WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, JUNE 7, 2025

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 6, 2025

The focus is on Queensland this weekend with ten races at Eagle Farm headed by a triple treat of Group 1 racing.

The track is rated ‘Soft’. The rail is out 2 metres. There looks like some good weather in the lead up to the meeting – so we may say an improved track.

One thing for sure it is going to be a very busy day.

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 NOVA 106.9 SHOW A HEART – LISTED

A two-year-old race over 1500 metres to start us off at Listed level.

Very impressive last start winner, the locally trained Sunrays (13) should be hard to beat here. Trained by Kelly Schweida and Tommy Berry retains the ride, he will benefit from the longer distance and looks well placed.

There are some interstate invaders that bring a different form line here. Just A Journey (15) is trained by Mitchell Freedman and Tim Clark will ride. A solid winner last time out over 1400 metres.

Jenni Gone Bonkers (16) is trained by Ciaron Maher with Ethan Brown to ride. She ran second to Just A Journey (15) last time out and will strip fitter.

Navy Pilot (2) is trained by Chris Waller – may pay to overlook his last start at Ipswich on a heavy track. He goes better on top of the ground and the extra distance will suit. Ryan Maloney will ride.

Don’tdoubtthelady (14) was gallant third behind Sunrays (13) last time out. Will be right in the race – Clinton Taylor trains with Justin Stanley to ride.

Selections:

13 – Sunrays
15 – Just A Journey
2 – Navy Pilot
14 – Don’tdoubtthelady
Rough chances – (16) Jenni Gone Bonkers & (3) North Pole & (8) Providence

Race 2 LADBROKES LIGHTNING – LISTED

A Listed race over 1000 metres.

There are a few of the emergencies that will be very competitive if they make the field.

The top weight is Steady Ready (1) from the Sears Racing yards. Has had a freshen up and loves these sprint distances. Cody Collis will ride him again – a great achievement with all the interstate jockeys in town!

Wanda Rox (7) loves the 1000 metres and loves Eagle Farm. Trained by Lindsay Hatch, she will benefit from the fast speed in the race and trail in behind them – Tommy Berry will ride.

Shalaa’s Moment (10) is trained by Matthew Hoysted and resumes after a 23-week spell. Always sprints well fresh and Damien Thornton will ride.

Manhood (8) is trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald – a solid last start winner at Doomben – Rachel King keeps the ride. He may get another win. I think that they may let the speed go this time and try to finish off strong.

My selection is Austmarr (11) trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman with Kerrin McEvoy riding – around $9 each way.

She led them in the Group 1 Sangster at her last start – was forced to work hard early and had to capitulate late. She has a solid record over 1000 metres and is drawn well. I think she will be well suited by letting the other speedsters go hard early and sitting in behind them – great each way value!

Selections:

11 – Austmarr
7 – Wanda Rox
10 – Shalaa’s Moment
1 – Steady Ready
Rough chances – (8) Manhood & (2) Pisanello

Race 3 MAGIC MILLIONS NATIONAL CLASSIC

A race over 1600 metres for fillies and mares.

Chris Waller Racing is well represented with four of the sixteen runners – they all have serious chances.

I like the Tommy Berry mount Thalassophile (5) who got too far back in her last start at Doomben over a mile. Third up here – she could run a bold race.

The stable mate is Mare Of Mt Buller who was solid at Gosford over the mile last start. She was seven weeks between runs and will be fitter now. Will be well placed here and suited by a solid speed – James McDonald is aboard.

Rose Bloom (10) is another stable mate – despite not winning for 90 weeks she has been solid – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Queen Of Dragons is a Snowden Racing runner – Kerrin McEvoy will be aboard. Was a forgive run last time over the mile at Doomben – she never was on the track. She was hot on the tail of the eventual winner Pulchritudinous (2).

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott train Pulchritudinous (2) who scored at Group 3 level at her last start. She was sent out at huge odds; however, the stable was pleased to see her win and had a level of confidence that she will now go on with it.

Selections:

5 – Thalassophile
2 – Pulchritudinous
8 – Mare of Mt Buller
15 – Queen Of Dragons

Rough chances – (7) Vivy Air & (11) Exotique Miss & (10) Rose Bloom

Race 4 THE STAR MORETON CUP – GROUP 2

A Group 2 race over 1200 metres.

Ciaron Maher is well represented here – he may be able to trifecta the race!

A Little Deep (13) raced in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes at Morphettville in her last run. Was a very good effort it, will strip fitter and goes down in the weights here with Craig Williams riding - very hard to beat. She has been freshened up since that run.

Semana (12) is the stablemate with Jason Collett riding. She is first up after a 15 week break and has had a recent trial where she looked very forward for this race. She has always been a consistent performer without much luck and in this grade of race she deserves a chance to post a victory.

The other stablemate is Warnie (7) who is second up here for the stable. He was heavily backed first up at Gosford and appeared not to really enjoy the track - I would overlook that run and look for an improved effort here second up. Ethan Brown will take the sit.

Gollan Racing has Hidden Wealth (2) and Cannonball (4) engaged – they are both genuine chances.

Barber (5) has had a stable change from Godolphin now being trained by Richard Litt. This is his third run for the trainer and at his last start he posted a solid victory at Gosford – Joshua Parr will ride.

Front Page (8) comes out of the Western Australian Quokka – never went a yard – maybe the trip over was a factor. Better to rather go on his wonderful first up run behind the rising star Private Harry. He has not won for 85 weeks, but they have installed him as the early favourite for the race. Tim Clark will ride – he will probably lead them up here and should race well fresh.

Selections:

13 – A Little Deep
7 – Warnie
12 – Semana
8 - Front Page
Rough chances – (2) Hidden Wealth & (5) Barber & (4) Cannonball

Race 5 QUEENSLAND DAY STAKES - LISTED

A Listed class race over 1200 metres for three-year-old runners.

This is a very tough race – pick one and stay with it - it could be a massive blow out for punters.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott train Gerringong (10) who was solid first up at Scone in Listed grade over 1100 metres. Tim Clark will ride her - but she has drawn terribly in barrier 18 – will need some luck. Clark probably can get her to settle in behind some of the speed in the race. I note some formidable NSW players are in the ownership of this runner – Mick Cronin, Peter Wynn and Phil Sigsworth – NSW winning anytime is always a good thing!

I like the Waller Racing runner Amelita (9) who was terrible last time out on a heavy track and pulled up with the thumps after the race. Totally forgive her that effort – she is better than that and on top of the surface will improve out of sight this weekend – Tommy Berry will ride. Has a perfect barrier draw as well – barrier 5.

Zoubaby (8) is silly odds for mine – in some markets $21. Trained by Richard & Will Freedman – Craig Williams will ride her. She was solid behind Spicy Martini first up who franked the form when she won the Group 3 Fred Best Classic on Wednesday at Doomben. She then went around on a despicable heavy track at the Gold Coast – she just hates wet tracks! Back on top of the ground here she will be right in this race. Barrier 17 is the only issue I can see.

Munce Racing keeps on having winners – can they win here with Pierata’s Gem (11) with Martin Harley aboard. This team combined to win the Group 2 BRC Sires with Cool Archie last weekend. Last start he got too far back from the wide gate, and I don't think the heavy track helped him at all. Back at Eagle Farm where he seems to thrive, he must be rated as an each way chance at big odds around $41.

Velocious (7) is a NZ visitor from the Stephen Marsh yards – a last start winner – must be respected with Ethan Brown to ride.

Selections:

9 – Amelita
10 – Gerringong
8 – Zoubaby
11 – Pierata’s Gem
Rough chances – (4) Hella Fast & (7) Velocious & (2) Winnasedge

Race 6 NUTURF SPEAR CHIEF HANDICAP – LISTED

A Listed class race over 1500 metres.

Matthew Dunn Racing (NSW) and Tony Gollan Racing (QLD) look like they have the race between them – both stables have solid representation.

I like the impressive Fukubana (16) who won in restricted grade last time out at Doomben – he will be ridden this weekend by Jake Bayliss. Last start he was dominant over the mile – he is up in grade but gets a hefty weight relief and will be competitive.

Do not underestimate the stable mate – Belvedere Boys (14) who will have Damien Thornton riding him. This runner will be better over distance as he gets into his preparation; however, he has performed well first up and, over 1500 metres with two recent barrier trials under his belt where he performed solidly, I expect him to run a bold race at a huge price.

Rising Pacific (12) is a last start winner with Andrew Mallyon to ride. He comes back in distance however with the genuine speed and tempo in this race he looks ideally placed. Coming back in distance but I don't think that is any trouble for this runner as he seems to be getting better at this preparation. He has won his past two starts and must be respected.

The stablemate is Transatlantic (6) who has been performing consistently of late and could show up in the race. Ryan Maloney will ride.

Tavs (18) is trained by Mark Currie – was disappointing last time out at Doomben. He is back at his favourite track where he is undefeated with three starts here for three wins – the extra distance will suit as well.

Selections:

16 – Fukubana
12 – Rising Pacific
14 – Belvedere Boys
18 – Tavs
Rough chances – (6) Transatlantic

Race 7 EVA AIR KINGSFORD SMITH CUP – GROUP 1

First leg of the Quaddie. The first of the Group 1 races on the program – postponed from last weekend over 1300 metres. I think with the firmer track this weekend things swing around.

Joliestar (10) is a Chris Waller runner – James McDonald aboard. She is a proven Group 1 performer. Five starts in this grade – 2 wins and a second – impressive stuff. She won the Group 1 Newmarket three starts ago. Last time out she was a gallant second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes over 1400 metres. She rates well for this race and must be respected.

Golden Mile (4) is the Godolphin / James Cummings runner with Jason Collett aboard. He is a $31 chance and I think may cause a massive upset. He has had a month freshen up since a good effort in the Group 2 Victory Stakes. He got too far back on that occasion and worked home well from a wide gate. A recent barrier trial as well where he wasn’t asked to do too much – super odds and this race can normally serve up a massive upset!

The Hayes boys won the last race two weeks ago with War Machine. In that race Rise At Dawn (8) was scratched and saved for this event. Clearly a harder assignment – but in saying that a good pipe opener for the Stradbroke. Ethan Brown will ride him. His last start effort in the Group 1 Doncaster was fabulous when he led them up and was swamped late in a blanket finish – this distance suits him. He won a trial at Caulfield a fortnight ago – he looks forward and will improve on this run. He is looking for his first Group win.

Giga Kick (1) cannot be overlooked – the highest rating runner in the race – I just want to see him win a race and I am not sure whether a firm Eagle Farm track will give him this opportunity.

I think that Kimochi (12, trained by Gary Portelli, comes right into the race now. She does not handle wet tracks – with a firm track here this weekend and a recent trial which she won under her belt - and barrier 3 with Craig Williams aboard - she looks a genuine threat to post her second Group 1 victory.

Selections:

10 – Joliestar
1 – Giga Kick
12 – Kimochi
4 – Golden Mile
Rough chances – (8) Rise At Dawn & (12) Benedetta

Race 8 SEVEN QUEENSLAND OAKS – GROUP 1

First leg of the Treble – the second Group 1 race - over 2200 metres for the three-year-old fillies.

David Vandyke trains Philia (2) who has kept going from strength to strength in every run this season. She is four from four this preparation and looking to win her grand final here – the 2025 QLD Oaks. Kerrin McEvoy was excited when he got off her after winning the Group 2 Roses last start declaring the extra distance would be no trouble. She has drawn wide here in barrier 16 – she has always raced on the speed in all her career starts – they may have to snag her back and ride her for luck. Either way, she must be respected.

Movin Out is trained by Chris Waller – James McDonald will ride. In her last two starts she's drawn wide on both occasions and had to go back and be ridden from behind which clearly doesn't suit her style of racing. I think this weekend, even though she's drawn poorly in barrier 12, McDonald will go forward and place her in the front half of the field and I think that this is the tactic which will see her will be very strong towards the end of the race. She has an enormous finishing burst and this will come in handy at the end of this long-distance race.

Jenni’s Meadow (6) was tremendous when a solid second to Philia (2) in the Roses last start. Trained by the Hayes team she will have Ethan Brown riding again. She was poorly drawn in the Roses as well and was snagged back towards the rear of the field before unleashing a powerful burst in the straight but not running down the eventual winner. This weekend she has drawn the rails in barrier 1 and I expect them to go forward and be more positive in placing her in the running - if she can settle, she will take a mountain of beating in the straight as she unleashes a very powerful sprint.

The Godolphin runner Pinito (8) ticks a few boxes for me. Is trained by James Cummings and Jason Collett will ride her again after a barnstorming victory last time out at the Gold Coast over 1800 metres. Everyone said that the track conditions played into her hands on that occasion however I have a different opinion thinking that the way she finished off the race, despite racing wide throughout the entire race, shows that she has a mountain of improvement in her and will be very hard to beat here. She was taken back to Sydney after that run and has had recent trial as well - I just can't get over the powerful burst that she showed at the Gold Coast and the way she destroyed that field - she looks the ideal runner here and I expect a bold performance from her.

Churchill’s Choice (4) will be ridden by Koby Jennings – he is chasing his first Group 1 career victory. Can trainer Nathan Doyle provide him with this prestigious accolade? Her two runs in Queensland this preparation have been full of merit. On each occasion she settled towards the rear of the field and then worked into the race nicely suggesting that this 2200m is ideal for her. The trainer has made no secret this is her grand final and she has been set for this race all preparation – she looks like she will be competitive on a firm surface.

Excuses last start for the Glen Thompson trained Benagil (1) – will need to sharply improve – Mark Zahra will ride.

Selections:

8 – Pinito
6 – Jenni’s Meadow
3 – Movin Out
2 – Philia
Rough chances – (4) Churchill’s Choice & (1) Benagil

Race 9 THE LADBROKES QUEENSLAND DERBY – GROUP 1

The final Group 1 event on this historic program – the Ladbrokes Queensland Derby - again rescheduled from last weekend over 2400 metres.

This is a very open race if you want to play wide.

Chase Your Dreams (18) is trained by the Hayes boys – she has the winkers coming off this weekend. She has been up a while – her last start at Group 3 level at Morphettville showed she will run this distance out. She is taking on the boys, but she may just run a solid race. Ethan Brown will ride.

Maison Louis (10), trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, has been working through the grades and stepping up in distance as well. His last start effort in the Rough Habit (Group 3) on a heavy track was solid. He didn’t enjoy the wet conditions; however, he was strong to the line – looking for a better effort on top of the ground. Ben Melham to ride.

Belle Detelle (17) is a Chris Waller runner – with James McDonald to ride. She was heavily supported in the Rough Habit last time out, but the wet track was a massive issue – she settled back in the field and despite finishing off the race, never looked like a winning hope. I think that she has been crying out for this distance.

Statuario (3) came out of the Group 1 South Australian Derby where he ran second with John Allen aboard. Trained by Emma Lee and David Browne, he was heavily supported and sent out favourite in that race and just failed to reel in the leader late. He has had a five week freshen up and he has a nice barrier – barrier 5. He gets every chance to win his maiden Group 1 race. He will be easily identified in the running; he is a grey racehorse.

Lavalier (6) was caught wide early in the South Australian Derby and could not get in – had to be used up early to find a place in the running and this showed late when he peaked on his run. Given some more luck here – look for him to be competitive.

Politely Dun (7) has drawn woefully in barrier 22 – Jordan Childs will ride this Danny O’Brien trained gelding. A last start winner at Flemington – his sectionals late were great. Not being subjected to a heavy track last start – he could come here with fresh legs.

Selections:

3 – Statuario
17 – Blle Detelle
6 – Lavalier
18 – Chase Your Dreams
Rough chances – (10) Maison Louis & (7) Politely Dun & (16) Femminile

Race 10 MAGIC MILLIONS HELEN COUGHLAN – LISTED

A Listed race over 1200 metres. Time to head home after this one – after a massive day!

Like one from interstate in the last race. Trained in South Australia by Phillip Stokes this mare – Zaszou (14) had her last start at Randwick over 1200 metres at Group 2 level. She drops back in grade and has drawn well. Third up record is solid and has Ethan Brown to ride – a seven week freshen up – look for her to sprint well here – super each way odds $21.

Bubba’s Bay (4) is trained by Kris Lees Racing who comes off a heavy track run at Hawkesbury in the Listed Gold Rush over 1100 metres. He has a solid record at this track with six starts for five wins – he just thrives here. Andrew Mallyon rides him as well – seven rides – 4 wins and 2 placings – the track the jockey the distance ticks a few boxes and he is a $21 chance.

Tony Gollan Racing has Comrade Rosa (5) racing here third up – she was awesome in the Archer running a gallant second. Craig Williams remains aboard. She ran some amazing sectionals in the race. There is some speed in this race – hopefully she doesn’t get too far back and she will be right in the race late.

Floozie (7) is the stablemate – Angela Jones to ride. She was dominant at the Gold Coast last start winning the Gold Coast Stocking at Listed level – drawn a little sticky in barrier 12, but she has won her last three and has her chance to post another black type win.

Kin (6) is the Godolphin runner with James McDonald aboard. She was solid in the Listed Bright Shadow at Doomben in her last start. Her wins have always been better on firm surfaces – look for an improved effort here.

Tashi (9) is trained by Snowden Racing – he seems to sneak one in each year to the Carnival and grab a win. She came off a solid second at Group 3 level last time out. Just got run down late – will be fitter and ready to fire.

Selections:

14 – Zaszou
4 – Bubbas Bay
5 – Comrade Rosa
7 – Floozie
Rough chances – (6) Kin & (9) Tashi
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like the interstate visiting jockeys have a mortgage on the races. Tommy Berry, Kerrin McEvoy, Tim Clark, James McDonald and Ethan Brown all have solid chances. I am going for a NSW win – Tommy Berry!

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

2,5,8,15 / 7,8,12,13 / 8,9,10,11 / 12,14,16,18 - cost is $256 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

2,5,8 / 7,13 / 8,9,10 / 12,14,16 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1,10,12 / 2,3,6,8 / 3,6,17 / 4,5,7,14 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1,10 / 3,6,8 / 3,17 / 4,5,14 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

2,3,6,8 / 3,6,17 / 4,5,7,14 - cost is $48 to $1.

WINNO’s LATE MAIL

Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings. The late mail has been on fire in recent weeks.

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