WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, DECEMBER 3
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, December 1, 2016
This week we are back at Eagle Farm – the track is rated as “Good” and the rail is out 5m for the entire course.
Last week it was slim pickings across the program for Winno’s winners – I went wide looking for some value. Zinzi - $11 did get us off to a good start and then lots of placings after that.
I note that Takedown, trained by the excitable Gary Moore has arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday to compete in the Hong Kong International Race Day Group 1 sprint.
After some consistent form over the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and then some great runs since resuming – and a wonderful win last weekend in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth – he looks a serious contender come International Race Day!
This weekend I will be reporting live from the Moonee Valley of the North race track – Kilcoy Races. It is the culmination of the recent Cannonball Series run across South East Queensland.
May I suggest if you are looking for a wonderful day out with great hospitality – you will not have any regrets by making the trip north to the Kilcoy Race Club.
Winno will be supplying an overview of this meeting as well this weekend with an exclusive “Kilcoy Kash” preview to be released Friday.
NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.
**************************************************************************************************
Race 1
Well what can I say – Emerald City (1) has just been going great guns and really does like the Eagle Farm track. This week the gelding is looking for five straight wins – I cannot see him getting beaten. All credit must be given to trainer David Vandyke who has been able to keep him up so long and performing so consistently – an amazing training effort!
Good luck to the lovely strapper Erika Schmid as well – she is a truely passionate owner and loves this horse! I think that Meteorologist will run well again this week and poses the only danger. Look for an improved run from Anton En Avant as well this week – drawn better – stepping up in distance with Ryan Wiggins aboard.
Selections: 1-4-2-5
**************************************************************************************************
Race 2
I keep tipping in these two year old races and my second tip seems to be getting up a lot lately. I am probably going to be abused here – but here goes. I think that Dream Kisses (8) is a progressive filly that put a nice win on the board last start at Eagle Farm after a solid performance at Doomben. I have much respect for the Billy & Dale Healey trained I Am Venus (9) who was just amazing first up on the 22 October where she drew 16 and just flew down the outside in a great time of 58.12 seconds. There is much to like about her.
I did tip Pins For Arrows (10) first up after an impressive trial win at the Gold Coast. I was happy with this run and I think with the race experience under her belt she will be ready to fire this weekend. Clairvue (2) trained by Liam Birchley also has a nice first up run on the board – he could show up here. This is a nice race – with many of the runners getting ready for Magic Millions 2017. This could be a strong form race for the future.
Selections: 8-9-10-2
**************************************************************************************************
Race 3
This is a tough race. I like Speed Gonzales (9) who ran a nice second to L’Entrecote last start. Bridget Grylls gets back on board this week and with her claim the gelding get in well here. The obvious danger is Dream Finish (7) who has winkers on for the first time this week. Maybe this gear change will see a better performance this week. Blue Lion (1) has been racing well and should be thereabouts. Not an inspiring race – maybe one to stand back and watch.
Selections: 9-7-1-2
***************************************************************************************************
Race 4
Saga Miss (6) was an amazing run last start after coming back from the 1830m to the 1600m. The mare is the one to beat this week. Peter and Will Hulbert have got her going very well at the moment – maybe with a long term plan to run on Magic Millions Day where she does have a great record at the Gold Coast track. Nathan Day rides here again – win three wins and a second form four rides – and she will be strapped by Jake Renehan.
Emphasis (4) was drawn wide last start and really had no luck after pushing forward. Look for a better run this week from barrier 2. Lord Coconuts (2) put in a barnstorming finish last start at Eagle Farm finishing only 0.9lengths from the winner – a jockey change this week with the inform Lani Fancourt taking over.
Selections: 6-4-2-3
****************************************************************************************************
Race 5
It would be a brave man to tip against Winning Rupert (1) in this race. He was had a fair bit of work to get ready for the run this weekend with three barrier trials in Sydney – all of which he has won. It looks like a nice summer series for the Bjorn Baker trained colt. Jeff Lloyd has a 100% strike rate with two wins from two rides on him.
The danger is Crack Me Up (3) who will be better suited by the set weights here this week and who does have a nice second up record. The Tony Gollan trained Another Slipper (4) was impressive last start and will fill a place.
Selections: 1-3-4-9
***************************************************************************************************
Race 6
Man of His Word (5) put the writing on the wall last start with a late powerful finish over 1400m – this week the Bruce Hill trained gelding steps up to 1500m. He looks one of the best bets on the program. Beckoning Light (8), to be ridden by Jimmy Orman, has a win on his record at the Eagle Farm track.
My spies tell me that Jimmy has bought a residence in the inner northern suburbs of Brisbane and is soon to be moving into it. The ultimate goal for Jimmy is to take up the challenge of establishing himself as a senior rider in Brisbane. Heart of a Warrior (1) was a fabulous run first up here at Eagle Farm – again the 1500m second up should suit this gelding. Robbie Fradd retains the ride this week.
Selections: 5-8-1-3
***************************************************************************************************
Race 7
Here we go – one of these Class 3 Plate races that seem to destroy my Quaddie every week! Brooklyn Storm (2) was a striking run behind Perfect Dare (6) last start at Eagle Farm – this week he has drawn poorly in barrier 14 and Jeff Lloyd may have to use him up to take a forward position in this race. I am not sure whether Perfect Dare will run here this week, but if he does he needs to be in the top two selections.
Star of Night (13) looks suited by the race conditions this week and did perform well last start behind Cruising Speed. Desert Man (14) from the Kelly Schweida stables is another horse that has been running well each week and probably deserves a change in luck here.
Selections: 13-14-2-15 chance 6 (if he runs)
***************************************************************************************************
Race 8
The George Moore Stakes for 2016 – a great field has been assembled here. Trubia (9) has been well supported since the markets opened as it was last week, backed from $15 to $10. I have some horses that are favourites on mine here. Big Money (1) is an absolute war horse that always puts in his best – he has been primed for a big run here with a solid barrier trial at my old stomping grounds of Gosford three weeks ago. I thought he had won the 2016 Grafton Ramornie – but was just beaten by the narrowest of margins. The King of the Coalfields, Robert Thompson, comes to Brisbane to ride the Rodney Northam trained gelding.
Then you have Miss Cover Girl (4) who always runs a great race first up and has never been out of the place. Kelly Schweida and Damian Browne have a great strike rate recently. She will be ready here. Into The Red (3) from the Kelso Wood stables, who has had no luck of late, won the W.J.Healy Stakes over the Winter Carnival. I am sure that stable representative Patricia Gesler will be there dressed up and looking glamorous.
Too Good to Refuse (8) was an amazing win in the Keith Noud two weeks ago – the Desleigh Forster team is on fire at the moment! Jim Byrne stays on the stallion for this start and he seemed thrilled after the dominant win last time.
That’s A Good Idea (2) has come back from a spell and has been carrying some massive weights in Sydney – this week he gets in well at the weights. Is another one that has been freshened by a very good barrier trial at Rosehill two weeks ago – with the Peter & Paul Snowden polish. Will be right in this. This is a tough race with some good horses.
Selections: 8-1-4-2 rough chances 3 & 10
*************************************************************************************************
Race 9
Tiyatrolani (6) was impressive last start with the alteration in riding tactics from the Gollan team and ridden by Jim Byrne. Jim could finish off the program with a running double here this week. Savanna Amour (10) has had a month between runs but did have a solid barrier trial at Deagon this week on Tuesday which it won quite well with Jimmy Orman on board.
Candika (1) is the class runner here with solid performances over the recent Winter Carnival. She is first up and does race well fresh. Suspenders (7) is a Sydney visitor from the Gerald Ryan stables who ran a nice third in a barrier trial behind Winning Rupert (who is the $1.45 favourite in race 5). If Winning Rupert destroys that field this filly may be one to put in your exotics here.
Selections: 6-10-1-7 rough chance 9
*************************************************************************************************
Early Quaddie (Races 2 to 5 NSW TAB only) 8,9 / 7,9 / 4,6 / 1 - cost is $8 for $1
Quadrella (races 6 to 9) 1,5,8 / 6,13,14 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,6,7,10 - cost is $144 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8) 5,8 / 13,14 / 1,4,8 / 1,6,10 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 6 to 8) 6,13,14 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,6,7,10 - cost is $48 to $1
Jockey Challenge
This week it looks like a battle supreme between the Queenslanders Jim Byrne and Jimmy Orman and the South African – Jeff Lloyd. I have Jim Byrne beating Orman and Lloyd by 1 point. May just have to wait and see if any of them lose any of their nice rides on the weekend before taking the odds.
Good luck and good punting!
More articles
|