WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, APRIL 30

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 28, 2022

EAGLE FARM RACES – SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2022

Back at Eagle Farm this weekend where the track is rated “good” and the rail is out 5 metres for the entire circuit. There is some rain forecast in the lead up but this should have little effect on the racing surface.

This week it is the first week of the QLD Winter Carnival – sponsored by the Treasury Casino – the two feature races being the Treasury QLD Guineas and the TAB Victory Stakes.

Hopefully I can jag some winners.

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 distance race over 1825 metres.

The NSW representation starts here with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained Major Artie (10) who comes off a campaign in Victoria – second up won over a mile at Moonee Valley and last time out didn’t handle the Sandown circuit. Mark Du Plessis will ride for the stable – I am just concerned with the tempo of the race and the first time at the track – I will give him a miss here.

Smart Meteor (2) is trained by Chris Munce Racing. On the quick back up from last weekend on a very heavy track at Doomben where he didn’t appreciate the track and I think back on top of the ground on a circuit he has won at – he could be difficult to beat here with Ben Thompson to ride.

Trevelyan (4) won last time out here over the mile with Stephanie Thornton aboard. He goes up in distance this weekend, however he will be happy with the extra distance. He really does enjoy racing at Eagle Farm and saves his best performances for this track.

Our Intrigue (3) is trained by Chris Waller Racing. He failed on a wet track at Newcastle a month ago. Has had a freshen up since that run and a trial. Could show some sharp improvement – Kerrin McEvoy will ride.

Selections:

2 – Smart Meteor
4 – Trevelyan
10 – Major Artie
3 – Our Intrigue
Rough chance – (5) Honorable Spirit

Race 2

A distance race over 1825 metres – some runners have been scratched from the first race and saved for this.

This is tough – no real confidence here to be fair.

I am going for a roughie here from the John Smerdon yards on the Gold Coast – Savvy Lad (4) with Brad Stewart to ride. The gelding resumed at the Gold Coast for the new stable and iis second up here this weekend - just think but the extra distance will be into his liking and with odds of $10 on offer I think he represents good each way value.

Hostage Of War (2) led them up here last start with apprentice Jaden Lloyd riding. He gets similar conditions this weekend and I expect him to be out in front for a long way - maybe Jaden can keep him going and keep the others off the bit and get a win.

He Is (5) will be written by Sam Collett this weekend for Lee Freedman who, clearly, he thinks this runner is good enough to test the others in the field otherwise he wouldn't have brought him to town. You have to respect his opinion.

Vitesse Francais (7) won last time out at Ipswich for the Kelly Schweida stable. Ryan Maloney will ride this weekend and cannot be overlooked. The gelding was able to make a large amount of ground over the final stages at Ipswich and back onto a big track here this weekend at Eagle Farm I expect him to be thundering down the outside late.

Selections:

4 – Savvy Lad
2 – Hostage Of War
5 – He Is
7 – Vitesse Francais

Race 3

The three-year-old runners step out here over 1300 metres.

Zavaboom (7) is trained by Tony Gollan. The gelding, who will be ridden by Ben Thompson, comes off a 28-day break which includes a recent barrier trial which he won quite convincingly. Before that he was super running a gallant second at this track over 1200 metres. He looks the one to beat here.

Release The Beans (2) is third up for Robert Heathcote Racing with Jimmy Orman to ride again. I see an important gear change this weekend with the blinkers going on for the first time. I think this will suit this runner and I look forward to seeing an improved performance.

Chris Waller Racing has a few runners in the race - I think the best of them is Minsk Moment (4) to be ridden by Jim Byrne. This runner makes his appearance in Queensland after racing on heavy diabolical tracks in Sydney. I think we'll see an improved performance from this colt this weekend on top of the ground.

Selections:

7 – Zavaboom
2– Release The Beans
4 – Minsk Moment
5 – Kir Royale

Race 4

Plenty of last start winners here over the mile – a good race.

Gave Us Up (5) is trained by Barry Baldwin and this weekend will be ridden by apprentice Jaden Lloyd. I think the claim for Jaden will come in handy. Last start here over the mile this runner was very impressive with the winkers going on for the first time. I expect this weekend him to be very difficult to beat.

Wham (2) is trained by Lindsay Hatch at Toowoomba. I suppose the interesting fact here is that Brad Stewart rode three of these winners in this race last time and he has elected to ride this runner. He did win quite impressively at the Doomben track, however, comes to Eagle Farm for the first time.

Brad also rode Enterprise Prince (4) last time out to dead heat in a race over 1500 metres with General Dubai (6). This Mick Lakey trained runner looks more likely to benefit from the extra 100 metres of this race. He will also have the benefit of a claim for apprentice Kyle Wilson- Taylor (KWT).

General Dubai (6) is trained by Lauren Abbott and will be ridden by Jimmy Orman again this weekend. I expect that this time they will be able to ride him a little bit quieter with some more speed in the race and I expect that he will finish off strongly at the end of the mile.

It is a tough race with many serious chances.

Selections:

5 – Gave Us Up
6 – General Dubai
2 – Wham
4 – Enterprise Prince
Rough chance – (10) Lunakorn

Race 5

A super exciting two-year-old event – the Dalrello Plate at Listed level.

Many of these two-year-old runners are kicking off their winter campaign in Queensland looking for bigger glory later in the Carnival.

Okay – here goes a WINNO egg on the face moment! I will either be hero or villain here - either way I cannot win.

Everyone knows the “smack” I talk when Luke Tarrant rides in blue and he is riding an exceptional colt here for the Sears Racing team based in Toowoomba. Steady Ready (6) stepped out in his debut race at Doomben and slaughtered the field. In fact, you may say there was an air of confidence around the way he disposed of the opposition on that occasion. I am going to say you can't win this weekend – COP THAT LUKE! Maybe there should be some type of punishment for WINNO if I am proven wrong - I believe that Luke reads this blog regularly maybe I'll leave the punishment up to him if that happens.

I am tipping Exo Lady (7) from the Desleigh Forster yards who was very good in her first preparation for the stable. A recent barrier trial win would suggest that she is very forward and should be competitive this weekend on a track that she thrives on. Jim Byrne will ride for Desleigh again and I think the rude odds are $14 are ridiculous.

I also like chances of a NSW trained horse Soaring Ambition (8) who is trained by Annabel Neasham and will be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. I think she came to Queensland one run short last preparation before going into the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in January. I also think the shifting track she encountered at Doomben first up in QLD did not suit her. She was sent for a spell after her Magic Millions run which was commendable and has since had a strong barrier trial and looks well placed here this weekend. Can the girls combine to get the job done here?

Palazzo Spirit (3) is trained by the dynamic duo of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted. He has been gelded since his last start - must be respected on the Eagle Farm track where he is two starts for two wins. Ben Thompson will ride the gelding for the first time - ideally drawn in barrier 6.

Much respect for the Zoustar colt from the Peter Moody stable in in Victoria – Brereton (2). He will be ridden by Jimmy Orman first up this weekend after a solid barrier trial at Deagon recently. His form in Melbourne is very good and if he brings that to Queensland, I can see him winning a race or two over the Carnival.

This is a very good field and I expect the form from this race will be something we should follow over the coming weeks.

Selections:

7 – Exo Lady
6 – Steady Ready
8 – Soaring Ambition
3 – Palazzo Spirit
Rough chance – (2) Brereton & (10) Plymstock

Race 6

This is the first leg of the Quaddie. A Class 3 Plate over 1200 metres with some early scratchings in the race.

I expect there to be a rough result here – a huge field with some strange form lines to assess – I just must find the right one!

The Richard and Will Freedman team train Park Avenue – a lightly raced son of Fastnet Rock owned by the Segenhoe group. This gelding has suffered the same issue as many runners have in NSW recently with the wet tracks. I think that the tracks have been restricting his performances. I like the way he raced in his past two efforts at Hawkesbury and Canberra respectively. Ryan Maloney rides and drawn well in barrier 7 - $16 on offer – a great each way prospect.

Arentee (14) won his maiden last time out at Doomben in fine style. He is trained by Chris Meagher and is only a lightly raced three-year-old with only three career starts. He looks to have plenty of upside to him and Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride this weekend. He does have to step up to Class 3 grade and weekend racing on a Saturday – there are some concerns, however, he looks like a nice type – just the short odds-on offer is not to me liking,

Palladas (3) resumes here for Tony Gollan. Has won a recent trial at Doomben and normally comes to hand quickly in each preparation. He is not a horse with an overly strong winning record with 19 starts for just 3 wins. He has drawn terrible in barrier 19 and Jim Byrne will need some luck from out there. He will be in the top five at the end of the race if he can get some cover in the running.

Pascal (6) is trained by the Hawkes team in NSW. This gelding despises wet tracks. He led them up at Warwick Farm when resuming and just stopped late to finish a very poor last – beaten by 16.5 lengths. If you forgive that run and go on his previous two wins at Gosford and Newcastle last preparation on dry tracks, he rates very well here. Brock Ryan will ride him and I am liking the $31 on offer here.

Some rough chances to One Shy Ruby (17) and Mister Larrabee (22) if there are any more scratchings and they can make the final field.

Selections:

12 – Park Avenue
14 – Arentee
3 – Palladas
6 – Pascal
Rough chance – (17) One Shy Ruby (22) Mister Larrabee

Race 7 QUEENSLAND GUINEAS (Group 2)

The three-year olds over 1600 metres at Group 2 level!

James Cummings trains Character (2) who will be in the BLUE silks for Godolphin and with Jimmy Orman to ride for the powerhouse stable. He went around in the ATC Derby (Group 1) on a heavy track last time out at Randwick. He didn't stay the distance - he has had a freshen up since then and drops back to the mile this weekend at Eagle Farm on a firm surface. There is some concern coming back in distance, however I really think that this runner can settle midfield and sprint well late.

I said that first up at Eagle Farm would bring Greenbelt (10) unstuck last time out - I managed to get the prediction right. However, in saying that, this gelding was not disgraced in a very fast run race. The way he powered home late suggested that he is looking for the mile or further. There is a jockey change this weekend with Jim Byrne going aboard. He will be sent out as favourite for this race this weekend and probably deserves that tag and now he has seen the Eagle Farm track and raced on it at his previous start he probably is the one to beat in this race.

Coastwatch (1) is a Chris Waller runner having his first start in QLD. He has been running on wet tracks in Sydney. This runner usually takes up a forward position in the running and this may be to his advantage this weekend, if leaders or runners on the speed have distinct advantages in the final 200 metres of the races. Mark Du Plessis will ride the horse.

Bend The Knee (3) Is a runner from the John O'Shea stables in Sydney. He will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. He is third up this preparation after running on some very heavy tracks in Sydney which have not suited his style of racing. Maybe having a dry track this weekend will enable him to show his best form.

Selections:

2 – Character
10 – Green Belt
1 – Coastwatch
3 – Bend The Knee
Rough chances – (15) Festival Dancer & (13) Antonio Giovanni

Race 8 TAB VICTORY STAKES GROUP 2

Another one of our feature races over 1200 metres at Group 2 level.

The long-awaited return of the Robert Heathcote trained Rothfire (3) occurs in this race. A solid recent trial where he demolished the opposition would suggest that he's ready for a first up slaying in this race, however I just have some reservations about him winning on this track. He is undefeated at the Eagle Farm track with five stars for five wins, but after his injury I'm not too certain that this hard surface will suit him or maybe be his undoing. I hope he can win for Queensland racing as it will be a testament to Rob Heathcote’s patience and getting this horse back to the racetrack and back to winning form.

The stable mate Startantes (11) will be suited by the genuine tempo from her stable mate. She is going to be flashing home late – maybe a little short for her, however, she could upset these at some seriously good odds. Taylor Marshall reunites with this filly and the form out of the trial was franked last weekend when Rubiquitous came out and won at good odds.

There is some speed in this race – if Rothfire (3) gets his own way in front and Orman gets some cheap sectionals maybe the other’s will not run him down late, but I do expect something to be coming at him late.

I think that Count De Rupee (2), trained in NSW by Robert & Luke Price, could be the one to upset the QLD party here. Brock Ryan has a great affiliation with this gelding. He raced on a heavy track last time out of Randwick and was nailed on the final bound by the controversial but in my opinion ballsy ride by Nash Rawiller to get Kementari home for Godolphin. That was at Group 3 level – I think he improves on the firm surface here and could take out this feature sprint.

It’s Me (8) from the Brett Cavanagh yards is another that will be suited by the solid speed in this race. Brad Stewart will ride this outstanding sprinter for the first time. He has had an 8 week freshen up since his last run at Flemington. I expect him to sprint well fresh.

I can make a serious case for one at $41 to blow them all out here – Wild Planet (4). This runner is first up from an eight week freshen up and has raced in Group 1 and Group 2 races in his past three races. I've never liked him on wet tracks, and he has struck them in his last few starts I think this weekend at Eagle Farm, with a trial under his belt recently, he could sprint well and cause a major upset in this feature race. Let’s be fair dinkum here - when do you expect to get a price like this about a team Hawkes runner in a field like this. Jim Byrne will ride for the stable and I keep going back to his Stradbroke run last year where he was caught wide and really didn't finish off the race. Given a cozy run in behind the speed this weekend, he could be the one the pings late and brings these other favoured runners undone.

Selections:

2 – Count De Rupee
3 – Rothfire
8 – It’s Me
4 – Wild Planet
Rough chances – (11) Startantes & Ranch Hand (10)

Race 9

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

Can history repeat itself – or lightning strike twice??

Four weeks ago, Bullfinch (9) won the last race here over 1400 metres with “Last Race Larry” Cassidy aboard. This time we have the NSW destroyer Jimmy Orman riding him – so I am saying the ORMINATOR will get the job done and win at serious odds of $10!

The stablemate from the Chris Waller Racing team is New Arrangement (11) – ironic I think – a change in the guard with the “Last Race Larry” arrangement coming unstuck. This runner will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy – he needs a dry track and gets that this weekend.

I am punting on a Waller Racing quinella here in the last race!

HOLD THE PHONE – “Last Race Larry” Cassidy has declared that he will win the last race this weekend! He says that WINNO’S tips are crap, and he is going to set the record straight and then give me a spray on return to scale!

He is riding Go Wandji (5) for Tom Dougall. He will be better suited at the 1400 metres this weekend after storming home late last time out at Doomben on a day where he probably needed to be a little closer. He is undefeated at 1400 metres and the big track should see him very competitive here – I still say he cannot win at the weights!

A rough chance to the Desleigh Forster trained Aidensfield (15) who has been unlucky in each of his runs in QLD since transferring to the new stable. Samantha Collett will ride, and he could show up at nice odds.

Selections:

9 – Bullfinch
11 – New Arrangement
5 – Go Wandji
15 – Aidensfield
Rough chance – (6) Ventura Ocean
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Jockeys Challenge

Tough weekend – there are many that have chances here. A battle of the JIMS - Jimmy Orman and Jim Byrne have some nice rides. I think Jimmy Orman may just pip Jim this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,4,5 / 2,4,7 / 2,4,5,6 / 2,3,6,7,8 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,4 / 2,7 / 2,5,6 / 6,7,8 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,6,12,14 / 1,2,10 / 2,3,4,8 / 5,9,11 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,12,14 / 1,2,10 / 2,3,8 / 9,11 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,10 / 2,3,4,8 / 5,9,11 - cost is $36 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle resumes this weekend with WINNO and FLEMO. FLEMO He has had a few things to crow about in recent weeks. His Broncos beat my Bulldogs again – he was at Ipswich on Wednesday and called home a “nag” called “QUEENSLANDER” and infamously said “maybe this is a sign for later in the year” – wishful thinking mate! GO NSW!!!

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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