WINNO'S WINNERS: TOOWOOMBA, APRIL 6
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 4, 2019
This weekend we pack our saddles and bags and drive up the hill and far west to the city of TOOWOOMBA!
The track is rated “SOFT” (Thursday morning) and the rail will in the true position for the course this weekend. There is some rain forecast for later in the week – but I do not think that this will affect the track. In fact, let’s hope the rain stays away and we race on a decent track.
I have received lots of messages over the last few days about Monday – yes, I know April Fool’s Day.
I thought I would create some havoc and have some fun by telling people I had broken my wrist – even had an x-ray and all. It was all innocent fun – but some people took it seriously.
Firstly, thanks to all the lovely well wishes and the messages of get better soon – and special mention to those who were witty and charming – and even the ones who figured it out!
So – WINNO apologises for hoodwinking around 200 friends and family – I am sorry – YOU ARE SUCKERS!
Special mention to HRO Editor-In-Chief Graham Potter who did not get caught in the trap – and special mention to my best mate – the best administrator in country racing – the CEO of the Clarence River Jockey Club Mike Beattie who I deceived, and I have now been warned off the Grafton track!
Some small mercies for bookmakers Con Searle and Tony Carlton who will be rubbing their hands that I won’t allowed on track to claim them again with their feature doubles!
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In other news this week apprentice Jackson Murphy is on the comeback from a recent injury. The 2018/19 Metropolitan Apprentice title is about to warm up even further. Jag Guthmann-Chester has put a gap in the opposition in recent weeks with some superb riding going to a six-win lead over Baylee Nothdurft and with eight wins in front of Jackson Murphy.
Next weekend I am planning a surprise trip away – maybe an exclusive – something that I have never done!
Stay tuned if the stars and planets align it could be a unique experience and a great Saturday! I may need to head to the Shaver Shop midweek if this comes off – just to ensure things are kosher on the morning! That is all I am saying for now.
There is a real chance that Ben Currie could dominate on his home track this weekend. He has some serious chances and has launched an all-out assault on his home town feature race program 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
Gem Of Scotland (2) is undefeated in both of her career starts and is trained on the track by Rex Lipp. Her latest win at the Gold Coast over 900 metres was very impressive in a slick time as well. She has drawn nicely in barrier 4 and Jimmy Orman takes the ride this week.
Devils Marbles (1) is another locally trained runner – this time by Michael Nolan. This runner was a nice winner in early January midweek at Doomben and then has been turned out for a spell. Jag Guthmann-Chester is looking to stretch his lead in the Metro Apprentices title when he partners with this runner this weekend.
Magic Palace (8) is trained by Kris Lees and this Spirit of Boom filly won on debut at Coffs Harbour over 1000 metres. She settled off the speed and surged away in the straight to win convincingly. This weekend Jeff Lloyd has been booked to ride her and she has drawn well in barrier 7.
Quart Pot (9), trained by Donald “Ducky” Baker, was scratched last weekend to be saved for this race. I thought last weekend she was a reasonable chance at odds after her dynamic win on debut at the Moonee Valley of The North – Kilcoy Race track - on debut. On that occasion she jumped out cleanly from the barriers and led the entire way to give nothing else a chance. Bubba Tilley takes the ride here.
I must make mention of the unraced Ben Currie runner here – Howwonderfullifeis (11) who is having her first run here. She is a Your Song filly with no barrier trial form to find – they opened her at $9 on Wednesday and she has been backed sensationally into $4.60. She has drawn in barrier 11 and will need some luck from out there – however, Baylee Nothdurft has been booked to ride her and he knows this track like the back of his hand.
There are a few first starters here with some good trial form – I would strongly suggest that you watch the markets on the morning to see if they come for any of these with any confidence.
Selections: 2-8-1-9 rough chances 10 & 11
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Race 2
Light Up The Room (4) resumes here from a spell for Gollan Racing. She raced in some good company last preparation without much luck, however she is undefeated first up from a spell – two from two wins. I think despite her soft trial last week at Doomben she should strip fitter and be ready to show something here first up.
Splitter (2) is the other Tony Gollan runner who I think maybe was the victim of the “second up blues” at Eagle Farm. She has had a month between runs and I think she will be better for that run.
Ben Currie has a couple of runners here. The topweight is Crusher (1) who has won her past three starts and despite the massive 62 kilograms allotted should be very competitive again. She loves her home track where she has raced five times for 4 wins and 1 second placing. Corey Bayliss remains on her this weekend after steering her to victory here midweek on 27 March on a heavy track.
Currie’s other runner is Bequeathed (3) who won last start at Warwick. Another interesting statistic is that this runner is undefeated on her home track with three wins from three starts. This runner has been the medium of some massive support opening in some markets at $20 and being smashed into $6.50. She is coming back in distance from 1500 metres to 1300 metres – but the support suggests that she will be very competitive from a nice barrier.
Frangipani Moon (13) is an emergency that still needs to make the field. However, if she does get a run (and I hope she does) be warned she may be the one to win this race. She is trained at the Sunshine Coast by David Vandyke and her performance first up at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago was full of merit when she resumed over 1000 metres - I thought that it was a great run over what I think was an unsuitable distance. Stepping up this week to 1300 metres and drawn nicely I have a healthy respect for this runner- do not overlook this one.
Selections: 4-1-13-2 rough chances 3 & 7
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Race 3
Another emergency is my top selection here – Want To Bolt (13) who will be ridden by Jeff Lloyd. He has won his past four starts and three of his wins have been here (he is undefeated at his home track). He has wonderful form on soft tracks as well winning on both soft and heavy surfaces. He is Ben Currie trained as well – Currie may well have a big day at his home track. (I note that Currie was again granted a stay in proceedings earlier in the week with his battle with the QRIC. Surely it is in the best interests of racing in Queensland and for the general integrity of the sport that finalisation is now brought to this saga that has dragged on now for 12 months).
Ben’s other runner is Greywolf (7) who has Corey Bayliss to ride. Last weekend he stormed home over 1200 metres at Doomben from midfield to be beaten by just 1.4 lengths with Corey on board. The quick back up suggests to me that he must have done well this week in the stables and will be competitive here again. Unlike some of the other more fancied runners he has drawn well in barrier 3.
Pressway (12) ran last weekend and went well in a Class 6 race and is another on a short back up. Interestingly, she has one career win here at the track. She is down in class this weekend and maybe this will enhance her chances.
Her stable mate is Tabbing (3) who ran two weeks ago and was beaten by the stable mate Cool Sequence at Eagle Farm. She has the chance to break through this weekend for a win if she gets any luck.
Beacon (4) is an Edmonds Racing runner who has been granted the Toby Edmonds barrier luck draw getting allocated barrier 16 (the barrier gods do love this stable). Despite the wide barrier he was very impressive winning here midweek at his first look at the Toowoomba track nearly two weeks ago – when it was rated heavy. He is only at his fourth run into his preparation and after that win looks like his confidence will be boosted and should find a place here on Saturday.
Selections: 13-3-4-7 rough chance 12
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Race 4
Why not be consistent and keep the theme going. Usmanov (17), yet another emergency, is my top selection and who with some early scratchings in this massive field is a confirmed starter! This is another runner from the Gold Coast stables of Toby Edmonds – however, he has drawn well in barrier 7 and Jag Guthmann-Chester has another nice ride here. He was sent out favourite last start at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago and was defeated by Rock Beat by just under 2 lengths. He seemed to be just warming up as he made his run over the 1000 metres in that return from a spell. This weekend he steps up to 1200 metres and I think we will see this Choisir colt be thereabouts in the finish.
Another emergency that could make his presence felt if he jags a run here is Trooper Kelly (19) who resumes here for Ben Currie. He has drawn the rails and looked forward in his recent barrier trial on 21 March when he ran second. He will be at tremendous odds as well – but the question is will he make the field?
Burning Crown (13) is a Sue Grills trained gelding from Tamworth. Sue is a wonderful trainer and this runner was sent out favourite in a Highway Handicap a Rosehill when resuming on a soft track and was not disgraced. He then was sent out an odds-on favourite as well at his home track. I watched the run and to be fair he was the victim of circumstances and could not catch the tearaway leaders despite making up some solid ground over the final stages with a large weight. She will have this runner at his best for this run here. I just hope she has a good GPS so she can find her way to Toowoomba and home again!
Spirits’ Choice (3) was a massive run a fortnight ago at Eagle Farm when he took on Mishani Hustler (Race 8 – number 8) in a battle in the straight to be only beaten 0.2 lengths. The run was enormous and to be honest probably is the best form line going into this race – however, he has drawn barrier 17 here and will need some luck to speed across and take up a forward position from out there. Jimmy Orman as an apprentice ruled this Toowoomba track and he will be hoping he jumps cleanly and can take up a forward position this weekend without using up much energy.
Defence Missile (2) just seems to be struggling presently – but he is a horse that could show up.
Champagne Daisy (9) resumes here for the David Vandyke stables and has trialled well recently. Ryan Wiggins who landed a double last weekend takes the ride here.
This is an open race – some good value here if you can find the winner.
Selections: 17-3-13-19 rough chances 2 & 9
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Race 5 Toowoomba Guineas
The Toowoomba Guineas – the first of our feature races on the program. Resident caller Anthony Collins will have some phrase ready for the start of this race – over to you Collins.
I know that Barefoot (5) from the local Tony Sears stables has been set for victory in her home town Guineas and I have much respect for this runner who will be ridden by Mark Du Plessis. She resumed from a two-month let up at Eagle Farm over 1200 metres and worked home nicely. She has performed on wet tracks well in the past and will be in the markets here this weekend.
I like Rosendahl Red (6) at $34 who has a great record at the track and has won twice over the mile. She has had two starts from a let up – ironically, she was beaten at the Gold Coast on 5 January by Barefoot (5). I just think from the nice barrier, with some genuine speed in the race, that this runner will be suited and should be able to sprint late at the end of the mile. That is not saying that he won’t have to be good to beat the local favourite as he will be finishing at a rate of knots as well.
Proud Roc (4) is Rosendahl Red’s stablemate – both are trained by Matt Kropp. He is $51 – this could be a rough result in the Guineas! This runner is having his third career start and broke his maiden last start here over 1300 metres. He looks like he will get a mile, has drawn well in barrier 2 and will be given the run of the race by Jimmy Orman. It could be a unique quinella for the Matt Kropp stable!
Zoucara (7) is from Munce Racing team and will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins again this weekend. He was dynamic over 1300 metres two starts ago at Eagle Farm and on paper looked disappointing last start at the same track over 1400 metres. I think that he did not get much luck in the run and he let down and finished off nicely enough in that race to suggest that the mile here this weekend is going to be beneficial.
Countess De Galvez (10) is another Ben Currie runner. This runner like the others on the program has been dramatically supported from $12 into $4.60 and will have the services of Josh Oliver. Again, he has a solid record at his home track and has won here over the distance and must be respected.
Selections: 6-5-7-4 rough chance 10
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Race 6
Francisca (12) from the Steven O’Dea stables has been very consistent and looks well placed here. Her form has been consistent and the run a fortnight ago at Eagle Farm was solid enough to suggest that she will be competitive here.
Namib (15) is another runner from the Currie stable that has won her past two starts here on her home track. She is the third emergency and needs to make the field but at $10 looks great each way value.
Veladero (1) is from Chris Waller stables and has had three Queensland runs now. He has solid wet weather form and will be competitive.
Ruby Guru (9) from the Michael Nolan stables could show up here as well. She is starting to show her best form now as she has had a small break after resuming from a spell.
Ponytales (10) has proven form over the mile and was disappointing last start at Eagle Farm. She goes down in the weights this weekend and has Larry Cassidy aboard and should be able to improve on that effort.
The locally trained Money Talk (13) has won his past three starts and has won here previously over the mile. He is trained by Paul Nolan and has drawn wide – but could be a rough hope.
Selections: 12-15-1-9 rough chances 10 and 13
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Race 7 – 2019 TOOWOOMBA CUP
Mishani Vaidra (4) is Ben Currie’s best chance in my opinion to win another Toowoomba Cup. Her run at the Gold Coast on Jewel Day on the heavy surface was sensational and she came from an impossible position to get home and win in the shadows of the post. Josh Oliver partners her again this weekend.
The Lord Mayor (5) is a Chris Waller runner who is having his second start in Queensland after coming from Sydney. He was very good in his first up effort at Eagle Farm over 1500 metres and has had 4 starts for 2 wins and a placing over 2000 metres. Brad Stewart has been booked to ride the gelding and I think he will be competitive as he can race on the speed and has a great sprint that will prove beneficial at this Toowoomba track.
Vaucluse Bay (9) goes best on soft tracks. I don’t think he is a fan of heavy tracks. His best efforts are when he is placed near the front in his races and can get a nice cart into the race. He looks like he will get those conditions this weekend and should be difficult to beat with any luck.
Kubis (8) from the Robert Heathcote stables has been racing in career best form with two powerful front running displays in his last two starts at Eagle Farm with massive weights. He may well drive out of the barriers this weekend and surge to the lead and attempt and all the way win. He drops in weight here this weekend and Dale Smith is taking the ride.
My roughie for the Cup must be the Kevin Kemp trained Fighting Teo (16) who is the second emergency and may well need some luck to crack making the field. However, if he does make the field and the track borders somewhere between the good and soft range he will be very competitive despite the poor barrier draw.
Selections: 4-5-8-9 rough chance 16
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Race 8 – 2019 TOOWOOMBA WEETWOOD
Mishani Hustler (8) is a surprise runner here in the Weetwood. Ben Currie has elected to run him in this race rather than against his own age. Taylor Marshall continues his wonderful association with this colt who has been ultra-consistent in his campaign.
Tyzone (3) resumed a fortnight ago at the Gold Coast and won well with a massive 59 kilograms. It is no secret that he is one of my favourite horses and I do like to tip him. He normally produces second up and has drawn well in barrier 3 and will give Jag Guthmann-Chester a chance to win a Weetwood!
Sexy Eyes (5) won the Belle of the Turf at my old stomping grounds at Gosford back in December and was sent for a spell after that impressive win. She had a recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm two weeks ago on a heavy surface which is not her go. I think it would be safe to forget the trial and go on her solid performances when she races fresh. I think that she gets in well at the weights, has drawn nicely in barrier 5 and Robbie Fradd throws his leg over her for the first time.
Mr Marbellouz (6) is looking to win another Toowoomba Weetwood for Kevin Kemp. He has always been set for this race and has a nice barrier draw. He drops in the weights from his last start defeat at the Gold Coast when Tyzone (3) beat him conclusively.
Malvern Estate (10) was beaten by Tyzone (3) as well last start. He was bred by the Nolan family in Toowoomba. Desleigh Forster trains the gelding and I suppose from a local perspective it would be a wonderful story for a locally bred and owned horse to salute in the Weetwood. Brad Stewart has the ride and seriously has an opportunity to ride the two feature race winners on this year’s program.
Some roughie to consider are Ben Currie – Apoloboom (11) who likes his home track and is down in the weights. Currie has another runner Publishing Power (18) who can also make his presence felt if he makes the field.
Scallopini (19) was unlucky last start protesting against his stable mate Cool Seequence when narrowly defeated at Eagle Farm – again will need some luck to make the final field.
This is another very open race – anything can happen.
Selections: 8-3-5-10 rough chances 6,11,18 and 19
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Race 9
This is a very tough race to finish the program – a Class 6 Plate over 1100 metres.
Capital Connection (4) is an up and coming runner who has taken all before him this preparation and deserves to be favourite in this field with his impressive successive wins at Eagle Farm. He will not be bothered by a soft track either. Jeff Lloyd is aboard again this weekend – he was replaced last start as he had a fall in an earlier race and Larry Cassidy rode the gelding. I am sure Jeff will be looking forward to getting back in the pig skin on this impressive runner.
Snitch (2) is second up here for Ben Currie. He always seems to struggle first up and then seems to excel and hit his straps when he is second up. This weekend he is drawn perfectly in barrier 4 and has the all-important claim for Jag Guthmann-Chester. He is certainly a genuine contender in this last race.
Cool Sequence (1) has hit his straps since the addition of blinkers. He has won his past two starts racing close to the lead and staving off the opposition both times. This weekend he has barrier 16 to contend with – herein lies the challenge.
Meet Mr Taylor (7) resumes for the Kelly Schweida stables here this weekend. His trial the other day looked average but he has trialled like this before and then come out and destroyed his opposition. Mark Du Plessis is aboard again here – he has been on this gelding five times for four wins. He may need to work from barrier 12 but do not discount this runner from your multiples.
Bring It Home Pop (11) looks like he has had a stable change and is now trained in Murwillumbah by Matthew Dunn Racing. He is massive odds at around $41 in some markets. He comes to hand quite quickly but he has been off the scene for a while. His recent barrier trial win at Murwillumbah, on the heavy track, looked solid. He may well need the run – but he has had some solid efforts in the past in Listed and Group racing.
Another Ben Currie runner is Eight Over (18) who is the fourth emergency and may not make the field. However, I must give this runner a solid push as he has resumed from a spell with three exciting wins leading on all occasions. He has drawn perfectly in barrier 2 and I think that if he gets a place in the field is a serious contender.
Selections: 4-2-7-11 rough chances 1 & 18
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Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
1,2,3,4,13 / 3,4,7,13 / 3,13,17,19 / 4,5,6,7,10 - cost is $400 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
13 / 13 / 13,17 / 5,6,7 - cost is $6 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,9,12,15 / 4,5,8,9 / 3,5,8,10 / 2,4,7,18 - cost is $256 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
12,15 / 4,5 / 3,5,8 / 2,4,7 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
4,5,8,9 / 3,5,8,10 / 2,4,7,18 - cost is $64 to $1
Jockeys Challenge
The last few weekends it has been a tough assignment. This week it is no different. I think on a tough day you can chose between Jag Guthmann-Chester and Jeff Lloyd.
FLEMO v WINNO
WINNO won last weekend – knocking off FLEMO! The Broncos lost as well – it was also a great weekend for my BULLDOGS winning. This weekend Josh is having a well-earned break and he has left his other QLD Maroons Muppet in charge of the tipping competition with WINNO – I am talking about Anthony Collins – the resident race caller at Toowoomba. To be fair he did give me a towelling over the 2018 Grafton Carnival in the tipping stakes – I am looking to seek revenge this weekend on his home turf! Remember to check out our last-minute tips and preview on Facebook on Saturday morning after the track and final scratchings have been sorted out!
Good luck and good punting
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