WINNO'S WINNERS: SUNSHINE COAST, JUNE 30, 2018
By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 29, 2018
Well it is the end of the financial year for businesses and punters – should we be loading up this Saturday on a challenging program at the Sunshine Coast?
At the time of writing the track is rated as “HEAVY” (Thursday afternoon). The weather is forecast to fine up over the coming days – but I doubt whether we will get a track upgrade prior to the meeting.
Plus, with ten (10) yes - you heard it - ten races scheduled with the last few races to be held under lights I am worried about the condition of the track as we get to the featured races that are scheduled late in the program.
The rail is in the true position for the entire course.
WINNO will be packing up early and heading north to avoid the traffic – hopefully with the wet conditions the drivers on the roads will drive according to the conditions and we will get a clear running on the Bruce Highway!
Just want to say – how good was NSW on Sunday night! We are the 2018 champions – just one more match to play now – Brisbane Wednesday 11 July for a 3 -0 BLUE WASH!
I also must make special mention of the departing Chief Steward in Brisbane – Mr Alan Reardon. I have been around this man over recent years. He always says hello and takes the time out to chat when he can. I have respect for anyone that is charged with doing the job that he has been employed to do.
It is never easy – nor is it a job with accolades. I think he has done the office proud in his tenure and, with his departure, Queensland Racing will be the poorer for his knowledge and expertise. I only hope that the industry can find him a role to play moving forward as he is a man that still has a lot to offer the sport!
Finally, a thank you to all the astonishing comments and feedback to me both publically and privately about my article on HRO last Sunday in ‘The Sunday Story’ slot concerning the injured apprentice Sheriden Tomlinson.
The news is that he should be heading home this weekend and his recovery will continue at home with the support of his family, friends and medical staff. I am sure we all wish him well – and he assures me he has shaved his face!
With ten races to do this weekend and a heavy track – forgive me for the small preview and lack of optimistic interest. I think we may be on a hiding to nothing and there will probably be many scratchings come race day!
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
I am shying away from the favourite here and going to tip the Peter & Will Hulbert trained Glitra (4) at $21 to start the day off. I remember this gelding winning on the Northern Rivers when I was there. He loves a wet track and has performed well on heavy surfaces in the past. Ryan Wiggins takes the ride for this first up assignment – he has had two solid barrier trials and I think whatever he does this weekend be sure to follow him in his coming runs for his new stable.
The favourite is A Mist Opportunity (9) trained by Andrew Noblet and to be ridden by Bobby El-Issa. She is coming back in class from the Listed Waterhouse races at Ipswich a fortnight ago. I thought she ran well but the Ipswich track did not suit her. This weekend, here at the Sunshine Coast, she will be ready to thrive on the big open track – there should be no excuses here!
Kelly Schweida has Bluebrook (15) engaged with Jimmy Orman in the saddle. He is only a lightly raced 3-year-old gelding who ran an enormous race here a month ago when narrowly beaten by Miss Exfactor. He franked that form with another solid run at Ipswich.
The two Matthew Dunn runners both have rough chances. I am talking about Contralto (11) and Pegapus (13). Both do not have heavy track form – however, they have both performed well on “soft” tracks in the past. They both come off runs at Ipswich two weeks ago where they both ran well. Be sure not to leave them out of your exotics.
Selections: 4-15-19-11 rough chance 13
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Race 2
Shogun Sun (6) from the Schweida stables has been performing in higher grades. He drops back in grade this weekend and comes off a solid barrier trial on Tuesday this week where he was very dominant winning the trial with Lani Fancourt on board. I think that despite not winning previously over 1400 metres in four attempts that his runs in the Fred Best and the Gold Coast Guineas strongly suggest that he will get the distance and be competitive here this weekend.
Mystical Renegade (4) from the Matthew Dunn stables at Murwillumbah has Jag Guthmann-Chester aboard for this second up run. This runner loves longer distances and is probably better suited at the mile. However, with the heavy conditions I think that this second up assignment will be right up his alley. He has won twice on a heavy surface and has won second up in previous campaigns. There must be some confidence from the stable as well as he has been well found, backed from $25 into $13 in the early markets.
Pressway is a four-year-old gelding trained by Steven O’Dea who is fourth up this preparation. Paul Hammersley is aboard this weekend again (he has won 3 times from 4 rides on this one). Despite drawing wide here at the 1400 metres it would not surprise me to see Paul sit midfield and come wide along the crest of the track late. He has a win on a heavy track to his credit.
Locally trained Hingus Rose (11) is a favourite of mine who backs up after a solid run last weekend behind The Bostonian (See Race 7 - number 2). She has a solid second up record, loves the Sunshine Coast circuit and likes a wet track. She is one at odds that may knock off these more fancied runners. Stuart Kendrick normally does have success on this day each year and this runner will be super competitive.
Selections: 6-12-4-11 rough chances 2 & 10
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Race 3
I am torn between two runners here – Bergerac (2) and Zamex (7). It is a tough choice.
Bergerac (2) has a great record at the track however has equivocal form on wet tracks. Apprentice Michael Murphy is aboard. He has won on this Drumbeats gelding previously. His claim will be handy as well.
Zamex (7) from the Dunn stables comes off a solid win last start at Ipswich. He loves a wet track, however, has not won here in two previous attempts. I think that things may be different now as when he puts a win on the board he has a habit of stringing a few wins together. Michael Cahill rode an exciting double last weekend and is aboard this runner. Maybe he can continue his winning form on this runner this weekend.
Rosie Posie (8) is a hit and miss mare but she does like the Sunshine Coast track – maybe one to fill the placings.
The Newcastle trained runner Our Gravano (5) from the Kris Lees Racing team comes off a solid run on a heavy track last start at Randwick. He makes his debut in Queensland here this weekend and could be one to watch. Jockey Aaron Bullock comes to the Sunshine Coast to partner this runner.
Selections: 2-7-8-5
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Race 4
The Bruce McLachlan Classis for two years olds sponsored by Butler McDermott Lawyers – who are loyal supporters of this Club.
Unconditional (1) has strung two nice wins together. The win at Ipswich last start was very impressive. I think that the way he won last start puts him in with another genuine chance this weekend. Jag Guthmann-Chester takes 2 kilograms off for his claim.
Direct Action (3) is trained locally by Stuart Kendrick and has two wins from two starts on heavy tracks. Despite being first up here this weekend, he has had a solid barrier trial on 19 June where he ran a nice second at his home track.
Damian Browne is aboard this weekend - “The King of the Sunshine Coast.” Browne was in trouble earlier this week at a reconvened inquiry for a ride on what he thought was an injured race horse. He has lodged an appeal against that verdict – let’s hope that his appeal is successful as he is a fine rider and appeared only to be placing the welfare of his horse first.
Perfect Aim (4) is trained by Pat Duff and has been performing consistently without much luck. The run here on 2 June in the Oxlade when beaten by Granny Red Shoes (who won dynamically last week) is probably a nice form line for this race. I think we can overlook the Ipswich run and hope to see improvement here this weekend.
Tipping (7) from the Chris Anderson yards gets into the race well with the claim for his apprentice Jackson Murphy – 3 kilograms off! Now I think we should all write this young man’s name down as WINNO thinks he is a star of the future, so much that I am tipping that he could be the leading apprentice in the 2018/19 Metropolitan Racing year! No pressure there Jackson – but you will have to do 60 seconds with Winno at some stage!
Selections: 1-3-7-4
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Race 5
Wow a tough race this one – the Winter Provincial Sprinters Series Final.
Where do we look here!
I have always had an opinion of the Tony Gollan trained Jetsonic (17) to be ridden by the humble Queenslander Jim Byrne. This runner loves wet tracks and I think he performs well when he can settle back off the speed and make one sustained run at them – overpowering them close to the line! Jim Byrne gets his chance to launch that assault at this wide open Sunshine Coast track this weekend. Down on the minimum and given a perfect uninterrupted run - watch out!
Charlie Cat (3) is an enigma who has swapped stables and owners a few times. He is now with Greg Cornish at Beaudesert and he was sensational first up at Kilcoy when ridden well by apprentice Adam Spinks. His run was nothing short of amazing. He settled and then peeled out wide and stormed home at Kilcoy narrowly beaten by Rising Stock (10) who was given a 12/10 ride by apprentice Adam Sewell on that occasion having skirted along the rail at Kilcoy and was strong at the line.
Super Sauve (9) from the Liam Birchley yards has some solid form on “soft” tracks and has 2 victories here at the Sunshine Coast track. Brad Stewart is in the saddle this weekend. Birchley spaces this High Chaparral’s geldings runs a month apart and he looks well placed here.
Prioritise (5) is trained by Steve Tregea and Michael Hellyer is aboard for the first time on this Rothesay gelding. Look I don’t want to pot him but I just cannot catch him. He has a tonne of ability but just seems to find trouble in his races. This weekend, despite the heavy track, he returns to a track where he always seems to perform – 2 wins and 2 placings here – maybe we will see the best of him here this weekend with “Muppy” Hellyer in the saddle who rides this track very well!
Les Ross trained Sister Patti (12) loves a heavy track. She is drawn well. Michael Cahill is in the saddle. Se may show up at odds and we all know how Les loves to train a long priced winner!
Selections: 17-9-5-3 rough chance 12
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Race 6
This is the Open Sprint for the program over 1000 metres.
Take your pick – it is one tough field!
There is an absolute mudlark here in the field – Irish Constabulary (3) who grows webbed feet and I am sure skates across wet tracks. Despite being a 9-year-old gelding he is lightly raced, super competitive and loves his home track!
Stephanie Lacy is aboard and she takes a three-kilogram allowance off this John Symons & Sheila Laxon trained gelding. Stephanie has a wonderful record on this gelding – 4 rides, 2 wins and 1 second. I think that he will be difficult to beat if it is a bog track!
The Tony Gollan trained My Girl Hayley (9) is a runner not to be underestimated. She returns from a long spell and she has had two solid barrier trials to prepare for this first up assignment. Her last trial was at Eagle Farm on a heavy track and she dominated. She races well fresh and previously has won three starts here at the Sunshine Coast. I think first up each way at $7 she is a great bet. She may just come back better than last preparation.
I tell you what it is hard to split Irish Constabulary (3) and My Girl Hayley (9) – Jim Byrne is a master tactician and Stephanie has a claim. Oh the dilemma – in true WINNO fashion we will bracket them for the win!
The top weight Dal Cielo (1) is up from Newcastle from the Kris Lees yards. Personally, despite meeting an inferior field here this weekend, I think his best form is on firm ground – so I am leaving him out!
Bonsho (8), trained up on the hill at Toowoomba by Tony Sears, loves a wet track and goes well over these shorter distances. He will be competitive, but I am just worried that barrier 12 may mean he has to work hard to get across and take up a forward or leading position as he likes to do.
Selenia (11) a Victorian visitor comes off some solid form at Caulfield and does appreciate “slow” going. She could pop up at odds. Matthew McGillivray is in the saddle this weekend.
Con Searle – Chairman of the Kilcoy Race Club and leading Brisbane rails bookmaker - has his Kevin Kemp trained mare in again this weekend – Zouzoukakia (14). She will be massive odds but her run at Kilcoy was a lot better than what it appears on paper. She does love a wet track. Jackson Murphy has been engaged and his 3 kilogram allowance will mean she gets in with only 51 kilograms. Con Searle will be jumping for joy is she manages to salute at around the $101 mark. I suppose he needs something to cheer about after the drubbing of the QLD Maroons last Sunday night!
Selections: (3-9) 8-11 -rough chances 1 and 14
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Race 7 - 2018 Sunshine Coast Guineas
Last weekend The Bostonian (2) was superb when winning at Doomben. Prior to that he won the Daybreak Lover here on a heavy bottomless track. Michael Cahill stays aboard this weekend looking to get a unique hat trick of wins aboard the Jimmy Choux gelding trained in New Zealand by Tony Pike. On dismounting last weekend he was very bullish about his chances in getting a mile. The run last week was full or arrogance and dominance – I just hope the short back up this weekend does not catch him out!
Mishani Bullitt (1) has been racing in superior company in recent months and comes back to a Group 3 event here. The Chris Anderson trained colt has a win on a heavy track and has never finished out of a place at the Sunshine Coast (6 starts - 2 wins, 3 seconds and a third). He has had three weeks between runs. He was defeated by three lengths in a Group 1 last start and he gets in well at the set weight conditions here.
Chris Waller has Seaway (3) engaged here. His run when beaten by his stable mate Sambro in the Queensland Guineas was very good. Blake Shinn rode him on that occasion and gave him every possible chance. That run was on a heavy surface. Three weeks between runs – he may be right up for this assignment. Glen Colless is in the saddle for the Waller team. He does not get many chances like this. Let’s hope he can jag a Group winner in the Guineas!
Take your pick for fourth – it is an open field outside of these three!
Selections: 3-2-1-8
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Race 8 - 2018 Caloundra Cup
I mentioned a few weeks ago to keep your eye on the Nigel Tiley trained Kiwi runner Megablast (2) if he strikes a heavy track! I think he gets conditions to suit this weekend. A month between runs with fellow kiwi in the saddle Damian Browne … could it be a kiwi victory in 2018? This runner is a total duck – he swims and when he smells rain he grows another leg! His runs on soft and heavy tracks have yielded all his nine career starts wins! I think that he will be very difficult to beat here this weekend!
Tradesman (1) from the Weir Stable won the Ipswich Cup and backed up again last weekend in the Tattersall’s Cup (Group 3). This weekend will be his third run in three weeks. I am not too certain he will appreciate this type of preparation and he will be on shifty challenging surface come race 8.
The other mudlark in the field is First Crush (6) from the Munce Racing stables. This runner is a little foolproof as he can settle and make a barnstorming run – or he can race handy. I am not sure what tactics Munce will give jockey Mark Du Plessis this this weekend, but rest assured he will stay the 2400 metres and he will love the wet conditions.
Selections: 2-1-6-4
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Race 9 - 2018 Glasshouse Handicap
By now we will be under lights and it will be cold – I had better pack a jacket and a beanie!
Look I am heading right down the bottom and hoping that an emergency gets the run – Fit For Purpose (19). This Show A Heart gelding trained by Liam Birchley comes off a nice win at Ipswich. He likes wet tracks, has drawn handy and has a very impressive record at this circuit with 6 starts for 3 wins and 2 seconds. He has drawn in barrier 2 and I think that if he makes the field at $31 on offer he is a bet to nothing each way! No jockey has been booked as yet but I am certain there will be a few of them chasing the ride if he makes the field.
Niccanova (9) is the other runner that has grabbed my attention - trained by Steve Tregea and to be ridden by Jimmy Orman. This runner is undefeated on slow and heavy tracks and despite coming off a 16 week break he does race well fresh. Drawn in barrier 21 – he will need some luck, however, he does like to settle and make his run late.
This track will suit him as I think by this race they will be coming wide and this runner loves to rush home late and put his opponents to the sword. I think there will be some good speed in the race with I’m A Rippa (4) and Religify (2) engaged. This will assist Niccanova (9) – Orman will just need to find an uninterrupted route home.
I’m A Rippa (4) has been in sensational form - the last start win in the Eyeliner when he was headed and then fought back like a caged line to beat the well backed Tyzone was noteworthy. Jim Byrne at his brilliant best in that ride!
His last start run here was a month ago in the Spear Chief Handicap when he was beaten on the post by the fast finishing Snippets Land (ironically ridden by Jim Byrne). I am not too certain that he is a genuine 1400 metre horse but if he manages a soft lead and/or the horses are leading and winning late in the program he is the one to be on!
Sylpheed (11) from the Toby Edmonds stable went around in the W.J.Healey (Group 3) last weekend. She was drawn badly and settled back in the field. Jockey Jimmy Orman rode her for luck and made some late ground along the rail without threatening – but she did make up some ground and the run was better than what it appears in the race book. This weekend the regular rider Nozi Tomizawa takes over again for this Listed race.
Jamaican Rain (18) has drawn terribly in barrier 20 for Richard Laming and Tegan Harrison. She has some very good wet track form and has form over 1400 metres and a mile that will probably sit well for this race if the track deteriorates as the day gets on. I don’t think she deserves to be favourite now – but I am sure there will be some movement in the markets come race day!
Aqua Vite (13), despite coming back from 2200 metres last start five weeks ago, could be one at silly odds to blouse the more favoured runners. This Scott Morissey runner is around $31 presently and has drawn well in barrier 1. Paul Hammersley stays aboard for the run and he does possess good wet weather form and runs well over 1400 metres.This race distance will probably race longer with a heavy track and it could be beneficial if you can run out a strong mile to win this race. This horse fits that puzzle quite well.
River Racer (17) from the Les Ross stables loves wet tracks. Bobby El-Issa is aboard again, and he won on this Hidden Dragon mare around two months ago on a bog heavy track at Doomben – maybe we will see an improvement in her recent form on this wet track.
Selections: 19-9-13-11 rough chances 4 and 17
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Race 10
The last race of the day - scheduled for 5.50pm. I will be looking forward to heading home and getting warm and watching some footy! Maybe I can even listen to my shattered Bulldogs beat the Newcastle Knights on the way home on the radio.
I think you can just get a dart and throw it at this field – tough and open to finish the day.
I may even take the field in the last two legs of my Quaddie, just in case the roughies salute!
I went for some value in the last with the Rob Heathcote runner Don’t Leave Me Out (11) - number 11 from barrier 11 for all you punters who back them on this system!
Forget the first up run at Ipswich - there were excuses. I think back to a track where he won his maiden I reckon we may see something second up here at around $14. Heathcote has put a tongue tie on for this start – I expect an improved performance. Jake Bayliss is aboard this weekend.
As for the rest of them there is some interesting gear changes to a couple of runners.
Mail Escort (3) from the Tony Sears stables has the blinkers off and winkers on for the first time – maybe this will get his mind on the task set for him on Saturday.
Sacred Rebel (4) from the Tony Pike stables has a tongue tie on this start after a lack lustre run last weekend behind his stable mate The Bostonian. Jim Byrne takes the mount here in the last. He sometimes has a habit of winning these last races at the Sunshine Coast.
The favourite is the Edmonds Racing trained Winter Bride (2) with Jimmy Orman in the saddle. She has solid wet weather form and was gallant in defeat here last start behind The Bostonian in the Daybreak Lover (Listed) a fortnight ago. She is a nice filly, but she has a large weight that may prove problematic on this wet track late in the day.
The only other one I can make a case for is the Tony Gollan trained Divine Messenger (9) who was held up badly last start at Ipswich. She has placed but never won on wet tracks.
Selections: 11-2-3-4 rough chance 9
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Jockey Challenge
This could be a battle between Jim Byrne and Michael Cahill but watch out for Jimmy Orman as a rough chance. I think I will have something on Jim Byrne this week!
Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6 NSW only)
2,7,8 / 1,3,4,7 / 3,5,9,17 / 3,8,9,11 - cost is $192 to $1
Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
1,2,3 / 1,2,6 / 9,11,13,17,19 / 2,3,4,11 - cost is $180 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
2,3 / 1,2 / 9,13,19 / 2,3,11 - cost is $36 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
3 / 2 / 9,13,19 / 2,3,11 - cost is $9 to $1
Treble (races 9 to 10)
1,2,6 / 9,11,13,17,19 / 2,3,4,11 - cost is $60 to $1
Good luck and good punting!
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