WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, JANUARY 6

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, January 4, 2018

GOLD COAST, SATURDAY 6 JANUARY, 2018.

Well we can almost smell the Magic Millions Carnival! Just one week away …. So this week bet with caution and save your cash for the big day!

WINNO will be on the Gold Coast for the entire week next week – so watch out! He will be out and about talking to people and looking for some scoops!

The track for Saturday is rated “HEAVY” at the time of writing and the rail will be in the true position this weekend.

The weather is forecast to be hot, with a chance of afternoon showers.

I am hoping that there is no more rain over the coming days and we can get to at least a “SOFT” track.

If it is heavy, I think I will be just there having a look and taking photos this weekend!

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

One of these 900 metre dashes at the Gold Coast for Class 3 horses – a tough way to start the day!

There has been plenty of support for the Ben Currie trained favourite Crusher (11) since the markets opened. The filly was sent out favourite last start and stopped quickly. Maybe that run here would have done her the world of good. I just wasn’t that impressed.

Bridget Grylls rides Invincible Heart (6) for Chris Meagher – I was on her first up here three weeks ago – she drew wide and ran into the race well late – maybe this is the one that could benefit from the run. So let’s go this way in the first.

With all this love in the air recently with Mitchell Speers & Claire Farrow – then Luke Rolls & Cassie Lee Schmidt both being engaged recently – I wonder when the big fella Trent Edmonds is going to purchase the ring and get on one knee for his girlfriend Bridget - maybe if she wins the race he will be waiting at the stall? WINNO will be there to capture the moment! (I think I am about to get in trouble).

Selections: 6-11-2-1

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Race 2

The race is the last chance for many of these to qualify for the Magic Millions.

I am going to make this short and simple!

It is Sunlight (2) first and who cares about the rest of them. I have been giving this Tony McEvoy filly a serious push for weeks now and I really do think if she draws a barrier next Tuesday morning at Surfers Paradise on the beach she will be a serious contender on Magic Millions day!

The Gai Waterhouse runner Terminology (9) needs to win to make the Magic Millions field. The filly was sent out favourite at Wyong and was soundly beaten. She has been well supported in the early Magic Millions markets as well, so there are a few that think she has that “X” factor.

The Gary Moore trained Paquirri (4) was solid at the first look at the Gold Coast track and will be competitive here.

Selections: 2-4-9-6

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Race 3

Looks like an action replay of the race here two weeks ago where Boom Boom Epic (3) beat home All Too Huiying (1).

On that occasion I was bullish about that result. This weekend I am swinging back to the Gary Moore trained All Too Huiying (1) to reverse the result with that run under his belt. Moore has made a gear change with blinkers going back on again for the run. I am hoping that Michael Walker can lead them here and reverse the result this weekend.

If you are looking for one to knock these two over it well could be the Chris Anderson Mishani Bullitt (2). He steps up to the 1800 metres for the first time, however his style of racing would suggest this longer distance will be of some benefit.

Selections: 1-3-2-4

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Race 4

These races are just … ho hum every week!

Look I have had the eye on one here for a few weeks now. Trained locally by Jeffrey Chan, Backbench Blues (6) has made his way from Hong Kong to the sunny and warm Gold Coast. He now has had three runs for his new stable in Australia and is fourth up here this weekend. I have been waiting for him to get over 2000 or more metres as I think his best form is over these distances. He is massive odds at $14 and I know he hasn’t won for a long time and he is a 9 year old, but I think on a soft surface this weekend and Jeff Lloyd in the saddle I am prepared to gamble on him.

The Will & Peter Hulbert trained Endless Days (5) does his best work over this distance and he has a distinct liking for this Gold Coast track. The blinkers are coming off this weekend and the Hulbert’s have put winkers on for the first time. I don’t think the track conditions will worry this runner either so he is a genuine chance and Matthew McGillivray has a nice record on the gelding.

Chris Waller’s stable on the Gold Coast is represented with the Rumour File (3) who has been racing consistently stringing two solid seconds in a row now. He is due for a change of luck.

Selections: 6-5-3-2 rough chances 11

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Race 5

I just think I am going to overlook the run of Dream Kisses (5) last start at Ipswich and pretend it never went around. The Steven O’Dea filly was supper second up at Doomben when beaten by Pretty Fast. At Ipswich she raced ungenerously and was caught wide. Given a better run this weekend by Paul “The Hammer” Hammersley she may fare better. Some serious generous odds on offer as well at around $16.

Colosimo (3) is trained on the track. She has been up a while, however, I do think that she loves this circuit and that should prove beneficial this weekend.

Marcus Wilson has Wudang Blade (1) in the race. He snuck this one down to Warwick Farm last start at got the chocolates. This weekend back at home and on a probable rain affected surface he gets in well at the weights with apprentice Boris Thornton’s 3-kilogram allowance.

Bella Ochi (9) is undefeated in three career starts, however, this weekend has drawn barrier 15 and may find it tough to get across the field and lead here but, then again, you cannot knock winning form and Ben Currie’s stables are firing!

Selections: 5-3-1-9 rough chance 13

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Race 6

I think the bottom ones here look well placed.

I have gravitated towards the Barry Lockwood trained Cruze (16) who looks like a progressive Pierro gelding that seems to be just hitting his straps. He has drawn well in barrier 1 and some of the more favoured runners have drawn poorly in the race. I think jockey Ric McMahon will be working extra hard this week to make the 53 kilograms but let’s hope that is all worth it when he salutes here!

Plucky Girl (15) was brave last start at her home track for the Edmonds Racing stables. She looked a winner all but when the judge called a halt to the race when Ruthless Agent made a sustained run out wide and beat her. This weekend she faces the difficult barrier draw of “unlucky for some” barrier 13. I think she may get back a little this weekend from that barrier, but I cannot see her being disadvantaged if that is the case.

Pegapus (14) was scratched last weekend. Back at her home track this weekend for trainer Scott Morrisey she may have well have been drawn on Main Beach in barrier 16. Robbie Fradd may have to be a magician from out there. She is up in class and maybe she can trail nicely into the race here like she did at Doomben four weeks ago.

The Matthew Dunn stables from Murwillumbah have been in sensational form in recent weeks. He has a few runners in this race. I think that Delightful Feeling (3) has drawn nicely here and jockey Jim Byrne may get all the favours from barrier 2. This gelding can race on the speed or just off it so there is a bit to like about this runner.

Demon’s Pride (2) loves this track and last start I think got anchored by the bug weight when narrowly beaten by Ruthless Agent in the same race as Plucky Girl (15).

This weekend Les Kelly has put Boris Thornton on to take three kilograms off the gelding – again this tactic may be a master stroke. He has won 5 times from 7 starts at the Aquis Gold Coast track.

Selections: 16-15-3-2 rough chance 14

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Race 7

Tough field this one!

Look Feltre (2) pulled my pants down last start – I thought that this weekend or Magic Millions is when this Brian Smith gelding would peak – but things went his way and Jim Byrne put the opposition to the sword.

That weekend he beat Don’t Tell Mama (5) and Aqua Vite (8) who he meets again this weekend.

I am just not sure what to do here.

I thought Aqua Vite (8) was out of character leading and getting run down – with the track possibly wet this weekend and not “firm” like last start maybe we can see him return to form here and be more competitive.

Don’t Tell Mama (5) from the Tony Sears stables at Toowoomba ran home late here and powerfully – so maybe that will be enough to see him improve again this weekend.

Mystical Renegade (10) always enjoys this track and with the cut in the ground he will be well suited here this weekend. He did fight on well last start at Doomben and jockey Jeff Lloyd stays aboard this week.

Cantbuybetter (1) was brave last weekend and backs up quickly this weekend – another nice ride for Boris Thornton.

Selections: 5-8-2-10 rough chance 1

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Race 8

I like Fiery Heights (6) here. Trained here by Toby Edmonds, it loves the track, loves it damp and has kiwi Michael Walker in the saddle. Forget the last start at Canterbury (NSW). He just didn’t like the track and didn’t fire. If you can forgive him that run on his previous form he is right in this race at massive odds of $15.

Flamboyer (3) is trained here by Kelly Doughty and always races well fresh. He loves soft tracks and can come to hand very quickly. He has won a barrier trial last week here in nice fashion so he may be ready to fire first up. I just hope the stunning Chloe Currant straps this gelding as she is much better on the eye than the leading Gold Coast strapper – sorry the self-proclaimed “Gold Coast Number 1 strapper” – Luke Milligean.

Quatronic (2) is second up here after striking some high-class fields. This weekend the Matthew Dunn trained gelding is back in grade, favourably drawn and weighted with the claim for the apprentice. He does like the soft tracks as well and has had five weeks since his poor run at Rosehill. He would have come back to Murwillumbah and been just getting ready for a race like this - $21 they may be kidding!

John Shelton from Grafton has stayed loyal here and kept apprentice Ruby Ride aboard Lucky Meteor (10). This one always seems to run a place at some odds and can knock your exotic bets for six – so I cannot leave him out. Those who know John will know he just loves a long-priced winner as well!

The stable mate to Fiery Heights (6) is Siegfried (1) who was very solid first up a Doomben. He has had five weeks between runs. This worried me a little, but, he does go great second up and last preparation he was very brave stringing together a few wins.

Selections: 6-3-2-10 rough chance 1

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Race 9

We get to the last race – 23 runners nominated – a No Metro Win race.

I think I will pack up and leave early!

Helen Page Racing has Star Stiletto (7) in the race. He was super impressive winning at his home track just over a month ago over 1200 metres. He then came back in distance and really didn’t fire at Ipswich. Back at home this weekend, drawn well and Adam Sewell’s 2 kilogram claim, I think the $16 on offer is just ridiculous. Something each way all day here for WINNO. Good luck Helen and John Page in the last race!

Live Fast (6) has had ten weeks off since his last run and does race well at the Gold Coast. Tony Sears trains this gelding and Emma Ljung jumps aboard here. I just always think this one comes to hand nicely when he races fresh and with any luck in running should let down and finish off nicely.

I was on Prue’s Angel (9) last start here. She really didn’t let me down and ran well. She is up in grade in this race, but does love the cut in the track and has won here. The barrier is the drama – barrier 22. Jim Byrne will need some luck from out there.

I’ve Gotta Nel (16) is locally trained by the Edmonds team and has drawn handy. He is down in grade and weight this weekend. I would expect Jeff Lloyd may take this one to the lead and try to get away with some cheap sectionals before trying to put them away around the 100 metres.

Nilette (12) is another one that has been racing well. Comes off a nice win on a heavy track at Ipswich and has drawn well for Rob Heathcote. Heathcote loves to win at the Gold Coast – I think he has a love/hate relationship with the track – however, his stable has been very consistent of late – do not overlook this one!

Selections: 7-6-9-16 rough chances 12

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Jockey Challenge

Looks like a battle between Matthew McGillivray and Michael Walker. Take your pick this weekend! Apprentice Boris Thornton has a solid book of rides and with some luck could cause a massive upset at odds!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

2,4 / 1,3 / 3,5,6 / 1,3,5 - cost is $48 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

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

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,3,15,16 / 2,5,8,10 / 1,2,3,6 / 6,7,9,16 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

15,16 / 5,8 / 3,6 / 7,9,16 - cost is $24 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,16 / 5,8 / 3,6 / 7,12,16 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,5,8,10 / 1,2,3,6 / 6,7,9,12,16 - cost is $80 to $1

Good luck and good punting!

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