WINNO'S WINNERS: BALLINA, SEPTEMBER 7

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, September 6, 2017

BALLINA – THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2017

This week we are making the trip to the Northern NSW coastal town of BALLINA. This is the 2017 edition of their annual Ballina Cup and it looks like a great day to head to the wonderful state of NSW!

The track should be rated as “GOOD” and a nice spring day is forecast for Thursday with an eight race program scheduled. The rail is in its true position for the entire course the meeting.

I am looking forward to being on track for this meeting as it normally is a very competitive day with some nice horses going around.

Looking at the early fields it looks like a few Brisbane and Gold Coast trainers are targeting this meeting with some horses – a true NSW v QLD battle!

This track normally races true with most horses putting themselves into the race on the turn heading into the straight. There are occasions where leaders can dominate but I think with the rail in the true position we should see some good competitive racing!

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

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Race 1

A maiden class race to open the Ballina Cup program for 2017.

Cabeirian (13), trained on the Gold Coast by Kelly Doughty, looks well placed here. Barrier 17 is a drama, however, I think this gelding will be better suited over the 1300 metres. I thought the first up run at Doomben was good. He did look a little underdone for that run and did race up to that appearance.

There are some solid dangers here with the Matthew Dunn Vivid Pink (16), drawn barrier 1, also looking to have good chance. Last start she raced well at the Gold Coast and looks like the longer distance will be right up her alley.

Les Ross has Reef Knot (14) nominated. Her runs have been very consistent and I think she will be best served over the 1300 metres of this race.

Selections: 13-16-14-1 rough chances 4 and 5

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Race 2

Not a race I am keen on.

For the record let’s go for Helen Page’s charge Excalibrator (1) to win here with Luke Dittman in the saddle. He has been racing very consistently and can race on the speed which may prove an advantage in this race as he has drawn well in barrier 1. Should be hard to beat.

Supreme Girl (3) has been racing over some shorter distances and steps up to the 1250 metres for the first time in her career. I am not sure whether the distance will be the biggest challenge here to her chances.

Bryan Dais trains Loch Maree (3) who won first up at Murwillumbah after an inglorious barrier trial. Her previous form suggests that she is right in this race and she does have a great second up record.

Selections: 1-4-3-2

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Race 3

The locally trained Dansu (6) comes off a solid win last start at Grafton last Saturday. He must have eaten up and come out of that run for Stephen Lee to back him up. The key booking of Jim Byrne has grabbed my attention as well.

Ben Currie has Captain’s Angel (9) nominated here. I saw this four year old mare win at Kilcoy when ridden Beau Appo. He is part owned by Victory Thoroughbreds managed by Shane Ciurleo. This one can be a handfull to ride and can be quite quirky so she made need some luck here at her first look at the Ballina track.

The top weight Silent Statue (1) is trained on the Gold Coast by John Smerdon and is to be ridden by Luke Rolls. This gelding must be respected as when the Smerdon/Rolls combination get together they can prove quite lethal – they are bookmaker’s enemies! He has a win at the track as well and will be flashing home late and wide.

Selections: 6-9-1-5 rough chance 7

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Race 4

I am a bit of a fan of the toppy here – I’m a Jet (1). Kirk Matheson rides the Mick O’Neill trained gelding and he is super speedy over 1000m, he is back in grade here for this run and has been racing very consistently. I do remember being at Grafton over the Carnival and this one winning impressively in a good time, so I am going to tip it with that run in mind.

Ben Currie has Isis Magic (2) making the trip from Toowoomba to NSW. This one normally leads and has drawn okay in barrier 10. I think she will be in the race for a long way and may prove hard to run down if she gets an easy lead.

Dwayne Schmidt trains Flinders Beach (13) at Grafton. He won over the Grafton Carnival before a 26 day layoff, resuming at Ipswich where I think the track beat him. He then went back to Grafton and won well at good odds.

Selections: 1-2-13-8

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Race 5

This is an ugly race to start the Quaddie – 1900 metres with a large field and many chances.

I think I may go for the lightly raced Matthew Dunn trained Yeppoon who broke through for his maiden win at Grafton last start. I reckon that win may just see him go on with it here.

Brett Bellamy trains Boncosta (2) and he won last start at Coffs Harbour. That win suggested that the extra distance would not bother him this week.

Splendid Stryker (6) is trained by Brad Herne. I really think this one runs well over 1900 metres and he is back to that distance this week. He should be competitive here as well.

Selections: 15-2-4-6 rough chance 13

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Race 6 – AQUIS Farm Ballina Newmarket

This is a tough race – so I am saying anything could win and nothing would surprise.

I am going wide and tipping Voltaire Lumiere (7) who has a solid record at the Ballina track with three wins from four starts. He is trained locally as well Stephen Lee. I like this one down in the weights and drawn handy.

The top weight just keeps winning these country sprints. Red Bowers (1) won the Newmarket at Murwillumbah last start and, despite the weight, this one is very honest and will give you a sight for a long way.

The other one that could fill a place at a price is the Grafton trained Prince of the Turf (12). John Shelton trains this five year old gelding and he places them well in these country feature races. I would bring to your attention that this one has a great record at the track with two wins from three starts – he could be some value here!

Selections: 7-1-12-4

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Race 7 – 2017 Slipway Motel Ballina Cup

Glitra (6) ran last start a Taree in the Taree Cup over 2000 metres. I am going to say that distance is too long for this five year old gelding and back to the 1600 metres here I think he is a genuine chance. He has the services of boom apprentice Cejay Graham who has been riding in sensational form. It would be great to be present and see her win a feature Cup!

Anne Bonny (10) has been racing in career best form winning her last three starts. The last win was in the Murwillumbah Cup over 1530metres. Belinda Hodder has been aboard in all three starts. She is drawn woefully here in barrier 17 and will need some luck!

Real Mystique (13) another Ben Currie runner comes off a good win at her home track at Toowoomba last start. She really has a great record over the mile with four wins from six starts and should not be overlooked.

Robert Heathcote comes off a winning double last weekend at Doomben - his stable is really firing at the moment! He is loading up Lordag (2) and heading to Ballina. Jimmy Orman is making the trip as well to partner this one who has been racing well in Brisbane without much luck. He could be the real surprise packet of the race.

Selections: 6-10-13-2

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Race 8

Ben Currie looks to have another solid chance here with Maranetta (6). Drawn well, second up with a good second up record and a claim for apprentice Rebecca Goldsbury, I think this mare ticks a few boxes in the last.

Chris Munce has Snow Fields (4) going around. This mare raced well on Ekka Day at Doomben when beaten by Plucky Girl. Now if you watched Plucky Girl’s race at Doomben last Saturday she was a touch unlucky, being caught wide and still coming home late to finish a gallant third. I think that race may be one to follow for form.

Malmoosa (7) is trained by Daniel Bowen. I think they have found the key to this mare now. She has always shown some solid form and she broke through for a good win at Coffs Harbour last start with Kirk Matheson in the saddle. He retains the ride here. She could be one at odds to knock them over in the last.

Now I have to give this runner a mention – Schopenhauer (2) trained by Leo Clapham at Casino and part owned by his son Scott Clapham. They do have a number of runners over the program but this one looks the best chance. So there you go Scott. Winno gave you a mention!

Selections: 6-4-7-2

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Early Quaddie (Races 1 to 4 NSW TAB only)

13,14,16 / 1,3,4 / 1,6,9 / 1,2 - cost is $54 for $1

Quadrella (races 5 to 8)

2,4,6,15 / 1,7,12 / 6,10,13 / 4,6,7 - cost is $108 to $1

Small Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

2,4,15 / 7,12 / 6,10 / 4,6 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,7,12 / 6,10,13 / 4,6,7 - cost is $27 to $1

Jockey Challenge

The challenge is very open here. Ben Currie’s apprentice Rebecca Goldsbury looks to have a solid book of rides if they all run. The other chance is the seasoned kiwi Luke “Sausage” Rolls – he could be nice odds.

Good luck and good punting!

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