WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM - STRADBROKE DAY

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 13, 2024

It’s arrived. Stradbroke Day ... also featuring the Group 1 JJ Atkins.

The track rated is rated ‘good’. The rail is out 4.5 metres for the entire circuit.

There seemed to be a late pattern emerge last weekend with horses on the speed and five off the rail getting all the favours. Should be a solid meeting – just concerned that it may favour horses on the speed.

I just want to say those at Eagle Farm last weekend were treated to a masterclass by James McDonald riding 5 winners on the nine-race program – it was a superb effort!

Massive day of racing – let me get straight into it.

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 THE WAYNE WILSON

A Listed ace here over 1600 metres – recognising one of the best race callers QLD has ever seen.

I like a runner trained by Tony Gollan – Freedom Rally (1). James McDonald will ride the mare who is drawn perfectly in barrier 1. He loves this track – seven starts for five wins and has won over the mile. Big class drop from the last start Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup back to a set weight Listed race. He will settle off the speed and will throttle home late. There is genuine speed in the race that makes it a perfect opportunity for him to get back in the winner’s stalls.

There is a danger here from the Bjorn Baker stables in NSW – Iknowastar (5) with Tim Clark to ride. Comes off a solid win at Randwick over the mile last start. He ran them off their legs and held on late. If he gets left alone in front, I can see him attempting to hold on in the final 50 metres as the challengers come at him, but there are some other speedsters engaged here so Clark may have to take a sit.

Charterhouse (3), trained by Ciaron Maher, was first up at Scone – got too far back and was never a genuine threat. Look for an improved effort second up on a firm track. Blake Shinn will ride.

Coastwatch (4) is on the quick back up from last weekend where he had no luck in the straight over 1500 metres. He ran the best 600 metres sectional in the race – a repeat of that effort he will be in the finish. Tommy Berry will ride.

Selections:

5 – Iknowastar
1 – Freedom Rally
4 – Coastwatch
3 – Charterhouse
Rough chance – (2) Star Of India

Race 2 MAKER’S MARK HINKLER – LISTED

A Listed race over 1200 metres.

James Cummings trains Pereille (5) for Godolphin. Perelle has been freshened up since a massive win at the Sunshine Coast on a heavy track. I think that he has some real upside to him and should go on with it here.

Miss Hellfire (8) is trained by Snowden Racing. Got no luck in the race that was won by Chinny Boom (2) last time. She raced wide throughout in that run and the smaller field here should see her race handy and be well placed throughout with Jason Collett aboard.

Mishani Sniper (3) is trained by Les Ross - loves this track and will be better suited here over the 1200 metres. Vlad Duric will ride.

Go Wandji (6) will be ridden by Ron Stewart. He is third up on a track he loves. 8 starts – 3 wins and 3 placings here. Should be ready to peak now.

Midnight In Tokyo (10) won a midweek at her last start. Third up in this race – may just go on with her winning way for Annabel Neasham’s stables. Damien Thornton will ride.

Selections:

5 – Pereille
8 – Miss Hellfire
3 – Mishani Sniper
6 – Go Wandji
Rough chance – (10) Midnight In Tokyo

Race 3 THE OXLADE – Listed

A Listed event over 1300 metres for the two-year old runners at set weights.

Don’t Forget Jack (8) has won both of his career starts. Last time out he won at Doomben at a midweek meeting. The sectionals would suggest that he may have more improvement left in him. He is trained in NSW by Stephen Jones and Rory Hutchings will ride him again. Can he post a hat trick of wins in this Listed race?

Peace Centre (9) is trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman. Made a strong debut at the Sunshine Coast over 1000 metres – Craig Williams will ride again here. The way he settled and then worked home with some good sectionals late, he may just go on with it here. Drawn well in barrier 2 and will race in behind the speed. Ideally placed here.

Embassy (1) is the best performing runner here coming off a solid run last time out. Lost a plate in the running and is now third up. He is still a maiden, but has raced in a better class than this – Blake Shinn will ride for Snowden Racing.

Depth Of Character (5) won on debut at Canterbury for trainer Annabel Neasham. He raced green on that occasion and looked like he had improvement left in him. Tom Sherry rode him on that occasion and will be riding him here.

Tehina (13) is a genuine rough chance - must be considered. Michael Freedman trains her and she showed dramatic improvement to win second up at Canterbury. Jason Collett retains the ride – could be one at odds to fill a place.

Selections:

8 – Don’t Forget Jack
9 – Peace Centre
1 – Embassy
5 – Depth Of Character
Rough chance – (13) Tehina

Race 4 XXXX BRISBANE CUP – GROUP 2

A Group 2 class race over 3200 metres. Only a field of 11 to face the starter.

Mostly Cloudy (7) went around in the Sydney Cup (Group 1) over 3200 metres on a heavy track. He peeled out wide – but seemed to peak on his run. Then he went back to Flemington over 2800 metres and got too far back before working home late to run second. Blake Shinn will ride for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. Given a more positive ride he looks the one to beat.

Alegron (5) trained by Bjorn Baker will have Dylan Gibbons riding again. A gallant second last time out in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup over 2400 metres. He got too far back on that occasion. However, he stormed home with the fastest 600 metres and 200 metre sectionals in the race. He looks like he will be making a sustained run from the rear of the field – just got to hope that the leaders do not dominate.

Goldman (4) is trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Regan Bayliss will ride him again. Led them up in the Premiers Cup and then weakened late to finish third. Maybe they will take a sit behind the stable mate Knights Order (1) who will bowl along in front.

Casual Connection (10) won at his last start at Randwick over 2400 metres. Comes here with solid form and is trained by John Sargent who seems to do well with his stayers. Damien Thornton will ride him. He will be behind the speed and handy throughout the race.

Selections:

7 – Mostly Cloudy
5 – Alegron
4 – Goldman
10 – Casual Connection
Rough chance – (1) Knights Order

Race 5 GUNSYND CLASSIC – GROUP 3

This is a three-year-old race over 1600 metres at Group 3 level.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Regan Bayliss combine here with Invincible Spy (6). He has won his past two starts and is looking for a hat-trick of wins this weekend. His last start win at Randwick was over 1800 metres and the time before that he was impressive over the mile at Wagga Wagga in a restricted grade race. His times have been good in his last two starts as well. I think he maps well this weekend - leading and making them chase him throughout the race. May just get away with the chocolates. Good each way odds as well at $9.

Geriatrix (9) is a kiwi runner who made an impressive debut in Queensland by winning his last start here over 1400 metres. The way he hit the line at his last win would suggest that the mile should be no problem, however he is never one over the mile. Has had two starts at this distance for no placings - this is of concern.

Razors (3) is trained by James Cummings (Godolphin) and James McDonald will ride. He was narrowly beaten at this track and distance two starts ago in the Group 2 QLD Guineas. He then went across to Doomben and dropped back to the 1350 metres where he found trouble and went to the line untested – just forget the run. He will strip fitter and has had a recent barrier trial. He will appreciate racing on a firm surface as well – lots to like about this runner.

Chrysador (1) is probably the roughie of the field. Trained by Chris Waller and Tommy Berry to ride. He is drawn terribly in barrier 18. He will need some luck. His last start effort over 1400 metres at Group 3 probably could be forgiven as he settled at the rear of the field and then circled them late to run past many runners in the straight to finish a good sixth, beaten only 2.8 lengths. He will appreciate the extra distance.

The watch on the race must be the Hayes brothers trained kiwi runner, Dangerous Liaisons (18), who is debuting in Australia for the new stable having previously been trained by Tony Pike. He won a barrier trial at Doomben over 1000 metres. His last start at Riccarton in NZ he won over the mile – I think that he is worth an each-way chance so consider him for your exotics. He is quoted at $31. Daniel Stackhouse will ride him.

Selections:

6 – Invincible Spy
3 – Razors
9 – Geriatrix
1 – Chrysador
Rough chance – (18) Dangerous Liaisons & (15) Mary Shan

Race 6 LADBROKES JJ ATKINS – GROUP 1

First leg of the Quaddie. A two-year-old race over 1600 metres at Group 1 level – the first of our features!

This is an open field – plenty of chances!

James Cummings (Godolphin) trains Broadsiding (1) who – well the colt just put in a performance which is hard to describe when he drew wide – barrier 17 – settled back – went out wide - and rounded them up like they were standing still in the Group 2 Sire’s Produce last time out here over 1400 metres. This runner has won at the mile winning the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick two starts ago. He looks the winner – only bad luck gets him beaten. Has drawn barrier 2 as well – I think he will be handy and not drift too far back from that barrier.

El Morzillo (12) is a nice filly trained here by Kelly Schweida. Unlucky last time out in the Group 2 Sire’s Produce when caught in the worst section of the track. Put a pen through that run – she will be super competitive here – Craig Williams has the ride again.

Bittercreek (3) is only a lightly raced colt who won two starts over 1200 metres at Doomben. Last start, in the Sire’s, he worked home late after drawing poorly in barrier 14. Blake Shinn retains the ride for Leon & Troy Corstens. He may be better for that effort – just not sure whether he will run the mile.

Zouna (2) is trained by Lawrie Mayfield-Smith and Mark Zahra will ride him for the first time. He was a gallant second in the Sire’s when run down late by Broadsiding (1).

Imperialist (6) is trained by Chris Waller and is on the quick back up from last weekend after winning the Phoenix over 1500 metres. Tim Clark will take the ride. He drew wide last week – trailed them into the straight and beat them convincingly.

Barbaric Lad (9) is a rough chance.

In exclusive news – I hear that Johnny “Group 1” Wright is making his way from Port Macquarie in NSW to strap a runner for Chris Waller – will the “Group 1” man score again?

Selections:

1 – Broadsiding
12 – El Morzillo
3 – Bittercreek
2 – Zouna
Rough chance – (6) Imperialist & (9) Barbaric Lad

Race 7 MAGIC MILLIONS DANE RIPPER STAKES – Group 2

First leg of the Treble – A Group 2 race over 1300 metres for fillies and mares.

Chinny Boom (9) is trained by Clinton Taylor with Justin Stanley to ride. Taylor has elected to race her in the Group 2 race (she was scratched from race 2). She drew wide last time out – went forward, sat near the lead and then slayed them over 1200 metres – it was a superb win. That was at Listed level. She steps up to Group racing for the first time. It would be a tremendous achievement for the jockey and trainer to win this race – good luck lads.

Banana Queen (5) is trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou with Mark Zahra in the saddle. She has had a month freshen up since a solid effort at Scone over 1400 metres. The visors go on this weekend – look for a bold effort at around $12.

Ghaanti (8) is better than her last run suggests. She is trained by Snowden Racing and Jimmy Orman will ride. She was solid first up at Hawkesbury when she was caught wide and motored home late. Then things just went wrong last start at Scone, and she was eased out of the race and finished tailed off. She ran a great second here last year – she will handle the track.

Coco Jamboo (4) is the stable mate. Tom Sherry will be aboard. She is the UK mare that had her first start in Australia for the new stables at Hawkesbury and won at $41. That was at Group 3 level as well. She savaged the line late – looked like a solid debut with plenty more improvement to come. She may need another run, but she has had a nice barrier trial two weeks ago to get her ready for this race.

C’est Magique (12) is a Chris Waller runner with James McDonald riding. She is a newcomer to the Waller yards after being transferred from Grahame Begg. She ran a wonderful trial two weeks ago – she hit the line strong and could have won the trial – she will be primed to win first up.

Selections:

5 – Banana Queen
12 - C’est Magique
4 – Coco Jamboo
9 – Chinny Boom
Rough chance – (8) Ghaanti & (14) Abounding

Race 8 – THE STAR STRADBROKE - GROUP 1

Group 1 race over 1400 metres – the feature race on the program.

Open field – if you like anything I suggest you just have a crack. I think that it will be a rough result and if you get the trifecta and first four, they will be paying you with a cheque!

Benedatta (4) is the 2024 Group 1 Goodwood winner and the start before in the Group 1 Sangster was desperately unlucky. So possibly she should have had two consecutive Group 1 wins. The drama is will she get 1400 metres? I think that barrier 6 is an amazing draw for her – will be able to sit handy throughout and then peel out wide to come down the centre of the track and be in the finish as a few of them hit the line all at once.

Vilana (6) was superb last weekend here in the Group 2 Moreton Cup over 1300 metres – the performance was eye-catching. If he turns up like that here this weekend from barrier 14, he will be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to the race – Tim Clark will ride.

Stefi Magnetica (17) was disappointing on face value at her last start in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic when defeated by Roll On High (18). She was caught in the worst part of the track but still stuck on well. When she resumed in the run before that in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, she flew home late. She has never won second up – however, has a solid third up record. She gets into the race with a lightweight – Zac Lloyd will ride her. The only issue is barrier 19. If she can get across and get midfield, I think that her finishing sprint will see her strong to the line.

Roll On High (18) is trained by the Moody & Coleman partnership with Will Price to ride her for the first time. She was too strong winning the Fred Best (Group 3) at her last start. She has a habit of getting back and then flying home late. Barrier 13 is not ideal. She will settle towards the rear of the field and I expect Price to be on the widest runner in the straight and, with the light weight, she should be hitting the line late.

Ciaron Maher won the QLD Derby last weekend with a $121 winner. Can he win the big Group 1 of QLD this week? I think he can! This week he may convert a $26 chance into another Group 1 winner – Semana (14) with Dylan Gibbons to ride. She has some superb form in Group 1 races. The striking effort for me for the Coolmore Classic (Group 1 at Rosehill – and then another gallant effort in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf over 1600 metres. These runs have all been exceptional and over distances that place her in good stead here for this Group 1 event. Barrier 22 is a challenge, but I think that she should get in and be placed nicely in the run and be winning the race She has had an eight week freshen up – whatever she does in this race will get ready for the Tatts Tiara in a few weeks.

Bella Nipotina (1) is the stable mate – a proven Group 1 winner and gallant in defeat last time out.

Here To Shock (7) is trained by Hayes brothers – a solid win at Group 3 level last time – Regan Bayliss will ride.

Selections:

14 – Semana
4 – Benedetta
6 – Vilana
17 – Stefi Magnetica
Rough chance – (18) Roll On High & (1) Bella Nipotina & (7) Here To Shock

Race 9 The Q22 – Group 2

The last race of the program – a Group 2 race over 2200 metres.

Last start winner Hezashocka (13) from the Michael Kent and Michael Price looks like he can post consecutive wins. He gave nothing else a chance over 2400 metres last time out here in a Group 3 event. Chad Schofield will ride him from barrier 1 – he looks very hard to beat – solid each way odds at $10.

Fawkner Park (15) is an Annabel Neasham runner with Tyler Schiller to ride. There was some money for him when he ran third in the Group 1 Doomben Cup at his last start. He got too far back – but that is his style of racing. If there is a leading bias, he will probably need some luck from the rear of the field – but in saying that it was a solid effort last time out.

The 2023 QLD Oaks (Group 1) winner makes her return to the track and distance that she won at last year. Amokura (18) is a Kris Lees Racing runner with Mark Zahra aboard. She resumed in the Doomben Cup (Group 1) where she went back from a wide barrier. She worked home late – a good pipe opener I think for her to post another win. She has not won since the race here 12 months ago – time for a change of luck?

Kovalica (5) is trained by Chris Waller Racing. Well, he keeps on being sent out well supported but just does not seem to get the job done. Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride – maybe he can change the fortunes of this runner. He raced in the Doomben Cup last time and just worked home well late. He is third up – probably ready to post his first win in over 54 weeks!

Huetor (2) will have Tommy Berry riding for Snowden Racing. He was slowly away in the Doomben Cup but worked home nicely. Keep safe..

Adelaide River (6) is trained by Kris Lees Racing with James McDonald to ride. Pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia at his first start in Australia for the new stable – maybe a dramatic improver – keep safe.

Converge (16) just keeps running solid races – he could be in the placings again.

Selections:

13 – Hezashocka
15 – Fawkner Park
18 – Amokura
5 – Kovalica
Rough chance – (2) Huetor & (16) Converge & (6) Adelaide River
_______________________________________________________________________

Jockeys Challenge

Looks like a difficult day. Craig Williams, Tim Clark, and James McDonald have some good rides. Maybe a slight edge to James McDonald.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,5,8,10 / 1,5,8,9 / 4,5,7,10 / 1,3,6,9,18 - cost is $320 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

5,8 / 8,9 /5,7 / 3,6 - cost is $16 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,12 / 4,5,9,12/ 4,6,14,17,18 / 2,5,13,15,18 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1 / 4,5,12 / 4,6,14 / 13,15,18 - cost is $27 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,9,12 / 4,6,14,17,18 / 2,5,13,15,18 - cost is $100 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle is on again between WINNO and FLEMO. FLEMO won last weekend – in fact he smashed me. But then came the Rugby League – the Bulldogs won whilst the Broncos choked! Now the Bulldogs are in the top 8 and sitting higher than his dismal Broncos! 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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