WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, APRIL 2

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, March 31, 2022

Back at Eagle Farm this weekend where the is track rated “Soft” and he rail is out 1 metre for the entire circuit.

Last weekend Michael Hellyer posted his 700th career winner on the Gold Coast. “Muppy,” as I like to call him, is a below average poker player – but a wonderful bloke. I no longer had congratulated him on this wonderful achievement when he then started on me about his NRL Manly Sea Eagle beating my Bulldogs in a lucky 1-point win. He is now blocked on all social media!

Straight into it this weekend with some small fields to assess.

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

Race 1

We start the day off with a 2200 metres race. Lucky it is lunch time whilst this lot goes around.

Barry Lockwood trained a winning double last weekend – a wonderful effort. He starts the day with Lunasit (9) who backs up after being beaten by the stablemate last weekend across the road at Doomben. This weekend Samantha Collett will ride – maybe on a firmer surface we will see an improvement.

Sayl (2) has been racing consistently for Lindsay Hatch. Andrew Mallyon has the ride this weekend – again, maybe the firmer surface will be the key to his chances.

Ostermeier (4) is on the quick back up after failing last weekend on a heavy surface. Overlook that run – Jaden Lloyd aboard – he does tick a few boxes and could reverse that form.

Selections:

9 – Lunasnit
2 – Sayl
4 – Ostermeier
7 – Aliraaj

Race 2

The two-year old’s step out here over 1400 metres.

The Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained Hang Five (3) made an impressive winning effort in his second career start. Will be ridden by Jaden Lloyd this weekend. Has been posted as a short price favourite at $2. On his latest win he will be difficult to defeat.

But “Hang Five!” I like the Tom Button Racing pair to trouble the favourite this weekend. Cocobrew Express (2) won here last time out with Tegan Harrison three weeks ago over this track and distance. I just think that he may trouble the favourite this weekend at the rude odds of $21.

The stable mate Four Mile Lane (5) finished behind Cocobrew Express (2) last time out in an effort that was noteworthy. Boris Thornton will ride again. This runner looked like he will be better for that run.

Nobel (4) comes from the NSW Annabel Neasham training yards. Came last in a Group 2 event at Flemington last time out. Back to this race with Ryan Maloney in the saddle – a possible marked improvement could be noted.

The Desleigh Forster trained Boom Court (6) has been well supported since the markets have opened – keep safe.

Selections:

2 – Cocobrew Express
3 – Hang Five
5 – Four Mile Lane
4 – Nobel
Rough chance – (6) Boom Court

Race 3

A Class 3 over 1805 metres.

The Tony Gollan trained Abracadazzle (9) drops back from a Class 6 race last start to a Class 3. Looks well placed here this weekend with Ryan Maloney to ride. The poor tempo in that race two weeks ago did not suit this runner. With some genuine speed in the race this weekend, look for a solid effort.

Rations (11) is trained by Barry Baldwin and will be ridden by Brad Stewart. They combined last time out here om midweek to win impressively. This field is not too dissimilar, and she will sit just in behind the speed and let down late.

Street Dancer (14) is trained by David Vandyke and Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) has the ride. He is having his second start for the stable. He raced here over the mile first up and did acquit himself well. I think that the step up in distance will suit him this weekend – he is down in the weights as well which makes him appealing.

Natalie McCall has Elegant Drover (5) going around here with Boris Thornton to ride. This runner was solid last time out at the Gold Coast – could be a rough chance.

Selections:

9 – Abracadazzle
11 – Rations
14 – Street Dancer
5 – Elegant Drover
Rough chance – (6) Makedon

Race 4

A tough race here – a Benchmark 72 with a large field over 1000 metres.

Gollan Racing had a winning treble last weekend. Can they get an early race to race double with Vaporizing (14) here to be ridden by Ryan Maloney. This gelding resumed here three weeks ago in what I would say was a good effort when beaten by Osamu. He has a tremendous second up record. I think he will be primed to get the job done this weekend.

Dynamic Dou (16) is aptly named when you consider the gelding is trained by Maddy and Tony Sears who are having a tremendous run of late! This gelding is third up this weekend with apprentice Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) to ride. The last start effort was good when flashing home late in a midweek race here over this distance to just miss. I think despite going up in grade slightly – down in the weights makes him a genuine chance.

Lucifers Loot (5) resumed here in a midweek meeting for trainer Natalie McCall and got the job done. Just some slight reservations with him second up where he has three starts for no wins or placings. Jimmy Orman will ride him again and he has a great association with him – 5 rides for 3 wins. He normally jumps the gates cleanly and runs along – that will set it up in my opinion for something to storm home late.

Zingalong (6) is probably better on wet tracks. But can make a nuisance of himself and fill a place at big prices on occasions – keep safe.

Selections:

14 – Vaporizing
16 – Dynamic Duo
5 – Lucifers Loot
6 – Zingalong
Rough chance – (10) Highland Son

Race 5

Another small field over 1000 metres. The final leg of the Early Quaddie as well. Hopefully we are still alive!

On The Lead (10) comes from the strong NSW Richard & Michael Freedman yards. First up was solid at Canberra on a day where leaders were getting all the favours. This weekend he is second up in with Mark Du Plessis to ride. He has a great second up record and looks like he will be able to get the win – just has to handle this Eagle Farm track

Gollan Racing have some good chances in this race with Le Palmier (1) and Ingear (7).

Le Palmier (1) will be ridden by Jimmy Orman. Solid effort on the Gold Coast when resuming. Has a wonderful record at this track and second up – look for a dominant effort here.

Ingear (7) is second up as well with Jim Byrne to ride. She can mix her from – but I think she is well placed in this race. Barrier 11 is of some concern as she does like to race forward.

Simply Fly (2) is trained in Toowoomba by Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn. He is resuming in weaker company that he raced against last time in. He always races well fresh. I just have some reservations about his chances on this Eagle Farm track and I really think he races better in soft ground. He does get back in his races and requires a good tempo to storm home. Stephanie Thornton resumes her rewarding association with this gelding – 9 rides for 5 wins and a second.

Glorious Ruby (12) gets in very well at the weights for trainer Bryan Dais. Wendy Peel will ride and, if she can claim here full 3 kilograms on this filly, she looks very well placed to upset these more seasoned runners - $12 on offer.

Selections:

10 – On The Lead
1 – Le Palmier
2 – Simply Fly
12 – Glorious Ruby
Rough chance – (7) Ingear

Race 6

This is the first leg of the Quaddie. An Open class race over the mile.

It is a Chris Waller Racing assault on this race with four out of the twelve runners.

I think Dealmaker (1) was a victim of a slow run race last time out – they basically walked, and the tempo didn’t suit him. This time, with Hostage Of War (10) engaged and Billie-Rose Andrew to ride him they will ensure a solid tempo – possibly a fast run race and this should suit this Chris Waller trained gelding. He doesn’t win out of turn; however, a solid run race should enhance his chances – another good ride for Jimmy Orman.

Humbolt Current (3) won last time out on the Gold Coast with Larry Cassidy in the saddle at $21. He benefitted from the fast speed on that occasion and finished over the top of them to post an emphatic win. He does go up in the weights, but he does have a solid record at Eagle Farm where he has never been out of the money in four starts.

Stardome (7) is another Waller Racing runner. He finished third in the race won by Humbolt Current (3) last time out. I think that dropping back to the mile may be the key to this runner – could just accelerate late with Sam Collett in the saddle and hold the others out.

Could see Chris Waller train the trifecta in this race!

The party pooper could be the Chris Meagher trained Trevelyan (11) with Stephanie Thornton to ride. He has had his races well-spaced this preparation and does like this track and distance. Goes down in the weights as well – respect.

Selections:

1 – Dealmaker
3 – Humbolt Current
7 – Stardome
11 – Trevelyan

Race 7

The three-year olds over 1200 metres.

Some nice runners in this race. One of which resumes here for Robert Heathcote – Release The Beans (1). He won a recent trial at Deagon last week with Jimmy Orman aboard. He retains the ride this weekend. He is a quality runner who has performed well on this track and goes well fresh – the odds that are on offer of $6 are ridiculous. The weight is of some concern; however, he is a class above these and if he sprints well should just be too good.

Rayjen (11) is the stable mate resuming here as well and she did trial the same day as Release The Beans (1) and did run a faster time. She was impressive when pushed out in the trial. She does race well at this track and goes well fresh. Leah Kilner will ride her here and she has drawn well in barrier 6. I really think that she is the testing material to her stable mate and is very well weighted for this first up assignment.

Enterprise Pomme (2) won first up at Doomben and then turned in an average effort at the Gold Coast last time out. Not sure what went wrong for this filly there or if it was just a case of the second up yips. She was caught wide last time and did tire. Maybe this weekend she will strip fitter and show her old form. Boris Thornton will ride her again this weekend.

Zuma California (3) is trained by Cameron Richardson and Justin Stanley will ride him this weekend. Is fourth up here.

Oh, a special mention The Rattlesnake (8) hopefully will run well for the owners – but no chance for mine – just like the Broncos (just for you James Goves).

Selections:

1 – Release The Beans
11 – Rayjen
2 – Enterprise Pomme
3 – Zuma California
Rough chances – (10) Hamlet Von Snitzel

Race 8

An Open race over 1200 metres.

I just love going to the races and “You Make Me Smile” (3) is probably a topical tip for this race considering my statement. He is trained by Steve O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted and will be ridden by Jaden Lloyd. This gelding has a tremendous second up record (seven starts for 5 wins) and looks well placed this weekend. I think that they can afford to ride him quieter and let the speed go and then come home late over the top of them.

Kisukano (5) is trained by Michael Nolan in Toowoomba. She resumed on the Gold Coast without much luck and looks the likely one to bother the judge as they draw a halt to the race. I must put this mare in as Larry Cassidy keeps knocking me out in recent weeks in my trebles and quaddies. I just wish I could return the favour to him when I am dealing poker in some of the venues he plays at!

Royal Hale (1) is another solid runner for Gollan Racing. Ryan Maloney will ride. Resumes as well here. Does race well fresh and has an extraordinary record on this track – 6 starts for 3 wins and 2 seconds. Must be respected on those numbers.

Selections:

3 – You Make Me Smile
5 – Kisukano
1 – Royal Hale
2 – Bigboyroy

Race 9

The last race – over 1400 metres – Class 6 – a massive field they – I think they will be coming wide come the last race.

Now I have sledged Larry Cassidy in the previous race I will praise him here and hope that “Last Race Larry” can get the job done for me on the Chris Waller trained Bullfinch (9). This gelding resumed on a soft track at Rosehill 7 weeks ago and raced below par. I think the change in scenery – the warmer weather and the dry tracks will assist him here this weekend. The other reason I like him at the $12 on offer is that he races better when there is genuine speed in his races. He likes to settle midfield and then come home late. There is some speed in this race, and I expect him to get the job done here in the last race.

The stable mate is New Arrangement (2) who has been competing in some higher-grade races in Sydney and comes back in grade. Third up this weekend and back to a firm track – look for an improved effort. Jim Byrne will ride.

The other Waller runner is Starla (3) who was scratched from an earlier race. Sam Collett to ride here. Not a winner of many races, however, seems to always find a place. I think that she will appreciate the firm surface at Eagle Farm and could improve with this longer distance.

Then you have the battle of the PRINCES! Enterprise Prince (8), trained by Mick Lakey, ran super last time out her in a similar race over the same distance – was pipped on the post in the final stride. I remember Brad Stewart looking across as Confessed nailed him on the post with a “what the …” look. This weekend he gets him chance to win.

Festival Prince (11), trained by Matt Kropp, had no luck on the Gold Coast when resuming and when he was sent out in the race as favourite. They have gone with a senior jockey this weekend with Robbie Fradd (he did get a winner last weekend). Is drawn well in barrier 2 – should get a nice run-in transit and should be able to let down late and be right in the finish.

Selections:

9 – Bullfinch
8 – Enterprise Prince
11 – Festival Prince
2 – New Arrangement
Rough chance – (3) Starla
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Jockeys Challenge

Larry Cassidy, Jimmy Orman and Ryan Maloney all have some nice rides. I think Jimmy Orman may just pip Ryan this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,3,5 / 9,11,14 / 5,14,16 / 1,2,10,12 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,3 / 9,11 / 14,16 / 1,2,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,7 / 1,2,3,11 / 1,3,5 / 2,8,9,11 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,7 / 1,2,11 / 3,5 / 8,9,11 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,3,11 / 1,3,5 / 2,8,9,11 - cost is $48 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO and WINNO were woeful last weekend – just a couple of winners between us. I think FLEMO may have got the victory. Then came the revenge when the Cowboys slayed his Broncos! 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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