WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, NOVEMBER 26

By Darren Winningham | Friday, November 25, 2016

Back to Eagle Farm this week – they are forecasting showers over the weekend – especially late Saturday afternoon, but it looks like we should be racing on a Good track for the start of the program. Last week jockeys banned the inside and came 7 or 8 wide off the rail looking for better going – where will they make their runs this week? On Saturday the rail is out 2.5metres for the entire course.

Earlier in the week Greg Miles OAM announced his retirement from race calling. After 37 years behind the binoculars and his iconic calling of 36 Melbourne Cups his voice will be missed from media outlets across Australia. There are a number of talented race callers lining up to take up the challenge of the number one job in Melbourne. Personally, I would like to see Matt Hill get the job – he left Sky Channel and joined the ABC last year to call other sports – he is a very talented young man and would be an apt replacement for Miles.

John Zielke and his stable are on the move! The stable has left the Sunshine Coast track and are heading up the hill and far west to Toowoomba. I am sure this talented trainer will take a few weeks to get settled and then be a force to be reckoned with both locally and in the Brisbane metropolitan area.

Last week Winno had some good winners – and did tip Jim Byrne at $5 to win the jockeys challenge – he did not let us down! A great riding effort with a treble and a couple of placings on the card meant that we had a nice collect.

The Tim Bell Memorial Golf Day was held on Monday this week at Virginia Golf Course – whilst I was unable to attend – it sounds like a wonderful day was had by all who participated. Look out for this event next year in 2017 is my mail – it will be one to mark in your calendar for next year!

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

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Race 1

The program kicks off with a two year old race. As we all know sometimes the late betting moves can sometimes find us the winner. The race is dominated by the Gillian Heinrich and Ben Rodgers stable from the Gold Coast with five runners out of the field of eleven. I was impressed with the first up run of Zinzi (11) when it was beaten 2.3 lengths here at Eagle Farm – then the filly travelled to Sydney and turned in a shocker running a distant last at Canterbury. I am going to forgive that run and hope she comes back well here and can win the race.

The stable mate Cool Mover (8) raced in the same race at Canterbury and was only beaten 2.3 lengths and should prove hard to beat. Let’s round out the trifecta and first four with the rest of the Heinrich/Rodgers team with Triple Arrow (3) and Serious Doubts (5) both who have run well at Doomben two weeks ago. Of the rest Himalaya Salt (6) from the Natalie McCall yard at the Sunshine Coast was impressive first up at her home track, leading and just got beat close to the line. The filly has drawn well here in barrier 1 and could get an easy time in front. Overall it is a tough race and it may be worth watching them go around.

Selections: 11-8-3-5 rough chance 6

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Race 2

Here we go with another one of these 2200 or so metre races at Eagle Farm – these seem to turn up a different winner each week! I am staying with Flitero (2) who is now looking for a hat trick of wins – the stallion seems to have come back well and is racing consistently but does have 58.5 kilograms to contend with this week. The stable mate Lever Lever (9) I think is the danger – it has some proven form on the Eagle Farm track and the inform Jim Byrne jumps on board this week for the Matthew Dunn stable. With no weight and drawn nicely it could be in front for a long way here.

The Sydney trained Shanakee (8) from the Bjorn Baker stable is stepping up in distance. It is untried over the 2200 metres, however the engagement of Jeff Lloyd for this mare is a key factor. I’ll Take The Jag (3) should be nice odds and I think maybe be ready to show something this week – keep your eye on him in your exotic bets. In summary ... a quinella to the Dunn stables with Flitero (2) and Lever Lever (9) – hopefully at some nice odds!

Selections: 2-9-8-3

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Race 3

A 1000m scamper here – these are getting harder each week to find a winner. Trubia (2) returns from a spell and always races well fresh. He must have had plenty of work – with no official barrier trial to note. He has been heavily backed here in the early markets firming from $8 to $4.40. I like the recent runs of Lady Jetsetter (7) who comes off a win at Doomben last start. I am not sure whether she races well at the Eagle Farm track but I do know that when she gets down in the weights and can race handy she can usually perform. Tiffani Brooker takes three kilograms off the mare again this week – after she won on her last start at Doomben. That start she was heavily supported from $14 into $7.50 to win. I think she is the one to beat here.

Stella Ombra (11) races well here and just has not had much luck – the gelding has drawn wide again this week in barrier 11 – but the way they were running and coming wide last week this could be of some benefit. I think coming back in distance it may race well here at the nice odds of $10. Shapin Lady (10) from the Chris Munce stable put in a great effort last start here in similar grade to provide up and coming stable apprentice Michael Murphy with his first metropolitan win for his boss! This week Larry Cassidy takes the mount. She has drawn well and could fill a place at massive odds of $51 in early markets. Vienna Queen (8) for the Tony Gollan stable resumes here – she is a mare with some ability – if there are any moves for her it may be worth following the money.

Selections: 7-11-2-8 rough chance 10

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Race 4

This is an open field with many chances. I like two that got out of their ground last start at Doomben and both finished off the race well – they are No Annamossity (4) and Volpino (9). I am not sure what one to put on top as yet – but let me look at the other runners before making a decision. Billy The Kid (6) was impressive winning first up at Eagle Farm on Melbourne Cup day at Eagle Farm. Luke Dittman retains the ride this weekend for the Meagher stable. The stable mate, Meet and Greet (2) turned in a nice run at Sunshine Coast last start to win. Brad Stewart stays on board here on Saturday. Then you have the Edmonds runner Real Classic (8). It turned in some great runs over the Brisbane Winter Carnival and comes off a nice win at the Gold Coast two weeks ago. At the value I am tipping Volpino at around $12 to win with Ric McMahon on board.

Selections: 9-4-8-2 rough chance 6

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Race 5

I backed Who’s Ya Daddy (5) the other week at massive odds and I was not disappointed with the run. The gelding has drawn barrier 1 this week and I am not sure whether that will be a hindrance or of benefit. There is a jockey change this week with Nori Masuda taking the ride for the John Wallace stable at the Gold Coast. Don’t be concerned about the jockey – he can ride! Down in grade and with the extra distance of this race I am backing him at around the $12 that is on offer.

Say You Love Me (11) is the obvious danger and will be looking for the longer distance this week of 1500m. It is the early favourite and the Jim Byrne/ Matthew Dunn team have been in awesome form of late. A unique quinella – Who’s Ya Daddy – with Say You Love Me! The other Matthew Dunn runner Madame De Ban (10) is a nice type – she is undefeated second up with two wins from two starts. He could be the one to be running home late here – Luke Dittman takes the ride and he will give the mare every chance.

Selections: 5-11-10-12

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Race 6

This is a quality field. The favourite Private Secretary (2) has been smashed in the early markets being backed from $3.60 to $2.40. She is trained in Sydney by Greg Hickman, has been running in much higher grade than these and gets her first look at Eagle Farm. I am going to gamble against her here – probably at my own peril! I am going for some local horses to win at massive odds – Cruising Speed (18) and Magic I Am (16) both who have won at the track. They probably are not treated that well at the set weights of this race but I am thinking that they should be finishing nicely and will only be better for the run.

Butterboom (6) from the Joseph Pride stable in Sydney is another interesting runner who races well fresh and should be running home late. Of the rest the Tony Gollan pair of Notonyourlife (5) and Sheiswhatsheis (8) will be somewhere in the finish. An open race with many chances – it may just turn out to be the favourite comes out and destroys them – but watch out for the locals here that have some form on the Eagle Farm track!

Selections: 18-16-2-6 rough chances 5 & 8

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Race 7 – 2016 Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes

Wow what a race! An open field with some great horses going around. Hopfgarten (1) returns after an unsuccessful Melbourne campaign – but he loves the Eagle Farm track! Then you have the Helen Page trained Rudy (2) who turned in an amazing run first up at the Sunshine Coast and has an amazing second up record. I noted earlier in the week on social media where Helen said “Rudy is ready for Saturday” – I think with some luck he will be right in this. Then you have Cylinder Beach (12) resuming for trainer Desleigh Forster – who has had some luck of late with her runners. The four year old gelding has been smashed in the early markets being backed from $9 to $5. Frespanol (3) ran well last start at the Sunshine Coast and was most impressive – in saying that he has had not had the best luck at Eagle Farm.

Mr Epic (7) is an interesting runner from the Toby Edmonds stables on the Gold Coast. He has had three start for three wins at Eagle Farm – you cannot have a better record than that! Jeff Lloyd takes the ride this week and may need some luck from the poor barrier draw in 17. Some others with some chances are Allknight Saint (8) from the Brad Herne stable – Ben Looker makes the long drive up the freeway from NSW to take the ride. It would be great to see Ben and Brad combine for a feature winner in the city! In His Stride (15) made lengths here last week over the 1200m only going down by the narrowest of margins to Perfect Dare. Jimmy Orman knows this horse and from the wide barrier is sure to be flashing down the outside late again.

I am going to be bold to bracket Hopfgarten (1) and Rudy (2) to dead heat and win the race! As for the placings – you may need to go wide but the trifecta could play a motza if the favoured runners do not fill the placings.

Selections: (1-2) - 7-8 rough chances 12 & 15

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Race 8

I tipped Zaha’s Ace (8) last week – so I am sticking solid again here as it was scratched last week. As explained last week it resumed in the Stanthorpe Cup and carried the grandstand and was ridden by up and coming apprentice Nick Keal. My spies at the track tell me the run was full of merit and I think this week with Lani Fancourt taking over the reins and drawn nicely he should be hard to beat. Robert Heathcote is well represented here with Oberland (13) and Dream of Slips (17) who have both been racing consistently and have a genuine chance here.

There is a roughie here that I have found – Bushy (19). The seven year old gelding races well here at Eagle Farm and does race better when his races are spaced apart. He has had two months off and I think he will be in the finish somewhere. Apple Thief (6) from the Wylie Dalziel / Roy Higgins Racing Syndications, trained by Bryan and Daniel Guy, is another rough chance – his run first up was great and he does have an impressive second up record with two wins and two placings from four starts. Stella Ombra (20) is a dual acceptor, being nominated in Race 3 as well – the four year old gelding may find a placing if he accepts to run in this race.

Selections: 8-14-17-19 rough chances 6 & 20 (dual acceptor – race 3 as well)

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Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW TAB only) 8,11 / 2,9 / 2,7,11 / 4,8,9 -cost is $36 for $1

Quadrella (races 5 to 8) 5,10,11 / 2,6,8,16,18 / 1,2,7,12 / 8,14,17,19 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (5 to 8) 5,11 / 2,16,18 / 1,2,7 / 8,14,17 - cost is $54 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 5,11 / 16,18 / 1,2 / 8,14 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8) 2,6,8,16,18 / 1,2,7,12 / 8,14,17,19 - cost is $80 to $1

Jockey Challenge

Well with another nice book of rides this week I am staying with Jim Byrne to win – two weeks in a row! He is getting some good rides as we come into the Summer Racing period in Brisbane.

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