WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MARCH 17
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, March 15, 2018
Well it is racing on the GOLD COAST this weekend!
We return to a wonderful track location with the amazing background of sky scrapers and let’s hope blue skies and wonderful weather this weekend!
At the time of writing the track is rated “HEAVY” and the rail will be out 1.5metres from the 1000 metres to the 400 metres and then in the true position for the rest of the course.
The weather is forecast to be wet for the coming days – maybe we will not see an upgrade in the track and we will need to focus on the mud larks this weekend!
NB: As this form assessment was made prior to raceday, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.
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Race 1
We start the day with a 900-metre sprint – they usually go fast here.
I like the Matthew Dunn trained Mediterranean (9) who is resuming from a 41-week spell. The gelding has had numerous gear changes for his return and has been trialling well. He has previous solid form on heavy tracks.
The Les Kelly trained Aggravate (10) has had nearly 3 months off since cracking his maiden win at this track and distance. Ryan Plumb who has been sensational form at the Gold Coast track in the 2017/18 season rides this gelding.
Adoradancer (11) from the Barry Lockwood stables won a trial a month ago and is a nice type – I think she will be competitive despite the lack of wet weather track form.
Selections: 9-10-11-2 rough chance 5
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Race 2
I like the bottom weights here. Despite Chris Waller having a mortgage on the race with the top three in the market at the top of the weights I am going for the light weights on the expectation the track may prove difficult to navigate.
The Steven O’Dea trained Sornja (10) likes a wet track and has a nice record here at the Gold Coast track. I think stepping up to 2200 metres for the first time may suit this Real Saga mare – Paul Hammersley aboard and great odds of $18. She will do me.
Wack’Em (11) trained locally by Scott Morrisey has been racing very consistent without much luck. Maybe back on his home track with track conditions to suit we may see him salute at the lucrative odds of $18. Ronnie Stewart is aboard this weekend and we all know he likes to get a long-priced winner home!
Quiero (13) - I tipped last start when he led and fought on well. He does like heavy going and if he can get his own way in front here may just hold them off in the final stages of the race, especially If the others cannot make up ground late.
Selections: 10-11-13-3 rough chance 1
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Race 3
This is a very tough race. Bet carefully!
I like the last start win of the Coffs Harbour trained Super Tonic (14) who is currently around the $21 mark.
The win was full of power – sitting just behind the leaders and driving home along the rail with the urgings of Peter Graham on that occasion. Sure, this weekend is a step up in grade, however, she has solid wet weather form and despite the wide gate I think she will be competitive here.
Scott Morrisey has another nice chance here at odds as well ($13) with Exceed All Odds (11). He is only a lightly raced gelding and I think will be suited on a wet track on his home circuit.
Char Char (10) from the Chris Anderson stables has been sent out favourite in his last two starts and whilst appearing to have had every chance has run consecutive placings in each start. Maybe with those runs under his belt he is due for a change of luck.
Selections: 14-11-10-8 rough chance 7
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Race 4
This race is way too hard. I will be not having a bet!
Maidens amongst other runners – anything can win.
For the record I am going for the lethal combination of Tony Gollan and Jim Byrne who pair up with Ponytales (9) who raced handy at Ipswich last start over 1700 metres and won on a heavy track.
She will do me each way at $6.
Selections: 9-12-1-8
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Race 5
Looks like Steven O’Dea has two nice chances here with his two runners – Capetown Hussey (6) and Doubt Defying (8). I like that Capetown Hussey (6) is stepping up to 1800 metres this weekend. She has won here over this distance and I think I can forgive the last start defeat to Glendara (4) where she was just outsprinted in the final 150 metres. This weekend I expect it to be a dour struggle over the final 200 metres and she looks well placed.
Her stable mate Doubt Defying (8) won very well a fortnight ago at the Sunshine Coast over the mile. He steps up in distance but in attempting the 1800 metres for the first time gives the impression that he will be competitive.
Ben Currie has Honey Toast (1) nominated as the top weight. I think that Jim Byrne is a key booking this weekend as he has a strong record on the gelding (5 rides – 2 wins and 1 second). I think that this will top him off nicely this weekend as he is aimed at the Toowoomba Cup in a few weeks.
John Zielke and Luke Dittman combine with Future Event (11) – this gelding has webbed feet and loves the wet tracks. He loves the Gold Coast track and he is now trained here as well. Also, he has won three of his four career starts here so it would not surprise with this minimum weight if he runs a solid race on his home circuit.
Selections: 6-8-1-11 rough chance 4
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Race 6
Well I must eat humble pie – I did mock the chances of Plumaro (9) last start at Doomben. But Kevin “Kempy” Kemp had the last laugh on Winno when his dynamic filly stormed home late on a slow track and really put lengths on the opposition. I just hope she doesn’t get caught too far back this weekend and jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester gets a clear run at them in the straight.
Michael Nolan trains Accomplish (10) who has performed well in town on Saturdays on wet tracks. She then went back to her home track in Toowoomba and posted a nice win over 1050 metres on a soft track – she is drawn nicely and will test the favourite.
Mystic Miss (11) backs up again this week after a solid performance running second last weekend. Back on her home track she will be competitive.
Ben Currie trains Mishani Hustler (3) who was a dramatic drifter on course when he debuted at Doomben for a win at $14. With 5 weeks between runs look for a solid effort.
Selections: 9-10-11-3
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Race 7
Tough field this one – may be worthwhile taking the field in your exotics. There could be a rough winner.
Chris Munce has two nice chances in the race with Johnny Whitesox (2) and Skate To Paris (7) who was sent out at $51 last start and flashed home late.
I think that Skate To Paris (7) can turn the tables on his more fancied stable mate this weekend. I thought that her runs over the Winter Carnival in 2017 were very solid on rain affected tracks and if she gets those conditions this weekend she will be hard to hold out.
Sista Act (8) could be a rough chance as well. She has solid wet surface form and has run well here on two previous occasions.
Selections: 7-2-8-1
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Race 8 – 2018 Carbine Club Goldmarket
I may be way off here, but I am going for the NSW invader – Pelethronius (7) trained by David Pfieffer who comes off a run a fortnight ago at Canterbury. This gelding is undefeated on a heavy track with 4 wins from 4 starts. I think that if the track is heavy and chopped up come this race he is a genuine chance at around $8.
Malvern Estate (6) just didn’t seem to fire last start with some pace on up front and being caught wide in the running. This weekend he has drawn the rails in barrier 1 and I think will be suited by the damp track. Look for an improved effort from this Desleigh Forster runner.
Man of His Word (3) trained by Bruce Hill at the track always runs well fresh and with one solid hit out in a barrier trial 2 weeks ago I expect this runner to show something first up and some silly odds of $14.
Hold the phone – I must not leave out Patricia Gelser and Kelso Wood trained Snitzkraft (4) who has been freshened since his solid performance 9 weeks ago at the Magic Millions Carnival. As the pre post favourite he must be respected.
Selections: 7-6-3-4 rough chance 15
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Race 9
Well it is the last race on a tough day of racing. Let’s hope the track stands up and the rain stays away.
I was on Karakabeel (5) last start when jockey Matthew McGillivray scared me to death when he got so far back – but somehow he found the gaps and flew home to win the race. As he said to Winno after the race with a big grin on his face “it’s not over till the fat lady sings” – I am hoping he was not saying I was fat!
The other Tony Gollan runner is Courtza King (10) who ran second last start to Karakabeel (5) – the run was good and this runner does like a heavy track.
Edmonds Racing has Plucky Girl (7) going around on her home track. Again he has had no luck with the barrier draw being placed in barrier 14. Jeff Lloyd will have to get motoring from the start to take up the customary lead role.
There is a roughie here right down the bottom Sea The Sparkle (16) – do not leave this one out of your exotics and multiples. It is owned by the Waratah Thoroughbreds Syndications group and trained by Chris Meagher and it thrives on both soft and heavy tracks. Bridget Grylls is aboard – watch out at around $7.
Selections: 5-7-16-10 rough chances 3
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Jockey Challenge
Can we have a triple dead heat this week – Ronnie Stewart, Jeff Lloyd and Jim Byrne. Maybe the fields are that open and the chances so wide that it will see a close battle amongst the jockeys!
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
3,10,11 / 8,10,11,14 / 1,8,9,12 / 1,6,8 - cost is $144 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
3,9,10 / 2,7,8 / 3,4,6,7 / 5,7,10,16 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
9,10 / 2,7 / 3,6,7 / 5,7,16 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,7,8 / 3,4,6,7 / 5,7,10,16 - cost is $48 to $1
**Josh Fleming managed a $0.40 win last weekend in our closely fought battle. So stay tuned again this weekend for our updated tips on Facebook!
Good luck and good punting!
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