WINNO'S WINNERS - DOOMBEN, FEBRUARY 3
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, February 1, 2018
DOOMBEN RACES SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2018
Doomben this week!
A tough program this weekend.
Equivocal weather is forecast over the next few days. I have done my selections on a Good/Dead track.
I would like to acknowledge Josh Fleming for Sky Channel’s tipping effort last Sunday at Toowoomba. He tipped 5 out of the 8 race winners – well done mate – you are in great form of late!
I just would like to say how much fun I had at Kilcoy Races on Australia Day. I must thank the Committee of the Kilcoy Race Club for their wonderful efforts on the day. A massive crowd and an amazing day was had by all who attended.
The Doomben track is rated “GOOD” and the rail will be out 0.5 metres the entire course this weekend.
The weather is forecast to be cooler, with a chance of afternoon showers.
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 two-year-old race – open field with many chances.
Not much form to go by here.
I like the first starter from the Robert Heathcote stables – Pinch Memory (2) - who ran a nice trial at Deagon a month ago. Ronnie Stewart is aboard and I think this one may be a nice type.
The topweight Desert Digby (1) trained by Lindsay Hatch at Toowoomba was very impressive on debut at the Gold Coast and could go on with it here this weekend. For his city debut the Hatch stable has put Jeff Lloyd on – maybe we should follow that lead.
Accomplish (6) from the Michael Nolan stable was a gallant second behind Hope’s Eternal on debut back in October 2017. She has been put away since then and my spies up on the hill tell me she is a nice type and has been working well. Jim Byrne aboard – maybe she could take the next step and win in the city.
Les Ross has a debutant in Sassy Style (8) – he doesn’t trial many of his two-year old’s, however, this one has had a trial and looked nice in that run.
Selections: 2-1-6-8
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Race 2
Not a fan of these distance races as you all well know.
Chris Munce seems to have Expertea (5) going well – so I will stay solid and tip this Hancox Bloodstock syndicate mare. Her last start win was great, and she has been racing very consistently. Could be a chance for jockey Ronnie Stewart to win the first two races this week!
The Chris Waller, Gold Coast trained Exoteric (1) resumed from a spell at the Gold Coast midweek just over a week ago and looked a nice type – he has some solid form in Sydney prior to being sent north.
Contralto (6) from the in-form Matthew Dunn stables won easy last start here after camping off the speed and zooming home. On that run she gave me the impression that the 2000 metres of this race would not pose any difficulties. The master of distance races Jeff Lloyd takes over from Robbie Fradd this weekend – Lloyd and Dunn do have a great strike rate – this one could be one at odds to knock over the favoured runners.
Selections: 5-6-1-4
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Race 3
I think I will head down to the bottom of the field for my selections here.
I tipped Spiral (12) last start as a good roughie and I was beaten in the shadow of the post by the fast finishing Contralto (Race 2 – number 6). That may be a good form line if this one performs well in the previous race.
I cannot catch Rhyming (11) so I just want to see her win a race. She backs up from a solid run last weekend at the Sunshine Coast and I think she will be better suited over the mile here. Maybe we will get to see the best of her this weekend.
Chris Anderson has Subsolar (14) in the race – again another one that I think has been crying out for the mile and looks well placed here.
The Ben Currie runner, Maybe Even You (15) comes off a long-priced win at Doomben on Australia Day over a mile. She steps up in grade this week but she is a definite chance. Again, another nice ride for Jeff Lloyd.
Selections: 12-11-15-14
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Race 4
Rancho Montoya (1) resumes from a 18 week spell here. This Stuart Kendrick colt has always shown some solid form and I think that if he fronts up here this weekend he could be difficult to beat.
Susurri (8) was solid in defeat behind the much-improved Bat A Kat last start when beaten by 1.25 lengths and drawn well this weekend and sure to race handy looks well placed in this grade.
Splitter (9) won a maiden at the Gold Coast last start. However, comes out of the Magic Millions maiden race. That form seems to have held up in recent weeks with four runners since winning from that race. Despite the Tony Gollan filly stepping up to weekend city grade I give her a definite chance here.
Bimini Road (6) I think may be better suited here at Doomben after a solid run last start at Ipswich. I think that she really didn’t like the track and the race was not run to suit her last time so I am prepared to forgive her that run and look forward to an improved performance here.
Selections: 1-8-9-6
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Race 5
Matthew Dunn has Hanwritten (10) engaged here and he comes off a 22-week spell. The two barrier trials that he has had looked very solid and I think first up over 1200 metres he looks well placed and well drawn for the assignment.
Tony Gollan trained Of The Day (9) returned to the winners stall last start in a dominant performance and if Hanwritten (10) is not ready or has any chinks in his armour this is the one to beat.
Boomwa (7) has made the transition from Darwin racing to Doomben racing on the turf quite well since joining the Ben Currie stables. He continues to improve, and his last start win was full of merit.
Stella Ombre (2) gets 1200 metres here this weekend. This Kelly Schweida trained gelding will appreciate stepping up to the longer distance, has dropped in weight and with the speed on in this race could stalk them all and then unleash the lethal sprint he has over the final 150 metres that has been lacking lately. I do expect this one to be right in the finish this weekend with Damian Browne in the saddle.
Selections: 10-9-2-7
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Race 6
Tversky (6) looks well placed here and comes off some nice wins recently. He comes to town this weekend looking to win a hat trick of races for the first time in his career and has drawn nicely.
Now if you all remember I did pump one on Magic Millions day that opened at around $81 in the early markets. This runner is trained by Troy Pascoe – I’m Alone (2). In the run on the Gold Coast Magic Millions Day the gelding was drawn poorly and really had no luck, however, still found gaps in the straight and ran a magnificent race being beaten just under 3 lengths. I think from barrier 1 this weekend and with Scott Galloway back in the saddle (he has ridden this gelding to 3 career wins already) he is a big chance! $41 this weekend – a great each way chance!
Now hand in hand with this runner being a genuine chance is the challenge to part owner Kurt Croft. Now you all remember what he said at the Gold Coast:
“Now I have it on good authority that if the gelding wins on Saturday he (Kurt Croft) may longer be “Not Alone” as he will go home and propose to his long-time girlfriend Sammy! Let’s hope that the horse wins and WINNO can grab an exclusive look at the ring after the race! So, seems like Kurt will not be shouting us Yum Cha this weekend – instead he has spent it all on his fiancée to be!”
I hope he has the ring packed this weekend – just in case! A proposal in the mounting yard – oh the irony!
I’ve Gotta Nel (12) just keeps racing so honestly and just keeps getting run down. He and the Toby Edmonds team deserve a change of luck with this runner – maybe this is the week!
Selections: 6-2-12-16 rough chance 23
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Race 7
An open field – this one is too tough for me.
I have gone for some value here with the Graeme Green runner Guissola (15) who I thought showed some super form over the Brisbane Winter Carnival and gets well in here at the massive odds of $41. She trialled well around ten days ago at Deagon with Michael Hellyer in the saddle. She has drawn well compared to some of the more fancied runners and I think I will be gambling each way on this one.
The Robert Heathcote trained Suggan Buggan (9) was well backed at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day. He was sent out as favourite and ran a super race. This weekend he has drawn terrible in barrier 17 and he will need some serious luck from out there.
Lyricist (12) was first up a fortnight ago and the run was solid. She has a nice second up record – however, has drawn wide as well and may struggle from the barrier.
The David Vandyke trained Deep Image (6) is the early market favourite and was sent out favourite first up from a spell. I think after reviewing the video he will strip fitter for that run and has won two out of three starts second up.
Selections: 15-9-12-6 rough chances 1,4, and 8
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Race 8
I am finding it difficult to split the Tony Gollan trained Brazen Moss (4) and the Chris Waller trained Torgersen (2). I think that Brazen Moss is the best performed over a mile, so I will put him on top here this weekend.
Slydini (7) from the Bryan and Daniel Guy stables on the Gold Coast has been knocking on the door in his last four runs. Really on his form he is well placed – maybe some luck this weekend will see him first past the post and Bryan and Daniel celebrating with their owners in the winners’ stall!
Steamin’ (11) is a rough chance – will appreciate stepping up to the mile this weekend.
Selections: 4-2-7-11 rough chance 6
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Race 9
Last race – wow this is tough.
The leader will be I’m A Rippa (1) with Boris Thornton in the saddle this weekend. The claim gets him in very well, but I think this week he may be a sitting duck with some other speed in the race.
Oink (2) was a tremendous run last start when finishing a gallant second. I am looking forward to another competitive run from the nice barrier.
Toby Edmonds has Plucky Girl (14) in the race and has drawn midfield. She normally races handy on the speed – but I think with the speed in this race Jeff Lloyd will let them go and get a nice trail in behind them and should be able to run them down late in the straight.
Zin Zan Eddie (6) was first up for the new stable last start at the Gold Coast. He is now trained by Helen Page and I tell you what the run was extraordinary – only beaten by 1.75 lengths. He has a good record second up and Helen has given him a month between runs. I would not be surprised if this old war horse pops up here in this grade.
Selections: 14-2-6-1
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Jockey Challenge
Looks like a battle royal between Ronnie Stewart and Jeff Lloyd. In fact, it may all come down to the last race! Back one and save on the other!
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
1,5,6 / 11,12,15 / 1,8,9 / 2,9,10 - cost is $81 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,6,12 / 6,9,12,15 / 2,4,7 / 2,6,14 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6.12 / 6,9,15 /4,7 / 2,14 - cost is $24 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6 / 6.15 / 4,7 / 6.14 - cost is $8 to $1
The Silly Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6 / 6 / 6 / 6 - cost is $1 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
6,9,12,15 / 2,4,7 / 2,6,14 - cost is $36 to $1
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BEST BETS
Doomben
Race 1 - Pinch Memory
Race 2 - Contralto
Race 5 - Hanwritten
Race 6 - I'm Alone (each way)
Race 7 - Guissola (each way)
Race 9 - Plucky Girl
Rosehill
Race 1 - Problem Solver
Race 2 - Performer
Race 3 - Fiesta
Race 5 - Kopi Luwak
Race 7 - Global Glamour (the gear change this week will assist)
Race 9 - Wild Heart
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Well that is it for this weekend..
The racing in Sydney is starting to warm up so I may be focussing on that racing in coming weeks with a brief preview for Brisbane racing each week.
Oh yes, this weekend the battle between NSW (WINNO) versus QLD (FLEMO) will continue. So be sure to check out our Facebook profiles for our up to date tips and thoughts on Saturday morning. I am a little worried this weekend as he is in tremendous form!
Good luck and good punting!
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