WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, 8 AUGUST, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 6, 2020
DOOMBEN RACES – SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2020
Doomben races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD”. The weather is supposed to be fine for the remainder of the week. The rail is out 3 metres for the entire circuit.
COVID-19 has struck again - borders closed - businesses going broke - and people out of work. It is heart breaking to see this virus causing so much trouble.
I suppose the real questions that are imminent are – how it will affect the Melbourne Cup Carnival – the VRC Racing Carnival. What affect will it have on racing here in Queensland with our Summer Carnival and Magic Millions in January. If I had a crystal ball and could make predictions, I would think we are going to see some major changes to our feature races both in NSW and Victoria in the coming months. Innovation and progressive thinking will be needed – we did run a Winter Carnival – yes it was scaled back – but we did race!
In other amazing news for Australian horse racing the training partnership of Gary and John Moore was given the seal of approval by Racing NSW on Wednesday. The formidable duo will manage a base of 20 boxes out of Rosehill after the compulsory retirement of John Moore in Hong Kong at 70 years of age. That might not be the last time John is seen in Hong Kong though because, when I was last in Hong Kong with him, he did say if he had a horse he felt would be competitive in the lucrative feature races in Hong Kong, “I’ll be back for the international meeting if we’ve got the right horse”.
I am making my way back to the track on Saturday – will be great to be back!
Hold the phone – Luke Tarrant is back as well – welcome back mate – just remember you look wonderful in BLUE!
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
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Race 1
The three-year old’s start the day – only a small field.
Kelly Schweida trains Fleet Dove (3) who has the blinkers coming off this week and the winkers going on. This filly was solid on the recent wet tracks – if she can transform those efforts onto a firm track, she looks a good thing here.
Desleigh Forster trains Eelloh (5) who resumed last start where I think that the heavy track was against her. Looks for a dramatic improvement here on top of the surface. Taylor Marshall will ride.
Selections:
3 – Fleet Dove
5– Eelloh
1 – Bangers and Mash
4 – Kasear
Race 2
Tony Gollan trains Say Heya (4). She resumed on a heavy track and just seemed to run out of condition late. Second up on a dry track she looks well placed here with Ryan Maloney to ride.
The danger must be the Steven O’Dea Racing representative Katy’s Daughter. She resumes here after a 26-week spell and was solid in a recent barrier trial. Stephanie Thornton rode her in that trial and keeps the mount here. She normally races well fresh and whatever she does this weekend I am certain she will improve on.
Rob Heathcote’s Foxpack (3), to be ridden by Jim Byrne, is coming back in distance and back to Doomben where she has won before – at $18 I think she is a great each way bet to upset the more favoured runners.
I have some respect for the Barry Baldwin runner Lady Appleton (10) who won in a lower grade with an amazing effort last start at Ballina.
Selections:
4 – Say Heya
5 – Katy’s Daughter
3 – Foxpack
7 – Motomiss
Rough chance – (10) Lady Appleton
Race 3
A good quality Class 6 race here. – still only a meagre sized field.
I was at Doomben midweek and witnessed the Brian Wakefield trained Roman Aureus (7) win impressively. He steps up to weekend grade but the way he won he really looks like he is set for a good prep. This weekend in the small field he will follow the likely leader Potru Duro (3) and then swoop late.
Potro Duro (3) likes to lead, however, there are some other speedsters in the race. Not sure if they will all bring each other undone and leave the race open for something to swoop home late. This runner resumed at Ipswich three weeks ago and was solid just being run down in the final stages. The Edmonds Racing team will have this runner fitter for this run.
Snowzone (4) won on a heavy track last time out. I think that the track may have enhanced the effort – I will be proven right or wrong after this race. Another nice ride for Jim Byrne.
Selections:
7 – Roman Aureus
3 – Potro Duro
4 – Snowzone
6 – Leroytheconqueror
Race 4
This is a tough race over the 1615 metres.
Reus (3) was desperately unlucky last start at Doomben when there was no speed in the race and he couldn’t let down and storm home – poor Robbie Fradd was a victim of circumstances and wasn’t really a ball of happiness after the race.
Fairy Me Home (5) drops back in distance from 1800 metres last start at Eagle Farm. I think the mile will be right up his alley and, with Luke Dittman aboard, he will be challenging the favourite Reus (3) when the judge calls a halt to the race.
His stablemate at Chris Waller Racing is Prospectus (7). This runner is second up here and the mile will suit him.
Selections:
3 – Reus
5 – Fairy Me Home
7 – Prospectus
8 – Ultimate Ring
Race 5
These races – the same old crew going around! Who will stand up this weekend and post a win?
Fastnet Cyclone (8) won well midweek here nearly a fortnight ago. Look I know he steps up in grade here but the win was full of merit. He was held up in the straight had to be steadied and come around the heels of other runners and then set his mind on the task with a couple of incentives around the rump by Jimmy Orman and he powered away to post a solid win – they pair again here. Do not underestimate this Stuart Kendrick runner at around $9.
Gollan Racing’s Amicitia (5) drops back from Listed grade last start to this benchmark race. I am overlooking the last run at Ipswich where she had no luck in the running and really never got a clear crack at the opposition at any stage. She will be suited here in this small field – Jim Byrne to ride.
So – I ask, who will reign supreme – Jim or Jimmy!
Cloak (4) is a David Vandyke runner who has won his past two starts and aims up here to post a hat trick of wins since resuming from a spell. The gelding is the early market favourite – I just think the mile may test him this weekend.
Selections:
8 – Fastnet Cyclone
5 – Amicitia
4 – Cloak
7 – Slow Hands
Race 6
The first leg of the Quaddie – I was going to say it was as open as the NSW/QLD border but I can’t do that now it has been slammed shut. The poor NSW people – just because we are better at Rugby League – Cricket – Netball – Rugby Union and we have one of the best harbours in the world …
Maybe they should consider locking out the Broncos. They seem to be infected by something now – just cannot seem to post a win. I feel for them – NOT!
Back to the races!
I think the Tony Gollan pair here hold the key to the race. Le Palmier (12) was racing in some quality races last preparation and has had a recent impressive trial at Doomben after an 18-week spell. There are some gear changes as well with the blinkers and the tongue tie coming off here for this assignment – Jim Byrne is aboard.
The stablemate Royal Hale (10) is only lightly raced and has had two trials. The first one over 1000 metres was extraordinarily strong. Then he trialled over 840 metres in a good quality trial and performed well. He has the application of blinkers for the first time and the winkers are off. I am torn between the two runners – at $9 Royal Hale with Ryan Maloney may be the way to go but Le Palmier (12) looks well placed. Over to you guys!
Man In Motion (5) likes the short distances – has won his past three over the sprint distances of 800 and 870 metres. Brad Stewart stays aboard.
Keep your eye on Aheadofhisttime (13) who is resuming here for Kelly Schweida – he could run a bold race first up.
Selections:
12 – Le Palmier
10 – Royal Hale
5 – Man In Motion
8 – For My Annie
Rough chance – (13) Aheadofhistime
Race 7
Here we go – the distance race – who will win this weekend. Shall I throw a dart at the form guide – hold still – here we go – BANG – here it comes!
The Chris Waller Racing duo look well placed here – Birth of Venus (4) and He Runs Away (9). Birth of Venus (4) has the addition of blinkers this weekend. She has been racing on some terrible tracks in Sydney and is fifth up from a spell. Look for a solid improved effort on top of the ground and with the gear change.
The stablemate is He Runs Away (9). This is how bad these races are – this runner has not won for 194 weeks! Maybe on top of the ground and second up in Queensland he may be able to break the drought and score a win.
Continuation (10) is a Kris Lees Racing runner who has been sent north to Queensland to get away from the wet Sydney tracks. This gelding has a solid sprint when it counts. Look for Jim Byrne to track the leaders into the straight here and unleash the power late – he is a big threat.
Watch out for the Tasmanian trained Brilliant Jet (1) with Adin Thompson aboard. He could show up and cause a major upset at the huge odds of $41.
Selections:
4 – Birth of Venus
10 – Continuation
9 – He Runs Away
8 – Lady Solerno
Rough chance – (1) Brilliant Jet
Race 8
A solid Open sprint race here.
This exciting runner Tullio (8) from the Tony Gollan yards just keeps stepping up in grade and performing well. He has won his past four starts and looks for number five here this weekend. Jim Byrne is aboard again adding to his great book of rides! Tullio has been racing well on the heavy tracks – I hope the form transforms to the dry track this weekend.
Kevin Kemp has his well performed Mr Marbellouz (4) resuming after a 60-week spell. He loves Doomben and has posted some of his best wins here – as a matter of fact he has posted five career wins here and three placings. Maddy Wishart is aboard and her claim will be a massive benefit this weekend. No official trials, but I know Kempy he will have him ready to fire here.
Then you have the Steve Tregea trained Niccanova (1) - the quality runner of the field - with a massive 63.5 kilograms. Apprentice Nathan Fazackerley will claim 3 kilograms and that leads me to think that the weight will not be a drama here. He also has a superb first up record – he could just turn up here and slay this lot if they have any chinks in their armour.
Selections:
8 – Tullio
1 – Niccanova
4 – Mr Marbellouz
10 – Papa Jo
Rough chances – (9) Rock Beat
Race 9
A large field to finish off the day here.
Maddi Rocks (12), trained by Chris Waller, was incredibly good last start at Ipswich. She will be competitive here at Doomben with Ryan Maloney retaining the ride.
Watch out for the NSW trained Broken Arrows (5) who resumes here. He has been brought north previously for a successful hit and run mission by trainer David Pfeiffer. Michael Cahill has been booked again – a recent trial under his belt as well and, if he has travelled up well, he will be right in this race.
Kylease (10), a Steven O’Dea runner, led all the way last start on the heavy track a fortnight ago. She will lead this lot again this weekend and, left alone in front, will either be a sitting duck late or will kick and beat the opposition!
Selections:
12– Maddi Rocks
5– Broken Arrows
10 – Kylease
9 – Jardin Rouge
Rough chance – (7) I Dream of Green
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Jockey’s Challenge
Jim Byrne has a particularly good book of rides – will be a short price but should get the chocolates.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
3,4,5 / 3,4,7 / 3,5,7 / 4,5,8 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
4,5 / 3,7 / 3,5 / 5,8 - cost is $16 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
5,10,12 / 1,4,10 / 1,4,8 / 5,9,10,12 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
10,12 / 4,10 / 1,8 / 5,10,12 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,4,10 / 1,4,8 / 5,9,10,12 - cost is $36 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
WINNO beat FLEMO last weekend with some lucky tipping in our tipping competition. Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings where I will post our selections and any late mail!
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