WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, JUNE 24, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 22, 2023

EAGLE FARM this week - Nine races this week with the track rated ‘Good’ and with the rail is out 6 metres for the entire circuit. The final day of the 2023 final day of the 2023 Brisbane Winter Carnival – Tattersalls’ Day featuring the Tatts Tiara (Group 1) and the Tattersalls Cup (Group 3).

I will address the elephant in the room – State of Origin. It is official State of Origin is now dead to me!! The series means nothing and has no value anymore. In the future I will be watching a movie at the cinema or watching Netflix – Channel 9 and NSW Rugby League will no longer have my support.

I am that filthy I have posted by NSW jersey and receipt to the NSW Rugby League requesting a refund for the money I have wasted in attempting to support a regime that is lacking any insight for the future of Rugby League.

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 1400 metres.

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace train Zoukerette (4) who raced well last time out over 1300 metres. Was caught wide on that occasion and still battled on late. With this small field look for her to strip fitter and run a bold race.

Cap Ferrat (1) is trained by Chris Waller with Kerrin McEvoy to ride. He got too far back in the Oxlade over 1500 metres and flashed home late to run a gallant third. Kerrin McEvoy will ensure he is placed handier in the running, and he could be hard to hold out.

Right To Party (6) won in her first run in QLD in a midweek race at Doomben. Trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman, she was impressive over the 1200 metres – the run would suggest that she is above average with the time being strong. Ryan Maloney will ride her again – drawn well in barrier 1 – deserves to be the favourite.

Selections:

4 – Zoukerette
1 – Cap Ferrat
6 – Right To Party
5 – Infancy

Race 2 QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLIES PLATE

A race over 1200 metres at set weights – which makes a few of these well placed.

Chinny Boom (2) is trained by Clinton Taylor. She pulled up lame last start at Doomben when she was sent out a heavily backed favourite – excuses on that run. She has had an eight week freshen up and Ben Thompson will ride her again. I just think she is a risk at $2 – so I think she cannot win!

Robert Heathcote trains Ekaterina (1) who has been racing in Group races recently – Tim Clark will ride her. Last time in the Dane Ripper (Group 2) she was a victim of circumstances with a slowly run race. She settled back in the field andshe worked home well late without being a winning chance. I think that with her stablemate En Pointe (5) set to race forward, the tempo is guaranteed, and she will be looking to storm home late.

Chris Waller Racing’s Cythera (3) has been racing in Sydney and is having her third run for the new stable. She will appreciate the firm surface – look for a solid effort – Kerrin McEvoy will ride.

Ghaanati (6) drew wide last time out and really had no luck in the running. She will strip fitter and Josh Parr will make sure she is competitive.

Selections:

1 – Ekaterina
2 – Chinny Boom
3 – Cythera
6 – Ghaanati

Race 3 TATTERSALL’S CUP (Group 3)

A very poor representation for this race with only seven starters.

Luncies (2) is fourth up here. Taken on his recent efforts he does have the best form on paper. Trained by Kris Lees and Tim Clark will ride. I am concerned with the short price on offer plus he did appear very dour in the final stages of the Q22 – I will not be backing him at the tomato sauce odds on offer.

Young Werther (4) is third up here. He really didn’t perform in the Q22 – quite disappointing to be honest. They have put the blinkers on here and Josh Parr will ride.

The Mediterranean (6) likes to lead and bowl along in front. Sara Ryan trains him – he is third up for his new stable. His recent efforts suggest that he will be right in this race. I really think a race like the 2023 Grafton Cup would be a nice finish to his preparation. Ben Thompson will ride him.

Selections:

2 – Luncies
4 – Young Werther
6 – The Mediterranean
2 – Spirit Ridge

Race 4 THE BATTLE OF THE BUSH FINAL

This is the final race of the Battle Of The Bush series … after a series of ‘heats’ cross the State in recent months. It is an amazing initiative from QLD Racing – trainers – jockeys – owners all travelling to the big smoke in search of a memorable win.

The race is over 1200 metres, and it is always difficult to line up the form.

I was doing the form – and I came across the NSW sky blue colours – Rollinwiththeflow (10) trained by Tom Button (a solid NSW man) and Ryan Tyrell. Then I looked at the jockey and Martin Harley is riding. He has just come back from a serious injury – would be a wonderful story to see him win this race. I am a little concerned that Luke Tarrant (closet BLUE supporter) who ALWAYS looks great in the Button & Tyrell sky blue silks is not riding. Probably just scared to come to town and face WINNO!

Iris Carmella (5), trained by Kevin Miller up in the north, can jump cleanly and ping to the lead. She will need a little luck from barrier 12. Her racing record is 24 starts – 11 wins and 9 placings. She is well placed with the conditions of the race and will be difficult to run down late. Ben Thompson, who continues to have a strong Carnival, has the ride.

Art By Concorde (12) is trained by Craig Smith and Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) will ride him. His last start win at Cunnamulla was in a very slick time. On that effort he should be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to the race. Has had a four week freshen up – just has drawn barrier 22 and he has shown in previous starts a tardiness out of the barriers – any slow start will cost him at the end of the race.

Grand Palazzo (13) has won her last four starts and looks to win 5 in a row. Trained by Toni Schofield and Matthew Gray will ride the five-year-old mare. I think she is better over a longer distance, so she may be thundering home late.

Bubba Tilley rides Coat Of Arms (17) for his old boss Pat Webster. He has made the field with some early scratchings – has drawn terribly in barrier 17.

Selections:

10 – Rollinwiththeflow
5 – Isis Carmella
12 – Art By Concorde
13 – Grand Palazzo
Rough chances – (17) Coat of Arms

Race 5 TATTERSALL’S MILE (Listed)

The last leg of the Early Quaddie – a tough race as well over 1600 metres.

Fine Point (4) comes from the powerful Chris Waller Racing stables – Kerrin McEvoy will ride. She has been racing in Group races recently. She just put in an average effort over 1300 metres last start. I think the mile will suit her better and look to her to be right in it at the finish.

A runner that has been posted at silly odds is the Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted runner Ocean Treaty (10) who is currently at $11 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. Her last start was in the National Classic at set weights she put in an enormous effort. It does not appear all that good on paper. She did lose a shoe in the running. She has solid form on this track and distance.

Osmose (11) was heavily backed last time out in the National Classic and the punters have loaded up again – she is the early market favourite. To be fair, she hasn’t won in 88 weeks – despite having a stable and a country change coming to Australia from France. I just think that she cannot win – more pie on my face time I assume. She is in a solid NSW stable Waterhouse & Bott. Tim Clark is aboard again – maybe a change in fortune – but I cannot back her at those odds.

Track specialist Trevelyan won again last time out for Chris Meagher after a gun ride by apprentice Malea Castle. He gets in well again and the race tempo will suit – could cause a major upset at around $21.

Selections:

10 – Ocean Treaty
4 – Fine Point
11 – Osmose
8 – Trevelyan
Rough chance – (2) Character

Race 6 TATTS GOLD CROWN (Listed)

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 2137 metres.

The Chris Waller Racing pair look well placed – Thalassophile (1) and Pretty Amazing (2).

Thalassophile (1) will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. This runner dropped back to a mile last start – probably a little too short for her and stepping back up to a more suitable distance she probably can win this.

Pretty Amazing (2) has Jimmy Orman booked to ride. Her last two starts over the mile have been solid. She has raced well in distances up to 1800 metres. She is unknown at this distance, however, the way she settles back in the field and then works home – it would suggest that she will get this distance and Orman will be able to get her to settle and run the distance right out.

Princess Rhaenys (4) is the local hope from the Tony Gollan yards. She does not win out of turn. In fact, her last win was 22 weeks ago. She has performed well over this distance – she is fourth up in this race. Last start over 1600 metres she was forced to race wide. Given a quieter run she should run out this distance.

Noah N A Deel (13), from the Les Kelly yards on the Gold Coast, she ran a solid third in the QLD Oaks (Group 1) last time she raced – maybe one at odds to fill a place.

Selections:

1 – Thalassophile
4 – Princess Rhaenys
2 – Pretty Amazing
13 – Noah N A Deel

Race 7 THE TATTERSALL’S TIARA (Group 1)

First leg of the Treble. A sprint race over 1400 metres at Group 1. The last Group 1 for the 2022/23 racing season.

Let us start with the three-year-olds – Ruthless Dame (15) & Opal Ridge (16) – cannot win!

Ruthless Dame (15) is from the Maher and Eustace yards, the stable who won the Gai Waterhouse Classic last weekend at Ipswich. Solid effort in the Stradbroke with no weight on her back. She got back in the field and just seemed to finish in front of some tiring runners. Happy to be proven wrong, however, she has drawn barrier 19 – John Allen will need some serious luck from out there.

Luke Pepper trains Opal Ridge (16) with Tyler Schiller aboard. This filly was forced to race wide in the Group 2 Dane Ripper which was won by Comrade Rosa (11). She is the early favourite for the race. She has drawn better in barrier 6. She has a solid finishing sprint – I just have some doubts with her finishing off 1400 metres in Group 1 grade.

Comrade Rosa (11) won last time out. She is undefeated at Eagle Farm – four starts for four wins. She is going super – and from barrier 5, with the speed on, she sits midfield and gets the run of the race with Ryan Maloney aboard. He has ridden her to her past two starts on this track and she is looking for a hat trick of wins.

Chain of Lightning (5) from the Peter Moody stables in Victoria is my tip for the race at around $15. She drew wide in the Group 1 Stradbroke – had no luck and got caught wide throughout. She made ground late and her sectionals would suggest she is right in this race. Luke Nolan goes back aboard as well – that is a major benefit – look for a bold run.

The Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted yards have a genuine contender for the locals – Chaillot (8). She is second up this preparation in the third run for the new stable. She does get back in her races and may need some luck late – but if they are swooping and winning, she is a genuine chance. Ben Thompson has won on her previously. She resumed in the Kingsford Smith (Group 1) over 1300 metres. She got too far back in that race – she managed to finish fifth beaten by a small margin.

Roots (6) is from the Chris Waller team. Second up here after a very unlucky run in the Dane Ripper (Group 2). She meets many of these runners better at the set weight conditions. The stable has had this race in mind for her. In the first up run she commenced a run at them late under the 58 kilograms and was hampered a few times in the final 200 metres. Given an uninterrupted run here Tim Clark may claim another feature race of the 2023 Winter Carnival.

My trifecta and first four will pay a motza!

Lady Of Honour (9) won the Eye Liner at Ipswich last weekend after drawing barrier 16 and being given a gun run by Andrew Mallyon. She surged to the line late and made a mess of the opposition. She is on the quick back up – she must have thrived since that effort. She has been heavily supported since the markets opened firming from $25 to $14. She is trained by Ben and JD Hayes and Jimmy Orman will ride her this weekend.

Selections:

5 – Chain Of Lightning
8 – Chaillot
11 – Comrade Rosa
6 – Roots
Rough chances – (9) Lady Of Honour & (15) Ruthless Dame & (16) Opal Ridge

Race 8 W. J. HEALY (Group 3)

A solid sprint over 1200 metres at Group 3 level – keep your eye on this race result for upcoming races like the 2023 Grafton Ramornie. There is some serious speed in this race – they will go fast!

Vespertine (10) is from the Graham Begg yards in Victoria – I see that Jake Bayliss will ride her this weekend. Jake is in great form with some solid results last weekend at Ipswich. She raced in the Hinkler last time out – her first run in QLD and at Eagle Farm. She missed the kick and then got too far back and when she wanted to get into the race she got checked and had to be steadied. I hope that this week she can be pulled wide and unleash her very good sprint that she has demonstrated in previous numerous wins - $31 is silly odds.

King Kapa (7) leads the QLD charge to win the race for Gollan Racing. He returned to the winner’s list with a booming win in the Hinkler. Ben Thompson retains the ride. He really was out of sorts the previous run at Doomben. He now has an impressive record at Eagle Farm with five starts for three wins here. He thrives on firm ground and gets these conditions here. If he produces a run like last start, he will be hard to hold out.

Prince Of Boom (2) is racing in tremendous form. He won the Group 2 Moreton Cup here three weeks ago. He has drawn ordinary in barrier 16. However, he pings the gates in every start – he will get across them and take up the running with the best front riding jockey in Australia aboard – Tim Clark. He is a huge weight of 60 kilograms – the wide barrier and the huge weight may be telling late. In saying that he is a tremendous war horse – much respect.

The stable mate is The Big Goodbye (9). He drew poorly in the Hinkler and was obliged to race wide. However, still finished off the race well. Martin Harley takes the ride here and, from barrier 4, look for this QLD Rogues runner to be right in the finish late.

Arentee (14), trained by Chris Meagher, raced well in the Moreton Cup – he goes down in the weights for this run and Malea Castle will ride him. Could be a serious chance to upset the more favoured runners.

Brereton (17) is trained by Peter Moody and will be better with the blinkers being taken off and the nose roll going on. He is only a three-year-old – his first up effort here was indifferent – maybe an improved effort in this race second up in QLD – Celine Goudray, an exciting jockey from Victoria is booked to ride.

Selections:

10 – Vespertine
7 – King Kapa
2 – Prince of Boom
14 – Arentee
Rough chance – (9) The Big Goodbye & (17) Brereton

Race 9

A No Metro Win race to finish the day – I will be heading home early!

The race is over 1200 metres.

Release The Beans (16) from the Robert Heathcote yards will be ridden again by Damien Thornton. Resumes after a 28-week spell. A nice recent barrier trial suggests that he is forward and should run a bold race at solid odds of $10. In that trial he went to the line under his own steam – not really extended. He races well on this track and has a solid first up record. Drawn well and down in the weights – let’s hope he can win.

Field Wiri (16) is trained by Richard and Will Freedman. She is second up after a midweek first up run at Warwick Farm in a slowly run race that really didn’t assist her. Since then, she has had an even barrier trial at Randwick and could be one at odds. With some early scratchings she should make the field and Ben Thompson will ride.

Swiss Exile (5) is trained by Annabel Neasham and will have Ryan Maloney aboard. He is on the quick back up after a solid second last weekend at Ipswich where he performed well. That race I think will be a great form race for the future. So, on that assessment he should be right in this race – just some concerns with the quick back up.

Surreal Step (3) is trained by John Thompson with Joshua Parr to ride. Has not won in 55 weeks – has had four runs from a spell and is doing well without setting the house on fire. He gets back in his races and needs some luck late. With the rail out 6 metres here – he will have to be ridden for luck to get the job done.

Lasting Kiss (9) resumes here for Stephen Lee – she races well fresh and could be some nice odds.

Selections:

16 – Release The Beans
18 – Field Wiri
5 – Swiss Exile
3 – Surreal Step
Rough chances – (9) Lasting Kiss
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Jockeys Challenge

A few with chances this week – Ben Thompson – Kerrin McEvoy and Tim Clark. I’ll take Ben Thompson can get the job done.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,3 / 2,4,6 / 5,10,12,13 / 4,10,11 - cost is $108 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 /2,4 / 5,10 / 4,10 - cost is $16 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,4 / 5,6,8,11,16 / 2,7,9,10,14 / 3,5,16,18 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4 / 5,6,8 / 7,10 / 5,16,18 - cost is $36 to $1.

Treble (races 7 to 9)

5,6,8,11,16 / 2,7,9,10,14 / 3,5,16,18 - cost is $100 to $1.

Value Treble (races 7 to 9)

5,8 / 7,10 / 16,18 - 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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