WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MAY 4, 2024

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 2, 2024

EAGLE FARM this week. The track is rated ‘Soft.’ The rail is out 7 metres for the entire circuit. With the rail out so far, they will be coming wide I think late in the day. On speed runners will probably benefit from keeping to the rail early on. The weather is supposed to be WET so keep your eye on the track conditions. It normally takes a heap of rain to upset this surface.

I am back from Honkers! An amazing trip – amazing experience. Romantic Warrior winning the FWD QEII Cup was a highlight. However, seeing Brisbane based jockey Ben Thompson pull their pants down with a bold front running exhibition of riding in the first race on FWD Champions Day was amazing. His first Sunday Sha Tin winner in the daylight! A very happy jockey, wife and relatives were present to celebrate with him after the race.

Straight into it this week with the features being the Group 2 – Victory Stakes and the QLD Guineas.

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 BM90 race here – over 1835 metres.

I think the key to this race is that there should be some genuine speed in the race with Youth Spirit (2) engaged. He normally jumps and rolls and will keeps a solid tempo.

With that in mind a horse like Ostermeier trained by Alyssa and Troy Sweeny with Cejay Graham riding should be right in the race. He raced in Listed grade last weekend over the mile and ran well. He has had some success previously on the quick back up. Good each way odds at $7.

Holstein (7) is a Matthew Dunn runner who probably races best at this distance. He is now third up after a spell and he gets the perfect race conditions to win – Robbie Dolan will ride.

Lately (8) is a last start winner who saluted at the massive odds of $31 – Brian Smith trains. Last time he settled out the back and then flew home over this distance. He goes up in grade and down in the weights. A rider change as well with Bailey Wheeler booked to ride.

Basarwa (10), a Kris Lees runner, steps up in distance after he raced over a mile three weeks ago – Kyle Wison Taylor (KWT) will ride.

Selections:

6 – Ostermeier
7 – Holstein
8 – Lately
10 – Basarwa
Rough chance – (5) Solar Apex

Race 2

A BM78 class race over 1600 metres.

Chris Waller Racing has two runners in the race. I like Kirkan (11) with Mark Du Plessis to ride. He resumed over 1400 metres where he got back. A checkered run in the straight caused some hindrance. He flew home fast late – the longer distance will be of benefit. He raced here prior to his spell in the Group 3 Grand Prix back in December – that is solid form for this restricted grade race.

The stablemate Misterkipchoge (15) resumed at Randwick over 1400 metres and got home well late. His first look at this track with Jake Bayliss to ride. He looks well placed.

Northern Decree (11) raced last weekend and is on the quick back up for Robert Heathcote. Raced over 1815 metres last weekend – probably didn’t run it out. His previous start was over the mile at Doomben which he won. Robbie Dolan will ride.

Starzam (7) is trained by Kelly Schweida. Vlad Duric will ride here – fresh off a winning treble last weekend. This gelding was severely hampered at the start over 1350 metres at Doomben two weeks ago. I would forget that effort and look for an improved effort over a more suitable distance.

Selections:

13 – Kirikan
11 – Northern Decree
15 – Misterkipchoge
7 – Starzam
Rough chance – (6) Tenzing

Race 3

A BM78 over 1200 metres.

Shohei (9) has had a stable change from Hawkes Racing to the Kelly Schweida Racing yards. She has had a recent trial where she raced nicely. The first up record is very solid, she will be ridden by Cejay Graham – has a poor barrier draw – barrier 13.

There is some speed engaged here with the Tony Gollan pair. Typhoon Taavi (3) has won her past two starts at midweek races at Doomben – Tahlia Fenlon retains the ride, and her 3-kilogram claim will be beneficial.

Argyle Pink (4) is the stablemate with Tommy Berry to ride. She is third up here after two solid runs. She won first up when she raced on the speed, then at her next start at Doomben she just seemed not to race as she did fresh. Now, with a freshen up, will race well here – drawn barrier 7 should ping to the lead and may be hard to run down.

Selections:

9 – Shohei
3 – Typhoon Taavi
4 – Argyle Pink
7 – All Stashed Up

Race 4

BM85 class race over 1400 metres.

The Stuart Kendrick trained Hollywood North (6) looks well placed here – Bailey Wheeler to ride. Resumed and looked like he needed the run first up. He did finish the race off strongly. You must take note that his best runs fresh are always second and third up – so something each way here could show a profit.

Zoe’s Promise (3) is trained by Kris Lees. She raced at the Gold Coast back in January before heading out for a spell. She has run in better grade races than this. Andrew Mallyon will ride. She has had two solid barrier trials. Her first up record is poor – take on trust.

Evocator (8) is a Barry Lockwood runner. He is just one of those runners that must get everything to go right on the day. He raced last weekend and got the worst luck. Away slowly, then seemed to over-race and then was held up in the straight. Cejay Graham will ride him again here – maybe with the quick back up and some luck in running he can get back into the winner’s circle.

Blakmax (11) from the Gollan Racing yards is a solid chance as well.

Selections:

6 – Hollywood North
3 – Zoe’s Promise
8 – Evocatar
11 – Blakmax

Race 5

This is a three-year-old race over 1300 metres.

Godolphin and James Cummings have a nice runner here – Inhibitions (2) - with Jimmy Orman riding. She won back on April 6 at Caulfield over 1200 metres. Since then, she ran in a Group 3 event at Randwick on a very heavy track. She clearly failed to handle very wet conditions. Forget that run – on her previous win she is right in this race.

Golden Decade (3) was solid last preparation. Trained by Matthew Dunn, he resumes from a 20-week spell. The two barrier trials have been impressive, and he looks well prepared for a first up assault on this race. His first up efforts have been equivocal in the past – maybe he can turn that around. Ryan Maloney rides.

Weigall Tiger (4) is trained by Kelly Schweida. Resumes from a 16-week spell. He strung four wins in a row last preparation prior to stepping up to the mile which he seemed not to run out. A solid barrier trial three weeks ago would suggest he is ready to run a bold race. Cejay Graham will ride. Part owner Matt Stiff will probably be in the crowd cheering him on – IF he wins, I am sure he will have plenty to say to me for not tipping him on top!

Scott Henley trains Volcanic Love (13) who got too far back last time out. Had no luck. The previous run he raced well over 1200 metres here. The blinkers go on here – drawn well in barrier 3 – Mark Du Plessis aboard – could be a rough chance at $16.

Selections:

3 – Golden Decade
4 – Weigall Tiger
2 – Inhibitions
13 – Volcanic Love
Rough chance – (8) The Astronomer

Race 6 DALRELLO STAKES – Listed

First leg of the Quaddie. A two-year-old race over 1000 metres at Listed level.

Some Sydney invaders resuming here – they have all trialled well too – so they must be respected.

Let’s start with the Snowden Racing runner – Embassy (3) with Jimmy Orman to ride. Drawn handy in barrier 3 and has won two trials getting ready to win this race first up. His debut run at Randwick over this distance was very good – he got nailed on the post. Look for him to race handy here and get the job done.

Mishani Lily (7) is trained by Les Ross. Vlad Duric will ride. This filly jumps, gets into stride and loves to lead. Barrier 1 means she is right there and will not have to do any work. Her last start demolition of a field by 6.5 lengths at Doomben over 1110 metres was extremely impressive. She will be right in the race.

Madrina (10) is a Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott runner who resumes here from an 18-week spell. She has been enormous in her two recent trials in the lead up to this race. Adam Hyeronimus will ride her. Drawn ideally in barrier 6 – look for a bold run.

Selections:

3 – Embassy
10 – Madrina
7 – Mishani Lily
2 – Zouna
Rough chance – (4) Pareto

Race 7

First leg of the Treble – BM78 class race over 1200 metres.

Okay – just will declare a bias here with my tip. Just returned from Hong Kong and I see an Ex-Hong Kong trained horse starting here – Oughton (3) - I just must tip him! He was previously trained by Frankie Lor and has been sent back to Australia – now with Melissa Kelly. Adam Hyeronimus will ride him for his first run for the new stable. He has had a recent trial on the poly track, and it looked solid. Look he is around $12 – I think whatever he does this weekend he will improve on.

The Tony Gollan runners all must be respected here. Warby (10) resumes here and normally goes better second up, however, his recent trial effort would suggest that he is forward and ready to sprint well fresh. Ryan Maloney has a 100% record on him – two rides – two wins. Maybe the stat will improve to 3 and 3!

The stable mate is Devastating (9) who has Vlad Duric riding. Drawn well in barrier 6 and looks like he will be fitter now and after two runs over 1000 metres, he looks well placed to get the 1200 metres.

James Healy trains Deferential (17) who is up in class and down on the minimum – Cejay Graham will ride. I am not that concerned about barrier 15 as he goes back in his runs. But from back there he has to get some luck in the running late in the straight to run down the speedsters in this race.

Selections:

3 – Oughton
10 – Warby
9 – Devastating
17 – Deferential
Rough chance – (12) Mintaka Lad & (15) Liberty Steps

Race 8 – VICTORY STAKES - GROUP 2

A Group 2 race over 1200 metres – only a small field of nine – but you can make a case for each of them.

I like the visitor Wee Nessy (9) trained by Price & Kent with Adam Hyeronimus to ride her here. She won last time out at Randwick at Group 2 level where she ran a solid time and good sectionals. She seems to race well with her races spaced out and three weeks between runs looks ideal here. She has drawn well and with the speed in the race she will be able to sit off them and sprint late.

Tony Gollan has a three-pronged attack on the race. I like his strong mare Comrade Rosa (8) with Ryan Maloney to ride to be extremely competitive. She resumes here – her recent trial was average – but she does race well fresh and has an impressive record at Eagle Farm – 5 starts for 4 wins. She likes to settle back in the field and flash home. There are some serious speedsters in this race that set the race up nicely for her.

Antino (3) is the stable mate. No luck in the last preparation - raced in Group 1 and Group 2 races without much luck. Vlad Duric will ride him for the first time. His trials haven’t been flash – but that is the way he trials. A solid first up record and an exceptional record on the track – 5 starts for 4 wins and a placing – never been out of the money here.

The early favourite is Uncommon James (1) trained by Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted. Tommy Berry has been booked to ride him for the first time. His first up effort at Rosehill in a Group 1 race was very good. Look, I will concede that he is the best runner in the race. He gets the chance to get back into the winner’s stalls for the first time in 61 weeks. Again, like many runners he has an impressive record at Eagle Farm with two starts for two wins.

Golden Mile from Godolphin has the winkers off and the visors on – Jimmy Orman will ride. Super run over 1500 metres last time out at Rosehill at Group 1 level. Do not underestimate the chances of this runner.

This race has turned up some upsets over the years – so I think we may see the same here.

Selections:

9 – Wee Nessy
8 – Comrade Rosa
1 – Uncommon James
3 – Antino
Rough chance – (2) Golden Mile

Race 9 SKY CHANNEL QUEENSLAND GUINEAS – GROUP 2

The last race of the program – a Group 2 feature race over the mile.

Some of these runners are looking to get the mile for the first time – whilst others have already got the distance or longer.

Transatlantic (9) has the barrier gods against him – again drawn poorly this weekend in barrier 14 with Jimmy Orman riding for Gollan Racing. Last time he drew barrier 17 and they went forward – got trapped wide and still ran a gallant second. He will need some luck here – but his runs would suggest he will run out the mile.

Godolphin and James Cummings have Razors (6) looking to run the mile for the first time. He has been racing back in his last start and then sprinting. He looks like he will run the mile – Robbie Dolan has been booked to ride.

Press Link (11) is the Robert Heathcote runner with Michael Rodd to ride. His last start he resumed at 1400 metres after a four week freshen up. It looked like he needed the run, however, he sprinted well late and finished third. His previous starts he sat midfield and then flashed home late – he had a very good sprint over the last furlong and that could see him very competitive here.

Port Lockroy (8) is trained by Annabel Neasham and Adam Hyeronimus will ride. Last few starts he has gone back and then stormed home late. His last start was over 1400 metres and the mile looks ideal. He will need some things to go right late in this massive field if he is to get the chocolates. He is proven at the distance when he ran in the Group 1 Champion stakes back in 2023. I think that he is an ideal contender here for this race.

Ducasse (2) is trained by Michael Freedman with Tommy Berry to ride. He won last time out at Group 3 level at Randwick on a heavy track. He has had a four week freshen up and will sprint fresh here. The mile looks his ideal distance when you assess his previous efforts over longer. He has got a terrible draw in barrier 16.

Selections:

9 – Transatlantic
6 – Razors
11 – Press Link
8 – Port Lockroy
Rough chance – (2) Ducasse
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like a difficult day. Jimmy Orman, Adam Hyeronimus, Ryan Maloney, and Cejay Graham all have some good rides. Maybe Adam will just pip Cejay on a huge day of racing.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

7,11,13,15 / 3,4,9 / 3,6,8,11 / 2,3,4 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

11,13 / 3,9 / 3,6 / 2,3,4 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,7,10 / 3,9,10,17 / 1,3,8,9 / 6,8,9,11 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,10 / 3,10 / 8,9 / 6,9,11 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

3,9,10,17 / 1,3,8,9 / 6,8,9,11 - cost is $64 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

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