WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, OCTOBER 13, 2018

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, October 11, 2018

We are back at Doomben this weekend – three weeks in a row!

The track is rated “SOFT” (on Thursday) – but with inclement weather scheduled for the coming days and the weekend I would expect the track to get into the “HEAVY” range for the meeting. So, I have done the form for an extra wet surface. The rail is out 0.5 metres out this weekend.

The focus on racing is on Sydney and Melbourne this weekend with the running of The Everest – and The Kosciusko at Randwick and Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield.

I suppose I cannot get away with saying nothing about the Opera House debacle. Was it wonderful to watch – yes. Would you do it again? Probably not.

I managed to look at the Warwick Farm meeting on Wednesday. I have always been a supporter of James “Jay Mac” McDonald – I thought his suspension was excessive as well. However, it is wonderful to see him back riding in dominating form. With only six rides allocated he rode five winners! A pretty good effort!

In local news – Steve O’Dea snuck a few runners into Sydney last weekend and came away with a winning double for his team. Rob Heathcote has started the season with a winning BANG – with winning trebles at the last two Doomben meetings – will his success continue this weekend?

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

A two-year-old race!

The Tony Gollan trained Niedorp (10) was scratched last weekend when she drew wide. She was impressive in her trail win and she is a $2 chance for her debut on a heavy track.

The two Matthew Dunn runners - Cubix (3) and Ready to Party (5) - have both had a couple of trials and have performed well on soft tracks. At the odds-on offer of $10 for Cubix (3) and with the claim for Clayton Gallagher I am prepared to gamble on this runner to run a race.

Ready to Party (5) won his recent trial and Mark Du Plessis has been booked to ride the colt.

I think this is a nice trifecta to start the day – just box them up 3-5 & 10.

Selections: 10-3-5-8 rough chance 9

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Race 2

A small field for the distance runners. Go grab some lunch for mine!

Rob Heathcote trains Zofonic Dancer (5) who won the last race last weekend on a heavy track. This is his first go at 2200 metres but the way he races he gives me the impression that the distance will not be a problem.

Impravido (6) trained by Bjorn Baker is on a quick back up as well. He raced last weekend and could not run down the eventual winner Monaco Snob when forced to carry 60.5 kilograms.

I thought the weight last weekend was the difference between winning and defeat. Despite going up in grade I think that he may just be able to get away with this race. There is a jockey change this weekend with Jim Byrne taking over.

Exoteric (3) won the Port Macquarie Cup last Friday. He has performed well on slow tracks and does like this distance.

Meterologist (7) swims – despite being an eight-year-old – and loves heavy tracks. This Marcus Wilson runner from the Gold Coast may turn up and knock them all out if the track is heavy.

Selections: 6-5-3-7

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Race 3

Another tough race over a mile.

Jaminzah (2) resumed and ran a bottler of a race for his debut in Queensland. I think that after that run he will be better placed this weekend. Michael McNab takes the ride and despite this horse’s tendency to get back in the field and come home I think he will be suited as there appears to be some speed in the race.

Heathcote has a genuine chance in Old Habits (6) who is proven on wet tracks. Look for this runner to race a little handier this weekend behind the likely leader Bel Burgess (5). I think that he performs best when ridden just in behind the speed. He also has a great record at the mile with 2 wins and 2 placings.

Balius (10) went around a fortnight ago for trainer Brad Witt. He raced over 2020 metres and I think they may have learnt that this Lonhro gelding does not stay. He drops back to the mile this weekend and I think will probably be ridden close to the speed by Tegan Harrison. He may just be a knock out chance at around $21.

Selections: 2-6-10-9 rough chance 3

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Race 4

Cool Drafts (10) from the Ben Currie stables was flying home last start when beaten by Blue Seattle. The run may have been accentuated by the fact that Blue Seattle was all out and stopping over the 1050 metres, however, the run looked solid. She gets in the race on the minimum this weekend and has a claim for Taylor Marshall. There is $16 on offer in the early markets and maybe there is some value to be found here.

Dream Kisses (6) I think did not appreciate the 1400 metres last start. Tony Gollan has dropped her back to 1200 metres for this run and she has placed on four occasions on a heavy track and won on a slow surface. Maybe the key here is coming back to a distance where she has performed admirably. Jim Byrne takes the ride.

Tawfiq Boy (4) has won two starts before putting in a poor performance last start. He drops back in grade this weekend and Jeff Lloyd retains the mount. Maybe he will not get caught so wide this weekend and prove competitive.

Les Ross has Sister Patti (5) in the race. She loves heavy tracks – she may show up at odds here. The Ross stables have been in great form in recent months.

Selections: 6-10-2-5

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Race 5

I think the race is between the top two in the field here.

Tversky (1) has won his last four starts for Sunshine Coast trainer Gary Duncan with Dale Smith aboard. A pretty impressive record I must say and Dale has got a great relationship with this Written Tycoon gelding.

Despite drawing in barrier 10 and normally liking to lead he may have to take a sit this weekend with some other speedsters engaged in the race. However, if he does get out in front and dictates the tempo of the race it could be all over! Can he win 5 from 5 – we will see on Saturday!

Hi I’m Back (2) resumed at the Sunshine Coast with a good run. He looked like he will take some benefit from that hit out and steps up to 1200 metres this weekend where he has performed well previously. Another good chance for the Tony Gollan and Jim Byrne team – they could have a big day if they get any luck!

Ben Currie trains Isis Magic (4) who runs well on rain affected tracks. She won at Toowoomba three weeks ago and makes her debut in the city. Apprentice Michael Murphy who has ridden winners every weekend in the past few weeks rides the mare. She too likes to lead and push forward and has drawn ideally in barrier 2 to jump out and lead this field. Murphy does ride them well in front.

Selections: 1-2-4-7

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Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie – it is as open as the Sydney Heads! You may have to play wide here to ensure you are alive going into the last few legs.

There has been some early support for the Steven O’Dea trained Too Hot To Hold (15) firming from $17 to $11 in the early markets. She is still a maiden looking for her first career win – drawn nicely – but can she win this?

Matthew Dunn Racing trains Thunderous Strike (3) who won over 1350 metres at Ipswich before stepping up to a mile last start at Doomben when defeated by Baccarat Baby. I think that this gelding did not get the mile and, dropping back in distance, will be better suited here. He has run well on wet tracks in trials so do not let the fact that he has had no race starts on wet tracks worry you.

Les Ross trains Miss Sara (6) who resumes this weekend after a very solid Brisbane Winter Carnival. She has raced well on wet tracks in the past and a good lead here maybe the fact that Jeff Lloyd has been booked for the ride.

Staying Black (7) is having his fifth career start. Last start at the Sunshine Coast he won well on a soft track in pretty good time. He has been brought to the city by Stuart Kendrick to see if he can shape up. Damian Browne has been booked for the ride. This engagement has got my attention!

Say I Cee You (8) won last start for the Liam Birchley team at Sunshine Coast on a heavy track – that was his maiden win and Dale Smith is in the saddle.

There is a roughie here – Willo Titto (11) trained by David Vandyke at the Sunshine Coast. This Pierro filly is nicely bred and could be one to take note of. She is third up here this weekend. She has previously won in dominant fashion on a heavy track at the Gold Coast and scooted along in reasonable time. Clayton Gallagher claims 3 kilograms off her so she gets in with a light weight, however, barrier 15 may be an issue.

Selections: 7-3-11-8 rough chance 6

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Race 7

Another open field.

Red Colour (13) loves damp tracks. Les Ross trains this mare and she another nice ride for Dale Smith. Last start she was ridden back – not sure what was going on. I think she is better placed when ridden forward in a prominent position.

Bryan and Daniel Guy keep whacking away with Sweet Adrenalin (12) who goes well over this trip and on wet tracks. This will be the first time in a while she gets a look at a wet track. Look for a dramatic improvement in her performance.

Madam Shazam (4) is a Toby Edmonds runner who has won her last four starts. She has a large weight however has apprentice Corey Bayliss - recently returning from a suspension - has been booked to ride. His 3-kilogram claim will help this mare and she will be competitive.

Straight Home (6) is trained on the Gold Coast by David Joice and is to be partnered by apprentice Jackson Murphy. He has a tremendous record on this gelding with three rides for 2 wins and a placing aboard him.

He is second up this weekend to a more suitable distance and I keep going back to the 2018 Grafton Cup Prelude run where he was beaten narrowly in the shadows of the post. I really think he is a nice type and could shape up here this weekend.

Selections: 6-4-12-13

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Race 8

This race is open as well – I may just take the field in all four legs of the Quaddie and hope for some roughies to get into the winner’s stalls!

Acqume (11) is all the rage in this race at $2. I think despite her Sydney form and previous runs she looks well in here for her debut run in Queensland for the Tony Edmonds stable. She is owned by Aquis Farm and has been working well with two trials under her belt.

She generally is ridden mid field and makes a run over the final 200 metres. I am just not too sure that $2 is a reasonable price! So, I am going to give her the WINNO thumbs down – you know that Toby Edmonds is probably cheering now and she will come out and win by 4 lengths!

I am going to tip the Rob Heathcote trained Femme Fireball (5) to win the race. She was up in class but she acquitted herself well in the Brisbane Winter Carnival. She appears to have come back well from a spell with two wins in recent trials at Doomben. Now she has not won first up before – but I think that she may change that statistic this weekend!

Scorcha (7) from the Tony Gollan team was good first up. She loves heavy tracks and has a good second up record. She has drawn wide in barrier 12 – however, I am certain that Matthew McGillivray will drive her forward and get her placed handy in the running when the starter opens the gates.

Doctor On Ice (9) resumes from a spell for the Matthew Dunn Racing team. He goes well fresh and will handle a wet surface.

The runner that has an interesting history is Toga Picta (10) for trainer Diane Murphy. He is a nice Lonhro ,4-year-old, lightly raced gelding who debuts for the new stable. I was taken by the recent trail win at Doomben where he won well with Justin Stanley aboard. Justin is a very under rated jockey – watch our punters he may just pull their pants down this weekend in this race! He is good odds as well at $16.

Selections: 5-11-10-7 - rough chance 9

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Race 9

The last race of the day – I hope you are in front as it is another lottery! Also, he race has already been decimated by early scratchings!

I have been riding the wave of Stella Victoria (11) from the Heathcote team since she won in town a month ago. She aims up this weekend looking to win four in a row – I think she can do it. She has no form of any note on wet tracks that may be the only hinderance to her chances but I think she is a classy mare who may just get away with this race with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle.

The knock out chance is the Chris Munce trained Saint Patricks Day (10) who is second up this weekend. He likes damp tracks and I think at $7 she is good each way value.

Impasse (13), from the Chris Waller stables on the Gold Coast, won last start at the Sunshine Coast. He has drawn wide in barrier 17 – however, if the track chops up he may be best served by being drawn so wide!

The old war horse Courtza King (2) from the Gollan Racing yards will race on the speed and will be prominent. His form of late has been solid and if he gets his own way in front with Clayton Gallagher aboard he may be too hard to run down. He is perfectly drawn in barrier 2 to bounce out and take up a forward position.

Selections: 11-10-13-2 rough chance 7

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Jockey Challenge

My tip is for Jim Byrne to take out the challenge this week.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

5,6 / 2,6,10 / 2,6,10 / 1,2,4 - cost is $54 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,7,8,11 / 4,6,12,13 / 5,7,10,11 / 2,10,11,13 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,7 / 4,6 / 5,10,11 / 10,11- cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,6,12,13 / 5,7,10,11 / 2,10,11,13 - cost is $64 to $1

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WINNO v FLEMO

Flemo towelled me up last weekend – he always seems to jag a win on heavy tracks! This weekend I will be looking to get back on the board and hand him a drubbing. Be sure to check out our updated tips on Facebook on Saturday morning!

Good luck and good punting!

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