WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, APRIL 14
By Darren Winningham | Friday, April 13, 2018
GOLD COAST RACES 14 APRIL SATURDAY 2018
Racing at the Gold Coast ... I think I will go to the track and say that I have experienced the Commonwealth Games of 2018 – well at least been in the city whilst they are on!
The track is rated “SOFT” and the rail will be out 7.0 metres from the 1400 metres to the winning post and then 4 metres for the rest of the course.
The weather is forecast to be HOT for the coming days – maybe we will not see an upgrade in the track and we will need not to focus on the mud larks this weekend!
I must make special mention in this preview of Helen Page and her champion stayer RUDY.
On Friday she announced that Rudy had been retired. He was such a competitive race horse amassing $988, 925 in career prizemoney and who can ever forget the 2014 Randwick Villiers where he won on a soft track with Luke Tarrant in the saddle. I wish him all the best in retirement and acknowledge the wonderful work Helen Page has done with him over his career.
A special mention of his long-term strapper Toni Minton as well – she loved him so much and I am sure she will miss him around the stables and at the track.
Lastly, there seems to be a number of younger trainers attending the Gold Coast meeting this weekend – Billy Healey, Ethan Ensby and Trent Edmonds. They all seem to think they are trendsetters and fashion leading young gentlemen – read the rest of the article to see what WINNO thinks!
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
We start the day with a 900-metre sprint – they usually go fast here.
I think with the rail out so far you may want to draw in close and be able to lead in this race.
With that in mind I am tipping the “King of The Gold Coast” Dan Griffin to ride the first winner Don’t Say No (9) for the Garnett Taylor stables at the Sunshine Coast. The filly has drawn well in barrier 3. She has two recent trial wins under her belt and I think she is going to be difficult to beat.
Liam Birchley has Club Soda (2) looking to win so the owners can head to the bar! This gelding has had two trials as well and has won both. Drawn barrier 10 may be an issue, however, Chris Whiteley has the ride and he knows this Gold Coast track well.
Then we have the Will & Peter Hulbert trained Perfect Style (6) to be ridden by Michael “Muppy” Hellyer. When Hulbert and Hellyer combine they are usually a lethal and successful combination.
Whilst there have been no official trials for this gelding his form in NSW prior to the stable change suggest he will be very competitive. If there is any money for this one in the betting, make sure you follow it! Just one last comment though…. “Perfect Style” – I hope co trainer Will Hulbert manages to lift his game in his dress at the races on Saturday – I will let you be the judge on his lack of “style!"
Selections: 9-2-6-5
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Race 2
Another 900metre sprint.
This is an open race.
I like the John Smerdon trained Silent Statue (4) to return to the winner’s stalls. The gelding is second up this weekend and I think you should overlook that last start failure on a heavy track. I really think that he goes better on a “Good” surface – so if the track improves we may see the best of him.
Just Excel (5) has drawn barrier 13 – not ideal, however, jockey Vanessa Johnston partnered this mare first up for a win here over the same distance.
Luke Dittman rides Rob Roy (6) for Glenn Stockdale. This gelding comes off a nice win at the Sunshine Coast last start. Prior to that he ran a respectable second over 900 metres here when beaten by Jadentom.
Selections: 4-5-6-1 rough chance 10
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Race 3
This is a race that is too hard – I will be watching.
Now as I am talking about horse trainers and their dress and “style” it would be remiss of me to bag these two so called “stylists” as they have genuine chances here – the first is Billy Healey and the second is Ethan Ensby! I have posted some photos – I will let you be the judge – but the call is out boys! See who can turn up looking the best dressed on the day!
The Healey stable has Lil Ruby Rose (11) resuming from a spell. Whilst she has had no official trials I am sure the Healey Racing Team has her fit and ready for this first up assignment. She has drawn the rails and has the services of apprentice Adam Sewell who has been riding in tremendous form.
Then you have the Ethan Ensby runner, Golden Valley (5) who debuted at Grafton last start. He led and just ran out of steam late. I think he will strip fitter for that run and has drawn well in barrier 7. The Ensby stables have found a real purple patch of form in recent weeks with a number of winners – will it continue at the Gold Coast on Saturday?
Selections: 11-5-6-8
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Race 4
Snapchat Girl (5) for mine here – trained by Les Kelly. She is first up, and I really think the 3-kilogram allowance for Clayton Gallagher will assist her chances over 1200 metres.
Biscuit Time (4) is looking to win the bickies with Corey Bayliss riding for the strong Kris Lees stables based at Newcastle.
There is an interesting runner here – Brookajoe who would have 2 wins to his record but unfortunately was disqualified despite his last start win at the Gold Coast. He has had a 43-week break – watch out for any market moves for this one!
Selections: 5-4-8-3
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Race 5
Oneness (5) likes to lead and race handy. His win last start at Beaudesert was solid. Luke Dittman takes the ride this weekend. He should be difficult to run down.
Matthew Dunn trains Saxton Rock (10) who was unlucky last start at Doomben and with the drop-in class and 3 kilograms off his back for Clayton Gallagher he gets in well.
Toby Edmonds has Boom Boom Epic (11) resuming this weekend at his home track. This Sebring filly likes it a little longer, however, normally races well fresh – do not leave him out of your Quaddie.
Now about fashion – maybe Trent Edmonds will be at the track representing the stable this weekend. Two weeks ago he was criticised for his fashion sense – the shirt and the tie combination (see the photo) what do the rest of you think? I personally think that Trent has Billy Healey covered in the dress and fashion stakes – just saying!
Selections: 5-10-11-6 rough chance 4
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Race 6
The Edmonds Racing team has another good chance here with the top weight – Dauphin De France (1). Maybe they can jag a race to race double on their home track?
Last start this runner raced here in a Class 3 event over the same distance on a heavy track and was very dominant. This weekend he will race on a better surface and has apprentice Jackson Murphy – with a 2-kilogram claim to assist him in the increased weight.
Let’s Get Nauti Girl (3) was solid at Ipswich last start. I think the Kris Lees filly will improve on the Gold Coast track and surface this weekend.
It’s Choux Time (5) is trained on the course by Chris Waller (the Gold Coast based team). This runner broke through for a dominant maiden win at Ipswich last start – sure he rises to Class 2 but maybe he can make the transition successfully.
Selections: 1-3-5-7
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Race 7
Blonde By Choice (3) has a few runs under her belt and I am gambling on her recent racing and fitness to get her through this race for the Steven O’Dea Racing stables. Jackson Murphy is aboard here – maybe he can claim a race to race double on the Goldie!
The top weight is Ruby Red Heart (1) trained by Desleigh Forster. This Show A Heart filly raced very well during the 2017 Brisbane Winter Carnival and has had a 46-week spell. I cannot find any recent trials for this one, however, we all know Forster always puts a lot of work and love into her horses. I expect her to run a bold race with Dan Griffin aboard.
Some roughies are down the bottom – Desert Rush (11) and Casino Evil (15) trained on the track by Kelly Doughty and Harold Norman respectively. They could show up at huge odds!
Selections: 3-1-11-15
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Race 8
This last race is an open affair – bet carefully!
I am going to forgive the run of the Scott Morrisey trained Madison Point last start on the heavy track here. I think that this Savabeel gelding does not like wet tracks. Go on the previous run when he won here over 1400 metres on a “Good” track. If the track dries out by the last, and is not too chopped up, he looks a great gamble for mine.
The Matthew Dunn trained Ten Taubada’s (3) normally races near the lead but this may be difficult from barrier 16 this weekend. Maybe there will be a change in riding tactics.
Smart As Attack (5) is first up for the Les Kelly stables – a nice trial under his belt around a month ago makes me think that he is ready to run well first up. Matthew Paget from the Northern Rivers comes to the Gold Coast to take this ride in the last race.
The horse that I cannot leave out – and it may be some odds - is the Munce Racing trained Badge of Gameness (7) to be ridden by Ryan Wiggins. This Sebring gelding has some nice form in Sydney before being transferred to the Munce stables. The recent trial last Friday was okay – he really did not get pushed along in the trial. Maybe the run will set him in good stead for this race.
Selections: 4-5-7-3
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Jockey Challenge
Looks like a tough day – seems it is the King of The Gold Coast (Dan Griffin) versus the young whipper snapper apprentices on the program – Jackson Murphy and Clayton Gallagher. Maybe we could get a triple dead heat!
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)
2,6,9 / 4,5,6 / 5,6,11 / 4,5,8 - cost is $81 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
5,10,11 / 1,3,5,7 / 1,3,11,15 / 3,4,5,7 - cost is $192 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
5.10 / 1,3 / 1,3 / 4,5,7 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,3,5,7 / 1,3,11,15 / 3,4,5,7 - cost is $64 to $1
Good luck and good punting!
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