WINNO'S WINNERS: SUNSHINE COAST, AUGUST 25, 2018

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 23, 2018

Sunshine Coast racing this weekend people.

The track is rated as “GOOD” – the weather is forecast to deteriorate on Friday and Saturday with rain forecast over the two days with up to 30mm of rain for each day. I am no weather man but I reckon that the chance of any good rain falling is about as likely as Malcolm Turnbull retaining the Prime Minister’s office of Australia.

The rail is in the true position for the entire course.

With the equivocal weather forecast I have done a brief review of the nine-race program. These Saturday races are starting to get large fields. I am sure they are great for owners, trainers and jockeys but the form and the quality of the races seems to be deteriorating in recent weeks.

With the good racing in Sydney now and then the transition to Melbourne my attention will be heading down there for some bets over the coming weeks!

It was great to hear Josh Fleming back on the air last weekend calling races from the Gold Coast. It was even better that I gave him a touch up in our weekly tipping competition! This weekend with him having a home track advantage the battle should be entertaining!

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

Tough race to open the program with many chances over the 1000 metres.

I think the Toby Edmonds trained From Within (7) will be hard to beat. She is second up here for the stable and I thought she was a little unlucky first up at Doomben.

Tony Gollan has Il Riccio (10) resuming here. This gelding is lightly raced and always races well fresh. He won a recent trail in good fashion at Doomben and looks primed to be competitive on a track where he has won previously.

Navy (13), owned by Aquis Farm and trained by Steven O’Dea, has been racing well. He has drawn the 1 barrier and will race nicely in behind the speed.

Do not underrate the chances of Hi Fever (14) from the Brian Wakefield stables who has won his past two starts. He is a large price and may fill a place.

Bill Healey has his first runner in his own name – I Am Venus (16). This mare has always had some serious ability. She just must put it all together on the day. If the real I Am Venus turns up she will destroy this field. I see that Jimmy Orman has the ride again. He knows her very well having ridden her in most of her career starts.

Selections: 10-7-13-16 rough chance 14

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Race 2

I like the chances of the Kris Lees Racing invader from Newcastle – Tawfiq Boy (4). He resumed at Doomben a fortnight ago and he looked like he needed the run for mine. I think that run would have topped him off nicely for this race and he will be a great chance. A rider change for this run with Ryan Maloney jumping aboard.

The stable mate is Miss Wonderland (13) who has her first run in Queensland. I expect here to appreciate the large wide track here at the Sunshine Coast and she will be ridden to perfection by Michael Cahill.

Toby Edmonds has another live chance here in Linlithgow (12) who is looking for a hat trick of wins. He normally likes to lead and set the tempo out in front. I think from barrier 15 he may face a stiff task, however, Jeff Lloyd has elected to ride this runner over Tawfiq Boy (4) who he rode last start.

Yeahnah (16) is a Liam Birchley runner. This four-year-old mare has been working through her classes quite well. All her career wins and placings have been at this track. Horses who perform well here can usually step up and perform well despite rising in class. She is around the $31 mark and I think represents great each way value.

Selections: 4-12-13-16 rough chance 10

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Race 3

Take your pick here – this is a lottery! A few first starters, a few that have won on debut and are looking for a second win and then others that have resumed and are looking for some improvement!

A race I am not keen on!

I think that the Robert Heathcote trained Pinch Memory (1) looked fatter than me when he resumed a fortnight ago at Doomben. That run should see him strip fitter and ready for a improved performance on his first up run at Doomben. Second up we may see him run a better race and he does have some reasonable form on the board from his first preparation.

The locally trained Hold The Line (8) is looking to validate her first up win here on 1 August with another win at a Saturday meeting. Since then she has had a nice trial where she performed well. Jeff Lloyd remains in the saddle and she is the early market favourite and there has been some support for her since the markets went up.

Full Nelson (4) won on debut at Doomben and looks a nice gelding. He is trained by Brian Smith and Scott Galloway is looking for two consecutive wins on this gelding. When he rides in town on a Saturday meeting he usually does get a result – so watch out!

Zephyr Cruiser (11) came from the rear of the field on debut here. The Tony Sears trained Jet Spur gelding may just be the one to beat here at some crazy odds of $25. With “Long Priced Winner” Ronnie Stewart in the saddle he ticks a few boxes for me – stepping up to 1200 metres after the debut run over 1000 metres.

I am going for an upset – Ronnie Stewart and Tony Sears to land a winner!

Selections: 11-8-1-4

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Race 4

The staying race for the day.

Endless Days (10) was impressive last start at Doomben over the 2200 metres. The Peter & Will Hulbert trained gelding steps up in grade but goes down in weight. I love it when he gets down in weight as he normally goes well. Matthew McGillivray is aboard again – he has ridden him to three of his 6 career starts. I think with some speed in the race he is a great chance.

Aiden Nunn from Tasmania is obviously up in Queensland enjoying the warmer weather! His stayer Brilliant Jet (4) has won two races in a row and steps out here at the Sunshine Coast for the first time. I think that he is well placed in this grade and will be competitive.

Ingeegoodbe (5) from the Heathcote stables won after leading last start at Doomben. He steps up to 2200 metres this weekend. He has a terrible record on the track with 9 starts for only 2 placings. I am not sure whether the track is a bogey for this runner but he did perform well last start and must be considered.

The Gold Coast based Chris Waller team has a few runners engaged in this race. I think the best of them are Tumultuous (3) and Exoteric (8).

Tumultuous (3) was flashing home last start at Doomben in the race won by Ingeegoodbe (5). I think the extra 200 metres will benefit him. He was well backed on that occasion and started favourite – maybe he will turn the tables here?

Exoteric (8) is third up from a small break. He was very competitive when beaten in the race won by Brilliant Jet (4) and then Waller took him to Sydney just a week later to run over 2400 metres at Randwick. He was solid in that run. He has had 3 weeks off now and, in this grade, I think could pull their pants down! Jim Byrne who rides this track well is in the saddle.

Selections: 10-8-4-5 rough chance 3

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Race 5

An open sprint over 1000 metres greet us here.

I like the chances of the two Ben Currie runners here – Publishing Power (8) and Saipan (7).

Publishing Power (8) has won here previously and I think his best performances are over 1000 metres. He has been running over 1200 metres in his last few starts and I think coming back to the shorter distance will suit him.

Saipan (7) is a prolific winner over shorter distances around the 800 metres / 900 metres mark and has had 11 career wins from 34 starts – I cannot overlook this. He has been carrying some massive weights in the country meetings and drops to 54 kilograms for the run here. I think I will see Jimmy Orman out doing some running around the local streets this week to ensure he makes the weight! Maybe stop by mate and pick up Buster and take him with you for a run – he will keep you honest!

Guard of Honour (1), trained by Kris Lees, did win the 2018 Bat Out of Hell at the Gold Coast. He always races well fresh (5 starts first up for 3 wins). He has had a recent nice trial at Gosford 3 weeks ago. I believe he has settled in well at the Gold Coast and probably deserves to be favourite – but at $1.90 this is too short for me! In saying that this track will suit his racing style as he like to jump, settle and then fly home late. Can they reel them in with 59 kilograms on his back?

Bonsho (9) normally can cause an upset at a big price and does love the 1000 metres (5 wins and 3 placings in 13 starts). Do not leave him out of your exotics!

Selections: 8-7-1-9 rough chance 4

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Race 6

I am struggling to separate the Matthew Dunn trained Divine Unicorn (1) and the Steve Tregea trained Bergerac (6) here in this race.

Bergerac (6) has been running around in Sydney in his past two starts. He had a win at Randwick over 1400 metres with apprentice Michael Murphy in the saddle. Then he ran a wonderful race when beaten under a length over 1500 metres. He has had a fortnight off since that run and the new apprentice taking Brisbane by storm Clayton Gallagher (his boss is Matthew Dunn – ironically) has the ride here meaning that he will carry around 51.5 kilograms. This could be the difference between the two runners with a 7.5-kilogram swing in the weights!

Divine Unicorn (1) is a class runner. He always performs well fresh and Jim Byrne is in the saddle for the first up effort. He went around in a trial on 7 August where he was not over extended and was under a good hold going to the line. He is fit. He is ready. He will be competitive!

Sabkhat (2) has been racing in career best form and has strung two wins together in recent starts. Jag Guthmann-Chester takes over from the suspended Jackson Murphy for this start. He will be in the lead for a long way.

Selections: 6-1-2-9

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Race 7

Shesees Everything (12), trained by Tony Gollan, has been in wonderful form of late and has been running in some higher-class races. This track will suit her style of racing as she likes to get back midfield and make a run at them. The last start win at Doomben two weeks ago was sensational. Matthew McGillivray and Tony Gollan were very excited in the winners’ stalls after the race. I think she is a great bet on this program.

John Shelton from Grafton has Lucky Meteor (3) in the race with Jag Guthmann-Chester aboard. He does have some good form at this track and, despite being an eight-year-old, I think that he will be in the finish.

Mishani Sleuth (9) was outstanding last weekend at the Gold Coast. He raced handy and put them to the sword in the straight with Clayton Gallagher aboard. He goes up in class and down in weight and looks like a genuine contender here. If the pundits are correct that this runner is a chance of being considered for the NSW Racing Kosciusko Feature race in a few months he should destroy this field!

Tversky (10) is trained here and loves the track. He resumed with a dominant win at Doomben three weeks ago with Dale Smith in the saddle. I am thinking that he will be competitive here again – but second up may be the only thing that worries me here.

Selections: 12-9-10-3 rough chance 13

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Race 8

Pressway (5) was a certainty beaten last start at Doomben over 1350 metres. He stormed home late to just run out of ground in the final stages. Back to a mile this weekend (he is undefeated over a mile in two starts) he will be ready to win this race! Jag Guthmann-Chester takes over this weekend – his claim makes this runner’s chances look very attractive!

Prioritise (6) comes back to Queensland after a few runs in Sydney where he raced without much luck. I never can catch this runner but he looks well placed by trainer Steve Tregea this weekend. Larry Cassidy is in the saddle. He has never won over a mile - that is my only concern - however, he does have a good record at this track.

Natural Black (9) returned to win on Ekka Race day at Doomben. On that occasion he was ridden a treat by Ronnie Stewart. With some pace in this race I think that he gets some race conditions to suit here.

The other Liam Birchley runner is Desert General (7) who had no luck last start at Doomben a month ago. Forget that run and go on his form here at the track and over a mile where he has won previously. His form at the Sunshine Coast is 5 starts – 3 wins – 1 second. That places him under notice here in this race. I think with Brad Stewart aboard he will probably be ridden midfield and allowed to make a run at them out wide on the crest of the track.

Landmarks (4) will be the leader in this race. He steps up to a mile where he has not tasted success in his 19-career race start. Tegan Harrison has been booked by Scott Cumming to ride the gelding. We all know how she likes to ride winners out in front with dominant performances.

Selections: 5-7-6-9 rough chance 4

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Race 9

They know how to make sure we will struggle each week in the last race on the program – this week there are 24 nominations for the race!

Steven O’Dea has a few runners here. I think that the best of them must be Makes You Think (21) and Francisca (17) who both will be in the finish here.

Makes You Think (21) gave a solid performance when narrowly beaten at Doomben last start by Courtza King. He was working home nicely over the 1350 metres and the extra distance this weekend should assist him in being in the finish.

Francisca (17) won last start at Doomben. She likes to settle off them and come home late. She has drawn terribly in barrier 23 – maybe they will scratch her? If she runs she will be in the finish as this track will assist her to drop out and come home late. O’Dea may quinella the race if he gets any luck!

Chris Anderson must be asking the barrier gods for some help! Romney’s Choice (15) has drawn barrier 24 and I would strongly suggest that you overlook the run last start at Doomben – she had no luck! She likes to get back and run home. She was not afforded that opportunity last start at Doomben and was held up in the straight at a vital stage. I see that Anderson has put Jim Byrne on her for this run. He has developed a habit of winning the last race at the Sunshine Coast in recent months! $21 each way as well – some value here if you want to follow me in! I remember the dominant win over 1400 metres at the Grafton Carnival. This track will give her every chance this weekend!

Dapper One (14), from the Les Ross team, loves this track and always seems to pop up when he goes around here. At $31 this price is the right price for this one to show up and create havoc in the last leg of the Quaddies and Trebles!

Hingus Rose (10) is trained on the track by Stuart Kendrick and does race well on her home track. Last start she was leading and looked like the winner at Doomben, however, was run down in the shadow of the winning post by Francisca (17). Apprentice Stephanie Lacy remains aboard the mare and her 3 kilogram claim brings her into this race nicely!

Selections: 21-17-15-10 rough chances 9 & 14

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Jockey Challenge

Matty McGillivray looks to have some nice rides here this weekend. The others that may show up are Brad Stewart, Ryan Maloney and Jeff Lloyd. An open field – I will stay with Matty this weekend!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

4,12,13,16 / 1,4,8,11 / 4,5,8,10 / 1,7,8,9 - cost is $256 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,6 / 9,10,12 / 5,6,7 / 10,14,15,17,21 - cost is $135 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,6 / 9,12 / 5,7 / 10,15,17,21 - cost is $32 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

9,10,12 / 5,6,7 / 10,14,15,17,21 - cost is $45 to $1

Winno's Whispers (Rosehill):

R1 - Madame Markievicz (12)
R3 - Highway Sixtysix (8) from Risk and Reward (12)
R4 - Sangler (13)
R5 - Jonker (3) from Ringerdingding (9)
R6 - Toulouse (2) from Outrageous (1)
R7 - Avilius (9) from Emperor's Way (3)
R8 - Renewal (13) from 9,10,8,3
R9 - Paret (3)

Good luck and good punting!

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