WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, APRIL 6, 2024

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 4, 2024

EAGLE FARM this weekend with 10 races. The track is rated ‘soft’ and the rail is out 4.5 metres for the entire circuit.

The meteorologists are forecasting rain – rain and more rain in the lead up to the meeting. They are normally 90% wrong – so let us assume that the track should get better or remain the same!

In recent weeks the track has played very on paced runners and jockeys have elected to stay off the rail. I expect them to come wide this weekend as the races progress across the day.

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 race over 1000 metres to start the day – a massive field.

Xtra Gear (11) resumed at Rosehill and since then has had a solid barrier trial. Robbie Dolan will ride the Joseph Ible trained mare – she has a perfect draw and loves a wet track. She looks like a solid each way chance.

The rest of the field is very open. The Tony Gollan pair are not without genuine chances – Devastating (2) and Hidden Wealth (3). I would overlook the effort of Hidden Wealth (3) who raced at the Gold Coast last time when the track was arguably not racing fair. Despite being drawn wide he goes well at this track and third up.

Selections:

11 – Xtra Gear
9 – Shalaa’s Moment
3 – Hidden Wealth
5 – Tikka Ready
Rough chances – (2) Devastating

Race 2

A two-year-old race over 1200 metres.

Anything can happen here – massive field – you will need luck. Keep your eye on any market movers.

I like Run Lucy Run (14) trained by Glenn Thornton. Was a nice effort on debut at Doomben at a midweek race won by Gin A Tonic (1). That run would have got her fitter. She is drawn well in barrier 7 and Damien Thornton will ride.

Angela Jones rides Zelezny (6) for Kelly Schweida. Resumed at Doomben at a midweek race over 1110 metres – looked like he needed a longer distance the way he worked home – the extra distance will assist.
The debutants Boomtown Boss (9) and Pareto (10) both have been trialling well.

Selections:

14 – Run Lucy Run
6 – Zelezny
1 – Gin A Tonic
9 – Boomtown Boss
Rough chances – (10) Pareto

Race 3

A Class 3 race over 1820 metres.

Thesecondatportsea (7) drew wide, raced wide and then didn’t finish off the race last time here over a mile. The Jack Bruce trained mare has drawn barrier 2. Should get the run of the race here with Damien Thornton to ride again.

Connecticut (8) is trained by Geran Racing. They went forward from a wide barrier in his last effort – he tired late. Still drawn wide here in barrier 12. Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) will ride. I think they may choose to ride quietly and see if he can finish off strong late.

Port Mourant (5) won at big odds ($16) last time here over the mile. Trained by Shaun Dwyer and Jim Byrne will ride again – maybe could cause another upset as he was strong to the line.

Selections:

7 – Thesecondatportsea
8 – Connecticut
12 – Sacred Feeling
5 – Port Mourant
Rough chances – (11) Mascaret & (1) Kerkorian

Race 4

A BM75 race over 1300 metres.

Evocator (2) resumed with a dominant win here a month ago. On that occasion it was heavily supported by the stable. He is trained by Barry Lockwood and Tahlia Fenlon will ride again. Her 3-kilogram claim will be of benefit. The way he stormed home the extra distance looks ideal.

Vintage Choice (9) is trained by Annabel Neasham. Makes his debut in QLD for the stable. Damien Thornton will ride. He won a recent trial at Doomben after a 12 week freshen up. Look for him to sprint well fresh.

Star Of Chaos is a Gollan Racing runner – Jimmy Orman will ride. Drew wide, went forward and capitulated late first up on this track over 1200 metres. Look for a better effort drawn well here.

Princess Tenko (7) is a Clinton Taylor runner. Solid second placing on this track over 1200 metres last time out.

Selections:

2 – Evocator
9 – Vintage Choice
5 – Star Of Chaos
7 – Princess Tenko
Rough chances – (4) Moonan Me

Race 5

A No Metro Wins race over 1400 metres.

Gone for some runners down the bottom here with no weight – could be a massive trifecta and exotics!

Natalie McCall trains Brace Maso (19) with Cejay Graham riding – drawn perfectly in barrier 1. She was first up here at this track when she ran a great race. I looked at her in the parade ring and I thought that she would take some improvement from that run – so I hope that I am right - $10 each way - get on!

Fixated (22), who will be ridden by Bailey Wheeler for his new boss Rob Heathcote, resumed here two weeks ago and had not much luck in the running. Overlook that effort and look for a bold performance here. He has not won in 63 weeks – maybe a rough place chance.

Dreamdeel (17) is trained in NSW by Alan Kehoe – loves to get out and lead and handles soft going. Another one at nice each way odds.

Selections:

19 – Brave Maso
22 – Fixated
17 – Dreamdeel
6 – Goldeeluck

Race 6

A three-year-old race over 1200 metres.

Like one here at $21 from the Matthew Dunn yards – North of Eli (11) with Jake Bayliss up. He resumed here over 1000 metres and finished off the race in superb fashion running some strong sectionals. Stepping up in distance I believe that he will be too good for the opposition down in the weights this week.

Flag Hall (3) is trained by Lee Freedman on the Gold Coast and he resumed at Ipswich with the dominant win when sent out a short price favourite. Since then, he has had a barrier trial to freshen him up. He has won on this track and raced well previously here so there will be no problem with him performing well. He will be ridden by Boris Thornton.

The all-conquering Ciaron Maher Racing stable has a runner here this weekend – probably the only state that he has not conquered in recent weeks with winners in Victoria, NSW, and SA. He brings Zoukerette (5) to Eagle Farm with Ryan Maloney to ride. Has been racing in Melbourne in Listed grade prior to a spell. Two recent barrier trials have him primed for a bold performance here.

Exotique Miss (7) from the Michael Nolan yards resumes after a 12 week freshen up – keep safe.

Selections:

11 – North Of Eli
3 – Flag Hall
5 – Zoukerette
7 – Exotique Miss
Rough chances – (1) Heartoni

Race 7

The first leg of the Quaddie.

A BM68 over 1400 metres.

Kinetic (17) was unlucky last time out. Reared at the start and got away late – then made up a ton of ground to finish a gallant second. Any luck in starting this week and a good run she wins for mine. She is around the $15 mark – trained by Tony Gollan and Angela Jones riding. She has drawn awkwardly in barrier 24 – there is speed in the race – so hopefully she gets in and gets cover early and storms home late!

Majestic Boom (19) has made a BOOMing impression with two wins from two starts. Trained by Lawrie Mayfield-Smith with Robbie Dolan riding this week. He has drawn perfect in barrier 8 and in both of his starts he has raced off the speed and been able to sprint late and put the opposition to the sword.

Selections:

17 – Kinetic
19 – Majestic Boom
5 – Starry Eyes
12 – Brave Maso
Rough chances – (10) Regal Edition

Race 8

The first leg of the Treble.

An Open class race here over 1820 metres. I just hope my selections get a run as they are all emergencies!

Red Top (13), trained by Sears Racing, won impressively at the Gold Coast last time out. Cejay Graham will ride. Looks well placed and does like this track and distance.

Beef Week Princess (14) just seems to have found a purple patch now for trainer Daniel Bowen. She won at the Gold Coast then was on a quick back up and got nailed on the line here last time out three weeks ago. Sam Collett will ride again – look for a bold effort at odds!

Wairere Falls (10), trained by Chris Waller with Mark Du Plessis riding, was heavily backed at his last start. He got home well late, and I think the step up in distance is a bonus.

Chase N Artie (19) comes back in distance – one I think is more to his liking. He is down the bottom of the field and may not make the final lineup.

Selections:

13 – Red Top
14 – Beef Week Princess
10 – Wairere Falls
19 – Chase N Artie
Rough chances – (5) Caprice Des Dieux & (7) Red Wave

Race 9

Class 6 race here over 1600 metres.

Rising Pacific (8) from Gollan Racing and with Jimmy Orman riding looks well in here. He is second up here this weekend and has won previously second up. His first up effort was strong, and the extra distance should see him very competitive in this race.

Holstein (6) is trained by Matthew Dunn and will be written by Martin Harley. He was impressive first up over a distance which was not suitable. Stepping up to the mile this weekend he should be able to sprint well fresh and finish off strongly. However, I think moving forward this is a horse to follow as the distances increase.

A Deel Of Humour (13) won last time out here over 1800 metres. Is trained by Michael Morrison and Anthony Allen will ride again. Just had some slight concerns in the coming back in distance for this run, however on the previous win she will be very competitive.

Brookhaven (4) From the Chris Munce yards won well last time out and will be competitive here again.

Selections:

8 – Rising Pacific
6 – Holstein
13 – A Deel Of Humour
4 – Brookhaven
Rough chances – (9) Winston Smurfhill

Race 10

The last race – then home to watch the footy in front of the TV – let’s hope the rain stays away – I hate going home wet!

Class 6 grade over 1200 metres.

Tojaki (15) resumed and flew home first up here over 1200 metres. Got too far back on that occasion. She will need some luck from barrier 17, however, there is speed in this race, and I think she powers over them late with Robbie Dolan waving the whip to get her past the post first.

The Tony Gollan yards are well represented. Tick Tock Queen (7) resumes with Angela Jones to ride. She comes off Group racing over the 2023 Winter BRC Carnival. She has had two strong barrier trials. I just think with a fast run race she could get home strong at huge odds.

The stable mate is Millane (5) with Jimmy Orman up. He has been sent out favourite his past two starts and probably, to be fair, has been disappointing. However, in saying that you cannot overlook him as he is competitive in this grade.

Robert Heathcote trains Outlawed (9) and she was ridden by an apprentice last start. I think that she is better written forward and she is drawn perfectly this weekend in barrier 2. Vlad Duric will ride her and is looking for his first win in Queensland since returning from overseas.

Bubba’s Bay (1) won here last start and should be competitive again, however, I just think the weight may be too much and she may get found out late. Bailey Wheeler will ride for Kris Lees.

Selections:

15 – Tojaki
7 – Tick Tock Queen
9 – Outlawed
5 – Millane
Rough chances – (1) Bubba’s Bay
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like a battle with Robbie Dolan, Cejay Graham, and Damien Thornton all having a solid book of rides. Maybe Thornton can post a win.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

7,8,12 / 2,5,9 / 17,19,22 / 3,5,11 - cost is $81 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

7,8 / 2,9 / 17,19,22 / 3,11 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

5,12,17,19 / 10,13,14 / 4,6,8,13 / 1,5,7,9,15 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

17,19 / 13,14 / 6,8,13 / 7,9,15 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

10,13,14 / 4,6,8,13 / 1,5,7,9,15 - cost is $60 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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