WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, DECEMBER 16
By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 15, 2017
DOOMBEN RACES SATURDAY 16 DECEMBER 2017
Well the Origin series is over – it seems that NSW were pipped at the post by those Mexicans from Victoria. Well done to the Victorian team of Clare Lindop and Luke Nolen! I suppose it would be not cricket if I didn’t mention that NSW smashed QLD over the weekend in the challenge!
Well I think everyone has heard the news that the Eagle Farm track is out of action for the 2018 Winter Carnival. Disappointing, however, with the pinnacle of Queensland Racing being on display it is important that we offer the best surface and racing conditions for the best racing on our calendar each year.
With the call being made so early it does allow trainers and owners to prepare their horses to the conditions and tracks they will have to encounter.
This weekend we are back at Doomben – the track is rated “GOOD” and the rail will be out 4 metres.
The weather is forecast to be hot - damn hot – so if you are coming to the track make sure you have plenty of fluids!
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
Well race one is a Class 3 over 1350 metres – and it is a lottery!
Eminent (3) is from the David Vandyke stables at the Sunshine Coast and has recently won a barrier trial. Taking into consideration his form over the Brisbane Winter Carnival he looks well placed here. Some nice odds on offer at around $5.
Mishani Bullitt (10) just has had no luck this preparation – maybe a change in fortune is due this weekend for this Chris Anderson trained colt with Jamie Kah taking the ride. He has drawn barrier 1 – so I am thinking that he will race handy and may be difficult to beat.
Gerald Ryan has Love’s A Fantasy (7) coming north from Sydney this weekend. She has been racing without much luck and down in grade here maybe she can crack it for a win!
The top weight Doubt Defying (1) resumed with a very good win for the Steven O’Dea stables. He has an impeccable second up record and should be right in this race.
Selections: 3-10-7-1 rough chance 2
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Race 2
This is another race where I will be busy having something to eat for lunch – or having a nice bottle of water to refresh myself for the rest of the program.
No Annamossity (4) has been in very consistent form this preparation with Rob Heathcote’s stables firing (another winning double last Saturday). I think the engagement of Jim Byrne this weekend should ensure the gelding puts his mind on the job and is super competitive here.
Scott Morrisey is still trying to break the duck with Aqua Vite (14) this preparation – Tegan Harrison was down to ride, however, she sustained a fractured collar bone at Ballina on Thursday. So we all wish “Tegz” well and hope for a speedy recovery for her! This gelding gives me the impression that this weekend he will be at his best – so I think that he is a genuine contender.
Belflyer (1) is trained by the wily John Shelton at Grafton – he is a great trainer! He knows how to place his horses and when they come to town they are normally very competitive. Last start he won at the Sunshine Coast in a great performance – just not too sure whether he likes the smaller tighter track of Doomben.
High Mist (11) has been sent to the Gold Coast stables by Chris Waller. He has had a month between runs and my Gold Coast spies say that he has settled in well and thrived since entering the stables – keep your eye on this one!
Selections: 4-14-1-11
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Race 3 – 2017 Phelan Ready Stakes
Well it is only a small, disappointing field this year.
All the talk has been about the Tony Gollan trained Ef Troop (1) barrier trial last Thursday at the Gold Coast running some time and winning by 20 lengths – it looked very impressive.
The danger is the unseen Commissioner (4) from the Peter & Paul Snowden yards who is looking for a win on debut here this weekend. He won a barrier trial impressively at Wyong on 4 December.
On exposed form and what I have seen I am tipping Ef Troop (1) this weekend – but I am looking for an above average effort from Commissioner (4) with a view of the Stratum colt talking further improvement out of the run to head to the Magic Millions on 13 January.
Selections: 1-4-2-3
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Race 4 – 2017 Calaway Gal Stakes
This is a massive field with plenty of them unraced! I was originally confident with Sunlight (4) from the Tony McEvoy stables, however, she has been scratched due to drawing barrier 18 – she will keep for another day!
Witherspoon (9) from the Brad Widdup stables in Sydney was sent out favourite in the Gimcrack on debut and ran very well considering she drew barrier 16 and was caught wide.
I am forgiving her that run and this week she has drawn barrier 4, has Corey Brown riding and has had the benefit of a recent barrier trial at Wyong where I really thought that if Christian Reith had gone for her she could have destroyed the opposition. With $4.50 on offer I think that this represents good each way value in this large open field.
The unraced brigade are all unknown, however, the two Tony Gollan runners – Outback Barbie (12) and Snicki Minaj (14) – have both raced well in recent barrier trials last Thursday at the Gold Coast. Outback Barbie (12) finished just behind Sunlight (4) in that trial – I expect her to be the better of the two runners.
I see after sledging Billy Healey last weekend on Facebook when Clinton Garland got a winner at Doomben he has managed to get a runner to town this weekend with Serlina (17). She too has won a barrier trial at the Sunshine Coast on 28 November and she looks like one that has some speed and will be very competitive on debut. Tiffani Brooker takes the ride – she rode the Sebring filly in the barrier trial.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have The Art of the Bar (18) debuting here as well for her first run. She too won a recent trial at Randwick and has been sent north looking for Magic Millions glory. Tim Clark stays on the filly after his win on the trial with her. I have seen some serious support in the markets as well with this one firming from $10 to $7.50 since the early markets have opened.
Selections: 9-12-18-17 rough chances 2, 13 and 14.
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Race 5
An Open Quality over 2020 metres.
Long Time Ago (2) is from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott team. They could manage a unique race to race double with any luck!
This mare steps up to the 2000 metres for the first time. I really don’t think that this will be a problem, however, she is only third up here so if she is not bullet proof it may be best to look wider in the race. She is no value presently being posted at $1.80 as well.
Emphasis (3) I think is a genuine knock on chance here. Jeff Lloyd is back from his recent, brief holiday overseas and I think on the good surface this weekend we may see the best of this Richie Stephenson trained gelding.
Morendi (6) ran a very good race last start at Rosehill. Whilst the form guide shows a “7” against the gelding’s name rest assured that the run was full of merit and I think back to Doomben we may see him settle off the speed and make a sustained run late in the straight.
Ingeegoodbe (7) has his cross-over noseband removed for the first time this weekend. This gelding put a series of wins together before trainer Rob Heathcote sent him for a spell. He is second up over a distance and track that really will suit. At $31 in some markets he is a silly price and could cause an upset here. He has Ronnie Stewart aboard – he has four wins aboard this runner – and we all know how Ronnie loves to bag a long priced winner!
Selections: 2-3-6-7
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Race 6
Now this is a race – over 1050 metres - with some nice types engaged!
I am torn between All Over Bosanova (7) and Khalama (8).
I think I may bracket them both to win – as only WINNO can do!
All Over Bosanova (7) is first up here for Mal Eggleston from the Gold Coast and is to ridden by Luke “Sausage” Rolls. Maybe he has something to prove this weekend after not getting the call up to represent the New Zealand Kiwi team in the recent UBET Jockeys Series.
This mare always races well fresh and to be honest I think she may be better over 1200 metres, however this weekend she has drawn barrier 2 and will be racing on the pace.
The other runner is from Tony Gollan’s yards - Khalama (8). She won very well first up after looking like being in an impossible position entering the straight. She just seemed to find another gear and arrived late and won impressively. Tony Gollan was very bullish after the race when talking to the media anticipating that she had more room for improvement. With that in mind she will be competitive here at the nice odds of $10 on offer.
Now for the one that could knock them all out - wait for it - Land Office (12). This gelding resumed at Kilcoy in the Canonball Final over 800 metres - came from last and in an impossible position on the home time to fly home and run a gallant second over an unsuitable distance and track.
This weekend he is back to Doomben where he has a great record and second up watch out! I am certain that trainer Darryl Ward and Anthony Allen will be looking to knock off the more favoured runners and stables. If you shop well you will be able to secure $21 about this one!
Colinelle (12) from Steven O’Dea was great first up - just being nailed in the final 20 metres by Khalama (8). I think he will strip fitter and has drawn handy again this weekend.
Selections: (7-8) - 12- 11 rough chances 1 & 2
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Race 7 - 2017 Gold Edition Plate
Set weight conditions make it an even field here.
Well I did declare Pierata (3) first up and gave part owner Tony Bonello a shout out and he won! This weekend the Greg Hickman trained Pierro colt again looks well placed and drawn in barrier 4. I think he will be difficult to beat here again.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have launched an assault on Doomben this weekend with another genuine chance in this race - Debonairly (10) - who last start won easily at Ballarat on a heavy track.
She is proven in all conditions so do not let that bother you here this weekend. The only thing that concerns me is that she normally likes to race handy and has drawn wide in barrier 12. Tim Clark may need some luck from out there to get in and not be trapped 3 wide in the running.
Cellargirl (9) has a flawless record first up with 3 wins from 3 starts. This Kelly Schweida trained mare loves the Doomben track and always seems to thrive this time of the year. She will be coming home hard and fast late - so look for those distinctive blue with white stars silks swooping out wide with Michael Walker in the saddle.
Goodfella (1) is one from the Bjorn Baker yards in Sydney. I think he may need the run this weekend - he will probably be better for the run.
Selections: 3-10-9-1 rough chances 2 & 6
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Race 8 - 2017 Lough Neagh Stakes
Monsieur Gustave (2) is looking for a unique fifth win in a row! This Darryl Hansen trained gelding has been flying since resuming taking on all challenges and winning each time. He just keeps going from strength to strength. This weekend I think he faces his toughest test - up in weight drawn a little wide - so I think he will need some luck!
Most Important (3) has an ideal third up record and he does love this distance. I think he may be just running into some form and I have tipped him on top expecting him to return to his very best this weekend. I still remember when he won this race last year coming off some pretty dominating performances.
Snoopy (7) from the Chris Munce stables was super first up for his new stable. He just seemed to peak on his run that day when narrowly beaten by Monsieur Gustave (2) - he will probably be better for that run.
I am not going crazy here but I have a big watch on the ex-Hong Kong runner Beauty Flame. I thought the run first up was worthy of some praise - tailed out, balanced and then made some serious ground along the rail. Stepping up this weekend to the 1350 metres with some serious speed in this race he may just finish off nicely. I think we will see the best of this runner when he gets over a mile. Keep following him!
Privlaka (9) is coming off a strong win last weekend. He has struck a purple patch of form and down in the weights may be one for your exotics.
Selections: 3-2-1-7 rough chances 9 & 12
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Race 9
Well we have made it to the last - an open Class 6 to finish off the day - I think I may take the field here in my Quaddie and hope I get the other three legs up!
I am a big fan of Pepperano (10) first up here from a spell. She has drawn wide in barrier 14 - but I am hoping Matty McGillivray can get her in and race on the fence before unleashing her in the straight. No pressure mate!
Care to Think (12) is co-owned by two muppets that I used to referee and always had great joy in putting in the sin bin - just because I could! They are Damien Quinn and Blair “Gobbo” Gibson! This So You Think gelding trained at Murwillumbah by Matthew Dunn has drawn horribly in barrier 18. Jeff Lloyd may need a GPS from out there but if anyone can get this one home with a magical ride it will be him!
I see Oink (7) is resuming from a spell as well. This gelding always puts in every run and races well fresh. He is co-owned by Mr Grant “I drive like Miss Daisy” Bell. I believe that he won’t be up this weekend -and as I haven’t tipped it on top it is probably a sure thing that he will win this weekend! I hope to see Mr Bell and his lovely wife Keiley Bell Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast. They are wonderful people!
Ice Frost (15) I think may have not been suited by the “soft” track last start. It may be wise to overlook that run and with a firm track this weekend this Darleen Duryea trained mare could return to the winners circle and cap off a nice day in the saddle for Corey Brown who appears to have a nice book of rides.
Selections: 10-12-7-15 rough chance 18
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Jockeys Challenge
Looks like a match in two - Jim Byrne (QLD) and Corey Brown (NSW). You know who I will be tipping - Corey Brown!
Early Quaddie (NSW TAB only races 2 to 5)
1,4,11,14 / 1,4 / 9,12,17,18 / 2,3,6,7 -cost is $128 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
7,8,11,12 / 1,3,9,10 / 1,2,3,7 / 7,10,12,15 - cost is $256 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
7,8,12 / 3,10 / 3,7,9 / 10,12,15 - cost is $54 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
7,8 / 3 / 3 / 10,12,15 - cost is $6 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,3,9,10 / 1,2,3,7 / 7,10,12,15 - cost is $64 to $1
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As usual the tipping competition continues this weekend with Josh Fleming from Sky Channel and myself. Last weekend Josh won easy - well done mate.
However, do not let the footage from Sky Racing fool you …. there was a nice breeze and he was under pressure with Winno sitting only five metres away from him with a loaded super soaker water pistol.
The sweat was pouring from his brow - scared that WINNO was going to launch an attack mid preview!
So stay tuned to our Facebook on Saturday to see our latest tips and thoughts for this week’s program!
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