WINNO'S WINNERS: CAIRNS, AUGUST 22, 2025
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 21, 2025
CAIRNS racing on Friday - the second week of a jam-packed racing event in the city.
There are nine races on the program. The track is rated ‘Good’.. The rail is in the true position.
The Friday meeting features the LADBROKES Cairns Newmarket over 1400 metres. Then we back up again on Saturday for the 2025 RED BERET HOTEL CAIRNS CUP.
A massive schedule of racing and off-track events in the lead up to the feature race days. Come race day the on-field events are many. The race day packages are selling fast – the day looks like having a massive crowd!
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.
Race 1 CAIRNS POST MAIDEN PLATE
A maiden race over 1500 metres to start us off.
There is a heap of gear changes on several runners here – the form is not ideal.
I am going with the Justin Huxtable ridden Miss Comaneci (9) trained by Lachie Manzelmann. She is a lightly raced four-year-old mare. Put in a solid effort last start over 1300 metres and can be ridden close to the speed.
Some respect for the local runner Leconfield (5) trained by Roy Chillemi. He is having his third run for his new stable after being transferred from Chris Waller – Lacey Morrison will ride. He is now owned by Tom Hedley – the President of the Cairns Jockey Club – he will be happy to see this one win for him.
I think that they may fight out the race.
Selections:
9 – Miss Comaneci
5 – Leconfield
8 – Kellisa
1 – Arik Lad
Race 2 CAIRNS KEY REAL ESTATE
A BM60 race over 1400 metres.
Lowlands (7) will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins for local trainer Stephen Massingham. The champion jockey and trainer combination from the 2024/25 racing season. Wiggins rode 32 winners on the track and Massingham trained 30 winners on his home turf. Lowlands is on a quick back up from last weekend when she raced over 1500 metres - had no luck in running and was belting home late - if she can repeat that effort, she wins this race easily.
The danger is the Alwyn Bailey trained Blue Steel (6) who won at the track last Saturday over 1400 metres. Lacey Morrison retains the ride. He got interfered with at the start and then made-up ground throughout before unleashing a powerful burst in the straight and going away for an easy win.
It is hard to separate these two runners; it may just come down to luck in running.
Selections:
7 – Lowlands
6 – Blue Steel
1 – Tymon
2 – Lucky Leni
Race 3 I-LEC MAIDEN PLATE
A maiden race is over 950 metres. Blink and you will miss the race as they will go super-fast here. I would strongly suggest that you watch for any market moves in this race as many of these runners are resuming from a spell.
Spirit Of Bluey (11) is having his first start for Tom Button – Justin Huxtable will ride. She has drawn the rails – may just pop out and get the job done.
Tarong (4) will be ridden by Ash Butler for trainer Leslie Gordy. First up here was a super run – then went to Townsville last start and was knocked over at the start and then raced wide throughout. I am looking forward to a more economical run here – should go close.
Talk Dirty (3) is trained by Bodine Bailey with Lacey Morrison riding. The winkers go on here. Was previously owned by Lee Freedman now in a different ownership. He did not fire a shot at his only race start on the Gold Coast – may find the grade a lot easier here.
Selections:
4 – Tarong
3 – Talk Dirty
11 – Spirit Of Bluey
1 – Nordic Invader
Rough chance – (1)
Race 4 GREAT NORTHERN BREWING COMPANY BM70 HDP
A BM70 class race over 950 metres.
Stephen Massingham and Ryan Wiggins combine here again with Blue Stratum (7). Was a strong effort first up for the new stable in Townsville over 1000 metres. He led throughout and was just run down in the final stages. A superb effort for the new stables and will be sure to strip better for that effort. Look for a bold showing here.
The stable mate King’s Halo (8) is better over longer distances – but may sprint well fresh here with Chris Meehan to ride.
Zi Win (6) is trained by Trevor & Peter Rowe with Krysten Swaffer to ride. Has been racing in Open grade in recent starts – may appreciate the drop back in class – does not look too badly placed here.
Selections:
7 – Blue Stratum
6 – Zi Win
3 – Shines
8 – King’s Halo
Race 5 ELLIS BEACH BAR AND GRILL CLASS 3 HDP
A class 3 race over 1500 metres.
Last start Odegaard (3) beat Kirikan (5) at Townsville over 1400 metres.
I think that the result may be reversed here with the differences in the weights. However, in saying that, Kirikan (5) can get back in his races and may need some luck coming into the straight to run down the leaders. He is trained on the track by Stephen Massingham – and Ryan Wiggins stays aboard. They did come for him last start at Townsville and he was a heavily backed favourite, but seemed to peak late near the post.
Odegaard (3) will be ridden by Georgina Cartwright for trainer John Manzelmann and is coming off a solid last start win over 1400 metres. He was unwanted in the betting last time out – starting at $26 – but he was solid to the line.
I like Moegreen (6) with Sean Cormack riding for Fred Wieland. Has a very solid record on his home track and at this distance and I am just thinking maybe he is some value and could upset these more favourite runners. He is drawn nicely and should race handy throughout – something each way at good odds.
Selections:
6 – Moegreen
5 – Kirikan
3 – Odegaard
10 – It’s Been A Trek
Rough chance – (1) Blazerro
Race 6 CORAL COAST CATERING BM55 HDP
First leg of the Quaddie. A BM55 class race over 1250 metres.
Superstitions (4) is on the quick back up from a solid win here at this distance last Saturday in Class 1 grade. Stormed home late and gave nothing else a chance. Trained by Ray Moller and Nathan Thomas retains the ride here.
Innovates (7) was a winner here at the track and distance two starts ago. Then went to Townsville over 1300 metres. Was given a great ride by Jackson “McLovin” Murphy but just seemed to struggle to get going late – before finding his feet and making a dive at them on the line. I think he may be better suited here on this track and distance.
Golden Octavion (1) raced over 1400 metres last weekend here. That was a first up effort after a four week freshen up. Look for a bold effort here coming back in distance. Another great chance for the Massingham/Wiggins dynamic duo.
Selections:
4 – Superstitions
7 – Innovates
1 – Golden Octavion
9 – He Goes Boom
Race 7 UNDERWOOD PARTY HIRE BM55 HDP
First leg of the Treble. A BM55 class race over 1250 metres.
Fallguy (3) was a last start winner for Lindsay Hatch at Townsville over 1300 metres. Was solid going to the line. Justin Huxtable takes the ride here. Drawn a little wide but should get to the front easily and look like the likely leader.
Calm Is Power (7) is on a short six day back up after racing here last weekend over 950 metres. Krysten Swaffer will ride for Trevor & Peter Rowe. I think he will be better over the longer distance – keep safe.
Napoleon Strike (1), despite the massive weight, should not be overlooked. He is trained by Ricky Ludwig and Ash Butler will ride. He is on the quick back up after racing here last Saturday as well over 950 metres. He was flying home late – had no luck in the straight and there were excuses. Look for the senior rider to get the best out of him here.
There are no stronger riders than Butler and Huxtable – they may go toe to toe here late – who can lift their horse over the line?
Selections:
3 – Fallguy
1 – Napoleon Strike
7 – Calm Is Power
5 – Bradshaw
Race 8 LADBROKES CAIRNS NEWMARKET HANDICAP
The feature race on the card!
An Open class race over 1400 metres.
Pipistrelle (13) is the way I have gone here. She is trained by Ricky Vale and last year on Cup day she won the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas over 1500 metres. That was a bold effort. She has won since and her recent form has been solid. Last start she was ridden by McKenzie Apel at Townsville over 1300 metres where she carried a massive weight. In that run she was in massive trouble from the moment the gates opened and was checked at the commencement of the race. Basically, was put out of the race and then she gathered her feet – got going again and when the final 150 metres of the race came about, she let down and worked home nicely. Look she has no weight here and if she can get away clean look for her to be in the first five runners and make her presence felt late.
The Ryan Wiggins and Stephen Massingham combination are to the fore here again with Speed Legend (2) who won his last start, the Ladbrokes Cleveland Bay at Townsville over 1300 metres. The issue I have is he gets back in his races and then will need to make a sustained run. He can do it successfully and has proven he can do it on this track – just thinking with a massive field he will need a lot of luck.
Hellish (3) is trained by Tom Button and Ivo Fry will ride. Just forget the last start effort in the Ladbrokes Cleveland Bay at Townsville where he drew barrier 20 and was wide throughout the race with no luck at all. Drawn barrier 2 here he will jump the gates and go forward and be in front or close to it throughout – he looks well placed in this race.
Valenki (7) is trained by Ray Chillemi. Much the same story where last start he drew wide and raced wide without luck. Unfortunately, he has drawn barrier 15 here – Sean Cormack will need some luck in running.
Selections:
13 – Pipistrelle
2 – Speed Legend
3 – Hellish
7 – Valenki
Rough chance – (10) Demon Award
Race 9
The last race on the program. A Class 1 race over 950 metres.
Strong race to finish off the program.
Tipped Off (4) is best placed over these shorter distances where he can lead and set it up in front and win. Last start he raced over 1250 metres (6 days ago). He led and just peaked late. Back in distance with a nice barrier, look for Justin Huxtable to lead and dominate the tempo – it is just a matter of whether he can hold on and not get swamped late.
Babushka Miss (3) is a debut winner at Sale (Victoria) then went around at Caulfield. It is her first start at north QLD for her new stable – Stephen Massingham. Ryan Wiggins will ride her. She is first up after a 15-week spell. She has drawn well in barrier 1 and will go forward. In both of her career starts in Melbourne she has led – she will be difficult to hold out here.
So Yes It Is (5) is a Fred Wieland runner with Sean Cormack riding. He won first up for the new stable after being trained on the Sunshine Coast by Billy Healey. The maiden win at Townsville over 1000 metres was solid and sets him up nicely for this race. He was well supported in that run and got the cash. Keep him safe.
The Kamikaze (7) won here two starts ago over this distance. Then went to Townsville over 1000 metres and got caught wide in the running and never fired a shot. He is trained by Liliana McCormack and Ivo Fry will ride. He has had a recent barrier trial win – however, has drawn terribly in barrier 15.
Selections:
4 – Tipped Off
3 – Babushka Miss
5 – So Yes It Is
7 – The Kamikaze
Rough chance – (10) Vegameister
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Jockeys Challenge
Looks like a battle between Ryan Wiggins, Lacey Morrison and Justin Huxtable. Wiggo looks like he has a solid book of rides and should post a win.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
6,7 / 3,4,11 / 6,7 / 3,5,6 - cost is $36 to $1.
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
7 / 3,4 / 7 / 5,6 - cost is $4 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,6,7 / 1,3,7 / 2,3,13 / 3,4,5 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6,7 / 1,3 / 2,3,13 / 3,4 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,3,7 / 2,3,13 / 3,4,5 - cost is $27 to $1.
WINNO V MICHAEL CHARGE
I have taken this QLD supporter on previously – and he won! Look credit where credit is due – he has been tipping up a storm in recent weeks!
Can WINNO put the curse on him here and bring him to his knees!
Be sure to check out our tips and late mail on Friday morning on Facebook.
*Remember, We back up on Saturday for the big show, the Red Beret Hotel 2025 Cairns Cup.
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