WINNO'S WINNERS: EAGLE FARM, MAY 30, THE QUEENSLAND DERBY AND KINGSFORD SMITH CUP DAY

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 29, 2026

EAGLE FARM with nine races scheduled for decision this week. The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues, this week featuring the SKY RACING QUEENSLAND DERBY and the KINGSFORD SMITH CUP – both Group 1 races.

The track is rated ‘Soft’. The rail is the true position for the entire track.

A huge result last weekend when Birdman won the XXXX Doomben Cup – giving Chris Waller his 200th Group 1 winner!

What about Wednesday night – NSW win! 20 points down at one stage – a wonderful victory in controversial circumstances, however, you QLDers have claimed these in the past – so I will now. NSW leads 1 – QLD 0.

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

A BM85 race over 1400 metres to kick off.

Selections:

16 – Bengal Diamond
17 – Daggers
19 – True To Form
10 – Soothsayer
Rough chance – (9) Pasima & (8) Hidden Achievement & (22) I Am Carrot

Race 2

A BM85 race over 1000 metres.

Selections:

4 – Lyles
3 – Bossed Up
6 – Petticoat
12 – Swordplay
Rough chance – (8) Silver Wedding

Race 3 LIVING TURF PREMIERS CUP – GROUP 3

An Open class race over 2400 metres at Group 3 level.

Selections:

2 – Royal Supremacy
1 – Middle Earth
13 – Bella Montagna
5 – Newlook
Rough chance – (16) Punjabi Landing & (9) Highland Bling

Race 4 THE STRAIGHT SIRES PRODUCE – GROUP 2

A two-year-old race over 1400 metres – Group 2 level.

Selections:

4 – Martist
15 – I Am Dirty
16 - Autumn Charm
2 – Blind Raise
Rough chance – (1) Vantorix & (14) Dream Roca

Race 5 LORD MAYOR’S CUP – GROUP 3

An Open class race over 1800 metres at Group 3 level.

Selections:

4 – Tavi Time
3 – Depth Of Character
13 – Zaphod
9 – Militarize
Rough chance – (14) Miss Joelene

Race 6 MULLINS LAWYERS FRED BEST CLASSIC – GROUP 3

First leg of the Quaddie. A Group 3 race over 1400 metres.

Selections:

3 – Beadman
5 – Brave Monarch
4 – Skyhook
7 – Estremo
Rough chance – (17) Within The Law & (2) Sixties

Race 7 SKY RACING QLD DERBY GROUP 1

A Group 1 race over 2400 metres. First leg of the Treble.

I think this will be Group 1 winner number 201 for Chris Waller – James McDonald will ride Provindence (4). She was four weeks between runs when she raced in the Rough Habit Plate (Group 3) a few weeks ago. Was well backed there and sent out favourite. I think the run was eye-catching and was in preparation for this Group 1 fixture. Looks like a great chance.

The two horses that came out of the same race (Rough Habit) are Kilman (1) - for Waller as well – he led all the way and ran them into the ground – and Beauty Swift (6) for Matthew Smith, who was a gallant second – Kerrin McEvoy will ride this week. These two must be respected on their last start efforts.

Accidental Bid (12) is trained by Ciaron Maher with John Allen to ride. This is the lightly raced prospective superstar from his yards. Had done a heap of travelling prior to arriving and racing in the Rough Habit a few weeks ago. She raced at Pakenham – then was floated to South Australia and did not get into the field – then home again – then floated to Brisbane. Now she has settled in and had some warm QLD sun on her back. I expect a solid effort from here.

The Kiwi runner Solid Gold (18) will be ridden by Tommy Berry for NZ trainers Roger James & Robert Wellwood. She tailed the field for a majority of the journey in the Rough Habit, then Berry pulled her to the outside and she made some good ground. The larger Eagle Farm track and a solid tempo should suit her here. She will have to go back again from the wide barrier and may well need some luck in the straight – but I feel the writing was on the wall after her last start.

If you want a serious roughie that can beat them all here look no further than Buthelezi (13), trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. She is third up here. She has raced in restricted grades in Victoria on her way to this race. At her last start she raced over 2000 metres at Flemington. She was slow away – went back from the wide gate – and despite a really poor slow tempo she was finishing off strongly at the end of the race earning a gallant third. I really liked her effort and the sectionals were strong – she will run this trip right out – keep safe.

Selections:

4 – Provindence
12 – Accidental Bid
18 – Solid Gold
13 – Buthelezi
Rough chance – (6) Beauty Swift & (1) Kilman

Race 8 LADBROKES KINGSFORD SMITH CUP – GROUP 1

This important feature race is over 1300 metres at Group 1 level.

Jimmysstar (1) has always been set for this race by the astute Ciaron Maher team. 1300 metres is his best distance. There is a lot to like about his chances here. Ethan Brown is coming from Hong Kong to ride him again. He was unlucky in the 10,000 and I think that was just a pipe opener for this race – this is his Grand Final. Hard to beat here.

I think that the track will be rain affected despite some nice weather in the lead up to the race. Joe Pride has two genuine chances here with Private Eye (3) with Nash Rawiller riding and Headley Grange (8) with Adam Hyeronimus to ride. I really have warmed to Headley Grange (8) – he loves the sting out of the track and he has raced in Group 1 races in his past four starts – all without much luck. This is a very winnable race and I think the opposition he meets here is a little inferior to those he has been racing against.

Splashback (14) was a superb winner in the Victory Stakes – three weeks ago. This runner is trained by Graeme Begg and Jordan Childs will ride. She was a slashing winner on the heavy track last time out. She was powering to the line as well so the extra 100 metres should not be a drama. She seems to race better when her races are spread out and she gets that here. If she runs well here, she will be a serious contender for the Tatts Tiara in a few weeks’ time – the last Group 1 of the season.

Napoleonic (16) was huge in the Doomben 10,000 – I think he just peaked on his run in the final 70 metres of the race. He is trained by Tom Charlton and Mark Zahra will ride. He would have stripped fitter for that first up effort and comes into this race with a solid run under his belt. His second up statistics are also superb.

Linebacker (11) is the stable mate and will have Ben Melham riding. He resumed as Scone and looked the winner in the straight until he was run down late – keep safe and must be respected.

Selections:

8 – Headley Grange
1 – Jimmysstar
14 – Splashback
16 – Napoleonic
Rough chance – (11) Linebacker & (3) Private Eye

Race 9 MAGIC MILLIONS HELEN COUGHLAN STAKES – LISTED

A Listed race over 1200 metres. The last race on a great day of racing.

Selections:

18 – Akaysha
10 – Poster Girl
9 – Naifah
5 – Shes Got Pizzazz
Rough chance – (2) Niance & (6) Midnight In Tokyo & (7) Cigar Flick
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,4,6 / 1,2,5,13 / 4,15,16 / 3,4,9,13 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,4 / 2,13 / 4,15,16 / 3,4,13 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,4,5,7,17 / 4,12,13,18 / 1,8,14,16 / 2,5,9,10,18 - cost is $400 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,4,5 / 4,12,18 / 1,8,14 / 9,10,18 - cost is $81 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,12,13,18 / 1,8,14,16 / 2,5,9,10,18 - cost is $80 to $1.

BIG 6 (race 4 to 9)

4,15 / 3,4 / 3,5 / 4,12,18 / 1,8 / 9,10,18 - cost is $144 to $1

Jockey Challenge

Some good jockeys in town this weekend – James McDonald, Mark Zahra, Tommy Berry and Rachel King all have some nice rides. Controversy here – I think Mark Zahra is a great bet.

WEEKEND UPDATE

I will post some late mail this weekend – see if I can find some winners. Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!

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