WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MAY 27, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 26, 2023

EAGLE FARM this week – nine races with the track rated ‘Good’ and the rail in the true position for the entire circuit.

We haven’t raced on the track for at least three weeks now – sometimes the track first up from a spell can play a little leaderish – so pay attention to the first few races.

The feature race is the Ladbrokes Group 1 Derby – supported by the EVA AIR Kingsford Smith Cup (Group1) just one of the amazing races on this program!

There is another important sporting event next week – Wednesday night State of Origin 1 in South Australia where NSW will win by 4!

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

A restricted mile race to start the day.

Some of these runners have an abysmal record at this track – this always seems to be an important factor here these days.

I like the Chris Waller Racing runner Yasuke (13) who drops in weights, gets the winkers on for the first time and has Damien Thornton aboard. He is only a three-year-old colt – went around in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate last time out – never got the distance for mine. His previous efforts over 1400 to 1600 metres have been noteworthy. He is back to the mile and on the minimum – looks well placed.

The Drover (10) is trained by Natalie McCall on the Sunshine Coast – she has booked Ryan Maloney to ride. In each of his last three runs he has flown home late over 1400 metres or so. The mile looks right up his alley – the big track probably means he will stay out of trouble and Maloney will probably bring him to the outside and let him work home.

Swanston (6) goes well over the mile. Blake Shinn makes his first appearance in QLD for the Carnival when he rides this one for Glen Kilner. He hasn’t placed in two starts on this track – maybe Shinn can work his magic on this runner.

Pentito (8) is trained by Jason Edwards. Again – no wins at this track to date – lots of placings – Taylor Marshall will ride.

Selections:

13 – Yasuke
10 – The Drover
6 – Swanston
8 – Pentito

Race 2

A class 6 over 1400 metres.

The Kiwi runner Nod Of The Head (6) ran a super race first up in Australia when he flew home at Doomben over 1350 metres. He has a solid record at the distance with 3 wins and 2 placings from 8 starts. Lisa Latta trains and Opie Bosson will ride the gelding here – rude odds are on offer for mine with $41 being offered.

The Chris Waller Racing team have another solid chance here with Sur La Mer (7) who will be ridden by Nash Rawiller. She was second up in the Dark Jewel (Group 3) at Scone last time out. She went back as she does in her runs and was ridden for luck along the rails where she made ground steadily. Drops in class here and third up she has two wins from three starts - $12 is on offer a great each way chance.

Blaze A Trail (2) is trained by the powerhouse stable of Australia – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. I read earlier in the week they are nearly in control of 1000 horses – they are certainly building an empire across all states in Australia with great success. They did win the Group 1 Goodwood last weekend and their focus is now on the QLD Carnival. Blaze a Trail resumed in the Archer at Rockhampton. He settled back in the field and made ground steadily late – that was against the pattern of racing across the day. I think the run had a heap of merit in it. Do not overlook this runner – Mark Zahra will ride.

Manhood (3) is the local runner trained by Annabel Neasham – he commands respect coming off a win last start here over 1200 metres. He has a solid record at the track with 2 wins from 2 starts – just have some concerns with him running out 1400 metres in this assignment. Ryan Maloney will ride.

There are a few roughies that could fill a place – Mississippi Prince (5) and Petunia (14).

Antino (1) from the Gollan Racing team has a massive weight – is dual nominated for the Kingsford Smith Cup (Group 1) he still needs two more to be scratched to make the field. If he starts here, he does come into the selections.

Selections:

6 – Nod Of The Head
7 – Sur La Mer
2 – Blaze A Trail
3 – Manhood
Rough chances – (1) Antino & (5) Mississippi Prince & (14) Petunia

Race 3 PREMIERS CUP (Group 3)

Solid race Group 3 level over 2400 metres.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Serpentine (3) resumed at Doomben over 2200 metres and dominated the tempo of the race to the detriment of the opposition and won easily. He looks like he will jump and roll again here with Tim Clark aboard – he may take some running down yet again.

Kukeracha (5) is trained by Chris Waller and was probably a tad unlucky when hitting the front in the Wagga Cup and being run down late. He will enjoy the large circuit and with the speed on will be sitting three pairs back smoking his pipe – James McDonald will ride.

The stable mate is Otyrar (10) who has won at this distance and has won on the track. Just seems to be taking his time to find the great form he had in his last preparation. He will enjoy the speed on and looks well placed – down in the weights with Damien Thornton aboard.

Kalapour is trained by Kris Lees Racing – won last start at Group 3 level over 2000 metres at Doomben – he was ridden back on that occasion and flew home. Just not sure whether he will get the longer distance. One thing is for sure the key booking of Blake Shinn should see him ridden to perfection.

Selections:

3 – Serpentine
5 – Kukeracha
4 – Kalapour
10 – Otyrar
Rough chance – (9) Dune Forty Five

Race 4 Lord Mayor’s Cup Group 3

This race is over 1800 metres. This is a tough race.

Luncies (13), trained by Kris Lees, resumed with an eye-catching effort in the Scone Cup (Listed) over a mile. On that run he looks the winner. He has a superb second up record with two wins and a placing in five efforts. Blake Shinn takes the ride here for the stable.

Alcyon (17) is an emergency. I hope gets the run for James Cummings and Godolphin. He was caught wide two weeks ago and just finished the race off on an even effort. I think if he gets some luck and gets in on the fence and settles this week, he is a genuine chance at around $25. Tim Clark retains the ride.

Kolding (11) is one of the many Chris Waller Racing runners here. He looks well placed after leading them up in the recent Hollindale Cup. He normally is better ridden quietly, and I expect that Jimmy Orman will let him settle – find his feet and make a late surge late – he is a genuine chance.

The stable mates are New Mandate (4) and Bigboyroy (5) – these two runners are good chances as well.

I like the recent trial of Without A Fight (3) who was last seen in the 2022 Melbourne Cup. He resumes after a 29-week spell for his new trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. Drawn barrier 16, I expect him to settle back in the field and then work home late. Keep your eye on the performance of this runner – I think he will be a real contender in the Carnival over the next few weeks. Mark Zahra will ride.

Young Werther (12) resumes here as well – let me keep him safe – he is probably looking for a good hit out to feature in the upcoming distance races for the astute Danny O’Brien yards in Victoria.

Selections:

13 – Luncies
17 – Alcyon
11 – Kolding
3 – Without A Fight
Rough chances – (4) New Mandate & (5) Bigboyroy & (12) Young Werther

Race 5 Fred Best Classic (Group 3)

The last leg of the Early Quaddie – a tough race as well over 1400 metres at set weights for the three-year-old runners. The winner gets a free throw at the stumps in the Group 1 Stradbroke.

Yellow Brick (2) is a truly inspirational story for racing across Australia. A $20,000 purchase and now has won $1.2 million in prize money in just 8 starts – 6 wins and 2 placings – never out of the money. He was trapped three wide in the recent Gold Coast Guineas at the Sunshine Coast and still won with authority. He is trained by Sears Racing and Ben Thompson will remain aboard. I am just concerned that the run may have taken something out of him – happy to be proven wrong but the $2.60 on offer is too short for me – I am going wide.

Hawaii Five Oh (8) was sensational winning the Hawkesbury Guineas (Group 3) 35 days ago. He has won a recent barrier trial since – trained by the astute Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team and Nash Rawiller will ride him again. Rawiller did ride him 1 kilogram over (57 kilograms) in that win at Hawkesbury. The sectional times were very good and that run leads me to think that he will let down late and win this race.

Fashion Legend (1) resumed at Gosford in the Takeover Target (Listed) at 1200 metres. It looked like he needed the hit out. When you look at his form, he is undefeated second up – two from two for the Sam & Anthony Freedman yards – Josh Parr gets back aboard as well. They have him posted at $31 – let me on each way here!

Seven Veils (14) comes to QLD from the recent SA Carnival. Trained by Eustace and Maher she is third up here up after two solid efforts in SA where she posted two second placings. Both times she has flown home late over 1100 and 1200 metres. On each occasion the final 200 metres sectionals have been good. I think that this distance is ideal for her, and she cannot be overlooked even though she is taking on the boys and has drawn poorly in barrier 15. Tim Clark is in the saddle. With the solid speed in the race – she looks well placed here – she just needs to get some luck in the straight and handle this Eagle Farm circuit.

Some rough chances to Zou Tiger (4) and Atmosphere (7).

Selections:

8 – Hawaii Five Oh
1 – Fashion Legend
2 – Yellow Brick
14 – Seven Veils
Rough chance – (4) Zou Tiger & (7) Atmosphere

Race 6 BRC Sire’s Produce (Group 2)

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 1400 metres for the two-year-old runners at Group 2 level.

Zia (15) ran them into the ground last weekend over 1200 metres at Doomben in the Carter Stakes (Listed) – Sam Clipperton will ride her this weekend. That is the third jockey to ride her in three starts. She is drawn wide in barrier 11 here but I think she still leads them and if the track has any leader bias, she will be in this for a long way. She is trained by Waterhouse and Bott – who are having a superb 2023 Carnival so far.

Armed Forces (7) had his second career start in the Champagne Classic (Group 2) and was beaten narrowly. He looked like he will get the extra distance – will settle midfield and come home strong – James McDonald keeps the ride.

The Waller stable mate trained is Chrysaor (2) who resumed at Gosford over 1200 metres and settled midfield before overcoming some interference on straightening - went to the line like a good thing. That win demonstrated he will be ideal at 1400 metres – Nash Rawiller will ride – ideally drawn in barrier 1.

Solidify is trained by Graeme & Deborah Rogerson in New Zealand – he has a habit of bringing a talented runner to this Carnival each year. This runner is a Redwood colt who has won his past two starts and, in each run, he looks like he will get a mile. With the fast speed in the race – he will be belting home late. Ryan Elliott has ridden him in all three career starts and makes the trek to QLD to ride him here.

The local runners have a rough chance – Cifrado (1) trained by Rex Lipp and Mishani Gangster trained by Les Ross who won a nice race last weekend!

Selections:

7 – Armed Forces
9 – Solidify
2 – Chrysaor
15 – Zia
Rough chance – (1) Cifrado & (3) Mishani Gangster

Race 7 LADBROKES QLD DERBY (Group 1)

First leg of the Treble. Our feature race is over 2400 metres at Group 1.

I think that the Group 1 South Australian Oaks (Group 1) form may be the way to go here. The Maher & Eustace runner Promises Kept (4) was run down late – well actually in the shadows of the post. He has drawn the rails and Mark Zahra will ride him again. I don’t think he needs to take up the running – I expect that he will sit no further than fourth throughout the race and be fighting on strongly at the end of the race.

The Chris Waller Racing team have two solid chances. Let us start with Kovalica (1) who had a setback prior to racing last weekend in the Doomben Cup (Group 1) and finishing a solid third. James McDonald is aboard, and he is a very prohibitively priced favourite at around the $1.70 mark – I just think with the setback and the altered program to get to this race and the quick back up there is plenty against him. I don’t think he can win the race!

Special Swey (4) led them up in the Rough Habit Plate (Group 3) and won running away. He has drawn barrier 17 this weekend – I expect him to settle midfield and be finishing off late. He was strong to the line in that win – huge odds last start at $26 – I expect another bold run from him. Nash Rawiller will ride.

Toby and Trent Edmonds train The Vowels (2) and Jimmy Orman will ride. He just didn’t seem to fire at Doomben and the muddling pace probably didn’t assist either. I did hear Toby Edmonds commenting after the race he would go better at Eagle Farm and was very buoyant about his chances in this race. When you do the form he has an exceptional record at this track – 3 starts – 2 wins and a placing. I just think that this track gives him the chance to settle midfield and then be placed to run home wide or through the middle of the field. If he can run out the 2400 metres, he is a genuine chance.

Much respect for the John O’Shea trained Stroke Of Luck (9) – Ben Melham will ride. He came off some solid efforts at Group 1 and Group 2 level in Sydney prior to running in the Rough Habit last time out and finishing a nice third. I think that he goes better on top of the ground and on an open track – look for a bold showing.

Selections:

4 – Promises Kept
8 – Special Swey
1 – Kovalica
2 – The Vowels
Rough chance – (9) Stroke Of Luck

Race 8 EVA AIR KINGSFORD SMITH CUP (Group 1)

Another feature race - Group 1 over 1300 metres.

King Of Sparta (7) was unlucky first up when defeated by Rothfire (4) in the Victory Stakes (Group 2). The way he stormed home suggests that the distance is right up his alley – Chad Schofield retains the ride for Snowden Racing – I think he just wins this race. A superb second up record to suggest that he will be better for his first up effort. Second up record is 5 starts for 3 wins. Drawn perfectly in barrier 2.

Converge (6) is trained by Waterhouse and Bott. Resumes here – has won a recent barrier trial. Go back to last year in this Carnival where he was unlucky in the Sires (Group 2) where he ran second. Then he came out and destroyed them in the Group 1 J.J.Atkins Plate. I think that he comes here a serious contender and will only take improvement from this run. Tim Clark rides him again – he has ridden him in all four career wins.

Rothfire (4) trained by Robert Heathcote Racing is having a tremendous Carnival so far. Blake Shinn will ride this star sprinter in the race. He did win well last time out – I just think that 1300 metres will test him – but he is proven on this track with 6 wins.

Think About It (11) is trained by Joe Pride – Sam Clipperton will ride him again after winning the Takeover Target at Gosford first up. He is a genuine talent – just not too sure whether the Group 1 class may test him – but he is in the race with a tremendous chance.

Paulele (3) goes to the barn to be a dad to many mares after this run. A very good sprinter trained by Godolphin’s James Cummings. It would be a fairy tale ending to a stellar career – Ben Melham will ride.

Selections:

7 – King Of Sparta
6 – Converge
11 – Think About It
4 – Rothfire
Rough chance – (3) Paulele

Race 9 Helen Coughlan Stakes (Listed)

Well, it is the last race! Another feature race on the program over 1200 metres.

Tony Gollan Racing has some rough chances here – maybe a hometown advantage in the last race could see his stable upset to the more favoured runners.

I like Sneaky Five (4) with Jimmy Orman aboard to win this race. Got too far back in the Bright Shadow (Listed) at Doomben. I think that drawn barrier 6 she gets midfield and with the speed on she comes home strong late.

The stable mate is Salateen (6) with Blake Shinn aboard. She is drawn terrible in barrier 19 – probably will go back from the gate – will need some luck. She did hit the line strongly in the ATC Cup (Listed) at the Sunshine Coast. She seems to run well at this track without a victory to date.

Comrade Rosa (11) is the other runner with a rough chance. Will be partnered by Ryan Maloney who has a very good strike rate with the Gollan team. She raced in the Bright Shadow as well and worked home well late after being held up and inconvenienced in the running. I think back to the track where she thrives – well she is 2 wins from 2 starts here, she is going to be super competitive.

Extremist (10) from the Robert Heathcote yards will be ridden again by Angela Jones. In both runs from a spell she has been terribly unlucky. First up, beaten by a good type – Antino. Then second up in the Bright Shadow she was run down late by a $12 chance. She likes this track and with the speed on will get a nice trail into the race late.

Godolphin and James Cummings have representation here with Hellfest (5). First up raced in a 1110 metre race – she was held up in straightening and had no luck in the straight. She has drawn well in barrier 5 this weekend and has a solid second up record. This distance will suit.

Brookspire (8) is the Chris Waller Racing runner – James McDonald aboard. She has a solid first up record – has been trialling nicely for this first up assignment – I just think the $4 on offer is too short for the opposition that she is meeting here.

I think if you play wide here in the last race – you may win a motza!

Selections:

4 – Sneaky Five
10 – Extremist
11 – Comrade Rosa
5 – Hellfest
Rough chances – (8) Brookspire & (6) Salateen
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Jockeys Challenge

A few with chances this week – James McDonald, Nash Rawiller, Tim Clark and Blake Shinn all have a solid book of rides – looks like Nash Rawiller may get the job done – he may be at a nice price as well.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,6,7 / 3,4,5 / 3,11,13,17 / 1,2,8,14 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

6,7 / 3,5 / 11,13,17 / 1,2,8 - cost is $36 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,7,9,15 / 1,2,4,8,9 / 3,4,6,7,11 / 4,5,8,10,11 - cost is $500 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,7,9 / 1,4,8 / 6,7,11 / 4,10,11 - cost is $81 to $1.

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,4,8,9 / 3,4,6,7,11 /4,5,8,10,11 - cost is $125 to $1.

Value Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,4,8 / 6,7,11 / 4,10,11 - cost is $27 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. We had a solid effort early last weekend – then it all went pear shaped!! 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! Oh, and it is State of Origin week next week – GO NSW

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