WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MAY 14, 2022

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 13, 2022

Back at Eagle Farm… by default … this weekend. The Doomben 10,000 has been transferred here with the big wet encompassing South-East QLD. The track is rated “soft” and the rail is out 7 metres for the entire track. With the rail out so far, I think there may be a slight bias to horses in the first six or seven as they come into the straight, so I will try and focus on runners handy in the running this weekend – however, it will pay to watch some of the early races to see if this assessment is valid. 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 sprint race over 1000 metres.

She Can Sing (9) is now trained by Michael Morrison and will be ridden by Boris Thornton. She goes better on top of the ground. So, I think you can forgive the last start effort at Doomben. Despite the rain around Brisbane this weekend I still think the track will be firm for this first race and she gets the first opportunity to run on the track. She is drawn well and I expected her to be ridden forward. Third up this preparation and I expect that she is a solid winning chance here this weekend.

Boomnova (2) is trained by Chris Munce Racing. This mare resumed here two weeks ago and got the job done over 1000 meters. I cannot see any reason why she cannot repeat the dose this weekend as she meets similar opposition to last start and looks very well placed here in this grade. Samantha Collett will right her and from the nice barrier she should be on the pace, or leading, and extremely difficult to rundown.

Ruby July (2) disappointed last time out. The Gary Duncan trained mare despised the heavy track last time and you should overlook that effort. Ryan Maloney will ride this weekend. She does normally like to race midfield, but has an exciting sprint at the end of her races. Given that the race is early on the program she may just get out wide and fly home late.

Tara Jasmine (3) resumes here this weekend. She has had one trial and looked above average in that effort. She has tremendous northern NSW form prior to the change of stables. We all know that the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted training partnership has an excellent strike-rate and this mare should not be overlooked. Ben Thompson will ride her for the first time.

Selections:

9 – She Can Sing
10 – Boomnova
2 – Ruby July
3 – Tara Jasmine
Rough chance – (6) Shamaton & (7) Dusty Tycoon

Race 2

A distance race over 1600 metres. Not a huge fan of this race.

Blinkers are coming off Criaderas (1) for the Godolphin team with Jimmy Orman to ride. Has had some runs on the NSW heavy tracks and I think will appreciate the firmer surface this weekend.

Diamil (8) is trained by John O’Shea and has been well supported since the markets have opened. The colt is on the quick back up after racing at Gosford last weekend in The Coast feature race. Really think that now he is back in grade here this weekend he could show up.

Derulo (4) has his first start for new trainer David Vandyke this weekend. Solid effort last time out when a great second. Ryan Maloney will ride.

I think a rough chance to the Sam Kavanagh trained Sikandarabad (3) - despite being an eight-year-old must be considered in this race. He was motoring home first up over the mile at Doomben on a heavy track. He is a duffer on wet tracks and the firmer surface this weekend may assist – Larry Cassidy will ride.

Selections:

1 – Criaderas
8- Diamil
4 – Derulo
3 – Sikandarabad

Race 3

2143 metres – The Chairman’s Handicap.

Chris Waller Racing has a solid representation here with four runners. I think they all could fill the trifecta – but the dilemma is in what order?

I like Our Intrigue (4) who will be ridden by William Pike this weekend. He is up in distance after racing here two weeks ago over 1825 metres. I think the longer distance will be right up his alley and he should be at or close to peak fitness for this run.

The stablemate is Yonkers (1) who will have Nash Rawiller aboard. This gelding ran in the Australian Cup two starts ago and wasn’t disgraced. Back in this grade you would expect him to race well and be very competitive.

Djukon (5) is third up with Tommy Berry to ride. Solid effort last time out over the mile on a heavy track at Doomben – did not handle the track and with the longer distance and a firmer surface he should be respected.

London Banker (3) is trained by Kelly Schweida – Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) will ride. He gets to a distance that is more to his liking this weekend and he will appreciate the firm ground – do not overlook him here.

Selections:

4 – Our Intrigue
1– Yonkers
3 – London Banker
5 – Djukon
Rough chance – (6) Seat of Power & (11) Lunasit

Race 4

A good race here for the three-year-olds over 1400 metres.

Chris Waller looks like he will get another win on the board here with Minsk Moment (5) who dropped on them last time out over 1300 metres. It would suggest that the extra 100 metres will be to his liking this weekend. I see that Jim Byrne has retained the ride and I would suggest he will be difficult to beat.

The stable mate is Shaquero (1) who has the blinkers going on this weekend with William Pike to ride. He went around in the Group 2 Victory Stakes last time out here. Drops back in grade and back to his own age – I think that he could show up this weekend.

Ranch Hand (3) is another Waller Racing runner that also raced in the Group 2 Victory Stakes last time out. Just not sure how is travelling. He has been racing in Group races in his past few starts. Maybe the drop back in grade this weekend may enhance his chances.

Startantes (10) resumed first up in the Group 2 Victory Stakes. She flew home late over 1200 metres. Rob Heathcote trains her and regular rider Taylor Marshall will be back in the saddle. She normally races well second up and she is not hindered by any track conditions. She probably is the one to beat – but I just think she may struggle if she gets too far back.

Arentee (7) is possibly - I said POSSIBLY - a new star on the rise from the Chris Meagher team. He won a Class 3 race here a fortnight ago in dominant fashion. He steps up this weekend to face more seasoned runners. Noel Callow has been booked for the ride. I am not saying he cannot win – I just think that he has been thrown in the deep end this weekend – however, if the wraps on him are correct he will be very competitive in this field.

Selections:

5 – Minsk Moment
10 – Startantes
7 – Arentee
1 – Shaquero
Rough chance – (2) Ingratiating & (3) Ranch Hand

Race 5 Champagne Classic – Group 2

A super exciting two-year-old event – the Champagne Classic at Group 2 level over 1200 metres.

I am tipping Exo Lady (13) from the Desleigh Forster yards who was very good in her first preparation for the stable. She won first up here in great fashion. She will strip fitter for that run. Jim Byrne remains aboard this weekend. She ticks a few boxes as she will be leading or around the leaders. The only concern I have this weekend is this is the first time she will race at 1200 metres.

Capital Tower (3) is an exciting colt trained locally by Tony Gollan Racing. Jimmy Orman will ride him again. Has a three from three winning record on him. He has drawn well in barrier 5 and will race probably three pairs back in the running. He will be very hard to hold out.

Much respect for the Zoustar colt from the Peter Moody stable in Victoria – Brereton (2). Has the blinkers on for the first time this weekend and will be ridden by Jamie Kah. He was good when resuming behind Exo Lady (13) first up. I think that the added distance enhances his chances this weekend.

Sandpaper (8) is a Godolphin runner – trained by James Cummings and will be ridden by James McDonald. He has drawn awkwardly in barrier 17 – that is of concern – but I think he will race midfield. I think he will be better for the run, and probably a longer distance will be better – but his recent trial win at Hawkesbury would suggest he is ready to fire here this weekend.

I may be well off the mark here – there are New Zealand runners – other runners from interstate as well that could show up and surprise us all.

Selections:

13 – Exo Lady
3 – Capital Tower
8 – Sandpaper
2 – Brereton
Rough chance – (10) Slipper Island

Race 6

This is the first leg of the Quaddie. A Listed race over 1200 metres for the fillies and mares.

I think that this will be a rough result for punters here – I have gone wide with my selections.

The local runners may be the way to go here. Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted train Enterprise Pomme (16). She won first up here leading and holding off the opposition late. I think that she may have to be ridden a little more conservatively this weekend from barrier 16 – but there are some other runners engaged that should jump and run and set up a solid tempo. Boris Thornton retains the ride and has a 100% strike rate on the filly with 2 rides for 2 wins.

Palaisipan (14) is from the Munce Racing team. Luke Tarrant will ride. She is first up this weekend and has had a solid trial recently and normally comes to hand quickly. She has drawn terribly in barrier 18 – I still think that she will run a bold race at odds.

Babylon Berlin (1) is trained by Tony Pike in New Zealand. Pike has a wonderful strike rate and record with his runners every year at the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The lugging bit goes on this weekend and James McDonald will ride her. Her runs in Group races in New Zealand have all been excellent. She is the best credentialled runner in the race – I am just uncertain how she has travelled across to Australia and settled in. Her form would suggest that she is right in this race – will pay to continue following this runner in weeks to come.

Juan Diva (7) is trained by Richard & Will Freedman. They continue to have a great strike rate in QLD with their runners. She resumed with a very good win at Caulfield first up over 1100 metres. Tommy Berry has been booked to ride and she does have a tremendous record second up. If she can handle this Eagle Farm track, she is right in this race and is weighted to be very competitive.

There are some other chances – it is a race that you will need to play wide in for mine!

Selections:

16 – Enterprise Pomme
14 – Palaisipan
1 – Babylon Berlin
7 – Juan Diva
Rough chance – (2) Written Beauty & (4) Kisukano

Race 7 ROUGH HABIT PLATE (Group 3)

The three-year olds over 2143 metres at Group 3 level!

Verona (14) is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace and comes off a solid win last time out in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate on a heavy track at Randwick. She did have some advantages on that day – the rail – racing in a forward position, however, she was much too strong for the opposition. I really think that she looks well placed here this and with a four week freshen up I expect her to be too good for these this weekend.

The interesting runner here – who looks like one that is on the up – is Satirical Glory (10) trained by the very astute John Sargent and will be ridden by Sam Clipperton. She dropped back to a mile here last time out and won on this track at a midweek meeting. I think that at $31 she is a tremendous each way price to run a bold race. Sargent has a habit of exposing runners here and across Australia with limited experience and getting them to fire in distance races. I will be keeping my eye on her run this weekend for races like the QLD Oaks and others in the coming weeks.

James Cummings trains Character (1) who will be in the BLUE silks for Godolphin with James McDonald to ride for the powerhouse stable. He went around in the Queensland Guineas last time out and got the job done over the mile. He seemed to peak on his run late, however, looked like he could go on with it on the firm tracks in Queensland.

Dark Destroyer (3) staged a battle royale in the straight with Character (1) last time out here over the mile. I think that he is the one to keep safe this weekend – stepping up in distance. Sam Weatherley will ride again.

Selections:

14 – Verona
10 – Satirical Glory
1 – Character
3 – Dark Destroyer
Rough chances – (2) Tutukara

Race 8 TAB DOOMBEN 10,000 GROUP 1

The main feature race is over 1200 metres at Group 1 level.

I think that Count De Rupee (3), trained in NSW by Robert & Luke Price, could continue with his winning form in QLD after a very good win here in the Victory Stakes (Group 2) last time out. Brock Ryan has a great affiliation with this gelding. He raced well here on that occasion and was strong on the line – he could post his first Group 1 career victory!

The other NSW runner that I have huge respect for is Paulele (10) trained by Godolphin and James Cummings and who will be ridden by the Group 1 specialist – James McDonald. He has struck heavy tracks in each of his three runs since resuming from a spell. Heavy is not his go – he just plugged home in the Arrowfield Sprint (Group 2) last time out. He has had a month freshen up – a recent trial – I think he ticks a few boxes here. They have him at $11 and that is over the odds for mine. He should race handy and hopefully make his presence felt as the judge calls a halt to the race.

Kementari (1) is the stable mate – will be ridden by Nash Rawiller again. If the track does get swamped with water and downgraded, he is the one to be on. He loves wet, shifting ground – last time out he did beat Count De Rupee (3) at Randwick in what I think was one of the rides of the century!

Mazu (9) has been sensational in all his runs this season. Undefeated in all four starts since resuming from a spell. Some are saying that the heavy tracks have flattered his form – that maybe the case – but winning form is good form! Trained by Snowden Racing – they know how to win the big races in QLD – Sam Clipperton will ride him again here. A superb record on this gelding – 6 rides for 5 wins. They will be out to post their first Group 1 victory together in this race!

Generation (11) is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. The colt will be ridden by Jamie Kah. He has been solid in Group 3 company and last start stepped out in a Group 1 race at Moonee Valley and he wasn’t disgraced. I think that he didn’t get around the Valley on that occasion and the race wasn’t run to suit – he will appreciate the Eagle Farm surface and could post a win here.

Isotope (14) from the Gollan Racing stables is probably the best of the QLD runners to cause an upset to the NSW and interstate invaders. Ryan Maloney will ride her again – she could sprint well fresh.

Selections:

10 – Paulele
3 – Count De Rupee
9 – Mazu
11 – Generation
Rough chances – (1) Kementari & (14) Isotope

Race 9

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

I like the NSW form leading into this last race. By now – IF we are still racing I expect that they will be coming wide and may want to be on the pace.

Acquitted (4) is trained by Kris Lees at Newcastle – resumed on a terribly heavy track at Randwick first up. Put in a solid effort in conditions that did not suit him. Has had a month to freshen up here and will be ridden by Sam Clipperton. If he handles the Eagle Farm track, he looks the one to beat at $10.

Flexible (13) resumes first up for Godolphin – James Cummings. She showed great form last preparation prior to a 33-week break. Two solid trials in preparation for this resumption to racing – Ben Thompson will ride her here and she has drawn nicely in barrier 6.

Matthew Dunn Racing trains Never No More (1). Has been so unlucky in his last two starts. He gets the services of Nash Rawiller this weekend. I hope he can be ridden a little more forward in the running. That should see him extremely competitive again in this race. The tongue tie comes off this weekend.

Ulysses (3) is a Gollan Racing runner who has started favourite in his past three starts. He will race in the first half of the field – just some concerns with barrier 18 this weekend – however, he has the services of Jamie Kah who should get him placed nicely in the running. He will need some luck but cannot be underestimated.

Palladas (12) is the stable mate. Resumed first up from a wide barrier two weeks ago – would have stripped better for that run – Jim Byrne will ride him this weekend – maybe a sharp improvement could be noted here.

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:

4 – Acquitted
13 – Flexible
1 – Never No More
3 – Ulysses
Rough chance – (8) Acrobatic & (12) Palladas & (15) Aidensfield
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Jockeys Challenge

Tough weekend – there are many that have chances here. Jim Byrne, William Pike, James McDonald, and Sam Clipperton have some nice rides. I think the WIAZARD may get the chocolates this weekend – William Pike!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,4,8 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,5,7,10 / 2,3,8,13 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,8 / 1,4 / 5,7,10 / 3,13 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,7,14,16 / 1,3,10,14 / 3,9,10,11 / 1,3,4,8,13 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,14,16 / 10,14 / 3,9,10 / 1,4,13 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,10,14 / 3,9,10,11 / 1,3,4,8,13 - cost is $80 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues this weekend with WINNO and FLEMO. WINNO won last weekend with a solid effort between us both. 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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