WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, APRIL 21
By Darren Winningham | Friday, April 20, 2018
Doomben this week!
The track is rated “SOFT” (Friday) and the rail will be 1.5 metres for the entire course.
There are more light showers forecast again on Friday – and possible showers again on Saturday.
I still think the warm weather that we have had will dry the track out and we may get close to a “GOOD” surface. However, be sure to check the track conditions Saturday morning and watch the first few races to gauge things for yourself.
In WINNO news this week.
Congratulations must go to Sheriden Tomlinson for his winning debut last weekend at Noorama. He managed to ride a double and two seconds on debut – and still made it back in time to work Sunday morning!
The passing of Darrell Eastlake on Thursday was sad for anyone who enjoyed sport and sport commentary. Many of you would know that I used to live in the mighty NSW – well Gosford to be exact. I used to wake in the morning as a youngster to listen to Eastlake in the morning. He used to call the Central Coast Grand Finals and do the sports reports on local radio 2GO.
I was only 14 when I met him at the local grand finals. A young rugby league referee absolutely packing it as I had been appointed to a Grand Final in my first year. I remember I was introduced to him and his words stay with me today “You will be fine son – get out there and enjoy yourself."
This was the person. He was always happy to talk to the average punter – eat a meat pie and a beer and who can ever forget that “HUGE” booming voice that we grew to love and adore on television when he was calling a variety of sport. RIP Mr Eastlake you were a legend!
Lastly, I must offer my best wishes to Kilcoy Race Club Chairman, Mr Con Searle. He has been struck down by an infected leg and spent time in Hospital. I know he is a strong Queenslander and he will be back up on his feet soon.
Best wishes Con – and get better soon! We all hope to see you smiling face back at the track soon!
On that note WINNO will be heading to Kilcoy on Saturday for their Annual Diggers Race Day – I hope to see a few of you there!
Now time to get into this massive Doomben program. There are some very large difficult fields this weekend and with the uncertainty of the track surface I am going to be betting cautiously.
NB: As this form assessment was made prior to raceday, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.
****************************************************************************************************
Race 1
Not a big fan of this race – the same old offenders going around looking for a win over 2200 metres.
Waller seems to have a mortgage on the race – three runners who will be competitive.
I am making it short and sweet – Xebec (4) who broke through for a win last start here with Jeff Lloyd aboard – that will do me.
Selections: 4-2-5-6
****************************************************************************************************
Race 2
Wow 18 runners nominated here. Where do we start?
Secret Mo (7) has drawn mid field and won a recent trial. Michael Murphy is aboard again this weekend. I thought that last start he was unlucky with the track seeming to favour front runners. Overlook that run and look for an improvement.
Bryan & Daniel Guy have Absolutlypositivly (14) coming back to racing after a ten-week let up. The stable is in solid form and with Chris Whiteley riding the filly she looks a good each way hope. This combination of Whiteley and Guy won the last race at the Gold Coast last weekend.
Jetsonic (12) gets too far back – however, on a firm or good track I expect him to be powering home late. Maybe this weekend, with the solid tempo I can see in the race, he may just strike some form and show up here.
Pleasantries (15) is first up for the Kendrick stables – keep your eye on any market moves for this runner.
Selections: 7-14-12-15 rough chance 10
**************************************************************************************************
Race 3
We have a massive 21 runners nominated here for the two-year-old race with half of them never have had a run.
I am not keen on the race – but since Les Ross has been in the news in the last week I am tipping his runner Eskdale Girl (9) who has drawn the rails in barrier 1. This may prove the telling factor in this race.
Pennino (5) has won her last two starts and resumes from a 12-week spell. Her last win at the Sunshine Coast was good when she led all the way. She steps up to town this week; however, her form suggests she will shape up well here.
Sizzling Ace (6) from the Toby Edmonds team is still a maiden but has some solid form around some Listed and Group races prior to her spell. She is drawn nicely in barrier 7 and Group 1 winning jockey Regan Bayliss is in Brisbane this weekend and he has picked up the ride.
Ben Currie trained Cuddle Me Tight (7) was sent out favourite on debut at Toowoomba – she looked like she needed the run and will strip fitter this weekend.
Tony Gollan has some debutants here – Hollaback Girl (16) and Rexx (20). Both are emergencies. Both have won trials impressively and must be considered if they make the field.
Selections: 9-5-6-7 rough chances 16 & 20
***************************************************************************************************
Race 4
I said last start I was worried about Savwell (2) getting the 2220 metres assignment. He did not run out the trip. This week he is back to a more suitable mile at Doomben and I expect him to dominate the race.
Lyricist (3) should get a firmer surface than she had raced on in her past two starts. Look for an improved effort this weekend – another nice ride for Regan Bayliss.
Givus a Cuddle (13) from the Ben Currie stables has been running several second placings of late. She has drawn nicely and should just race off the speed. Taylor Marshall stays in the saddle.
Foxy Affair (14) is one at odds from the Robert Heathcote stables – currently around $31. Although his two wins have been recorded on a heavy track he did acquit himself well in the Toowoomba Guineas last start when beaten by Hang. I think back in grade and on a track that he is familiar with he could be a knock out chance at some odds.
Selections: 2-3-13-14
****************************************************************************************************
Race 5
A Shin Rook (17) is making his Australian debut for the Anthony Freedman stable. He won a trial very impressively a fortnight ago at Eagle Farm. Jim Byrne rode him on that occasion and retains the ride for the debut run.
You cannot go past winning form and My Little Flicka (5) has been in great form winning two from two since returning from a spell and being trained by Les Ross. On both occasions Michael Murphy has ridden the mare. She does not have to lead and with the Lauren Herne trained Allknight Saint (3) in the race there should be some genuine tempo in this race. I think that Murphy may stalk the leaders before letting down in the straight, however, he will have to navigate from barrier 19. He was my top selection if he did not draw such a woeful barrier.
Cosmopol (18) was unlucky last start in a track that did not favour back markers – given a fair chance this weekend and an even track we may see an improved run.
Selections: 17-5-18-9 rough chance 3
****************************************************************************************************
Race 6
The 2018 Mick Dittman Plate for three-year olds – a Listed Race.
Whypeeo (2) comes off a nice run in the Magic Millions Guineas when narrowly beaten by Pierata. That is great form for a race like this. He won a trial in great fashion on the Gold Coast on 10 April and I expect him to put this lot to the sword this weekend.
The BLUE invasion of South East Queensland begins this weekend with the Godolphin trained Marble (4) making his local debut here. He was impressive winning on Easter Monday at Rosehill. He is only third up here and should race well. Unfortunately, they have treated the NSW visitor poorly by giving him barrier 15 – but watch out for some Damian Browne magic from out there.
As for the rest of them take your pick. I will mention Wudang Blade (3) who is around the $26 mark. This Marcus Wilson runner has a knack of showing up in races where you think it is all one way traffic. He is drawn lovely in barrier 3 and does have a victory over Whypeeo (8) here on this track – he is a genuine knock on chance!
Selections: 2-4-3-9
***************************************************************************************************
Race 7
The dominant Weetwood winner Amanaat (4) goes around in the Listed Ascot Handicap. Bobby El-Issa comes back to Queensland to partner the Ben Currie trained gelding after winning on him at Toowoomba. He has been in sensational form winning 8 from 12 career starts so he surely is a chance here.
I like the Anthony Freedman trained Mr Sneaky (3) who comes off some very impressive Group 1 runs in Victoria. He has drawn average in barrier 13, however, I think at the weights gets in well here. I think he is going to be difficult to beat in this race.
Hi I’m Back (6) ran second last start to Amanaat (4) and fought on well in the straight. He meets the Currie runner 2 kilograms better for that defeat – I do not know if that weight difference is enough to see him turn the tables.
Rhyme Noe Rhythm (11) has been performing in restricted grade. This Lindsay Hatch trained runner could be the one to upset them at any odds if there was to be an boilover in the race.
Selections: 3-4-6-11 rough chance 13
***************************************************************************************************
Race 8
Another Listed Race – The Tails Stakes over a mile.
This is tough race. I am going for a roughie here that always seems to do something at odds second up – Emphasis (5) from the Richie Stephenson stable. Sean Cormack the South African is in the saddle again after he rode him first up at the Sunshine Coast – some massive odds of $31 on offer so with any luck and with some speed on in the race he will be finishing off strongly.
Now talking about finishing off strongly you could not have missed the run of Pelethronius (10) trained by David Pfieffer who missed the start, settled back, made a run wide and was hampered slightly in the straight. I think that the mile will suit this gelding. He just needs some clean room to wind up and get going.
Aqua Vite (8) from the Scott Morrisey stable on the Gold Coast has been very good since resuming from a spell. He loves speed in the race and can settle back or can go forward himself and try and dominate the speed in front. I am not certain what tactics Paul Hammersley will adopt this weekend, but I reckon he will be super competitive.
Violate (7) has been racing in Group 3 races in Melbourne and may just need the run when debuting in Brisbane this weekend for Brent Stanley. He has had 3 weeks since his last run at Caulfield.
Man of His Word (3) from the Bruce Hill stables always puts in over a mile and this weekend he gets conditions to suit. His runs since resuming have all been solid – if the others falter look for this gelding to show them up.
Selections: 5-10-8-7 rough chance 3 and 13
*******************************************************************************************************
Race 9
The last race with a massive field of 22 runners nominated. It looks like they are all hoping to lower the dominant winning form of Mr Marbellouz (2) trained by Kevin Kemp and to be partnered again by Jag Guthman-Chester.
Then there is my old favourite Oink (7) part owned by Grant Bell. I believe that he has been given a leave pass this weekend to come watch his horse maybe get the bacon! That is after he was successful in the kitchen not burning water in the pot during the week whilst attempting to make his lovely wife Keiley Bell a meal. (This is sure to get me in trouble again).
The two Liam Birchley runners – Super Suave (19) and She’s Miss Devine (14) - are both rough chances here.
Super Suave (19) resumed at Ipswich over 1000 metres and ran a nice race without threatening the winner. This gelding is drawn nicely in barrier 2 and has a nice record second up and over 1200 metres. He is around $31 in some markets. If he makes the field make sure you have him in your exotic bets.
Selections: 2-7-19-14 rough chances 6
***************************************************************************************************
Jockey Challenge
Looks like it is going to be a one-way traffic – Jeff Lloyd will be a short-priced favourite with his current book of rides.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
7,12,14,15 / 5,6,9 / 2,3,13,14 / 5,17,18 - cost is $144 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,3,4 / 3,4 / 5,7,8,10 / 2,7,19 - cost is $72 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,4 / 3,4 / 5,10 / 2,7 - cost is $16 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2 / 3,4 / 3,8 /2 - cost is $4 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
3,4 / 5,7,8,10 / 2,7,19 - cost is $24 to $1
Value Treble (races 7 to 9)
3 / 5,10 / 2 - cost is $2 to $1
Last weekend Josh Fleming beat WINNO in our weekly tipping competition. He only beat me by $0.20 but as a filthy Queenslander would do – he claimed victory! Can you believe it!
Good luck and good punting!
More articles
|