WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MAY 6

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 5, 2017

Well we are back on the Gold Coast this weekend.

The rail is in the true position. The track has had a 13 day break. My Gold Coast spy’s say that the track will race great and you may just want to be one off the fence for the program.The track is to be rated as a “Good” surface this weekend as well.

I think there is some serious coin to be made here.

Just want to thank you all for the accolades from last weekend at Eagle Farm – it was a tough day on a dubious track.

But Winno managed to get a great result for his punters. We had to wait until the last race but he did tip the trifecta and first 4 (boxed). The trifecta paid $252 and the First 4 paid - $2154.

This also was the demise of Sky Racing’s Josh Fleming who took on Winno last weekend in a tipping competition. Josh did manage to tip 2 winners on a tough day – but the deal was on trifecta and first fours last weekend and there was only one winner.

It is Round 2 this weekend – so be sure to take a look on Facebook for his tips and the format this weekend. I reckon this weekend could be like State of Origin this week – with NSW leading 2 -0 after two rounds shooting for a whitewash over the Carnival!

Just a brief shout out to my mum as well – it was her Birthday last week on Monday 1 May – Happy Birthday mum!!! Where would we all be without the love and support of our family?

There is an eight race program this week, so let’s hop into the form and see if we can find some Winno’s winners!

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

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Race 1

The BAT OUT OF HELL – this race is always a great scamper over 900m each time it is run.

I am torn here between my top two selections – Nicconi Leggera (11) and Prompt Return (2). Both trained by great trainers – Chris Munce and Toby Edmonds respectively. I would declare Nicconi Leggera (11) but she has drawn wide in barrier 14. I think the filly is great each way value at around $12. I just keep remembering the run here in August last year first up when ridden by stable apprentice Michael Murphy when she won so well. I am thinking that a run like this here on the weekend will hold her in good stead.

Meanwhile Prompt Return (2) has trialled well at his home track recently and is drawn well – the awesome combination of Jeff Lloyd and Toby Edmonds is on show again. They have taken the 2016/17 racing season by storm so far!

The favourite here is Hidden Pearl (1). She is a wonderful mare, with an impressive first up record with five starts and four wins. I am gambling here against her this weekend as I really do not think she likes the Gold Coast circuit.

The super fast mare and track specialist Sassy Tycoon (8) loves these short track races. She will be sure to be in the finish. I have some mail from the Central Queensland area about Charcoal Melody (7) who is an absolute speed machine over these short distances. I note that jockey David Hayse is heading south to ride the mare here this weekend. He has a magnificent record on her with 14 rides with 9 wins and a second and he has ridden her to victory her last two starts.

A great way to start this amazing program!

Selections: 11-2-1-8 rough chance 7

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Race 2

Looks like an even bunch here.

I think the speedy locally trained Primal Flight (6) will go out hard in front. It will either hold on or set it up late for a swooper in the straight. Regardless it will be a close finish when the judge calls a halt to this race.

I like them in race book order with Londehero (1), with NSW jockey Tye Angland aboard, to race just off the pace and smash them late in the straight – again some nice odds here at around $8 as well.

Irish Constabulary (2) won here on Magic Millions Day 2017 when perfectly ridden by Michael “Muppy” Hellyer – a jockey change here this weekend with Jeff Lloyd taking the reins. There will be nothing lost here and the 8 year old gelding will be competitive again. Sony Legend (3) comes off the Group 2 Victory Stakes last weekend at Eagle Farm. H drops back in class here. I think the track may have beaten him last weekend – it may be prudent to overlook that run.

Tony Gollan and Robbie Fradd combine here with Courtza King (12) who has had around eight weeks off. I know he is up in class but he is certainly one that should be placed in your multiples and exotics. There has been some money for him in the early markets as well - he is now at $7.

Selections: 1-2-3-6 rough chance 12

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Race 3

The time honoured Ken Russell Memorial Classic for two year olds – now this bloke was a great jockey and it is only fitting that this race is named in his honour. He used to have such great prowess on two year olds when he rode!

Well I must identify one that has been smashed in the early betting markets firming from $20 to $7.50 – that’s Initialize (12) and her first up performance leading all the way at the Sunshine Coast was impressive. But this race here is a big step up in class but obviously the stable like her chances here this weekend!

I like the Peter & Paul Snowden trained Taking Aim (2). The colt is first up here after a solid Melbourne campaign in February. In typical Snowden preparation he has had two nice trials to get ready for this run. Barrier 1 and Hugh Bowman a few positives here and he is sure to be hard to beat at reasonable odds as well of $4.50.

Chris Munce’s nice filly Champ Elect (9) is first up after an unlucky run in the 2017 Magic Millions. Damian Browne is on board here as usual but the wide barrier may test her first up - but she has shown some solid form over the summer months prior to heading for a spell. No barrier trial form noted but Munce always has his horses ready to perform.

I like two here from NSW, who both won maidens last start, to fill the placings.

The Paul Messara trained Lord Cecil (5) ran good time at Muswellbrook in his first career start and there are some good wraps on this gelding. Corey Brown may have to ride him for luck from barrier 12 but if the mail is right he will be very competitive – he is superb odds as well at around $20 each way.

Gary Moore has Risen (4) engaged here. Prior to winning his maiden at Gosford, when he led easily all the way, he had two barrier trials and won them both. He has drawn handy in barrier 7 this weekend and Gary has engaged the 2017 Magic Millions winning jockey Jeff Lloyd for this two year old. Whatever this one does this weekend be sure to follow him into the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

An open race – but some good types engaged here.

Selections: 2-9-4-5 rough chance 12

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Race 4 – 2017 Gold Coast Bracelet

This will be a great race – probably a good form race for the Roses and Oaks in the coming weeks. Look for something finishing late or something that dominates the field here for the races to come.

I am going with the locally trained Fallacy (9) trained by Toby Edmonds. Her run in the Adrian Knox at Randwick was full of merit when only beaten by 4.6 lengths. The 1800m here should be right up her alley but she may be just getting wound up for bigger and better things over the Winter Carnival.

The powerful Chris Waller stable has two runners engaged here - Invincibella (2) and Dawn Hill (3). I think that the engagement of Hugh Bowman for Dawn Hill (3) is worthy of note. I also think you should overlook her last two runs on bog heavy tracks and go on her previous form when she won on a good and soft track. This is the form I believe that she will show this weekend. Bowman will need to work his magic from barrier 15 but I think she is destined for bigger and better things in weeks to come.

Larry Cassidy has the ride on the stable mate Invincibella (2). Again I think she has struggled on the wet tracks in Sydney in recent months and will sharply improve here this weekend on the Good surface.

Savvan (5) trained by James Cummings is on trial here this weekend for an Oaks run. There is no drama with the 1800m of this race as she performed well last preparation over 2000m in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield. She won her latest start at Canterbury when she sprinted in the straight and held on for a narrow victory.

Benfica Princess (8), trained on the track by Kelly Doughty, was unlucky last start when caught wide and then pushed forward and led at Doomben. I am not sure that this is the way she should be ridden but Jeff Lloyd was a victim of circumstances. Jim Byrne takes the ride this week and I think she may be ridden a little quieter, allowed to settle and use her sprint late in the straight here. Usual strapper and self proclaimed “Gold Coast’s number 1 strapper” Luke Milligean celebrated his 40th Birthday on Wednesday (he doesn’t look a day past 52 actually!!) and he will be looking forward to strapping a Listed winner at his home track – good luck Luke and Kelly!

Selections: 9-3-2-5 rough chance 8

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Race 5 – Prime Minister’s Cup 2017

I bet the PM will not be seen at the races this weekend!

Oh that is right he is over in the USA with that other ding bat Donald Trump. Enough about politics – back to the race and the form!

Did I mention that last Gold Coast meeting I was seen with Pauline Hanson – that will alienate a few – but at least she turns up to the races and spends time with the punters and public!

Look as much as I tipped Chris Waller to run second in the previous race he could just manage a race to race double here with High Bowman and Religify (2). First up here he has had two solid barrier trials to get him ready for this first up assignment. The last start trial on a heavy track was enormous when beaten by another nice type – Russian Revolution. He is drawn well in barrier 5 here and he may just get out in his customary role of leader and run the opposition into the ground here.

The locally trained Siegfried (4) has just gone from strength to strength each run and this preparation has been outstanding. Jeff Lloyd stays on the gelding here this weekend. He has an impressive record on him for 9 rides and 4 wins. He has proven this preparation he can be ridden forward – ridden off the pace and also has shown some fighting spirit in many of his wins. He is really flying and could be hard to toss here this weekend at some nice odds of $6.

Federal (3) from the Godolphin yards I think will be better suited in his next run. This weekend may set him up nicely for his further starts over the Winter Carnival in Brisbane, but do not leave him out of your exotic bets as he does like to race on tight turning circuits.

Jopa (8) the old nine year old war horse trained by Rob Heathcote always runs a bold race here at the Gold Coast. His run at the Goldmarket on this track back in March when beaten behind Upstart Pride was huge and I think he may just settle off the pace and come with his customary late burst over the final 150m and put himself in the finish. It would be good to see Bridget Grylls ride a listed winner on this program – not sure how Trent Edmonds will feel if she knocks them off!

Selections: 2-4-3-8

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Race 6 – Silk Stocking 2017

There has been some serious backing in early markets here.

The Chris Anderson trained Elegant Composure (5) has been well found firming from $11 to $6 since markets have opened. The one that has been sensationally backed is the Rob Heathcote trained Bidii Babe (10) who has firmed from $31 into $19 since the prices have gone up around Australia. Ironically both of them squared off in a recent barrier trial at Deagon on 18 April where Elegant Composure won by 0.2 lengths. Both of them have impressive first up records as well – with Elegant Composure having three first up starts for three wins. For this reason I am swaying towards her this weekend as my tip for the race. Anderson Racing has been in dynamic form of late – with a dominant win last weekend by Mystic Opal in the last at Eagle Farm. His team is flying at the moment!

Madotti (3) has a wonderful record here at the track. Tye Angland has ridden the mare five times for three wins and a second. She had a recent trial as well on the same day as the two I have mentioned earlier and won the trial in a slower time. However, she was not overly tested and extended in the trial and does race well fresh. The only issue here this weekend is the wide barrier – drawn out at Kirra Beach in barrier 15. Mr Angland you will need to work some magic here this weekend!

I have gone wide for my third selection - Notonyourlife (11) to be ridden by Robbie Fradd and trained by Tony Gollan. This five year old mare raced consistently over the summer period without much luck. I don’t think she really appreciated the damp tracks and the Eagle Farm surface – I think we could look forward to an improved performance here this weekend. There has been a nibble in the early markets as well – she has firmed from $25 to $16 – maybe a nice roughie for your exotic bets!

The topweight Nancy (1) is a class mare who has drawn well in barrier 2. A recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm as well to blow the cobwebs out and get her ready for a Brisbane Winter Carnival assault. She is class with a capital “C.” I am just not too sure that we have seen the best of here in recent starts in Sydney on the bottomless tracks – this weekend on top of the ground she may be just too good for this lot!

Girl Sunday (8) is another one here that was impressive in a recent barrier trial at Randwick – sure she is up in grade here this weekend, however, she has drawn nice in barrier 3. She does race on the speed and this could be a vital factor in this race if there are many runners making late runs. The big priced winning jockey Ronnie Stewart is aboard here as well – he knows how to get a roughie over the line!

Selections: 5-3-11-1 rough chances 8 and 10

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Race 7 – 2017 Hollindale Stakes

The WFA 2017 Hollindale Stakes – a great field with many chances.

The race can throw up a rough result each year so be careful when you are doing the form and having bet here!

Look this is a race where I think a roughie may win, but I have healthy respect for the favourite It’s Somewhat (1). I am not sure whether the Sydney recent wet tracks are providing a misleading guide here for this race. He has raced on heavy tracks and has been dominant so much respect must be given to him here this week. He has had some early support as well in the markets and if you shop well you can find $3.60 presently.

I have bracketed him with the Darren Weir imported stayer Articus (8) who is great value around $14 presently.

His first up effort at Caulfield was nothing to brag about, however when you look through his form he has an impeccable second up record with two starts for two wins. I think as the distances get longer we will see the best of him in Brisbane over the winter. Stay with him in the coming weeks – I think he may show he is a class stayer!

Single Gaze (11) has been well backed as well firming from $8 to $5.50 and was dominant at Doomben two weeks ago. Kathy O’Hara has a great record on this Nick Olive trained four year old mare with 14 rides and 4 wins and 5 placings on her. I am not sure how she will perform under the WFA conditions but she has been racing very consistently in recent starts.

Chris Waller has two runners engaged here – looks like he has planned a Brisbane Winter Carnival assault in 2017. He has Preferment (2) and McCreery (4) in the race. Personally, I like McCreery (4) and I see that local super jockey Jeff Lloyd has been booked for the ride. The Gold Coast is his home track and he knows very blade of grass on this track. I am sure this one will be provided the run of the race!

Col ‘n’ Lil (12) ran second last start to Single Gaze (11) at Doomben – again I am not sure about her at WFA but she has run two enormous runs here at the Gold Coast previously so there is no drama with her and the track. Josh Oliver has been booked for the ride by Ben Currie (who celebrated a birthday this week) and Josh really does ride this mare well. Maybe a real roughie for our exotics here at around the $31 mark.

Selections: (1-8)-11-4 rough chance 12

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Race 8 – 2017 Gold Coast Guineas

The last race of the program – anything can win this. It is $7 the field here – so I hope you are winning coming into the last!

I really had a tough time separating Attention (1) and Tactical Advantage (4) – in the end the barriers swung me to Tactical Advantage (4) drawing barrier 7 whilst Attention (1) is coming from barrier 14. So then they made it easy and scratched Tactical Advantage - it will keep for another day.

Attention (1) is from the Snowden yards and wow has he been super consistent this preparation without much luck! Beaten at Caulfield in the Futurity (Group 1) by Black Heart Bart by 0.9 lengths is superb form for this race. He has been strong in two recent barrier trials and if he had drawn a gate I think I may have declared him – again the astute Snowden team has booked local jockey Jeff Lloyd for this colt – a sign that a forward showing is expected!

Ringo’s A Rockstar (5) rounds out my top three selections. He races so honest and so well here at the Gold Coast – he is stepping up from 1050m to 1200m here this weekend and Matthew Gray continues his good association with him.

I just keep going back to that run in the 2016 UBET State of Origin Jockey Series in January here when he won so well with a well timed run by Chris Parnham (from Western Australia. It was a dramatic run and win – sure he is up in grade here but again he is 2 from 2 in his second up career efforts with some generous odds on offer at $16 as well.

I suppose for the superstitious who read my tips I Thought So (8) ... number 8 from barrier 8 ... is a good luck charm.

His run in the Gosford Guineas was creditable, and then he stepped out on a bog track at Randwick, with 59.5 kilograms as favourite and was disappointing. The David Pfieffer team has brought him north looking for a firmer track and the warmer weather and my mail is they have backed up this notion in early betting with him being well supported being backed from $14 to $9.50 presently. Corey Brown has been booked for the ride.

I am going to mention some local horses as well that have rough chances at some massive odds that may just upset the interstate raiders from NSW.

They are:

Savanna Amour (11) to be ridden by Ronnie Stewart, who races well fresh and has been backed from $12 to $7.50.

River Racer (13) to be ridden by Robbie Fradd, again supported from $11 to $9 – however, has a poor record on the Gold Coast track.

Sylpheed (15) to be ridden by Jimmy Orman – trained on the track by Toby Edmonds and who comes off a failure in the Group 1 George Ryder at Rosehill when soundly beaten by the mighty champion mare Winx. Back to his home track and on top of the ground he could be great value – the barrier is my only concern as he has drawn barrier 16.

There is a New Zealand raider here as well – Heroic Valour (3) - trained by Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards and to be ridden by Opie Bosson.The New Zealand form is strong and he has an impressive record in Group 1 and listed company in New Zealand. I think when he gets to the bigger more open tracks we will see the best of him.

He is in the market at $7 so it may be fool hardy to leave him out but I will wait and see how he turns out at the track on Saturday and how he runs before coming into him!

Selections: 1-8-5-11 rough chance 3,13,15

Well that was a marathon effort – I just hope we can find some winners and jag some exotics here this weekend!

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Early Quaddie (Races 1 to 4 NSW TAB only)

1,2,11 / 1,2,3,12 / 2,4,9,12 / 2,3,5,9 - cost is $192 for $1

Quadrella (races 5 to 8)

2,3,4,8 / 1,3,5,11 / 1,4,8,11 / 1,5,8,11 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,4 / 3,5 / 1,4,8 / 1,5,8 - cost is $36 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,4 / 1,5 / 4,8 / 1,8 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,3,5,11 / 1,4,8,11 / 1,5,8,11 - cost is $64 to $1

Jockey Challenge

This week I am tipping a dead heat between Jeff Lloyd and Hugh Bowman. Both have an exciting book of rides and both look like they could dominate the program.

If you are looking for a rough chance Tye Angland with any luck could be some value to be thereabouts as well.

Good luck and good punting!

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