WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM - TATTS TIARA DAY

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 28, 2024

EAGLE FARM this week. It is Tattersall’s Day featuring the final Group 1 event in Australia for the season – the TATTS TIARA.

The track is rated ‘Good’. The rail is out 6 metres from the 1600 metres to the 1000 metres and then 7m for the rest of the circuit. There has been two weeks between the last meeting. Then ran track and class records on that day. They seemed to get off the fence as the day progressed and then came down the middle of the track – I would expect a similar pattern of racing this weekend.

In racing news superstar jockey James McDonald has been hospitalised with a mystery illness. Will that derail his chance to ride 20 Group 1 winners this season? He does have a solid chance in the Tattersall’s Tiara with the Chris Waller trained C’est Magique. Hopefully he will be available to ride – he has been in superb form in the past two meetings here riding nine winners!

I suppose the real news must be State of Origin 2 – where NSW thrashed QLD. Thrashing is probably kind! Now they are crowing we have won 9 out of the last 10 deciders – well you are only as good as your last game – if NSW bring that form to QLD, it will be a great spectacle – with a NSW 2-1 series win – GO THE BLUES!

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 race for three-year-olds over 1200 metres to commence the day.

Tony Gollan trains Pureparadise (2) – a newcomer to his yards previously trained in South Australia. She won 6 weeks ago and then was sent to QLD. A solid recent trial two weeks ago – she looks like she has settled in well. Blake Shinn rode her to victory at her last start in SA and will be aboard her here.

The stable mate is Cassiere (11) with James McDonald due to ride. Resumed at a midweek meeting where she drew wide and got too far back but worked home well over 1110 metres – she will be better suited second up.

Chris Munce trains Navyonthehighway (9) – she will lead these and if there is a track bias she will be hard to run down late.

Selections:

2 – Pureparadise
9 – Navyonthehighway
11 – Cassiere
4 – Cigar Flick
Rough chance – (3) Tiger Shark

Race 2

A two-year-old race over 1400 metres at Listed level.

Depth of Character (1) is trained by Annabel Neasham – James McDonald will ride. Jumped well but got too far back over 1300 metres at his last start on this track at Listed level. I think the extra distance and a more positive ride will see him in the winner’s stalls.

Miss Trustful (6), trained by Ciaron Maher, went from a maiden win at Beaudesert on a heavy track to a Listed race here over 1500 metres where she was forced to race wide throughout – but still stuck on late for a gallant third. Soid chance with plenty of improvement.

Steel Strika (2) is trained in Sydney by Waterhouse & Bott who have had a solid Carnival. He won at Canterbury last time out leading all the way – he looks the likely leader here – look for Tim Clark, who is the master tactician when he leads and dominates the sectionals, to run it slowly to get the others off the bit.

Selections:

1 – Depth Of Character
6 – Miss Trustful
2 – Steel Strike
3 – Simply Fun

Race 3

A BM85 over 1200 metres.

Gollan Racing is well represented here with several runners that all have solid chances.

Millane (4) will be ridden by James McDonald and was unable to run down the stable mate at his last start when beaten by Hidden Wealth (11). With the weight differential this weekend he looks well placed.

Hidden Wealth (11) is well drawn. Tommy Berry retains the ride. He is poorly drawn in barrier 17 – will need some luck to win again for mine.

Nanagui (16) is a newcomer to the stables after being transferred from Peter Moody. The nose roll comes off and she comes off a nice trial recently – these new horses always seem to present good and race well when Gollan gets them.

Tsunami Sam (13) had his first run for the new QLD stable of John Keys and raced over 1110 metres. Was working home late and gave me the impression that he would be best suited over longer distances. His best wins are notably over the 1200 metres. I like that they have gone with the claim this weekend – 3 kilograms off for Tahlia Fenlon. A solid second up record and drawn well – like this as an each-way chance at around $34.

Kazou (14) is a Chris Waller trained runner. Tim Clark will ride. She resumed in late April and has been freshened since then. A good barrier trial a month ago – she could sprint well fresh.

Selections:

13 – Tsunami Sam
4 – Millane
16 – Nanagui
11 – Hidden Wealth
Rough chance – (12) Nashira & (17) My Snow Queen

Race 4 LADBROKES BATTLE OF THE BUSH FINAL

A Quality class race over 1200 metres. The country trainers come to town – a great concept by QLD Racing!

Tough race to assess as the form comes from all around QLD. I will do my best here.

I have seen plenty of this one – Masterplan (15) trained by Brad Stewart and to be ridden by Jackson ‘McLovin’ Murphy. This gelding drops down to the minimum weight of 52 kilograms. Has been racing around the country tracks with 62 or more kilograms. Two starts ago he was superb in the Kilcoy Cup narrowly being defeated on the line. Since then, he has raced at the Sunshine Coast where he was not disgraced, and I think that is a good lead up race to top him off nicely to win this feature race. Would be fitting for Brad Stewart to win a race like this as a horse trainer after many amazing victories on this track as a jockey.

Geran Racing are represented by Jacky Be Lucky (12) with Karl Zechner to ride. Won at Jandowae two starts ago prior to then being hampered in the running at Ipswich over 1100 metres. I think he is best suited over the 1200 metres and he has drawn well.

Art By Concorde (2) is trained by Craig Smith and Paul Hamblin will ride. Last start winner at Barcaldine in solid time – looks ideally placed. He did win this race last year – can he be the first bush runner to go back-to-back!

Parko (9) likes to lead. Wayne Baker trains and Tommy Berry will ride him here. Won well last time out at Injune – I think from a nice barrier he will be in this for a long way.

The Carpenter (11) on paper looks the one to beat – he has won his past four starts – can he ‘NAIL’ the opposition here! Last start at Mt Isa was a superb effort. I see that Jason Hoopert, originally from Brisbane, has been riding him at his last two victories and retains the ride here. I wonder if “Hoops” will bring his cameras for some sly photography after the race?

Office Jim (3) is not without an each-way ticket – will be ridden by Bubba Tilley.

Selections:

15 – Masterplan
12 – Jacky Be Lucky
2 – Art By Concorde
9 – Parko
Rough chance – (3) Office Jim & (11) The Carpenter

Race 5

This is a Listed race over 2143 metres.

Princess Rhaenys (4) won here last time out over 1810 metres at BM90 grade. Blake Shinn will ride her and she will handle the distance - could post another win for Tony Gollan.

The stable mate is Sunset Soiree (11) with Angela Jones to ride. Was on a seven day back up in the race won by Princess Rhaenys (4) – just didn’t seem to race with the same zest she did in her previous start winning over the mile here. I think she has a rough chance.

Thalassophile (2) is a Chris Waller Racing runner with James McDonald to ride. She drew wide here at her last start and then missed the start – so her race was probably over soon after that. I think you can forgive that effort and look at her final 400 metres where she belted home late – this extra distance should suit. If they are making ground with the rail out so far – she is a serious contender.

Deny Knowledge (1) has the lugging bit coming off this weekend. Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman and Tim Clark riding, she should lead these throughout. She was first up after a month freshen up in a Group 3 event and wilted late. I think that she will be better for that run and will be fitter.

Selections:

4 – Princess Rhaenys
2 – Thalassophile
1 – Deny Knowledge
11 – Sunset Soiree
Rough chance – (11) Sunset Soiree

Race 6 TATTERSALL’S CUP – Group 3

First leg of the Quaddie. The Tattersall’s Cup at Group 3 level.

Waterhouse and Bott train Serpentine (4) who will lead the field here with Tim Clark to ride. He got caught wide in the Group 1 Doomben Cup at his last start. You can probably forgive that run and hope he gets left alone in front here and rolls forward and gives the something to chase.

Knights Choice (7) was sent out at $91 when second in the Group 2 Q22 in his last run. Robbie Dolan will ride again for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons. He won’t be those odds in this race – that solid effort last time must be respected.

I like Almairac (11) around the $12 mark to cause an upset. Trained by Clifford Brown, he won at his last start at the Sunshine Coast over 2200 metres. That was second up this preparation – he must have plenty more improvement left in him – only a lightly raced four-year-old gelding so has plenty of upside and Vlad Duric, who is riding in superb form, will be aboard.

Selections:

11 – Almairac
7 – Knights Choice
4 – Serpentine
6 – Naval College
Rough chance – (9) Young Werther

Race 7 TATTERSALL’S MILE

First leg of the Treble – A Listed race over 1600 metres.

I like one here at $16 – Maracana (7) trained by Danny O’Brien who will be ridden by Damien Thornton. Was forced to be ridden wide throughout at her last race over the mile here. Despite this she was working home nicely and ran third. She has drawn wide again here in barrier 14 – but I just think the smaller field should see her get a conservative run and get the job done.

Iknowastar (5) is trained by the 2024 Group 1 Stradbroke winning trainer Bjorn Baker and will be partnered by Tim Clark. He was caught late after leading them up here two weeks ago. Will be better for that effort.

The stable mate is Wategos (6) who went around at Ipswich last week in the Eye Liner and was unlucky in the straight – absolutely no luck whatsoever. He will be better suited on this large track and will have every opportunity to post another win in QLD. Tyler Schiller will ride.

Charterhouse (4) is a Ciaron Maher runner with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle. Caught wide last start here over a mile. Will get a soft run here and could be strong on the line.

Selections:

7 – Maracana
5 – Iknowastar
6 – Wategos
4 – Charterhouse
Rough chance – (2) New Mandate

Race 8 – THE TATTERSALL’S TIARA - GROUP 1

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

Ciaron Maher has some good representatives here.

Dylan Gibbons will ride Semana (2). She has some superb form in Group 1 races. The striking effort for me for the Coolmore Classic (Group 1) at Rosehill 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. She was unlucky first up in the Group 1 Stradbroke. She drew barrier 18 – got pratted wide throughout and understandably tired late. Second up she has a strong record with two wins from three starts – look for a huge improvement.

His other runner is Bella Nipotina (1) – a proven Group 1 winner and gallant in defeat last time out in the Group 1 Stradbroke losing to a runner carrying 6 kilograms more. Ryan Maloney has been booked to ride. She gets in well in this race at the set weights – she must be very hard to hold out. The real question is - has she come to the end of her preparation? Or can she fire again?

Coco Jamboo (13) is the Snowden Racing import who won first up at Hawkesbury and then came to QLD to race in the Group 2 Dane Ripper. In that race she got too far back and got trapped wide. She was second up as well – maybe this was a factor. Tom Sherry will ride her again – she is drawn well in barrier 3. Could be a solid roughie at $17.

Chris Waller trains C’est Magique (8) who was heavily supported in the Group 2 Dane Ripper and got the job done in striking fashion. James McDonald was positive from the wide gate on that occasion, and she raced handy throughout and was strong on the line. She looks progressive and I think that she is up to Group 1 level – can she post her first Group 1 victory? Will JMAC make it to QLD to ride her and post his 20th Group 1 win for the season?

Tony Gollan has a nice chance as well with Bubble Rock (6). She was previously trained in the USA and has had one run for the stable. I think they would have learnt a lot about her after that run. Was unlucky in the running – will strip fitter – keep her in your exotics. Billy Egan will ride.

Selections:

8 – C’est Magique
1 – Bella Nipotina
13 – Coco Jamboo
2 – Semana
Rough chance – (6) Bubble Rock & (15) Roll On High

Race 9 The Healy Stakes – Group 3

The last race of the program is a Group 3 race over 1200 metres.

A Snowden Racing runner is around $16 and will be hard to beat for mine – Ghaanati (8). Blake Shinn will ride. She ran a great race in the Group 2 Dane Ripper last time out (won by C’est Magique – Race 8). I think that four weeks between runs last time was just too much – she will be fitter here. With the speed on – look for her to get home late.

Iwona Merc (14) was run down in the final stride last time out. Trained by Bjorn Baker he has drawn well in barrier 5 and should get the run of the race in behind the speed horses here. Damien Thornton will ride. A solid each way chance.

Willinga Beast (18) is a last start winner for Kris Lees Racing. She goes up in grade this week - not sure how to assess her last win as she had all the favours in the straight - Dylan Gibbons will ride – keep safe.

All That Pizazz (2) is trained by Tony Gollan. Will be ridden by James McDonald and has a solid record at this track. He likes this distance and has drawn well.

Rough chances to Shooting For Gold (6) and King Kapa (9).

Selections:

8 – Ghaanati
14 – Iowna Merc
18 – Willinga Beast
2 – All That Pizzazz
Rough chance – (6) Shooting For Gold & (9) King Kapa
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Jockeys Challenge

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

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,6 / 4,11,13,16 / 2,4,12,15 / 1,2,4 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,6 / 4,13,16 / 12,15 / 2,4 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,7,11 / 4,5,6,7 / 1,2,8,13 / 2,6,8,14,18 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

7,11 / 5,6,7 / 1,8 / 8,14,18 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,6,7 / 1,2,8,13 / 2,6,8,14,18 - cost is $80 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle is on again between 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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