WINNO'S WINNERS: CAIRNS CUP DAY, AUGUST 24, 2024

By Darren Winningham | Friday, August 23, 2024

I will be heading to the Cairns Jockey Club for the massive day of racing on Saturday. Cairns, WINNO has arrived – although some locals know me as “THE PEST”. A name that was provided to me by the Cairns Jockey Club General Manager – Cameron Riches.

The race meeting features a massive jam packed nine race program featuring: The Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup, and the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas.

The track is rated “SOFT”. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Time to get into the program. 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 1400 metres – probably keep your eye on the markets.

Moegreen (1) had no luck last time out here. Missed the jump – got belted at the barriers and then was basically out of the race – running in the second half of the field on a day that runners on the speed were winning. In his previous starts he has raced on speed – I expect this Fred Wieland trained runner to be right in the firing line late – Sean Cormack will ride.

Pelsaert (2) is trained by Janel Ryan and Nathan Day will ride. Ran a really good race last weekend over 1250 metres - stepping up to the longer distance should not be a problem and should feature in the finish. He will also race close to the speed so that should give him a distinct advantage.

Tymon (3) is trained by Matthew McGuire with Chris Whiteley aboard. This is just his second start for his new stable after coming from Victoria. His first up effort at Townsville over 1200 metres was impressive when, on a heavy track, he worked home late after being tardy at the start. I think second up and going up in distance where he raced well in VIC, he could be hard to hold out.

Bledisloe is a newcomer to the Stephen Massingham yards. I see that the thriving super Gold Coast apprentice Jace McMurray is in town for his first Cairns Cup – he claims 3 kilograms. This runner has been racing over 1600 and 2000 metres in New South Wales. I really don't think that he is strong to the line over these distances and back to 1400 metres for the new stable I expect a bold showing.

Rough chance to Miss Farstar.

Selections:

1 – Moegreen
3 – Tymon
2 - Pelsaert
5 – Bledisloe
Rough chance – (10) Miss Farstar

Race 2

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

Stephen Massingham has some solid chances here. I like a new runner who is fourth up for the stable, City of Boulder (10), who was drawn nicely in barrier four and last start over 1300 metres at Townsville was caught wide throughout and still finished off the race strongly. I see they have booked Jace McMurray to ride this runner and his three kilo claim will be beneficial.

The stablemate is Lean Eagle (8) to be ridden by Ryan Wiggins - has been racing out of sorts in recent starts, however stepping up in distance may be the defining factor for his chances.

The top weight Boogie Wonderland (2) has been racing consistently with two wins in a row. Trained by Alwyn Bailey – Ash Butler will ride. He must carry a mammoth 61.5 kilograms - but he's a solid rater compared with his opposition.

Lacey Morrison will ride Lord Power (7) for trainers Trevor & Peter Rowe – this runner has won his past two starts so is looking to post a hat trick of wins.

Selections:

10 – City Of Boulder
2 – Boogie Wonderland
7 – Lord Power
8 – Lean Eagle

Race 3

Another BM58 over 1250 metres.

Guapo (6) will be ridden by Michael Cahill for Rodney Miller. He raced over 950 metres on this track last weekend. I just think the distance was too short for him and it was a good pipe opener for this weekend's assignment. He has won previously at this track and distance and I think that holds him in good stead.

Burns To Embrace (1) was a solid winner here last weekend at this distance. It was a dominant win and if he performs like that again this week with a huge weight of 62 kilos he should be winning this race again. Georgina Cartwright has come from Brisbane to ride him.

Impardoo (3) will be ridden by Lacey Morrison for Alwyn Bailey. This runner won two starts ago here and then went to Innisfail and ran on a heavy track which he did not appreciate. Forgive that run and on a much firmer surface he may show some improvement.

Sean Cormack will ride Converter (8) for Georgina Bourke. Finally cracked his maiden status with a win last time out at Townsville over 1200 metres in good time on a soft track. That effort was good enough to suggest he will be competitive here. He does have a sticky barrier in barrier 12, however he should get across and take up a prominent position in the running - down in the weights as well also will be of assistance.

Selections:

6 – Guapo
1 – Burns To Embrace
8 – Converter
3 – Impardoo
Rough chance – (7) Lady Damus

Race 4

A Class 6 race over 1250 metres.

Brisbane trainer Lindsay Hatch has two solid chances in this race.

Beauty Boom (3) will be ridden by Jace McMurray. Has drawn well in barrier 7 and at his last start was a winner at Mackay over 1100 metres. Has previously won at this distance so there is no issue there. Secondly, he appreciates racing on the speed and that should be a defining factor in his chances in this race.

The stablemate is For Valour (4) who is third up here with Scott Sheargold to ride. He drops back in grade after not setting the world on fire in an Open Class race at his last start at Townsville. This runner is better than that and I think third up for the new stable and again getting onto a soft track may see a dramatic improvement - do not overlook this runner.

Lady Rain (8) will be ridden by Michael Cahill for Graham Hughes. This mare has very solid form on wet tracks and thrives when they are in the soft to heavy range. Has been racing consistently around 1200 metres prior to jumping up to 1400 metres last start and not seeing the journey out. Drops back in distance and with a freshen up could be one at odds to upset the more favoured runners.

Stats (6) Is trained on the track by Steven Massingham with Ryan Wiggins to ride. He is a last start winner at this track and distance - has been freshened up for around five weeks - just not too sure how he will sprint fresh – but if he holds his previous form, he should be right in the finish.

Selections:

3 – Beauty Boom
4 – For Valour
8 – Lady Rain
6 – Stats
Rough chance – (10) Elleves

Race 5

The last leg of the early Quaddie – open field here over 950 metres at Class 4 grade.

Tough field this one. Maybe watch for any market moves on the day.

Viburnum (7) will be ridden by Tyler Leslight for trainer Joe Russo. I really like the fact that there is a 3-kilogram claim for the apprentice, then there is the fact that he does perform well on rain affected tracks and, finally, he is drawn well and performs best when he races on the speed, and I think they will use the lighter weight to put him forward in the running. Should be wonderful each way odds.

The topweight is Pomade (1) trained by Fred Wieland and Georgina Cartwright will ride. He raced here last weekend. After drawing wide in barrier 12 and had to be used to get across and taking up the running. In the end he was beaten soundly however this weekend with barrier 6 he may just get her more conservative run in transit and be hard to hold out.

Bakersfield (9) is the stable mate and will be ridden by Sean Cormack. Is on the quick back up after a solid win last weekend in restricted grade. On that occasion he led them up and gave nothing else a chance and ran a slick time. He has drawn poorly this weekend in barrier 11 and will need some luck to get across and take up a prominent position.

Nazorian (3) resumes here with Nathan Day riding for trainer Alex Maliff. Has sprinted well fresh in the past and does have a solid record at this track and distance. Has drawn well in barrier two - looks ideally placed.

Selections:

7 – Viburnum
1 – Pomade
3 – Nazorian
9 – Bakersfield
Rough chance – (5) Zi Win

Race 6 BABINDA ELECTRICS LIGHTNING

The first leg of the Quaddie – the Lightning, over 950 metres – Open grade.

Gone for some value here with Demon Award (4) trained by Leslie Gordy and ridden by Corey Bayliss – haven’t seen him in ages – will have to catch up with him! Demon Award goes well at this track and distance and normally races handy. Has had a three week freshen up since his last win over 1200 metres at Townsville – I think the shorter distance and the drop in weight makes him a good gamble.

Single Memo (9) is trained by Clinton Taylor. The mare won last weekend here over this distance in a slick time carrying 58.5 kilograms. She goes up in grade for this race, but down in the weights plus has the bonus of 3 kilograms off the weight for Jace McMurray. She is right in this race if she performs like she did last weekend.

Hurtle (3) is trained by Georgina Bourke and Lacey Morrison will ride. This gelding goes well when he leads and is unopposed. He has drawn well to set up the tempo and control the race in front. Morrison is a wonderful front running rider – she may just get away with a soft tempo from barrier 1.

Yes Dream (1) is a Ricky Ludwig runner looking to post a hat trick of wins. He drops back in distance but has a solid record over this distance with seven starts for four wins and two seconds. Frank Edwards, who has ridden and won in his past two races, retains the ride.

Selections:

4 – Demon Award
9 – Single Memo
3 – Hurtle
1 – Yes Dream
Rough chance – (6) Missile Thunder

Race 7 THE RED BERET HOTEL CAIRNS CUP 2024

The feature race on the program. The race seems to turn up an upset most years. The first leg of the treble as well.

Let me start with BREAKING NEWS – there has been a massive betting plunge for the locally trained Mr Maestro (3) who was transferred from Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey to Stephen Massingham. He is a five-year-old who raced in Group races in Victoria when trained by Andrew Forsman. Now they opened him up around $23 and the money has poured in – now into $4.20. He will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins. Look at his best form as a 3- and 4-year-old and on wet tracks he must be rated as a chance. He has only had two starts for the new stable – last weekend he raced over 1400 metres – he worked home well, but I am going to say he cannot win (I hope I am right).

I am going for some value in Last Royal (14) trained by Alwyn Bailey and will be ridden by Tyler Leslight carrying 52 kilograms. He has won his past three starts in a row. In his last start he won the Banana Cup over 1800 metres at Innisfail leading all the way on a heavy track. He gets a wet track here on Saturday and whilst not has won at the distance, he does has two victories on this track. I think he is a wonderful bet.

Then another runner that appears good value is Mahogoni (12), trained by Lindsay Hatch and with rider Georgina Cartwright ooking to claim her first Cairns Cup. He was third up at his last start in the Mackay Cup over 2000 metres. He just seemed to peak on his run late and I really think that after that run he will be fitter and be at his prime for this race. He has drawn well in barrier five – should get out and race handy with only 52 kilograms – he should be in the finish.

Fortified (10) is trained by John Manzelmann who claimed the 2023 Cup with The Driller at huge odds. This runner has been out of sorts. He was average at his last start in the Mackay Cup being tailed off. Now WINNO has a theory here. He raced in the Townsville Cup the weekend before and was gallant running second to Warp Speed (1) – it was an eye-catching run. Then they backed him up the week after – I reckon the week back up is what caused him to fail. Since then, he has had two weeks to prepare for this race – he is currently at $21 and my good mate Jackson “McLovin” Murphy will ride. I would love to photograph him winning this feature race – good luck mate – if you win you are buying me dinner!

Warp Speed (1) has been racing in fine fettle since making his way from Brisbane. He is trained by Mark Goodwin and Michael Cahill will partner him again. Drawing barrier 17 with a massive weight of 60.5 kilograms is not ideal. Since coming north, he has raced on good tracks. I just do not I think he is effective on wet surfaces. He is going to encounter a wet surface on Saturday, and I just think that this will find him out.

The emergency Kick On Command (16) is trained by Clinton Taylor. Jace McMurray is looking for a feature Cup win – if the runner can get a start in the race. Drawn badly in barrier 15. He has won over 1800 metres – raced fairly in his last start in the Mackay Cup – that was on a firm surface. I think he is better on soft surfaces – he may show up at a huge price if he makes the field.

Selections:

14 – Last Royal
12 – Mahogoni
10 – Fortified
3 – Mr Maestro
Rough chance – (11) Cashin Chex & (16) Kick On Command & (1) Warp Speed

Race 8 The MAGIC MILLIONS DAINTREE GUINEAS

The second feature race is over 1500 metres – sponsored by MAGIC MILLIONS.

Like the chances of Sweet Kisses (3) - hopefully I haven’t put the WINNO kiss of death on this mare! Trained by Georgina Bourke and Jackson Murphy will ride – can he win the two feature races? This mare loves to lead, loves wet tracks and has had a month freshen up. She raced over a mile last time out – faded and didn’t handle the distance. She has excelled over 1400 metres – I just hope she can get a soft run-in front and get the job done. I think the wetter the track as well will be beneficial.

Beau Rain (1) is trained by Bill Kenning and Lacey Morrison will ride. He raced last time out at Mackay over 1560 metres on a good track. I think that the track probably didn't assist him when he was defeated by Viennewaitsforyou (4) who he meets better at the weights in this race – keep safe. I think back to a wet track – and the differences in the weights he must be in with a genuine chance.

Viennewaitsforyou (4) won at Mackay over 1560 metres at her last effort. She is trained by Clinton Taylor and Jace McMurray will ride. She was given an 11 out of 10 ride last time by Justin Stanley to win. Just have some concerns that she likes to get back in her races and then work home late – that may not be possible on this track.

Ringers Reward (6) was trained by Kevin Kemp before being sent to Leslie Gordy. The mare has had two starts for the new stable. She thrives on wet tracks, and I just think that she gets the conditions to suit on Saturday - Corey Bayliss will take the ride - and just maybe at a huge price she can fill a spot.

The horse that has grabbed my attention is the lightly raced Pipistrelle (7) to be ridden by Georgina Cartwright and trained by Ricky Vale. She was with the powerful Godolphin yards trained by James Cummings and now has made her way to north QLD. She debuted for the new yards with a powerful, impressive effort at Mackay over 1300 metres. She has raced up to a mile with her previous trainer in NSW – she looks well placed and very progressive and should be in the finish – same token here – it is possible for Georgina to win the two feature races on the Cairns Cup program.

Selections:

3 – Sweet Kisses
6 – Pipistrelle
4 – Viennawaitsforyou
1 – Beau Rain
Rough chance – (6) Ringers Reward

Race 9

The last race on the program on a jam-packed day – no need to rush – the after party kicks off at 6pm!

A BM58 over 1500 metres – let’s hope we are winning by the time we get here. It’s a tough field.

Hedley Racing has three in it – they could logically fill the placings.

Roy Chillemi trains Valenki (6), having his fifth start for the new stable. No troubles with the distance but he just seems to get back in his races and needs luck. Hasn’t won in 69 weeks – I just think there may be some improvement here.

Fred Wieland trains Battle Royale (3) who will have Nathan Day riding again after a solid win at Innisfail on a heavy track over 1500 metres last time out. His best efforts are when he gets to the lead and dictates the pace – he appreciates a wet track too – looks well placed.

The other Hedley runner is Super Twenty-Three (11) with Ryan Wiggins aboard trained by Stephen Massingham. This runner got pole axed at the start here last weekend over 1250 metres. He still managed to make steady ground late and finish third. Looks like he could get the job done as well.

Zouhope (13) has been racing over the mile at Townsville in his past five starts. Will need some luck here, but looks nicely placed and has won at this venue previously.

Choir Boy (1) is probably the only runner with recent winning form – and has 63.5 kilograms to carry which will be offset by the 3-kilogram claim for Gabrielle Semmens. Trained by Janel Ryan it may be best to overlook the last start on a heavy track over 1800 metres where he just didn't handle both the track and the extra distance. He is back to a more suitable distance this week and has drawn well in barrier 3 and should be able to surge forward when the gates open and take up a prominent position and be hard to run down.

Selections:

11 – Super Twenty Three
1 – Choir Boy
3 – Battle Royal
6 – Valenki
Rough chance – (13) Zouhop
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like it is a battle between the boys and the girls. Representing the girls is Georgina Cartwright with a strong book of rides who has been achieving some consistent results. Representing the boys is the Gold Coast apprentice Jace McMurray – who has a very solid book of rides – then the local apprentice Tyler Leslight is in the mix as well. Maybe a win to the girls – Georgina Cartwright in a consuming battle.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,7,10 / 1,6,8 / 3,4,6,8 / 1,3,7,9 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,10 / 1,6 / 3,4,8 / 1,3,7 - cost is $36 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,4,9 / 3,10,12,14 / 1,3,4,7 /1,3,6,11 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,9 / 10,12,14 / 3,7 / 1,3,11 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

3,10,12,14 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,3,6,11 - cost is $64 $to $1.