will get back and come home late. This gelding has a very strong finish. Mark Du Plessis will ride.

The danger is the David Vandyke trained McCovey Cove (3) who is second up here after failing as a short priced favourite at Ipswich. Things did not go right for him on that track and day – maybe forgive the run. He has some solid form here at Eagle Farm – Stephanie Thornton will ride.

Sears Racing has Bestie (1) looking to post a hat trick of wins. This gelding does race handy and if there is any track bias for leaders, he will be right in this.

Selections:

6 – Alatar
3 – McCovey Cove
1 – Bestie
2 – Fanaar

Race 2

Ten runners to face the starter over 1200 metres.

Motomiss (2) is trained in Toowoomba by Lindsay Hatch and Andrew Mallyon rides. She is looking for four wins in a row.

Red Bloom (3) resumes here for Sears Racing – this mare normally comes to hand quickly – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Purroni (5) is a Gollan Racing runner resuming. This is not an overly tough field. She has had two solid trials to get ready for this first up assignment. Ben Thompson will ride – nice odds are on offer for her to sprint and post a win.

Danny Bowen trains Amirkyal (1) and Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride the mare. Last start winner at Ipswich and despite the large weight should race well. Was scratched last weekend due to a wide barrier – looks well placed this weekend.

Selections:

2 – Motomiss
5 – Purroni
3 – Red Bloom
1 – Amirykal

Race 3

Only nine runners here.

Awesome Lad (1) is from NSW and trained by Jason Deamer. Is a Dynamic Syndications runner who arrives from some solid efforts at Rosehill and he is third up in a Class 3 race here – Ben Thompson will ride.

Good Soize (9) resumes here for Gollan Racing with Stephanie Thornton riding. This mare raced in Group racing over the Winter Carnival and has been working well. I think with the speed in this race she could sprint well here fresh.

Tamilaide (5) is a Les Kelly runner – won the Grafton Guineas this year and resumed at Ipswich with a solid effort. He has had eight starts and never been out of the money. Sam Collett will ride him again here. Will be right in this – not sure if the $2 represents good value for mine.

Jetty (2) resumed at the Sunshine Coast first up for new stable – Munce Racing - and won at huge odds. Could show up again here on a track where he has raced well previously.

1 – Awesome Lad
9 – Good Soize
5 – Tamilaide
2 – Jetty

Race 4

2200 metre distance race here – again another tiny field to face the starter.

Humbolt Current (4), trained by Chris Waller, is third up here this weekend on a track where he thrives. I am prepared to take on the favourite Wapiti (1) with this runner to beat him. Jim Byrne will ride him again – the extra distance – the track – all big ticks for this runner.

Wapiti (1) is weighted up to his best. Taylor Marshall will ride him again for Gary Duncan. No wins at Eagle Farm – I will use this as a motivation to get him beaten! Has never run at this distance either.

Tears of Love (3) from the Matt Kropp yards will lead. If rated in front and left alone – Sam Collett may steal this race.

Selections:

4 – Humbolt Current
1 – Wapiti
3 – Tears Of Love
5 – Fastnet Cyclone

Race 5 THE GRAND PRIX STAKES

A disappointing field to be fair.

I think it is all about the David Vandkye trained Gypsy Goddess (5). She is undefeated in three starts. Her last start win at Doomben was dominating and authoritative – she looks like a nice type. Maybe we may see how good she really is this weekend. Stephanie Thornton is looking to keep her 100% winning record on her.

Caboche (1), trained by Chris Waller and with Luke Dittman aboard, could run the quinella.

As for the rest take your pick.

Selections:

5 – Gypsy Goddess
1 – Caboche
2 – Sergeant Silva
6 – Ironic Miss

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie. A sprint over 1000 metres.

Xerri (8) won last time out at the Sunshine Coast. Is trained by Edmonds Racing and Robbie Fradd, who cheekily said last weekend after winning the last race “I needed a GPS to find my way back to the winners stall,” will ride. This runner loves these shorter distances and should be right in this race.

Howwonderfullifeis (5) has had a change of stables and Barry Squair now trains this mare. After a 17 week freshen up, I think she could prove a massive upset here in this small field – a few changes in gear – most notable the winkers are coming off for the first time. Stephanie Thornton will ride her here and she has won a trial recently in Toowoomba.

Archer’s Paradox (2) is on the quick back up after a solid effort here last weekend in the Bribie. Keep safe.

Selections:

8 – Xerri
5 – Howwonderfulifeis
2 – Archer’s Paradox
6 – Aleysa’s Dream

Race 7 GOLD EDITION PLATE

First leg of the Treble. They will go fast here over 1200 metres at Listed level.

Chris Munce trains Rhapsody Rose (5). She has come back in wonderful form this preparation. She has had two solid wins from a spell. She faces her toughest test this preparation but is drawn well to get a nice trail and I just think she could be too good for them late – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Far Too Easy (2) lived up to his name with a “far too easy” win last time out at Doomben a fortnight ago. He is third up here for Murwillumbah trainer David McColm and I see Michael Hellyer has been booked to ride him here this weekend. He did take a little while to get going in the straight in his last win, however, once he set sail he knuckled down and got the job done impressively in good time. He has won 4 from 5 starts and looks very talented. It would be great to see “Muppy” (Hellyer) win a Listed race in town! Good luck MUPPY!

Me Me Lagarde (9) is trained by Edmonds Racing and Robbie Fradd will ride. Resumed a month ago across the road at Doomben with an impressive win. She has been freshened since then and looks well placed.

Release The Beans (1) is trained by Robert Heathcote and Luke Dittman resumes his association with this gelding. He has ridden him three times for three wins! Can he keep that record intact here this weekend? He has been trialling well and does love this Eagle Farm track - $16 is silly odds for mine.

Keep safe the Scott Morrisey trained Jackson On Time (4) - he just has something about him for mine. I just think he is close to a big win and this could be a upset if he gets the chocolates here with Jim Byrne aboard at odds of around $8.

Selections:

5 – Rhapsody Rose
2 – Far Too Easy
9 – Me Me Lagarde
1 – Release The Beans
Rough chances – (4) Jackson On Time

Race 8 TAB LOUGH NEAGH STAKES

This is very open – could be a rough result. Listed level over 1400 metres.

Red Chase (5) is trained by Desleigh Foster who is having a nice run with her runners presently. This runner loves this track and distance and was very good last time out in the Tatts Recognition when narrowly defeated by Tambo’s Mate.

In the same race Tumblers Ridge (10) was in the battle late and narrowly was defeated by Tambo’s Mate. Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted train this runner and Boris Thornton is legged up again. He gets in nicely at the minimum weight. Does normally race well at 1400 metres – is third up this preparation and due for a win.

Stampe (8) will lead them here – a Chris Munce runner. If they are leading and winning get on this one.

Tricky Gal (3) has been racing in Victoria without much luck. Matthew Smith has sent her north to win some prizemoney. Last time out she raced over the mile – too far for her for mine – 1400 metres is more her go. She could upset these local runners – Ben Thompson will ride.

Selections:

10 – Tumbler Ridge
5 – Red Chase
3 – Tricky Gal
8 – Stampe
Rough chances – (9) Profit

Race 9

The last race of the day – hopefully we have plenty of cash in our wallets – Santa is coming!

Over a mile as well.

Trent & Toby Edmonds are looking to train a winner here with Indian Dreamer (8). He resumed on his home track over 1400 metres and stormed home late – looks suited here in this field this weekend with a win at the track. Robbie Fradd won the last race last weekend – can he do it two weeks in a row?

Cosmic Gossip (5), trained by Stuart Kendrick, has been racing consistently over the mile. Is on the quick back up after racing last weekend. With the claim for Leah Kilner she gets in well – good odds as well.

Lethal Warning (10) is a Gollan Racing runner. Second up here for the stable and will probably get better as the distances get longer – she will be finishing strong here. Another nice ride for Ben Thompson.

Dune Forty Five (9) is third up here – looking for the mile – keep safe.

Selections:

8 – Indian Dreamer
5 – Cosmic Gossip
10 – Lethal Warning
9 – Dune Forty Five
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Jockey’s Challenge

Stephanie Thornton and Ben Thompson both have a nice book of rides. Maybe a slight edge to Stephanie this weekend – looks like you are buying dinner this week Ben!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,3,5 / 1,5,9 / 1,3,4 /5 - cost is $27 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

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

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,5,8 / 1,2,4,5,9 / 3,5,8,10 / 5,8,10 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5,8 / 2,5 / 5,10 / 5,8,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,4,5,9 / 3,5,8,10 / 5,8,10 - cost is $60 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO got FLEMO last weekend in a close contest. 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!

On behalf of FLEMO and I – MERRY X-MAS EVERYONE!