WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, FEBRUARY 17, 2024

By Darren Winningham | Friday, February 16, 2024

EAGLE FARM this weekend – back to 9 races as well. The rail is out five metres for the entire circuit. Just how weather affected the track may be remains to be seen after the torrential downpours we have had in recent days.

Time to look at the program.

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 BM70 over 1000 metres to start the day.

Tony Gollan Racing is well represented here. Hidden Wealth (1), despite the huge weight, is a class runner – Jimmy Orman to ride after a four week freshen up.

The stable mate Island Magic (5) is a last start winner at the Sunshine Coast in reasonable time and looks well placed. Bailey Wheeler is back riding and will ride this one and his 2-kilogram claim may be beneficial late.

Selections:

1 – Hidden Wealth
2 – Tikka Ready
5 – Island Magic
10 – Instagram

Race 2

A Class 3 grade race over 1825 metres. Only a small field.

Don’t underestimate Fleur De Monde (4) with Mark Du Plessis riding again. She seemed to hit a flat spot last time out racing here over 1815 metres – she looked the winner and was run down late.

Ella Te Ama is from Kris Lees Racing yards. Has been racing in Sydney. When they send them north they have a tremendous strike rate – Andrew Mallyon will ride and she has been well backed since the markets have opened.

Keep safe the Brian Smith runner Bella Tivaci (5) with Angela Jones to ride. Maybe it needed the run last start after three weeks between runs.

Selections:

4 – Fleur De Monde
3 – Ella Te Ama
5 – Bella Tivaci
1 – Aint He Grand
Rough chance – (6) Disputed River

Race 3

A BM78 over 2200 metres.

Tough race – maybe stay with the two last start winners - Uncommon Valour trained by Michael Nolan and Ryan Maloney to ride again and Bedford Square (8) trained by Jack Bruce with Damien Thornton to ride.

The Chris Waller trained Demarcay (10) may strip fitter and goes down in the weights – maybe a knockout chance.

Selections:

7 – Uncommon Valour
8 – Bedford Square
10 – Demarcay
1 – Iowa
Rough chance – (2) Chayse N Artie

Race 4

A BM78 race over 1200 metres for fillies and mares.

Tony Gollan has two nice chances here.

The last start winner Blue Spinel (6) who resumed here over 1000 metres and destroyed them. Angela Jones will be in the saddle again.

Black On Beauty (5) is the stable mate. Jimmy Orman will ride this week. Was unwanted in the betting when she resumed over 1200 metres. The run was solid and probably will strip fitter for that effort.

Sabalenka (7) had the race run to suit with a fast tempo last time out. Still gets in nicely at the weights with a 3 kilogram claim for Marnu Potgieter – trained by Brian Smith.

Selections:

6 – Blue Spinel
5 – Black On Beauty
7 – Sabalenka
1 – Bubba’s Bay

Race 5

A Class 1 race over 1200 metres.

Magic Island (7) was an impressive debut winner for the Robert Heathcote Racing team. Michael Rodd will ride again. The barrier is a problem – barrier 17. In saying that last time when he won, he led them up. I think drawn wide and with plenty of other runners looking to lead Rodd may come across and stay handy and try to put them to the sword late.

Antonito (4) is trained by David Vandyke – won when resuming at Doomben. Nice time – that win was over 1050 metres. Looks like he will get the extra distance.

Stellar Lady (14) won on debut at the Sunshine Coast when a very heavily backed short-priced favourite. The Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted stable have wraps on this filly. She has drawn well in barrier 8 – Nikita Beriman will ride.

Pink Thunder from Tony Gollan stables is a last start winner as well – Cejay Graham will ride.

It is a tough affair – maybe following any money that comes late in this race may be the best guide.

Selections:

7 – Magic Island
4 – Antonito
14 – Stellar Lady
9 – Pink Thunder
Rough chance – (6) Bravely & (1) Quarantine Dreams

Race 6

A BM78 race over 1200 metres. The first leg of the Quaddie with 9 races this week.

Tough race. The Tony Gollan runner Millane (8) resumes and has been trialling well – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Majorelle (7) is a last start winner for Matthew Dunn – Robbie Dolan will ride. Should race on the speed and his fitness should see him in this for a long way.

Kelly Schweida trains Roll Up (10) who is second up. The gelding has won here and has won second up. Jimmy Orman who continues to boot home winners will ride - $14 each way looks solid odds for an upset result.

Selections:

8 – Millane
7 – Majorelle
10 – Roll Up
6 – Plundering
Rough chances – (9) Royal Exit

Race 7

Open class race over 1600 metres for the three-year-old runners.

First leg of the Treble.

There are two nice types that are going to clash here.

Captain Fenkel (1), trained by Marcus Wilson, just keeps improving. He has won his past two starts in a dominating fashion. Jimmy Orman retains the ride. His last win a fortnight ago over 1400 metres would suggest that the mile is right up his alley. He has a massive weight to carry that may be the only issue late.

Jungle Prince (3) is trained by Sears Racing. His win on debut was dashing. Ryan Maloney will ride him as Orman has elected to ride Captain Fenkel (1). Second up in Open class, he will want to be good!

The Robert Heathcote Racing pair are not without each way chances down in the weights. Jealous (9) ran second to Captain Fenkel (1) last time out and meets him better at the weights. Robbie Dolan will ride.

Meat Pie Artie (10) will probably race handy and is down in the weights. He was strong to the line and got nailed late when he raced midweek over 1400 metres on this track – Jake Bayliss is riding. He had a solid weekend last week winning the last two races.

Selections:

1 – Captain Fenkel
3 – Jungle Prince
9 – Jealous
10– Meat Pie Artie
Rough chance – (4) Sharp Dazzler

Race 8

BM 68 here over 1400 metres.

Looks like a Gollan Racing trifecta. All three runners have solid grounds to win.

I like the one down the bottom in the weights Petersham (16) who is now third up for the new stable. Had no luck last time out – drawn well - Angela Jones to ride - looks a solid each way bet at $7.

Castillian (8) is a new runner to the stable. Has been racing in better grades in NSW – I just think he may need the run – Ryan Maloney will ride.

The Steven Tregea trained Schmoozer (9) is great each way at odds at $21 to cause an upset here with Jasper Franklin claiming 3 kilograms. He was very good last start over 1400 metres here. He has little luck in the straight and I think, given a clear run, he will run the distance right out.

Selections:

16 – Petersham
8 – Castillian
9 – Schmoozer
14- Lady De La
Rough chance – (3) Aton Of Delight

Race 9

Class 6 race here over 1600 metres.

Tough way to end the day. I have something each way – Warp Speed (7) trained by Mark Goodwin with Jimmy Orman aboard at around $8. He is second up – solid record at the distance.

Binding (9) is a last start winner in easier grade at Gatton – Sam Collett will ride – just drawn wide and will need to use some petrol to get across and take up the lead.

Regal Pom (5) just keeps racing without much luck – maybe Bailey Wheeler can change his fortune here.

Bettcha The Crown (4) is a last start winner here over 1400 metres. He will race handily and will be hard to hold out late for Desleigh Forster. Kirk Matheson rode him to victory last start – I hope he can go back-to-back – he is a very underrated rider with plenty of ability.

Selections:

7 – Warp Speed
9 – Binding
5 – Regal Pom
4 – Bettcha The Crown
Rough chance – (3) Indian Dreamer
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Jockeys Challenge

Jimmy Orman, Angela Jones and Ryan Maloney all have solid books of rides. Maybe, Maloney can post a win.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,4,5 / 7,8,10 / 5,6,7 / 4,7,9,14 - cost is $108 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,4 / 7,8 / 5,6 / 4,7,14 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

7,8,10 / 1,3,9 / 8,9,14,16 / 4,5,7,9 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

7,8 / 1,3 / 8,16 / 7,9 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,9 / 8,9,14,16 / 4,5,7,9 - cost is $48 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues this week with WINNO and FLEMO. 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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