WINNO'S WINNERS: CAIRNS, AUGUST 23, 2025

By Darren Winningham | Friday, August 22, 2025

CAIRNS RACES – SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025

I am in CAIRNS for the massive day at the Cairns Jockey Club – day three of their Carnival – a jam packed eight race program featuring the Red Beret Hotel Cairns Cup and the Magic Millions Daintree Guineas.

I am thrilled to be here to provide detailed coverage of all of the racing related activities this week … on and off the track, even though some locals know me as ‘The Pest,’ a name that was provided to me by the Cairns Jockey Club General Manager Cameron Riches on the media accreditation badge he gave me some years ago when he was in Darwin.

Back to business. The track is rated ‘Soft’ The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Time to get into this massive 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.

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 FGF BITUMEN MAIDEN

A maiden over 1250 metres – probably keep your eye on the markets. First leg of the early Quaddie.

Alex Malliff trains Uris (4) with Krysten Swaffer to ride. Last effort was at Townsville over 1000 metres and was a solid effort after drawing barrier 16. Drawn better here and will be hard to hold out.

Geraldine’s Wish (3) will be ridden by McKenzie Apel and trained on the track by Trevor & Peter Rowe. Raced here last weekend over 950 metres. I think she will be better over the longer distance. Had a previous month off prior to that effort – will strip fitter and will be right in the finish.

Bubba Tilley will ride Supeedo Gonzales (7) who is second up after resuming last week here over 950 metres. Led then up and then peaked last week – trainer Joshua Manzelmann will have him fitter for this assignment.

Selections:

4 – Uris
3 – Geraldine’s Wish
7 – Supeedo Gonzales
11 – Spring’s Gift

Race 2 EARLVILLE SHOPPING TOWN 3YO QTIS HANDICAP

A three-year-old open race over 1250 metres. Only a small field.

Gem Of Scots (6) will be ridden by Jackson Murphy and is trained by Scott Cooper. She has had two solid runs this time in and was a last start winner over 950 metres. Steps up in distance – on her last start effort she will be right in this race with the light weight.

Whatta Mission (2) is trained by Georgie Holt with Aidan Holt aboard. Raced at Townsville last start over 1000 metres and was defeated by Vegameister (1). I think he will be better over the longer distance.

Vegameister (1) won his maiden start at Townsville – is the stable-mate to Whatta Mission (2) and will have McKenzie Apel to ride. Must respect his last start win.

Selections:

2 – Whatta Mission
6 – Gem Of Scots
1 - Vegameister
7 – Supid Date

Race 3 LADBROKES BM78 HANDICAP

A BM78 over 1250 metres. Only seven runners here.

The Tom Hedley runners all look like they have real chances here.

Highbar (5) with Lacey Morrison in the saddle for trainer Roy Chillemi looks well placed. Goes back from an Open class race to restricted class and will be hard to hold out. The winkers go on here for the first time.

Almighty Jab (7) is trained by Stephen Massingham with Nathan Thomas to ride. Had a one month freshen up prior to resuming here last weekend at the track and distance. He carried 63 kilograms last weekend – goes up in class but down drastically in weights and looks well placed. Look for him to be in the finish when the judge calls a stop to the race.

Selections:

5 – Highbar
7 – Almighty Jab
3 – Turbau
2 – Early Fusion

Race 4 GREAT NORTHERN BREWING COMPANY BM70 HANDICAP

A BM70 race over 1400 metres. Another small but competitive field to face the starter.

Lean Eagle (3) sees the unflappable Massingham and Wiggins team unite again here. They won with this runner three weeks ago at Townsville. He is looking to put four consecutive wins together. He has an amazing record at his home track with six starts – 3 wins and 2 seconds. This is the first time stepping up to 1400 metres, however, a small field should see him go well.

I like Turn Bird (5) with Sean Cormack to ride – trained by Steven Royes. Won two weeks ago at Mackay and is proven at this track and distance – will be handy throughout the race.

Selections:

5 – Turn Bird
3 – Lean Eagle
1 – Going Nuclear
8 – Brave Agenda

Race 5 The MAGIC MILLIONS DAINTREE GUINEAS QTIS 4YO HANDICAP

The supporting feature race on the card is over 1500 metres – sponsored by MAGIC MILLIONS. A great field of nine runners assembled here.

Swatow (4) is trained by Fred Weiland and Sean Cormack is in the saddle. Raced at Townsville over 1609 metres last time. He seemed to peak on his run around 100 metres out. The effort was solid and I think coming back in distance is ideal. Look for him to be competitive here.

Attentive (5) will be ridden by Bubba Tilley for Scott Cooper. She won here last weekend over 1250 metres. First time on the trip – but her effort last weekend makes it sound like she will go well here.

Obligated (1) won the Magic Millions Townsville Guineas two week ago. Was too good for that field and probably will be too good for these as well. Just a massive 61.5 kilograms to carry – Ash Butler will ride again and get the best out of him. Trained by Lyle Wright has drawn barrier 1 – there is a lot to like here.

Kickagoal Kenny (9) is not without some chance either – will appreciate the trip of this race and down on the minimum weight looks a rough chance.

Selections:

4 – Swatow
1 – Obligated
5 – Attentive
9 – Kickagoal Kenny

Race 6 LOUIE PICCONE MEMORIAL BM60 HANDICAP

A BM60 race over 950 metres. Nice field here.

There are several runners that will want to lead here and that may set the race up for something to come from behind.

Hartshorn (3) is trained by Stephen Royes and will be ridden by McKenzie Apel. Was desperately unlucky last weekend to go down in the final stride at the track and distance when he got nailed on the post in a photo. The time was good, and a repeat of that effort should see him competitive here.

Lucky Rolla (5) will be ridden by Chris Meehan for Alex Malliff. He has had an eight week freshen up. Last start at Townsville was beaten by Lady Damus who won here last weekend. Just some concern that he has had three starts on the track for no placings.

Time To Prophet (6) is a Georgie Holt runner with Aidan Holt riding. Was in a very good race last weekend and did not disgrace herself when she was beaten by Lady Damus. That effort was strong and could translate to a bold effort in this race – do not overlook this runner.

Bella Bianca (12), right down the bottom, will be thereabouts as well at big odds – could put some value in the exotics.

Selections:

3 – Hartshorn
6 – Time To Prophet
5 – Lucky Rolla
12 – Bella Bianca

Race 7 THE RED BERET HOTEL CAIRNS CUP 2025

The main feature race on the program is over 2100 metres.

I like the local runner trained by Stephen Massingham – Mr Maestro (3) with Ryan Wiggins to ride. This time last year they were all running to the bookmakers to back this runner. I think twelve months on he could post a win for the President of the Cairns Jockey Club – owner Tom Hedley. A feature win for the huge money he pumps into racing seems appropriate. Mr Maestro seems to have a more measured approach to the Cup this year. He raced in the Townsville Cup last time out – he was back in the field and got held up on the turn – I think, with the extra distance and where he finished there, it seems appropriate to think he can get the job done.

Sir Grace (7) was second in the Townsville Cup – looked like the winner at the 100 metres and then was swamped late. He looks ideally placed here and Nathan Thomas retains the ride for Warwick Satherley. Prior to that he was second in the Mackay Cup – surely, he deserves a change of luck.

Smart Legend (8) is owned by Tom Hedley as well and will be ridden by Sean Cormack for Stephen Massingham. He was third in the Townsville Cup – was run down late. It was a strong effort and looks ideally placed in this race and should be right there.

Armour Force (11) is another Massingham runner with Jason Taylor aboard. He raced last weekend here in the Amateurs Cup over 1900 metres and raced as if he was looking for more ground.

Selections:

2 – Mr Maestro
7 – Sir Grace
8 – Smart Legend
11 – Armour Force
Rough chance – (13) Stadium Of Light

Race 8 VIC TONKIN MEMORIAL CLASS 3 PLATE

The last race after two amazing days of racing!

A Class 3 race over 1250 metres. A heap of gear changes – that may be the key to this race.

Thormendous Miss (12) will be ridden by Jason Taylor – trained by Lyle Wright. Last start winner at Mackay over 1300 metres. She has drawn well in barrier 6 – has a look at the Cairns track for the first time, but her recent efforts would suggest that she is well placed here.

Better Be Slick (5) is trained by Bodine Bailey and Lacey Morrison will ride. Raced here last weekend over this distance – was not disgraced. That was after three weeks between runs – he could take some improvement from that run and may well prove hard to beat.

Novela (9) is a new starter in Cairns – coming from South Australia. Will be trained by Fred Wieland and Sean Cormack will ride. Coming off a 13-week spell, his form seems to be best over 1400 metres – but his form in South Australia would suggest that he will transition nicely into North QLD and win his share of races. No matter what happens here – keep following this runner.

Chartwell (2) has drawn poorly in barrier 15. Last start was powering home late at Townsville over 1200 metres. Rhein Swell trains this runner with McKenzie Apel to ride. He seems to be best ridden close to the speed – just worried he may get caught wide from his poor barrier.

Selections:

12 – Thormendous Miss
5 – Better Be Slick
9 – Novela
2 – Chartwell
Rough chance – (16) Ellie’s Dream
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Jockeys Challenge

Looks like it is a battle between Ryan Wiggins, Sean Cormack, Lacey Morrison and McKenzie Apel. I think a narrow win to the veteran Sean Cormack here on Cup day.

Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

3,4,7 / 1,2,6 / 5,7 / 3,5 - cost is $36 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4)

3,4 / 2,6 / 5,7 / 3,5 - cost is $16 to $1.

Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,4,5 / 3,5,6 / 2,7,8,11 / 5,9,12 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,4 / 3,6 / 2,7,8 / 5,12 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

3,5,6 / 2,7,8,11 / 5,9,12 - cost is $36 $to $1.

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