WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, JUNE 3, OAKS DAY
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 1, 2023
EAGLE FARM this week - 9 races this week with the feature race being the Channel 7 Group 1 Oaks. The track rated is rated ‘Good’ and the rail is out 2 metres for the entire circuit.
Before I get to the selections, I will address the elephant in the room – State of Origin. Well, I would like to thank all you amazing, wonderful, caring and downright annoying QLDers who reached out and posted things on my social media – those who messaged me via messenger and for those that took the time to SMS me. I just would like to say I haven’t had time to get back to you all – nor will I! You won Game 1 – but the series is not over – so back in your box!
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 two-year-old race over 1500 metres.
Plenty of horses from interstate coming to town to compete in this race – they look like they have the form to win the race as well.
The Gary Portelli trained Flying Trapeze (2) broke his maiden status with a win at Kembla Grange over 1400 metres last time out. The sectionals were solid and so was the overall time. On that occasion he led – however, I think that he will just race handily here, with Jason Collett aboard, and be difficult to beat at around the $15 mark.
Azula (9) is a Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly. A midweek winner last time out on the Kensington track over 1400 metres – maybe could continue with that winning form – Tim Clark will ride.
The Chris Waller pair are looking to break their maiden status as well. Mojave Desert (3) and Influential (4) - both are third up here and it would appear they will be ready to show some improvement and should not be left out of your selections.
Selections:
2 – Flying Trapeze
9 – Azula
3 – Mojave Desert
4 – Influential
Race 2
A race over 1810 metres.
The Godolphin team have Alcyone (5) starting here this weekend – after not making the field last week and being scratched. Nash Rawiller will ride the gelding who seemed to be working into the race nicely last time out at Doomben over the mile. He has a win at this distance and the way he races, settling midfield and sprinting late, should see him suited by this Eagle Farm track.
Irish Playboy (3) raced in the same race as Alcyone (5) and got too far back prior to unleashing a very fast final 400 metres. On that run it would suggest that he is looking for this distance. He has won at this track and over this distance. John Smerdon is an astute trainer who places his runners well – Boris Thornton will ride.
Bartholomeu Dias (1) is trained by Annabel Neasham and will carry a mammoth 63 kilograms – some will come off for apprentice Jaden Lloyd. His first up effort in the Scone Cup was poor. However, his second up record is 8 starts – 3 wins and a placing – now combine that with the fact that he has had six starts over this distance for four wins – and has won on this track – he looks well placed in this race.
Aussie Nugget (6) is trained by Tony Gollan. He gets back in his races and loves to fly home. His last two starts have been eye-catching and if there is solid speed in this race, he gets the chance to swoop late – Ryan Maloney will ride.
Adam Campton has acquired a new runner to his stable – Sir Lamorak (17). Comes off some solid form in NSW and must be respected if he makes the field.
Trevelyan (9) is trained by Chris Meagher – he loves the track and this distance and will be huge odds – but could find a place.
Selections:
5 – Alcyone
3 – Irish Playboy
1 – Bartholomeu Dias
6 – Aussie Nugget
Rough chances – (17) Sir Lamorak & (9) Trevelyan
Race 3
Solid BM85 race over 1200 metres – many chances and looks a very difficult race on paper.
I must stay solid here – despite NSW losing Game 1 in Origin – you all know I love NSW and, you know what, I think NSW dominates this race with Bjorn Baker sending Lady Of Luxury (9) to Queensland looking for a win. Josh Parr will ride. The mare has a form over 1200 metres. She was first up after a long break at Rosehill a fortnight ago and she got too far back in that run. In saying that, she races best settling and working home late. She should be suited by this Eagle Farm track.
Adam Campton trains Deepour (17) – again is another emergency and will need some luck to make the field. He won his last four starts prior to being spelled. He could be one to cause an upset if he makes the field but would have to contend with a terrible draw.
Legal Espirit (3) is trained by Ducky Baker and Angela Jones will ride him here. He just doesn’t seem to have come back for this preparation. He has had a four week freshen up since finishing behind Antino – to be fair that is solid form for the race.
Hellfest (6) is on the quick back up from a race last weekend. He has drawn terribly in barrier 18 with Jimmy Orman to ride for the strong Godolphin stable. The run was even without being striking. Back in grade here he may show up.
Sir Warwick (2) has a solid record at this track. Jake Capewell trains and Cejay Graham will ride. Her 3 kilogram will come in handy here.
Selections:
9 – Lady Of Luxury
17 – Deepour
3 – Legal Espirit
6 – Hellfest
Rough chance – (2) Sir Warwick
Race 4
This race is over 1000 metres. Some nice sprinters engaged here.
Godolphin have Athelric (1) in the race with Nash Rawiller aboard. He was second up at Scone in the Ortensia and won well going away in solid time. He has won on this track and, despite the large weight, looks well placed.
Mishani Sniper (4) is trained by Les Ross – he wears the NSW sky blue colours as well in his colours. He won the Chief De Beers last time out in emphatic fashion. A repeat of that performance would see him somewhere in the finish. Mark Du Plessis will ride again. Personally, I think he goes better across the road at Doomben – however, with no weight on his back he gets a nice trail into the race.
Bjorn Baker trains Malkovich (2) who was second up at Scone in the Ortensia and seemed to just peak and then fade late. There is a weight change in the favour of this runner against Athelric (1) in this race. His third up form is exceptional – 5 starts – 2 wins and 3 seconds. Maybe last time was just a case of the second up yips.
Adam Campton trains Deepour (15) – again is another emergency runner in this field and will need some luck to race. He won his last four starts prior to being spelled. Ideally drawn in barrier 6 to get the run of the race – he could be one to cause an upset if he makes the field.
A rough chance to the local runner Petronius (8) trained by Barry Lockwood and to be ridden by Michael McNab.
Selections:
1 – Athelric
4 – Mishani Sniper
2 – Malkovich
15 – Deepour
Rough chances – (8) Petronius
Race 5
The last leg of the Early Quaddie – a tough race as well over 1600 metres.
Last start winner Frumos (5) comes from the powerful Chris Waller Racing stables – James McDonald retains the ride. She was a solid winner – just some concerns with this runner on a firm surface. She has won all her races on wet tracks. Then you look at her third up efforts – undefeated in 2 from 2 starts. She looks ideally placed and she is a rude price at $9 in the markets.
The stable mate is Thalassophile (3) who is third up. Last time out she raced over 2000 metres in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill. She had no luck in the running prior to getting some breaks in the straight and flying home. She comes back in distance – I think this is a positive thing for this mare. The other thing is that she is on a firm surface and a wide track where she can gather her feet and flash late. Craig Williams will ride – he has won on her previously.
Another runner that has been posted at silly odds is the Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted runner Ocean Treaty (8) who is currently at $41 in some markets. This runner drew off the track in barrier 16 first up at Doomben – was never sighted and probably wasn’t tested fully. Now back to her pet distance and a track she goes well at – then second up as well where she has an excellent record – 6 starts – 4 wins and a placing. She looks a solid chance at huge odds to cause a serious upset. Ben Thompson will ride her again. He has ridden her on 9 occasions to 5 wins – should always respect a winning combination!
Foxy Pride (2) is the Victorian runner from the Andrew Noblet stables – Billy Egan will ride. She comes off some solid runs at Group 2 and Group 3 level in South Australia. Her latest run was over the mile at Group 3 level where she won easily on the heavy track. I just cannot see her posting that form here on this track – in fact I would go so far in saying she may struggle to run in the first four placings! (Egg on the face time).
Media Award (4) has her third run in QLD for the new stable – now trained by Glenn Thornton. She seems to be getting better with each run and this track may suit her style of racing – keep safe at a huge each way price - $31.
Selections:
5 – Frumos
8 – Ocean Treaty
3 – Thalassophile
2 – Foxy Frida
Rough chance – (4) Media Award
Race 6
First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 1500 metres.
This could be a blowout race – bet carefully.
The Godolphin team looks to strike here with Character (4) and Brigantine (10) – both have real chances.
Let me start with Character (4) who was a last start winner over the mile at Doomben. On that occasion Ben Thompson rode him and dropped the whip, but still got the job done in solid fashion. I don’t think the reduction in distance will bother him either – in fact I think it makes him more of a solid each way bet at $17 with a change in jockey with Ryan Maloney to ride.
The stable mate is Brigantine (10) who comes off a good win with a huge weight at Doomben over 1350 metres. The way he settled and got to the line last time suggests that he will get the mile - I would rather see him win over the mile prior to jumping on – Jason Collett will ride him here.
The local runners are well represented in this race with Brian Smith saddling up last start winner Alburq (13) with Rachel King booked to ride. This gelding has been racing well since transferring to the wily Brian Smith yards. A solid strike rate at a mile – he just thrives over the mile and his last start win at the Sunshine Coast suggests that down in the weights here he is a genuine chance at $17.
Drive A Deel (15) is trained by Robert Heathcote and will be ridden again by Tim Clark who led all the way winning over the mile at Doomben. I think she goes better at Doomben but again down in the weights she could be another one to run a bold race at $16.
There is some super value in my top three tips!
Military Expert (3) is the early market favourite - trained by Annabel Neasham and to be ridden by James McDonald. He is third up here and he has won previously third up. I am just waiting for him to win a race before I hop on and start tipping him – I still think he has no chance here this weekend (egg on the face – part 2).
Namazu (8) is a rough hope with Jaden Lloyd to ride.
Selections:
4 – Character
13 – Alburq
15 – Drive A Deel
3 – Military Expert
Rough chances – (10) Brigantine & (8) Namazu
Race 7 THE STAR MORETON CUP (Group 2)
First leg of the Treble. A sprint race over 1200 metres at Group 2 level.
Quantico (4) has been racing well and looks ideally placed by John O’Shea with James McDonald to ride. Since the markets have opened, he has been smashed firming from $4.80 to $2.80 – and they seem to keep coming for him! He is second up and will enjoy the solid speed that is likely to be on in the race. He normally settles in the middle of the pack prior to letting down and rounding them up late. I think second up and on a firm track will suit him down to the ground. Look for this good sprinter to get the job done.
For Far Too Easy (10) a Group 2 challenge is a big test. His run in the ATC Cup last time out at the Sunshine Coast was much better than it appears in the race book. He drew wide – was forced to race wide and still stayed on late. He races well third up – drawn much better in this race – barrier 2 and Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride him here. He gets in well at the weights – if he shows up in the form that we know he can display he may get his first Group win!
Clemenceau (11) is trained by team Hawkes and will be partnered by Ryan Maloney. He has been racing well – this is his fourth run up this preparation – he races well on firm surfaces and where the speed is on, and he can get a nice trail into the race – he gets all these conditions here and should be right in the finish and could be hard to hold out.
Chris Meagher has his stable star Arentee (13) stepping up to Group 2. His first up win in Class 6 grade was very impressive – Craig Williams was positive after the race as well. He is second up here on a track that he thrives on – down in the weights. Mark Du Plessis will ride him for the first time.
Prince Of Boom (2) will probably trail the likely leader Frosty Rocks (9) and that may assist him in getting the job done late and not be a sitting duck when he leads. Tim Clark will ride him.
It is an open affair – play wide and punt wide.
Selections:
4 – Quantico
10 – Far Too Easy
11 – Clemenceau
13 – Arentee
Rough chances – (2) Prince of Boom & (6) Fifteen Rounds
Race 8 CHANNEL 7 QUEENSLAND OAKS (Group 1)
This week’s feature race – Group 1 at 2200 metres.
Well, what can I say – Fireburn (1) was sensationally scratched on Thursday – depriving Gary Portelli claiming another Group 1 victory with his filly – disappointing circumstances – however, they will regroup and set her for a 2023 Caulfield Cup campaign.
Renaissance Woman (3) is a Bjorn Baker trained filly who now comes into favour after the scratching of Fireburn. She has been in solid form since arriving in QLD. I felt that she didn’t obtain a clear run and was not able to let down at Doomben in the Roses last time – seemed to run into trouble in the straight. This time she should get out on the crown of the Eagle Farm track where she should be able to wind up and then slay them and win this Group 1 feature race. Josh Parr will continue his association with her.
Affaire A Suivre (2) is from the powerful and all conquering Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stables. A last start winner in the Australasian Oaks (Group 1) in South Australia. I think that the extra 200 metres here may just test her late – but she is racing in stellar form and John Allen will ride her again.
Proscenium Arch (12) raced wide in The Roses – could not get on the track after drawing a wide barrier. Tim Clark let her settle before working her home late. She probably didn’t deserve to finish off the race so well after the wide run. I think that she has a great chance to win here. She is at silly odds at $21 in the markets.
Super Chilled (8) drew wide last start – and has had no luck here again drawing barrier 18. James McDonald will ride her again. If she can get in and get some cover in the running, she could be strong at the line.
Selections:
3 – Renaissance Woman
12 – Proscenium Arch
2 – Affaire A Suivre
8 – Super Chilled
Rough chance – (10) Let Me Reign & (14) Cheval D’Or
Race 9 QLD Day Stakes (Listed)
Well, it is the last race! Another feature race on the program over 1200 metres.
Ekaterina (10) from the Robert Heathcote yards will be ridden again by Tim Clark. She won last time out at Doomben over 1350 metres – she drops back in distance. However, it appears that the race will have an even tempo. If something decides to take up the running that will suit her even more here.
Red Card (12) is from Godolphin and won last time at Scone at Listed level. James McDonald will ride her here. The win was solid, and she beat Written In Code (18). It appears that she has some ability and if she can get away with this race, she could probably be set for some more black type races over the coming weeks.
Golden Boom (2) was a narrow last start winner at Doomben over 1110 metres. He will race close to the speed – I just thought that he peaked late last time in that win. I do have some concerns that he may struggle with the extra distance.
The stable mate is Bezique (17) at $41. Do not leave this one out. She ran a nice race behind Golden Boom (2) last time out in the Darby McCarthy. This time 12 months ago she was racing well at this track – before being tipped out for a lengthy spell. She is second up – she could just show up at huge odds.
Written Code (18) ran a very good second in his second career start at Listed level at Scone. She is trained by Annabel Neasham and Chad Schofield will ride her for the first time. She looks like one that has some ability – a high class rise – but maybe she can cause an upset.
Rough chance to Stroll (11) who resumes from a short 19-week spell. Jason Collett will ride. She races well fresh and the bookies have her at $26 in the markets.
Selections:
10 – Ekaterina
12 – Red Card
2 – Golden Boom
18 – Written In Code
Rough chances – (11) Stroll & (17) Bezique
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Jockeys Challenge
A few with chances this week – James McDonald – Nash Rawiller, Tim Clark, and Jason Collett – all the NSW lads! Tim Clark can get the job done – he may be a nice price as well.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
1,3,5,6 / 3,9,17 / 1,2,4,15 / 2,3,5,8 - cost is $192 to $1.
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
1,3 / 9,17 / 1,4,15 / 3,5,8 - cost is $36 to $1.
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,4,13,15 / 2,4,10,11,13 / 2,3,12 / 2,10,12,18 - cost is $240 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
4,13,15 / 4,10 / 3,12 / 2,10,12 - cost is $36 to $1.
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,4,10,11,13 / 2,3,12 / 2,10,12,18 - cost is $60 to $1.
Value Treble (races 7 to 9)
4,10 / 3,12 / 10,12 - cost is $8 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. State of Origin – well let us just forget Wednesday night – FLEMO is sure to be crowing come Saturday – YAWN! 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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