WINNO'S WINNERS: CAIRNS CUP DAY

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, August 26, 2023

I am in Cairns heading for the massive day at the Cairns Jockey Club. The race meeting features a massive jam-packed ten race program featuring the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup, and the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas. The track rated “GOOD”. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Last weekend the leaders or runners on the speed seemed to be having a winning time. This week the rail is back in the true position – maybe they will come along the rail and win.

Race 1

A maiden over 950 metres – probably keep your eye on the markets.

Sonic Light (8) has drawn well with Graham Kliese to ride for Dean Piccolo. Resumed for the new stable two weeks ago here. Drew wide and went forward – solid effort. I think that he will strip fitter for the run and should be close to the speed – a nice way to open the program with a $8 winner (hopefully).

Wicked Dreamer (9) is trained by Matey Taylor and Lacey Morrison will ride. Was sent our favourite here over 1000 metres and found one better on the day – will be super competitive.

Hello Newman (5) has Justin Stanley on for Mark Dale. Has been racing over 1200 metres – has better form over these shorter distances – could find a place.

Selections:

8 – Sonic Light
9 – Wicked Dreamer
5 – Hello Newman
4 – Counter Command
Rough chance – (1) Aglot

Race 2

A maiden over 1400 metres.

Trajic Friends (6) could make lots of friends if she can win the race for Lacey Morrison and trainer Graham Hughes. Has had a month freshen up since a solid second here over 1400 metres.

Delancy (1) is trained by Stephen Massingham and Nathan Day will be in the saddle. His first run for the stable he was turned out of a heavy track over 1250 metres and flew home late to be narrowly defeated – just some concerns with barrier 13.

Duyfken (3) is trained by Mark Dale and Justin Stanley rides. Solid form, however, seems to enjoy the soft and heavy going – should not get those conditions here – but should fill a placing.

Selections:

6 – Trajic Friends
1 – Delancy
3 – Duyfken
4 – Imperium

Race 3

BM58 over 1250 metres. First leg of the early Quaddie.

Caldante (5) is trained by Peter & Trevor Rowe with Lacey Morrison aboard. Having his first look at the track – but was a nice effort of 1400 metres last time at Townsville. Did win his maiden the start prior at Mackay in a solid time. Has drawn wide in barrier 12 – will need some luck to get across early and take up a handy position.

Super Vogue (6) is trained by Georgie Holt and Tessa Townsend will ride. Is second up for the new stables. Resumed at Townsville over 1000 metres and drew wide – got back and worked home nicely. Will be better for that effort.

Whey Mischief is trained by Stephen Massingham and Nathan Day will ride. Is a Hedley Racing runner that hasn’t really shown much yet – maybe a firm track will change things.

Selections:

5 – Caldante
6 – Super Vogue
3 – Whey Mischief
8 – Master Orr

Race 4

Another BM58 over 1250 metres.

Hedley Racing has three runners – Crowning Moment (4), Ashley Butler riding – Bakersfield (5), Jason Taylor riding and Lady Damus (11) with Nathan Day aboard. They all have genuine chances.

I like the longer priced runner Lady Damus (11) trained by Stephen Massingham. She got a fair way back at Townsville over 1200 metres and made a late charge – I just think back on her home track she could show up at $8.

Crowning Moment (4) with Ashley Butler riding found the 1000 metres at Townsville at his last start too short – although drawn wide in barrier 13 the extra distance and his strong finishing sprint should see him competitive.

Looking to upset the Hedley party would be Spirit Meister (2) with Ryan Wiggins in the saddle for Rodney Miller. Wiggo will jump and probably lead from barrier 6 – if they leave him alone, he may just outsmart them.

Demon Award (1) is trained by Les Gordy and apprentice Rebecca Wilson will claim 3 kilograms off the massive 64.5 kilograms. He won well for the new stable at Townsville over 1000 metres. The distance is no trouble – I just have some concerns with the bandages going on for this run and the possible effects of the large weight late.

Selections:

11 – Lady Damus
4 – Crowning Moment
2 – Spirit Meister
1 – Demon Award
Rough chance – (5) Bakersfield

Race 5

The Gary Riches Builders BM58 over 1500 metres. Hmmm looks like an enquiry here – dad sponsoring a race on Cairns Cup Day. One thing is for sure Cameron would not be able to run 1500 metres!

Vancouver Bay (10) is around the $12 mark and looks a great each way chance. Noel “King” Callow will ride for Steven Royes and Hedley Racing. Won two starts ago at Townsville over 1400 metres and then dropped back in distance here and ran okay over the 1250 metres. He got way too far back in the running – look for him to go forward and race a few pairs back from barrier 1 – he will be hard to beat.

Michael Geaney trains From This Moment (17). He will be praying that she gets a run here. She drew very wide last start at Townsville over 1400 metres and was used up early to lead – a massive effort! Drawn barrier 4 this weekend should be able to jump and get a forward position and have plenty to offer late. Also nominated in race 6 – 14 if she misses out here.

Ryan “Wiggo” Wiggins will ride Healing Game (1) that has to carry a whopping 64.5 kilograms.

Mission House (12) will be ridden by Jackson ‘McLovin’ Murphy – haven’t seen this bloke in ages so will be grand to catch up and say hi. Mathew McGuire trains the gelding who has been racing in fine fettle. He got too far back over 1400 metres at Townsville. A more positive ride from Murphy should see this runner strong to the line.

Selections:

10 – Vancouver Bay
12 – Mission House
17 – From This Moment
1 – Healing Game
Rough chances – (5) Courting Sara and (8) Victory For Us

Race 6 The MAGIC MILLIONS DAINTREE QUALITY

The last leg of the early Quaddie – open field here over 1500 sponsored by the amazing Magic Millions!

I think Lacey Morrison could land a feature race win at around $14 aboard Premium Star (12), trained by Alwyn Bailey. The gelding is third up here and this distance is ideal. In his first two starts over 1000 and 1200 metres he has got too far back and then motored home. The way he has finished off his races he should win this with a light weight and a wonderful barrier.

Tom Button & Ryan Tyrell train Cocobrew Express (1) and Under The Limit (3). I think Under The Limit (3) looks well placed at the distance – normally races forward – but from barrier 15 Justin Stanley may have to get some luck in the running.

Cocobrew Express (1) loves to lead and get out and bowl along. Ash Butler won at Mackay by getting out in front and running them into the ground. I think that he may struggle here to keep them at bay late.

Gulf Of Lion (2) has won here and loves this distance – Trevor & Peter Rowe train this gelding – Jason Taylor will ride him again. He will be midfield and should be right in the finish.

Selections:

12 – Premium Star
3 – Under The Limit
1 – Cocobrew Express
2 – Gulf Of Lion
Rough chance – (14) From This Moment

Race 7

The first leg of the Quaddie – a Class 4 race over 950 metres.

Artie’s Lad (11) is trained by Fred Wieland and Nathan Day will ride – drawn well in barrier 10. Will race handy – the Hedley distinctive colours should be saluting here. Drops down in the weights and looks well placed.

Caressing Rupert (8) is trained by Sharlee Hoffman and will be ridden by Rachel Shred. Is undefeated at this track with two wins from two starts. A massive, impressive record over these short distances as well – 7 starts for 4 wins and a placing. The mare is ridiculous odds at $16 – she could cause a serious upset in this race.

Archie’s Law (6) is trained by Cheynee Morrison with Frank Edwards to ride. Has a tremendous record over the shorter distances, however, these successes have been at Townsville. He gets his first look at the Cairns track.

Sealion (7) will be ridden by Adam Sewell and is trained by Janel Ryan. A fortnight freshen-up since racing over 1400 metres. Will need some luck – but will belting home late.Selections:

11 – Artie’s Lad

8 – Caressing Rupert
6 – Archie’s Law
7 – Sealion
Rough chance – (4) Phantom Spirit

Race 8

The first leg of the Treble. The Lightning Open over 950 metres.

The speed will be on here with Aspen Lad (6) and Natalea Summers drawn well in barrier 3. He loves to lead and run. This sets the race up well for others who will sit off the speed and thunder home.

Ruby July (5) has made her way back to Michael Lee’s stables after a stint in Brisbane with Chris Meagher. She has had two starts since returning. She won first up at Townsville prior to her second up effort where she got too far back when favourite. I think that she is a massive winning chance here – just wondered how she may fare if she gets too far back, but then again it is a small field her class may prevail with Nathan Day riding.

Higher Realm (3) resumes here for trainer Ray Chillemi and Lacey Morrison will ride. He has a superb first up record with three wins and a placing – never been out of the money first up. Drawn well in barrier 5 and should get the gun run behind the breakneck speed.

Avatea (8) goes up in grade, however, drops 9 kilograms after racing in restricted grade last time out. Keep safe with Morgan Butler to ride.

Selections:

3 – Higher Realm
5 – Ruby July
8 – Avatea
6 – Aspen Lad

Race 9 THE RED BERET HOTEL CAIRNS CUP 2023

The feature race on the program.

Let’s start with the top weight Namazu (1) trained by Ricky Vale and with Ryan Wiggins to ride. Must carry a mammoth 61 kilograms after destroying the field in the Townsville Cup last time out by 6 lengths. With Portnoy (13) leading and ensuring a strong tempo it is difficult to find something to beat the top weight.

Olympic Class (11) is trained by Michael Morrison and Anthony Allen will make the trip north to ride him. He was sent out favourite when resuming at Cairns over 1900 metres – that was his first run since the Grafton Cup. I think he will strip fitter and may run a place now he is back down in the weights.

Armour Force (9) is trained by Stephen Massingham for the Hedley Racing team. Hedley would love to win his hometown Cup – this looks the best of his runners. Nathan Day will ride him again – he was tried for the first-time last time out over the 2000 metres – maybe that will place him in good stead here.

Portnoy (13) will be ridden by Chris Whiteley for Georgie Holt. If Whiteley can get him to control the pace and gets him to settle, he may just prove difficult to run down late with this light weight.

Selections:

1 – Namazu
11 – Olympic Class
9 – Armour Force
13 – Portnoy
Rough chances – (2) Point Counterpoint

Race 10

The last race on this massive 2023 Cairns Cup program! A Class 6 over 1250 metres.

The race should probably be renamed the Hedley Stakes with Hedley having an interest in six runners in the field. To be fair he may even trifecta the race with his distinctive orange silks with the big yellow H in the centre.

Stats (10) must be a topical tip – I love my stats, so its only fair I tip the gelding from the Stephen Massingham yards. Last start at Townsville drew terribly – had to go back and was hampered in the running. He managed to work home late from 14th to be beaten just under a length. Nathan Day will ride him again. He is drawn perfectly in the race with barrier 4 and should be racing midfield.

Never Cry (9) is the stablemate from the Massingham stables with Masayuki Abe to ride. Seems to prefer the Cairns track and has had a little freshen up to prepare for this race – barrier 14 may bring him unstuck.

To round out the Hedley trifecta – I like the other stable mate from Massingham’s yards All Time Legend (2) who is having his third start for his new stable. He has carried a massive 61 kilograms in his past two starts over 1000 metres. Each time he has raced midfield prior to hitting the line strong late. I think the extra distance suits this runner and he is a genuine chance. The only issue is Noel Callow will need some serious luck from barrier 17. He looks well placed if he can get any luck in the running.

Indictment (7) is another from the Massingham yards with Nathan Thomas riding. A last start winner at Townsville over 1400 metres and comes back in distance for this assignment. Has drawn poorly in barrier 15 – keep safe.

Ten Schilling (3) is looking to spoil the Massingham and Hedley party! Trained by Alwyn Bailey and Lacey Morrison will ride. I think he goes better on a wet track. In saying that his recent efforts have been solid.

Knockknee (11) will have Jackson Murphy riding for trainer Georgie Holt. The mare is second up for the new stable. On debut at Townsville, she got back in the field and sprinted strongly late to get home fast. Now she has had that run she could just cause an upset in this last race.

Selections:

10 – Stats
2 – All Time Legend
9 – Never Cry
3 – Ten Schilling
Rough chances – (7) Indictment & (11) Knockknee
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like it is a battle between the boys and the girls. Representing the girls is Lacey Morrison with a strong book of rides who has been achieving some consistent results. Representing the boys is Nathan Day – who has a very solid book of rides. Maybe a win to Nathan Day in a consuming battle.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

3,5,6 / 1,2,4,11 /1,10,12,17 / 1,2,3,12 - cost is $192 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

5,6 / 2,4,11 / 10,12,17 /3,12 - cost is $36 to $1.

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

6,7,8,11 / 3,5,8 / 1,9,11 /2,3,9,10,11 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

6,8,11 / 3,5 / 1 / 2,9,10 - cost is $18 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

3,5,8 / 1,9,11 /2,3,9,10,11 - cost is $45 $to $1.

WINNO V MICHAEL CHARGE

The battle between QLD and NSW will continue in Cairns with WINNO taking on Michael Charge. Charge is a good judge and is on his home turf – but I am looking to take the win and claim bragging rights. It would be great to defeat him and FLEMO on the same weekend and shut them up!

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