WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, APRIL 15, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 13, 2023

Eagle Farm – nine races with the track rated ‘good’ and with the rail is out 3 metres for the entire circuit.

I see the Broncos were destroyed last week – I did say they were due to start “choking” – down the ladder they will slide! Just saying.

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

Race 1

Tough race to open the program.

Fetch (4) is undefeated third up – looks well placed. Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained mare.

Ruby July (12) resumed first up for the new stable – now trained by Chris Meagher. Settled out the back before being held up in the straight and knuckling down and finishing off strong – I would not be surprised if she wins here around the $17 mark – Malea Castle will claim three kilograms – looks well placed.

The two NSW runners Crosswinds (7) and Headwall (8) come out of a Sydney midweek race – they both have been well supported since the markets have opened – keep safe.

Selections:

4 – Fetch
12 – Ruby July
7 – Crosswinds
8 – Headwall
Rough chance – (9) Mishani Sniper

Race 2

Small field over 1815 metres.

The Chris Waller runners Kalapour (1) and Al Aabir (6) have good chances. Al Aabir (6) will be ridden by Damien Thornton who has ridden the gelding to his past two wins at midweek races on this track.

Kalapour (1) had his first run in QLD last time out at this track and put in a solid effort – enough to suggest that a repeat performance will see him very competitive. Andrew Mallyon will ride.

I like the John Thompson trained NSW runner, Douceur (2) who comes to QLD after running in Group 2 races over the recent NSW Carnival. This is a much easier grade and if she handles the firm Eagle Farm track, she should win this – Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride.

Another NSW runner must be given a chance – Biscayne Bay (5) who will be partnered by Brodie Loy.

Selections:

2 – Douceur
1 – Kalapour
6 – Al Aabir
5 – Biscayne Bay

Race 3

Another small field over a mile.

Ultimate Pride (13) won last time out at Doomben for the Chris Waller Racing yard – Damien Thornton will ride here again. I think the win may have been exaggerated by the solid speed – in saying that he will get a solid tempo again.

Baltic Coast (7) is trained by Kris Lees. Last time at Newcastle was drawn wide and forced to be taken back to the rear of the field – never got really into the race. Overlook that effort and go on his previous solid form where he has been ridden midfield and can run out a solid mile - $9 on offer – nice odds – Andrew Mallyon will ride.

Bulloo (12) loves the mile – just not sure he enjoys this Eagle Farm track. He is trained by Stuart Kendrick and Angela Jones will be riding the mare for the first time – maybe she can work her magic to get her across the line first.

Charge On (2) trained by Adam Campton – raced as if he was looking for further last time out at Doomben over 1350 metres – Jimmy Orman retains the ride.

Selections:

13 – Ultimate Pride
7 – Baltic Coast
12 – Bulloo
2 – Charge On
Rough chance – (4) Secret Tales

Race 4

A very open field for the two-year-old runners.

Torque I Tee (4) is trained by Stuart Kendrick. Resumes here after being gelded – the blinkers go on and he won a trial in sensational time with a good effort on his home track. I managed to get some of the $21 on offer when they opened the markets on Wednesday – that price was snapped up quickly and he is now into $11 – you know what they say – where there is smoke there is fire!

Rothgo (2) has drawn well and will race on the speed. John Thomas trains this gelding who won on debut at the Sunshine Coast – Georgina Cartwright retains the ride for his first Saturday start – he may just handle the rise in class.

Mishani Gangster (1) has drawn terribly in barrier 16 – Cejay Graham will ride and claims 3 kilograms for Les Ross Racing. If he had drawn better, I think I may have been declaring him. He raced extremely well when defeated by his stable mate in the featured two-year-old JEWEL a month ago. The freshen up – looks well placed and should not be overlooked. The speed in this race may enable him to sneak back in the field and fly home late.

Tricketeer (5) is trained by Michael Nolan Racing – Angela Jones is aboard – keep safe.

Selections:

4 – Torque I Tee
1 – Mishani Gangster
2 – Rothgo
5 – Tricketeer

Race 5

A No Metro Win over 1400 metres – a huge field to face the starter – maybe a great race to watch and keep your wallet in your pocket!

Robert Heathcote trains Sabalenka (19) – she is the third emergency and will have Damien Thornton aboard. I think that she will get into the field and expect her to run boldly. Drawn badly in barrier 16 – will go back, however, with this wide track and I expect her to peel out wide – she may just finish too good for them.

National Choice (12) is the stable mate – a last start winner at the Sunshine Coast over this distance is solid form for a race like this.

Good Chat (6) resumed the last start for Desleigh Forster and won well. Jim Byrne will ride again. The gelding was scratched last weekend – he looks well placed.

The Drover (4) stormed home last start at Doomben for Natalie McCall and jockey Nikita Beriman – larger track and a little extra distance – will be competitive.

Brian Smith trains Smytzer (14) and apprentice Marnu Potgieter will claim 3 kilograms – keep your eye on the markets and if there is any money for this runner, I would be having something on him. I think he did not like the Ipswich track last time out – back onto this special Eagle Farm track looking for an improved effort.

Selections:

19 – Sabalenka
6 – Good Chat
4 – The Drover
14 – Smytzer
Rough chance – (12) National Choice & (8) Anything Goes

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 1200 metres.

Gollan Racing has some solid chances here. Count Da Beans (14) is resuming from a spell. Has some exceptional form in much better grade races than the opposition he meets here. Has drawn well – trialling well and has the services of Angela Jones who continues to get winners each week.

The stable mate is Tick Tock Queen (7) with Angela’s partner in the saddle – Kyle Wilson Taylor. He could be like a tiger stalking his prey in the final 150 metres of the race – tick tock, tick tock – waiting for the opportune moment to strike and win the race! One thing is for sure someone is going home happy – the other maybe not so happy!

Thatfeelsbetter (4) was lacklustre last time out – not sure what went wrong – normally races better than that. Maybe forgive that effort – the blinkers go back on. He got too far back last start – I just think 1400 metres is not his go – back in distance – Jaden Lloyd to ride - $25 on offer – could be a rough chance.

Invincible Courage (6), trained by Barry Lockwood, is looking for a hat trick of wins. First start on a Saturday – is trained to the minute and the Jimmy Orman/Lockwood combination is lethal.

Billionaire Baby (8) is a Robert Heathcote runner – resuming for a 14-week spell – proven first up and at this track.

Selections:

14 – Count Da Beans
4 – Thatfeelsbetter
6 – Invincible Courage
7 – Tick Tock Queen
Rough chance – (8) Billionaire Baby

Race 7

First leg of the Treble. Class 6 over 1200 metres.

Kipsbay (6) made a BANG in Queensland when he led all the way when resuming at Eagle Farm. Trained by NSW based Nathan Doyle – nothing like a NSW Blue taking QLD money home! Taylor Marshall will ride him again – I just wonder how much ability this runner has. Could he get a freshen up after this run and then maybe sneak into the Stradbroke field for 2023 with no weight – time will tell!

Antino (9) is a super talent as well – trained in QLD by Tony Gollan. This is a real NSW versus QLD battle – you all know where my loyalties lie – I just wonder if FLEMO will stay loyal or put on the sky-blue jersey and tip the NSW runner! He claims to be a QLDer – I will be looking at his tips closely on Saturday! Back to this gelding – two from two first up – a nice recent trial – Jimmy Orman aboard – certainly testing material here.

The Gollan stable mate is Palladas (3) who resumes here as well. Not a prolific winner, however, does race well and did win here at this track and distance first up in December 2022. Angela Jones will ride.

Some rough chances here from the Robert Heathcote Racing team – Extremist (8) and Drive A Deel (7) – both resuming and either could cause an upset against the two short-priced runners in the race.

Selections:

6 – Kipsbay
9 – Antino
8 – Extremist
3 – Palladas
Rough chance – (1) Blaze A Trail & (7) Drive A Deel

Race 8 DAYBREAK LOVER (LISTED)

Feature race – Listed level for three-year-old runners.

I did tip the Robert Heathcote Ekaterina (9) last time out when she got the job done at Doomben. She has raced two times for two wins here at Eagle Farm – Damien Thornton has another exceptional ride on this program – he could be in for a great day! The speed should be on here which should ssee her storming home late again.

Wolverine (8) is trained by Kris Lees and is a duffer in the wet. Her past two runs have been on wet tracks and she has performed well in both starts – the last effort was at Randwick at Group 3 level. She looks well placed here with Andrew Mallyon to ride.

Speak Up (11) is trained by John O’Shea and she has won her past three starts. A month ago, she won here over 1400 metres before winning a fortnight ago at Hawkesbury over 1300 metres. When they keep winning you must respect them – Angela Jones will ride this filly again after winning on her when she was last in QLD.

Selections:

9 – Ekaterina
8 – Wolverine
11 – Speak Up
3 – Fearless Knight

Race 9 ASCOT HANDICAP (LISTED)

A massive and competitive field over 1000 metres.

There is some super speed in this race – I am certain they will go hard early – it should set something up for something late swoop late.

Taking that prediction into my thoughts I like the two Robert Heathcote roughies to run down possibly the stable mate Rothfire (1). Prince Of Boom (7) will be ridden by Jimmy Orman – he has a very good association with this gelding with four rides for three wins. He resumes from a 27-week spell and ran a sensational trial a month ago at Doomben – it is fair to suggest that he will be ready to show his best here. He has one drawback – no wins at Eagle Farm. To be fair his only two starts here he has pulled up sore or with a problem – so I can overlook that statistic.

The stable mate is Startantes (5) – 1000 metres is probably not a distance you would expect her to thrive at to be fair. She gets back in her races – she then needs a lot of luck and things to go her way – Angela Jones has been booked for the ride. With the speed on – she may just sprint well fresh and be thundering home late. She did win a recent barrier trial.

Rothfire (1) is a champion – loves this distance – all class – Mark Du Plessis will ride him here. The huge weight may tell late – but he will be right up in the firing line.

Alpine Edge (12) is trained by Edmonds Racing – Trent & Toby Edmonds. I note last week that Toby left his signature hat at home – maybe it is a lucky thing, and he should leave it in the car or at home this week! This stallion has been trialling well – again will settle midfield – will need to get off the rail and should be right in the race late.

Sneaky Five (10) is another roughie I like. Trained by Tony Gollan – she is drawn poorly in barrier 12. This mare always races well fresh and gets in well at the weights – Jim Byrne will ride her. She did win the Bribie here at this distance back in December 2022 – she was second up on that occasion. Has a recent trial under her belt – she really was not asked to do much in the trial.

The Mark Currie trained Soxagon (2) normally races well fresh – he does love this track and Justin Huxtable has been booked to ride – he will be riding hard late.

Selections:

7 – Prince Of Boom
12 – Alpine Edge
10 – Sneaky Five
5 – Startantes
Rough chances – (1) Rothfire & (2) Soxagon
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Jockeys Challenge

Jimmy Orman, Damien Thornton and Angela Jones all have a solid book of rides – looks like Damien Thornton may get the job done – he may be a nice price as well.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,6 / 7,12,13 / 1,2,4 /4,6,14,19 - cost is $108 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 / 7,13 / 1,4 / 4,6,19 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,6,7,14 / 6,8,9 / 8,9,11 / 1,5,7,10,12 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,6,14 / 6 / 8,9 / 7,10,12 - cost is $18 to $1.

Treble (races 7 to 9)

6,8,9 / 8,9,11 / 1,5,7,10,12 - cost is $45 $to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. FLEMO was on fire last weekend – some good-priced winners too! Then he came back to earth with a thud when the Broncos got defeated for the first time in 2023. As for my Bulldogs – we are in massive trouble with now 13 of our players out with injuries – looks like another long season! 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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