WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, JANUARY 1, 2022

By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 31, 2021

DOOMBEN RACES – SATURDAY JANUARY 1, 2022

HAPPY NEW YEAR – hopefully 2022 will be better than 2021!

I suppose the real issue is avoiding Covid at the moment – despite the anti-vaccination lobby it appears that if you are vaccinated then you will not get as sick as someone that is not – I suppose there is a hidden message there … but everyone has their own opinion and belief!

Doomben this weekend on New Year’s Day – will people be sober enough to roll along to the races?

The track is rated “soft”and the rail is out 3.5metres for the entire circuit. Rain is forecast for the South-East – again they are forecasting storms late on Saturday – let us all hope they stay away, and we can get the program completed!

Some good races sponsored by Magic Millions – the Carnival and sales for 2022 is upon us – a great way to lead into MAGIC MILLIONS DAY 2022!
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Race 1

The first race is a sprint for Class 3 runners.

Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted train Kingston’s Here (3). He is third up this preparation and did win impressively last time out at Ipswich. The time was good, and he carried a huge weight. Last time in he raced very well at Doomben and will handle a wet track. Baylee Nothdurft will ride him again.

Tony Gollan trains Shamrock Lu (7) who finished behind Jetty at the Sunshine Coast a month ago. That run was very good – Jetty has since come out and won again – so the form line reads strong for this race. Jim Byrne will be aboard. I think that the key to this runner’s success will be that he is dropping back to the 1050 metres – I just think that this distance will see him put in a huge performance.

Hakkai Maru (12) is the interesting runner here for mine. She is a lightly raced filly from the Louise White yards. Has resumed and won two in a row – down in the weights – yes, stepping up to Saturday company and Class 3 but her times in both of her wins have been very good. She will have Ben Thompson aboard this weekend for the first time.

If the track is wet, I would be backing Excelness (8) from the Kris Lees Racing stables – she thrives in the wet and her resumption to racing at Scone on a heavy track was impressive. She will have Andrew Mallyon aboard.

Selections:

3 – Kingston’s Here
7 – Shamrock Lu
12 – Hakkai Maru
8 – Excelness
Rough chances – (1) Frederick The Dane

Race 2

A large field of runners to face the starter over 2000 metres. These are always tough affairs for punters.

Takeittothelimit (3) is second up here for Sears Racing with Andrew Mallyon aboard. I thought the run first up a fortnight ago over the mile was good enough to suggest that she will strip fitter and appreciate the step up in distance. She doesn’t win out of turn, but this is not a strong race.

Outback Gladiator (11) won well last time out at Ipswich – trained by Chris Munce, he must be respected here.

Sokudo (1) from the Les Kelly yards on the Gold Coast have Brad Stewart aboard this weekend. He is third up this weekend and has won previously third up. He did run in races like the Toowoomba Cup last time in and wasn’t disgraced – he needs good tempo to be in the race as he likes to settle and then make a dash late. There looks like we could get some speed in the race – that will probably assist him.

Tribute King (7) is a lightly raced four-year-old from Melissa Taylor’s stables. Samantha Collett will ride him again here. He has been gradually stepping up in distance each run this campaign – his last start effort over 1800 metres was good – just would like to see him get some cover in the running and then held up for one final sprint late at the leaders here to be any chance.

Oh no – it is a new year – and I promised not to have a crack at the Gold Coast dynamic duo of Bryan & Daniel Guy – but it is the second race of the new year and they train Vendidit (2) and what makes it even better is Sheriden Tomlinson is riding for them – he is always fair game with that wannabe moustache he attempts to grow. Anyway here goes, we all know that the Guy Racing team always have their horses ready to go when they bring them to town. This gelding has been kept ticking over by the stable and steps up to 2000 metres for the first time. Sheriden’s three kilogram allowance enhances his prospects. I think if he can get a cosy run in behind the speed he is a genuine threat here – WINNO’s prediction – second by a short half head – this will get me in trouble for sure and certain!

Selections:

3 – Takeittothelimit
1 – Sokudo
7 – Tribute King
11 – Outback Gladiator
Rough chance – (2) Vendidit

Race 3

A race for the two-year-old runners.

Soaring Ambition (4) won the Magic Millions Wyong edition in a solid effort- Tommy Berry rode her on that occasion. Berry stays on here. Annabel Neasham trains this runner.

Minks Star (7), trained by Chris Anderson, produced a solid metropolitan debut at Eagle Farm when running second to Exo Lady in the Calaway Girl stakes. Stepping up in distance this weekend should suit this filly – Stephanie Thornton will ride her for the third time here.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have snuck one into QLD – Celestial Spirit (9) after she won on debut on a heavy track at Scone. Looks well placed here – just drawn wide in barrier 10 and there looks like there is some speed in the race. Just some concerns that Larry Cassidy may get caught wide from this draw if the others push up early.

Mishani Warfare (1) has won his past two starts for Les Ross Racing. Both wins have been impressive. In his last start win at the Sunshine Coast he was sent out at silly odds of $21 and settled back from a wide barrier and then stormed home late. This versatility in the running may prove beneficial here as he gets in well with a three kilogram claim for Sheriden Tomlinson – he does look wonderful in those BLUE silks of the Les Ross stables – maybe he can become a real winner – I hear his New Year’s resolution is to support the NSW BLUES in State of Origin next year.

Better Golightly (14), trained by Danny Bougoure, was heavily supported prior to her debut on the Sunshine Coast – the run was okay – maybe where there is smoke there is fire and she should take some benefit from that run. Georgina Cartwright will ride her again here after winning on her in a trial back in early December.

Selections:

4 – Soaring Ambition
7 – Minks Star
9 – Celestial Spirit
1 – Mishani Warfare
Rough chance – (14) Better Golightly

Race 4 Magic Millions QTIS Magic Ticket

Some good speed in this race. I think I will look for something to run on late.

Annabel Neasham and Tommy Berry are a lethal combination when they team up. They pair up with Wisdom Of Water (1) who comes off a very good win last time out at Wyong. The form out of the race is solid. Just have some concerns with the big weight – but I may be wrong.

David Vandyke trains the lightly raced Toorooloo (11) who may just be able to post four wins in a row! She has had a short let up since her last win on her home track at the Sunshine Coast. Won a recent barrier trial as well at Deagon on 21 December and looked in fine fettle. Mark Du Plessis will ride her again this weekend – she is up in class – down in weights, but I think she is a mare with some serious potential.

Ef Troop (3) resumes here for Tony Gollan and will have Ryan Maloney aboard. Solid effort in a recent barrier trial. He has a superb first up record – does get back normally in his races and needs some luck to get the job done – but he has a very good finishing burst of speed. The barrier should not be a problem as those inside him will go forward.

Boom Spender (7) is trained by Desleigh Forster and Jim Byrne will partner again.

Simply Fly (2) is on the quick back up after racing last weekend in the Falvelon – a strong form race for mine moving forward. If the track gets worse than slow – he is an absolute mud lark and will probably destroy this lot. Ben Thompson will ride – keep safe if the track is rain affected.

Selections:

11 – Toorooloo
1 – Wisdom Of Water
3 – Ef Troop
7 – Boom Spender
Rough chance – (2) Simply Fly

Race 5

This is a tough race – may just watch and keep my wallet in my pocket.

Salateen (12) won last time out here for Gollan Racing and Stephanie Thornton. I just think she really appreciates the Doomben track – 2 from 2 here. The distance of 1350 metres is my only concern, but I think she will sit midfield in the running with some good speed in the race and storm home late.

Strange Charm (6) is trained by Kris Lees – Andrew Mallyon will ride. This mare races well on wet tracks. Last time out at Rosehill she was run down late. Has had a four week freshen up. Could run well here.

Zoulou Dancer (11) won at a huge price last time out for Gary Doughty and Robbie Fradd. That win was at Eagle Farm and she finished off the race late – destroying the opposition. She is a little quirky – if she turns up here again this weekend, she could win this again at a massive price. Luke Milligean will strap her again.

Jetty (3) has found a new lease on racing since joining the Chris Munce Racing team. He has won his past two starts and is looking for a hat trick this weekend. Boris Thornton lifted him across the line last time out at $10. Despite being up in weight, he has been racing very well and must be respected.

Fleet Dove (2) I think will be hard to beat this weekend for the Kelly Schweida Racing team. Jim Byrne will ride. She resumed in the Tatts Classic and ran a huge race. Then was on the quick back up the week after in the Just Now and put in an average effort. I think now with the three weeks between runs she will be freshened and ready to fire here this weekend – some tremendous odds on offer as well at $9. She will run this distance right out – Byrne may just need a little luck jumping from barrier 15.

Selections:

12 – Salateen
2 – Fleet Dove
6 – Strange Charm
3 – Jetty
Rough chance – (11) Zoulou Dancer

Race 6 MAGIC MILLIONS SHOOT OUT

The first leg of the Quaddie. A good field over 2000 metres. It is a very open affair with some of these probably not all that genuine late in a race.

Smart Meteor (7) is trained by Chris Munce and will be ridden by Jaden Lloyd. He did win two starts ago at Eagle Farm over the mile and then stepped out last weekend over the mile at Doomben and carried a huge weight. This weekend he is on the quick back up – down in weights and has the claim for Jaden. He was held up last weekend at the 550 metre mark and had a poor run late – I think if he gets a clear passage this weekend and at this distance you could see him storm down the outside late and salute.

Navy Cross (8) doesn’t win often – trained in NSW by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Larry Cassidy will ride for the stable. The gelding is second up here – probably may go forward and could prove difficult to run down.

Chris Waller Racing has Humbolt Current (5) going around again here with Jim Byrne to ride. I thought he had every chance last time out at Eagle Farm over 2200 metres to win – but peaked on his run late. This weekend the shorter distance may assist him, and he is drawn well to get the run of the race – no excuses for mine this weekend.

Wapiti (1) has not been out of the money in his last seven starts – ultra consistent and is very genuine. Taylor Marshall will ride again for Gary Duncan. I am certain he will finish in the top four here – just what position eludes me. His weight this weekend does concern me, but the opposition he is meeting is just average to be fair.

A tough race to start the Quaddie – play wide for mine.

Selections:

7– Smart Meteor
8 – Navy Cross
5 – Humbolt Current
1 – Wapiti

Race 7 THE VO ROGUE PLATE

First leg of the Treble.

I think this is a true battle of NSW v QLD here.

Let’s start in the BLUE (NSW) corner with the Chris Waller trained Starman (3) to be ridden by Nash Rawiller. Was second up last start at Randwick and just seemed to run on empty late – that was two weeks ago. He would have stripped fitter for that effort, and I think will be hard to hold out here. Nash will make sure his mind is on the job late if he is any chance of posting a win.

Shihonka (8) is trained by NSW based Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Tommy Berry will ride this filly for the first time. She has been very good since returning from Victoria and has posted wins in her past two starts at Rosehill. Last time she won leading all the way – I expect she leads here again from barrier 1. She jumps cleanly and has had a barrier trial to keep her ticking over.

Then we have in the MAROON (QLD) corner the Robert Heathcote trained Release The Beans (1) who is second up here. I have a massive wrap on this Spill The Beans gelding who will be ridden by Luke Dittman. Resumed and was run down late at $20. To be fair it was a huge run. Does love this track and Luke has ridden hum to 3 of his 4 career victories. Do not underestimate this runner. On the flip side he is part of the QLD contingent – so you know where my loyalty lies!

Dovetail Diva (9) was heavily backed last time out at Eagle Farm and got the chocolates with Sam Collett riding. She retains the ride this weekend and looks well placed. I am not sure whether she will take up the running this weekend – I think she would be better off trailing Shihonka (8) if she is any chance of victory.

Miss Hipstar (7) is fourth up here this weekend – Larry Cassidy to ride her again – may do something at huge odds.

Selections:

3 – Starman
8 – Shihonka
1 – Release The Beans
9 – Dovetail Diva
Rough chances – (7) Miss Hipstar

Race 8 MAGIC MILLIONS THE BUFFFERING

This race is over 1350 metres.

Apache Chase (3) just keeps winning – he is in tremendous form of late. Desleigh Forster has him going along so well and Jim Byrne will ride him again this weekend. I suppose I must point out that he has never won at Doomben – just a minor concern. He is a tremendous competitor he should be difficult to run down if he gets his own way in front.

Tambo’s Mate (4) is trained Tony Gollan. Again, has been in wonderful form and does thrive at Doomben and a soft track. He is the one that could beat the favourite Apache Chase (3) if he is vulnerable late. This gelding loves to fly home late – especially when a solid tempo has been set in front. He does get the right conditions this weekend to cause a major upset.

The Peter & Paul Snowden trained Aim (6) must not be left out. This Star Witness gelding mixes his form – but history will show you he wins in races where short priced favoured runners are engaged – AND he normally wins at massive prices. This weekend he gets these circumstances and Tommy Berry will ride him for the stable. He is $16 this weekend – forget he went around in the Golden Eagle he was hampered soon after the start and was literally knocked out of the race from that point. Has had a freshen up and barrier trial to get ready for this assignment.

Stampe (7) from Munce Racing won well last time out with Sean Cormack his regular rider getting the job done. He will be in the first few pairs in running and will have his chance.

Garibaldi (10) is another Gollan Racing runner. Last start winner – could upset this lot with any luck in the running.

Selections:

3 – Apache Chase
4 – Tambo’s Mate
6– Aim
7 – Stampe
Rough chances – (10) Garibaldi

Race 9 MAGIC MILLIONS NUDGE STAKES (Listed)

The last race of the day – hopefully the storms stay away! The girls go around here – restricted to fillies and mares.

If the track is wet keep your eye on Vulpine (3) trained by Brad Widdup in NSW – loves a heavy track – I see Ryan Wiggins is back after a recent leg injury to ride this mare – Wiggo will be looking to claim a feature race as well.

The Gollan Racing trio for mine stand out here – Krone (1), Isotope (4) and Miami Fleiss (7).

Isotope (4) resumes. She raced so well when she went to Sydney earlier in the year. In the Arrowfield (Group 2) she chased hard and just missed – very unlucky not to salute on that occasion. She has regular rider Ryan Maloney aboard this weekend – drawn nicely – has had a solid recent barrier trial where she wasn’t asked to do too much late and which I think could have won easily. I just think she is ready for another good campaign this preparation and what better way to start off winning a Listed race!

Krone (1) resumes here as well. Unwanted in the betting but do not underestimate her chances. Despite being a $26 chance she won Group races, including a Group 1, last time in – sure, she may need the run but with two recent trials under her belt she could upset this lot. Georgina Cartwright will ride her for the first time.

Miami Fleiss (7) will have Stephanie Thornton riding her. She won the Tatts Classic here a month ago and was dominant in that win and ran some good time. That form has been franked with East Asia (8) coming out and winning a race since – the form from that race appears very strong. Unfortunately, she has drawn barrier 18 this weekend – Thornton will probably need to go back and ride her for luck – but she has a serious burst of speed late and will be hard to hold out.

Jamaea (5) is trained by Robert & Luke Price and Tommy Berry will ride her. He has three rides on her for a win and a second, so he knows her very well. She has been trialling very well in preparation to resume in this race. She won the Furious Stakes (Group 2) two starts ago and then went around in the Golden Rose (Group 1) where she performed well.

East Asia (8), trained by Robert Heathcote, won the Just Now across the road at Eagle Farm last time out over 1300 metres narrowly running down Eloquently (12) late. She seems to have come back in wonderful form this preparation – I think the drop back in distance may be a slight disadvantage – however, with the speed on she will be flying home late. I did manage to snap up some $26 when the markets first opened – she has been well supported into $9.50 now.

Katalin is trained by James Cummings / Godolphin – a stable that must always be respected when they bring a runner to QLD. Last start winner at Rosehill over 1400 metres and Ben Thompson will ride.

Selections:

4 – Isotope
5 – Jamaea
7 – Miami Fleiss
8 – East Asia
Rough chance – (1) Krone & (12) Eloquently & (13) Katalin
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Jockey’s Challenge

Tough field this weekend – Jim Byrne – Ryan Maloney and Tommy Berry have a nice book of rides. Maybe a slight edge to Tommy Berry (a good NSW lad) to get the chocolates this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3,7,11 / 1,4,7,9 / 1,3,7,11 / 2,3,6,12 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3,7 / 4,7,9 / 1,3,11 / 2,6,12 - cost is $81 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,5,7,8 / 1,3,8 / 3,4,6,7 /1,4,5,7,8 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5,7,8 / 3,8 / 3,4 / 4,5,8 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,8 / 3,4,6,7 / 1,4,5,7,8 - cost is $60 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO is still on holidays. This weekend I will take on HRO’s David Fowler. 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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