WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, MAY 12, 2018

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 10, 2018

Doomben this week – after a magical weekend at the Gold Coast last weekend.

I do not know what the track manager gives that track with a week off – but WOW did we get a wonderful surface with a track record broken and numerous other races running extraordinary times.

I must say that it was the best racing surface we have seen in South East Queensland in months!

Every runner had its chance to shine. Jockeys and trainers were commenting how wonderful the track was – and there was a great atmosphere.

It is DOOMBEN 10,000 Day. The early favourite is Redzel – back to defend his title from 2017. Can he win two in a row? Keep reading and see what Winno thinks.

The track is rated “SOFT” (Thursday afternoon) and the rail will in the normal position or “TRUE” position for the entire course this weekend. The track was given out as “HEAVY” on Thursday morning and seems to have improved across the day.

There are moderate temperatures forecast on Friday – and again on Saturday. However, we seem to be having some heavy early morning heavy dew now which may not assist the track drying out quickly.

The track will probably be around that “SOFT” rating on Saturday. However, with the track having had a week off racing let’s hope the track races well this weekend.

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In WINNO news this week.

A shout out to the Kilcoy Race Club Chairman – Mr Con Searle – who just seems to run into drama after drama. He has had a rough 12 months after undergoing a successful kidney transplant. He has been home now from hospital and I believe he is making every effort to make it to the track this weekend for the first day of the Carnival.

I am certain with the medications (legal ones) that his doctors are giving him he will be in good shape for Saturday.

With a few weeks off his bookie bag will be full and he will bet overs all day – time for us to hook in and claim him!

I think there has been enough said regarding the doping scandal centred in Victoria – the bans are lengthy and harsh. They have set a high standard here and the lengthy bans that have been imposed set a definite precedent for any other trainers who indulge in these activities and are found guilty.

The integrity of racing must be maintained otherwise one of the largest industries in Australia will be held to ridicule and many good people will lose their livelihoods.

Lastly, James McDonald makes his comeback to the saddle next Wednesday at Warwick Farm. He has had 18 months off since a suspension imposed by the stewards. He has been back in the saddle riding track work and trials in preparation for his return to racing.

Welcome back JAY MAC … and good luck!

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

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Race 1

The opening race is a sprint. We probably will not get an idea of how the track will race for the rest of the day from this race. There are a couple of early scratchings as well.

Tango Rain (12) makes his debut run at Doomben. He likes damp tracks, has the services of Corey Brown who is riding very well presently, has drawn handy and will probably lead this lot. The odds are prohibitive now at around $1.90 but he does look well placed by Gerald Ryan.

Havasay (2) and Matthew McGillivray have an imposing record when they combine at Doomben. This gelding is now trained by Toby Edmonds with Liam Birchley receiving a suspension on Thursday. The Rothesay gelding is coming back from the Group 2 Victory Stakes to restricted grade this weekend. He must be respected.

In Times of War (13) raced at Hawkesbury last start – forget that run. The track was rubbish and she really didn’t appreciate the circuit and the way the race was run. Mark Du Plesis looks like he has set up camp in Brisbane for the Winter Carnival. He is a very good New Zealand rider and will give this runner every chance.

If you are looking for some value in the first race I am liking the recent form of the Bruce Brown trained Khaleesi (5) who normally pops up at massive odds and destroys the punters! He is $101 this weekend – these are the odds that may lead to this mare deciding to put her best foot forward and make a mess of the first race and send punters to the ATM’s and the bookies laughing!

Selections: 12-2-13-5 rough chance 10

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Race 2

This is a tough race over 1350 metres.

I like the chances of the Michael Costa trained Manaya (11) at around the $12 mark. This mare has nice second up form and I thought the first up run under the massive weight of 59 kilograms was meritorious. I have always thought she shows her best when she gets down on the weights. The only issue is that she really is not a fan of wet tracks. That aside – a nice price and a nice draw and regular rider Scott Galloway has drawn my attention to her.

Eminent (7) is a nice three-year-old gelding out of Choisir trained on the Sunshine Coast by David Vandyke. He resumed on his home track with a dynamic win and is undefeated second up in each of his preparations. Tiffani Brooker has had four rides on him for 2 wins and 2 seconds and retains the ride here.

I come to my old mate Oink (4) he tried so hard last weekend at the Gold Coast and they ran some nice time for the 1400 metres. He seemed to get in front at the 100 metres but just seemed to run out of puff. I am certain that he has derived benefit from that run. Paul Hammersley goes back aboard this week. I hope for the wonderful owners that the Purple Bell predominant colours arrive when the judge calls a halt to this race. No smart-arse comments about Mr Bell this weekend. He has a size 12 that hurts when he kicks you in the sphincter when you are not watching!

Miss Wonderland (8) is trained by Clare Cunningham and syndicated by Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins Racing. She has some solid form and will not mind the sting out of the ground. Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride – this has drawn my attention to this runner.

Old Habits (5) has found a new lease on life in recent months. He is trained by Robert Heathcote and South African jockey Sean Cormack seems to be getting the best out of him since they have partnered up. He is coming back from a mile to 1350 metres this week, however, there appears to be some speed in the race and he will be motoring home late again.

Selections: 11-7-4-8 rough chances 5 and 14

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Race 3

The BRC Member’s Handicap at Listed level over the mile.

As I said in my preview they were running some solid times last weekend at the Gold Coast.

One of those runners was Aqua Vite (10) who just went down narrowly to the John Zielke trained Dreams Aplenty who was perfectly rated in front by Tegan Harrison (that was her first winner back after an injury to her shoulder).

The Scott Morrisey trained Northern Meteor gelding has been racing very consistently and I think back up to a mile with some genuine speed in the race we should see a big performance.

Godolphin – the boys in BLUE – did I say BLUE – it is nearly time for NSW to win Origin 2018!

Well they are back in town with James Cummings and another South African Glyn Schofield. This time they are raiding the Carnival with Spectroscope (4) who was sent out favourite last start at Caulfield over 2000 metres. I thought he struggled to run a solid 2000 metres and back to a mile here at Doomben he will be right in this race.

He has had a nice hit out last Friday in a trial at Warwick Farm over 1200 metres – the run was solid - and I think this weekend at Doomben we will see this runner smash them in the race. Around $7 on offer as well. Some nice odds here punters!

Payroll (3) ran a super race first up at Doomben in a similar grade and then went to Sydney and was down the track in the Group 1 Coolmore. I think that race form was franked last weekend when Oregon’s Way came out and won the Hollindale Cup on the Gold Coast in emphatic style. This mare trained by Richard Laming will have Regan Bayliss aboard this weekend. Whilst his third up record is not all that impressive he meets an average field here and could show up.

Ben Currie and Bobby El-Issa pair up again looking for a victory with With A Promise (9) who destroyed a nice field here three weeks a go on a bog (heavy) track. Did the track flatter her performance? Only time will tell. On that day she raced handy on the speed and the horses that raced on the speed definitely had a distinct advantage.

A local roughie is Emphasis (8) who loves the track and this distance and will be fitter now he is third up this weekend.

Selections: 4-10-3-9 rough chance 8

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Race 4

The Chairman’s Handicap – 2018 at Group 3 level.

I think we may see some genuine speed in this race and not the normal “walking” pace we normally see in these distance races in Brisbane. With that in mind I am going for a roughie at $21 – Tumultuous (7) to be ridden by Glen Colless and trained on the Gold Coast by the Waller team. I remember when this runner stormed home in the Magic Millions Cup in January. He settled back and smashed them late at $26 with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. I think that second up we will see him working home late and fast – so watch out for those pale green and white diamond colours!

The favourite is Interlocuter (2) another Godolphin – James Cummings runner. He deserves to be favourite as last start in the Japan Plate (Group 3) at Randwick he just had no luck and still managed to work home to be only beaten 2.7 lengths. That run was his second run up from a spell. His third up record is impressive – three starts for 2 wins. He too will settle midfield and be working home late. Damian Browne is in the saddle and will ride this one patiently.

Jumbo Prince (3) raced last weekend in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes. He looked like he was going to fade away around the 200 metres – but somehow found a second wind and despite the WFA conditions kept on coming to only be beaten by 4 lengths. His regular strapper Nick Hahn adores - well loves - this stallion and he takes great pride in bringing him to the races. I managed to capture a wonderful photo of the two of them two months ago. It was a special moment!

Xebec (11) is up in class, however, has been racing very consistently at Doomben winning his last two starts. He likes to lead and set the tempo. I think there may be a little more pressure in this week’s race so Jeff Lloyd will not have it all his own way in front.

Selections: 7-2-3-11 rough chance 12

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Race 5

The 2018 Moet & Chandon Champagne Classic for 2-year olds at Group 2 level.

Ben Currie has Mishani Hustler (1) in the race. This Exceedingly Good colt just keeps going from strength to strength and faces his biggest test this weekend in his short career. He has managed to string three wins together in a row and I think he may just be able to dominate this field again her. Taylor Marshall retains the ride – he has 3 rides for 3-win record aboard him!

I am worried about a horse that I don't know much about – Zousain (5) trained by Chris Waller. I remember last year that he had a few that had gone around in Sydney without luck and he had put them away and brought them to Brisbane with minimal work and they dominated. His recent trial was on a heavy track at Randwick and really was not tested in the bad conditions – so again I can not be too sure how forward he is. I really think that the key to this runner is the booking of Kerrin McEvoy – that to me represents some confidence in this runner. Look I may be wrong but at $8 I think I may gamble on this one.

Nick Olive ventures to Doomben with Sizzling Belle (9) and Kathy O’Hara takes the ride. This Sizzling filly was down the track in the Golden Slipper, however, I think the wet track was not to her liking. With a firmer track we may see an improved run here this weekend – but I think she may take some benefit from the run.

There is a push for the Godolphin runner as well – Dynamited (4) - a wonderfully named colt from Exceed and Excel out of Shatters. He has trialled well in recent weeks with a nice hit out last Friday at Warwick Farm. I think that he could have won the trial easily if Jason Collett had let the brakes off. He has drawn nice in barrier 7 and he will be perfectly ridden Corey Brown.

The Rob Heathcote trained Only Wanna Sing (3) is second up here this week. This runner will handle all surfaces, so I think he is a good gamble if you are going away from the more favoured runners.

Selections: 5-4-1-3 rough chance 9 & 11

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Race 6

The Queensland Day Stakes – Listed.

I cannot go past the win of Marsupial (4) a fortnight ago here. He was very good, and it is wonderful to see the Godolphin team keep local jockey Jim Byrne aboard this runner. Jim was also successful in the Hollindale Cup last weekend aboard Oregon’s Way – he seems to be having a run of luck wearing horses with BLUE colours. I know I tease him about this but I know he is a solid Queenslander like Josh Fleming – but the facts are there Jim and Blue colours are going good at presently!

Snitz (1), from the Matthew Dunn stables, has been unlucky in his two starts from a spell. In both starts he has drawn horrific barriers and these have had a direct impact on his performance – (in my opinion). This weekend he has drawn midfield in barrier 9 and Jeff Lloyd takes over from regular rider Robbie Fradd who has left to take up a contract in Mauritius.

Warranty (13) from the Peter & Paul Snowden stables had a change in riding tactics last start in the Hawkesbury Guineas. You can overlook that run as I think the alteration in the riding tactics was brought about by the way the track was playing on that day. I think that this weekend she will be ridden a little more patiently and quietly by Kerrin McEvoy and this may see a dramatic turn around in her form as I think she is a better proposition when she can sit and sprint late.

Femme Fireball (14) for Robbie Heathcote is third up. She was motoring home behind Marsupial (4) last start and was beaten under 1 length. With speed on this weekend I think that she will be attacking the line late – those distinctive pink and black check silks from the stable may see a local winner in this race!

Oneness (8) ran a wonderful race last start when just beaten by Marsupial (4) after leading all the way and being run down late. Drawn in barrier 4 I expect him to go hard in front again and try and run the opposition into the ground.

Selections: 4-1-13-14 rough chance 8

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Race 7 Magic Millions Roses – Group 2

The Roses – a race over the Doomben 2000 metres.

Clarry Conners trains the topweight Torvill (1) who was running around in Group races in Sydney before he came out and destroyed the opposition here two weeks ago in the Listed Bracelet over a mile. She has drawn out on the runway at the airport in barrier 18 again this weekend and Jimmy Orman was seen at JB Hi-Fi purchasing a GPS earlier in the week, so he will not get lost from out there! I assume he will go back and ride her for luck like he did last start pulling her out wide and making a sustained run at them.

I think the Chris Waller horses are genuine contenders here. Youngstar (14) won at Newcastle last start in restricted grade and looked like she had some more improvement left in her. I think we can confidently say she will be in the placings. Kerrin McEvoy has the ride again and she has drawn perfectly in barrier 4.

The other Waller runner is Another Dollar (5) who ran a gallant second to Torvill (1) last start. The mail is that they are going to go back and ride her quiet this weekend from barrier 15. Her Grand Final is the Queensland Oaks in a fortnight and I just wonder whether they will be aggressive with her this weekend. I am confident that she will run a solid 2000 metres, but she does need some genuine speed on so she can get home late.

Impulsive (17) was caught wide at Doomben last start – forget the run. If she makes the field watch out!

Cabierro (18) another reserve looks like she is a ready-made runner to run out a distance as well.

Selections: 14-1-5-8 rough chances 17 & 18

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Race 8 – 2018 Doomben 10,000 – Group 1

The feature race – the Group 1 the Doomben 10,000 over 1200 metres at WFA.

In Her Time (12) is my top selection in a tough race. She has been consistent in Group 1 racing in Sydney.

She got too far back out of her ground last start in the TJ Smith that was won by Trapeze Artist. She still managed to make ground late and I think the track will suit her this weekend.

The obvious danger is last years winner Redzel (1). He is a fighter and loves to dig in for a brawl and just will not lie down. His recent trial behind English (13) at Randwick was good. He wasn’t extended on the heavy surface. He will be in the top three placings for sure.

English (13) from the Waterhouse & Bott stables at Randwick had some mixed fortunes over the recent Carnival in Sydney. She has a tremendous record first up with three wins from 6 starts. I think from barrier 2 Tim Clark may be positive on her here this weekend so she might sit just behind the speed and be able to storm home late.

The Toby Edmonds trained Houtzen (14) galloped between races last weekend at the Gold Coast and she was clocked doing some sensational times over the final 100 and 200 metres. She clearly is ready for this assignment – but unfortunately for the stable their (bad) luck in drawing a decent barrier has continued. I think when they see T. Edmonds they just find the widest barrier and assign it to his horses.

The Tony Gollan warhorse Most Important (3) always goes well fresh and can destroy a field like this when he brings his “A” game to the racecourse. His run first up when beaten by Impending (2) was great. He looked above himself in the yard and I think he would have derived a benefit from that run.

Then finally you have last year’s Stradbroke winner – Impending (2) who went BANG when she won the Victory Stakes (Group 2) first up with Damien Browne in the saddle. Her second up record is woeful with no wins and three thirds from four starts. That is my only concern with her. In saying that her run a fortnight ago was challenging – she had to be eased, steadied and then come around heels to win the race. Browne put in an 11 out of 10 ride!

Selections: 10-1-13-2 rough chances 3 & 14

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Race 9

The last race – the Rough Habit Plate a Group 3 race over the Doomben 2000 metres to finish the day off.

You may want to be in front coming to this race as it looks a difficult proposition.

I had a “dream” that Dark Dream (8) will win this last race. Last start Villermont set a steady pace in front and to be fair horses in front were doing quite well. Dark Dream (8) motored home in the straight and got just beaten in a photo. The way he finished and then surged past the post – and the way they streaked the opposition - I really think that she can win. She has barrier 16 to contend with but Tim Clark will navigate a path forward and get in her in before they head out of the straight. There is no genuine speed I can find in the race – maybe she can lead and stack them up and set the pace in front and run them into the ground over the final 400 metres.

Higher Ground (2) is the likely danger from the Waller team. He won the Packer Plate (Group 3) last start at Randwick and is looking for a hat trick of wins. There has been some serious money for this runner since the markets have opene. It is another nice ride for Glyn Schofield who won on him last start.

California Turbo (5) has had a plethora of gear changes for his second run in Brisbane. The most notable is the removal of the blinkers by Team Snowden. Snowden is a genius in getting the best out of his runners over the Brisbane Winter Carnival, so you must respect this runner.

Darren Weir has snuck one silently into Brisbane – Lucky For All (15). This gelding has won his last two starts in Melbourne. Whilst it is a step up in grade you must respect this stable as they take a lot of time in plotting paths and targeting races with their runners.

Selections: 8-2-5-15 rough chance 13

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Jockey Challenge

Looks like it is going to be a battle of the NSW based jockeys – Corey Brown and Kerrin McEvoy. I am going for Kerrin who picked up a suspension earlier in the week and probably will be looking to ride a few winners to pay for his holiday imposed on him by the NSW Stewards.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

4,7,8,11 / 3,4,9,10 / 2,3,7,11 / 1,3,4,5 - cost is $256 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4,13,14 / 1,5,8,14 / 1,12,13 / 2,5,8,15 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4 / 1,14 / 1,12 / 2,5,8 - cost is $24 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,4 / 14 / 12 / 2,8 - cost is $4 to $1

Silly Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1 / 1 / 1 / 2 - cost is $1 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,5,8,14 / 1,12,13 / 2,5,8,15 - cost is $48 to $1

Value Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,14 / 1,12 / 2,5,8 - cost is $12 to $1

FLEMO and WINNO were on fire in our tipping competition last weekend at the Gold Coast – I think we nearly tipped the card between us! Kudos to FLEMO who tipped a First 4 that paid around $1000! WINNO tipped the Quaddie and Treble as well! I did manage to beat him in the end – only just!

Stay tuned this weekend for our thoughts on the Doomben program on Facebook on Saturday morning!

Good luck and good punting!

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