WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MARCH 12

By Darren Winningham | Friday, March 11, 2022

After three months off racing we are back at QLD racing headquarters where the Eagle Farm track is rated “good” and the rail is out 7 metres for the entire track.

Racing back on the new surface – who knows what we will get. In the past when we come back it seems to have favoured horses racing on the speed. I will be watching a few races before betting with any confidence.

I was on a roll last weekend – tipped the first six winners at Toowoomba – some nice results – then some solid efforts for the rest of the program – thanks to those who reached out with compliments.

NB: As these selections were made prior to raceday please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
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Race 1

A tough way to open the action on the new track with the two-year-old runners racing over 1400 metres.

Probably sit back and watch it. Les Ross Racing has the favourite in Mishani Embrace (3). Has the best form and looks well placed here – Ben Thompson to ride.

Ping (1) is trained by Stuart Kendrick and will be ridden by Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT). He should be right in this race after a dominant win on debut at Ipswich.

As for the rest of them – who knows!

Selections:

3 – Mishani Embrace
1 – Ping
4 – Cocobrew Express
5 – Mishani Hood

Race 2

A small field over 2412 metres.

The Annabel Neasham runner Forever You (7) has been working nicely through her grades posting two consecutive wins. If she takes her place in the field, she looks hard to beat – Stephanie Thornton will ride.

Fortified (3) will race better over this longer distance – a solid effort last time out over 2150 metres – Larry Cassidy will ride.

If they let Chocolatier (2) roll along in front with Gary Geran aboard they could all be caught off the bit and left with their pants down. This runner races a solid tempo in front and could just dictate terms and win the race.

Selections:

7 – Forever You
3 – Fortified
2 – Chocolatier
4 – Lunasnit

Race 3

A Class 6 over the mile.

Good recent form for the Gillian Heinrich trained Dreamreacher (1) with Jaden Lloyd to ride again. He is proven on this track in the past as well so that is a big tick for me. The small field should enable him to be ridden quiet and get home late.

There is a great each way chance here in Trevelyan (4) who is now fourth up this weekend for Chris Meagher. Brad Stewart will ride and he too has a superb record at Eagle Farm – he is decent odds as well – posted around $13 in some markets – a win here would not surprise.

Dealmaker (5) was well supported last weekend at Toowoomba and won. He backs up here this weekend. If they are racing handy and winning I think that Jimmy Orman could win the race aboard this gelding.

Selections:

1 – Dreamreacher
4 – Trevelyan
5 – Dealmaker
9 – Abracadazzle

Race 4

A tough race here – Class 3 with a huge field over 1300 metres.

I like the recent form of Menazzi (9), trained by Stuart Kendrick. He ran some terrific races in his first preparation prior to be tipped out for a spell. He resumed with a solid win on his home track over 1000 metres and that effort I think was good enough to suggest he will go well here. Tiffani Brooker retains the ride this weekend.

The Robert Heathcote trained Bellissimi Amici (12) appears well placed as well with Andrew Mallyon to ride this weekend. In her last two starts she has raced on wet tracks – that is not her go and this weekend on a firm surface I expect a dramatic improvement.

She’s An Eagle (13) won last time out at the Sunshine Coast over this distance. Ben Thompson retains the ride. She is stepping up in grade this weekend, but that last win would suggest that she may be able to fill a place. She has drawn wide in barrier 16 and will race in the rear half of the field.

Ocean Emperor (1) won first up for his new trainer Michael Costa. He has been well supported in the markets. Boris Thornton rides him here this weekend for the stable – maybe he can pop up again. I just like the others down in the weights here.

Selections:

9 – Menazzi
12 – Bellissimi Amici
13 – She’s An Eagle
1 – Ocean Emperor

Race 5

Another small field over the mile. The final leg of the Early Quaddie as well. Hopefully we are still alive!

Gypsy Goddess (1) resumes here for David Vandyke and Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) will ride the filly who is undefeated in four starts. Look she is special – I know that Vandyke has a huge opinion of her as well. She is short in all the markets at around $1.90 – I just think that first up over the mile she may be tested late. I hope I am wrong as she probably has some more higher-class races to win this time in. If she wins, she will probably head to Sydney to continue her campaign.

In saying that I really like the chances of the Chris Waller Racing trained Edmonton (7) who has won his past two starts. The blinkers go on this weekend as well. Since being relocated to the Gold Coast she has struck a real purple patch of form. Sam Collett will ride him for the first time, and I expect him to race two pairs back and launch late. At $14 I think I will be backing him each way to defeat the favourite.

Do not underestimate Military Gambler (2) as well. Will lead this weekend and with the claim for Jaden Lloyd gets in well. He is trained by Chris Munce and should be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to the race.

Red Wave (6) defeated Military Gambler (2) last time out at the Sunshine Coast. He is strong late in a race where there is good speed. I think he gets similar conditions this weekend – trained by Sears Racing – Andrew Mallyon retains the ride here and he could post consecutive wins.

Selections:

7 – Edmonton
1 – Gypsy Goddess
2 – Military Gambler
6 – Red Wave

Race 6

This is the first leg of the Quaddie.

Sweet Margot May (5) is trained by Robert Heathcote. Some gear changes this week have caught my attention that I think should help her. The tongue tie comes off and the tongue control but goes on. Then they have elected to book Jaden Lloyd to ride this filly – his claim will come in handy. She is now third up and despite the 5 against her name last time out she has had a six week freshen up since her last start at the Sunshine Coast when she was a heavily supported favourite. The run was still great – beaten by Shamrock Lu who has since won. The form looks strong – the freshen up should assist - $8 is a wonderful price to me – she just must handle the Eagle Farm surface now!

Good Bean (8) is a Barry Baldwin runner who will be ridden by Sairyn Fawke. Third up here this weekend with a solid second and a win this preparation. His last start win at Sunshine Coast in Maiden company was solid. He led all the way and was too good. Now that he has found the winning post maybe he can go on with it. When Baldwin gets them firing, they usually keep their winning form.

Legal Espirit (1), trained by Donald “Ducky” Baker, is on the quick back up after racing in Toowoomba last weekend. They have booked KWT to ride him this weekend and the claim for Kyle does get my attention. He has won previously at Eagle Farm as well. I think he will be competitive here this weekend.

There was a fair bit of mail around for Mister Larrabee (3) first up at the Sunshine Coast. He just seemed to put in an ordinary effort for mine. However, in saying that he steps up to a distance more suitable here this weekend and he is undefeated in two starts second up. Larry Cassidy goes aboard for Stuart Kendrick. I am certain that part owner David “The Big Fish” Salmon will be hoping that he can get a win here this weekend. Salmo must have opened his wallet (normally full of moths) and had a crack as he has firmed from $9 into $5.50 since the markets have opened. Good luck Salmo!

Do not underestimate the Northern Rivers – well Grafton based runner Andy (2) trained by Andrew Parramore. I think he is above average and always runs an honest race.

Selections:

5 – Sweet Margot May
8 – Good Bean
1 – Legal Esprit
3 – Mister Larrabee
Rough chance – (2) Andy

Race 7

A massive field for this Class 3 over 1000 metres – tough assignment for punters. There are some early scratchings as well.

I am not confident here to be honest.

Osamu (4) is trained by Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted – they are having a great run of success with their runners. This gelding is having his third run for the stable. Ben Thompson will ride. His runs have all been good for them since arriving in QLD – I am just not too sure whether he needs a spell and to be fair 2 wins from 20 starts is not a great conversion rate. He is the early pre post favourite – too short for me at $3.40.

Gollan Racing has Vaporising resuming here after a let up. He was very good winning a recent trial at Doomben. He was solid last campaign. I am gambling that he has derived some benefit from the spell and will race well fresh. Ryan Maloney will ride him – when Gollan and he combine they do have a very good strike rate.

Melissa Taylor trains Kudu (1) who loves the Eagle Farm track. Resumes from a spell and, to be fair, could be considered unlucky in a few runs last preparation. He does have a habit of finding bad luck in his races. However, in saying that his recent trial at the Sunshine Coast was exceptional – he wasn’t asked to do much in the trial. Jaden Lloyd rode him in that trial and retains the ride on race day – again his claim will be valuable – ridiculous odds-on offer for mine at $16 about this runner.

Hot In Paris (7) resumed for the new stable, Gollan Racing, on the Gold Coast a month ago and won easily. A repeat of that effort would see this mare post another win. All her best runs have been on dry surfaces and she gets these conditions this weekend. Stephanie Thornton will ride.

Melisma (14) is the stable mate. Won when resuming from a spell then didn’t really fire last time out. Maybe a case of the second up blues – may pay to overlook that effort.

Aidensfield (9) resumes for new stable – Desleigh Forster. There has been some solid support for this lightly raced four-year-old mare since the markets have opened. She has raced in a lot better company than this when she raced in Victoria. She won a Deagon barrier trial a few weeks ago now – that effort was very good. Sam Collett has the ride here this weekend. Just some concern with barrier 17 as she likes to race forward normally in her races and may get caught wide. I think she is one to follow in the coming weeks. The mare has a heap of gear changes – maybe this is the key to her this weekend.

Selections:

3 – Vaporizing
4 – Osamu
1 – Kudo
7 – Hot In Paris
Rough chances – (9) Aidensfield & (14) Melisma

Race 8

An Open race over 1200 metres.

Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted train Contemptuous (6) who is the early favourite for the race. He has won on this track and races well fresh. Jaden Lloyd will ride, and he does have a 100% strike rate on the stallion with two rides for two wins. His recent trial effort would suggest that he will sprint well fresh.

David Vandyke has had no luck this week. Probably deserves a change in fortune. His runner Splendoronthegrass (7) resumes here with Stephanie Thornton to ride. The mare has had two solid barrier trials where she has performed well. Has drawn well in barrier 5 and could be very hard to beat.

Guntantes (10) is around the $21 mark in some markets. Robert Heathcote trains. Has the lugging bit and a tongue tie going on this weekend and Ben Thompson will ride. His first two efforts from a spell where below par in my opinion. However, the gear changes and a recent barrier trial at Doomben would suggest that he may have turned the corner and could be ready to fire this weekend. He is back at Eagle Farm as well – where he has performed well in the past – he does tick a few boxes here this weekend at a huge each way price. He has also been scratched from race 9 to run in this race.

Starla (8) has been sent to the QLD stables of Chris Waller. She has been racing in some higher-class races in Sydney. Maybe a drop in grade could see her improve this weekend. She has also had a month freshen up.

Selections:

6 – Contemptuous
7 – Splendoronthegrass
10 – Guntantes
8 – Starla
Rough chance – (5) Sir Rocket

Race 9

The last race – over 1400 metres – this is a real lottery.

I have settled on the Desleigh Forster trained Caffrey (17). This grey gelding has had two runs for the stable. Both have been great in my opinion. Maybe he is not a fan of a soft track – this weekend he will get a firm surface. Maybe there is a change of fortune this weekend for him and the stable. Sam Collett will be riding him for the first time.

Charretera (13) resumed for the new stable at Ipswich around six weeks ago and posted a win for Gollan Racing. He is better on firm ground and has a solid record second up. Stephanie Thornton will ride him for the first time this weekend.

Rock Amore (4) is his stablemate and is the early favourite for the race. Will be ridden by KWT. He is second up on a track where he has performed well in the past. He has a very good record at this distance as well with four wins and a narrow second. He probably gets conditions to suit this weekend – I just looked for some value in my selections here.

Explosive Quality (6) won well last time out when staging a two-horse battle down the straight on the Sunshine Coast getting his nose down on the line to win. This Gillian Heinrich mare has been racing very consistently since resuming from a spell and Jaden Lloyd got her home last start under some enthusiastic riding in the final stages. He keeps the ride here this weekend. I think that there is some speed in the race like he encountered last time out and possibly could take a sit and then work home late. He has been suspect at 1400 metres in the past, however, if he can get a nice trail into the race, he may just finish over the top of them. One thing for sure is that he will be close to the lead.

Avowal (8) trained by Lindsay Hatch has some solid form at Eagle Farm. Did win in his home track at Toowoomba last time out – maybe a rough chance.

Selections:

17 – Caffrey
13 – Charretera
4 – Rock Amore
6 – Explosive Quality
Rough chance – (8) Avowal
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Jockeys Challenge

Tough weekend – there are many that have chances here. Kyle Wilson Taylor – Ben Thompson and Jaden Lloyd. I think Jaden may pip Ben – but it will come down to the last race.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,3,7 / 1,4,5 / 1,9,12,13 / 1,2,6,7 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,7 / 1,4 / 9,12,13 / 1,7 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,5,8 / 1,3,4,7,9,14 / 6,7,8,10 / 4,6,13,17 - cost is $384 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5,8 / 1,3,4,7 / 6,7,10 / 4,13,17 - cost is $72 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,4,7,9,14 / 6,7,8,10 / 4,6,13,17 - cost is $96 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

We had a rest last weekend – with FLEMO on assignment at the Sunshine Coast after the races were transferred from Doomben to Toowoomba – I will claim a win as I did tip the first 6 winners at Toowoomba! Let’s see what happens this weekend. Probably an even battle on this new surface. The battle continues this weekend with WINNO and FLEMO. 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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