WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, APRIL 20, 2019
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 18, 2019
DOOMBEN RACES – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019
Doomben this weekend with the track rated “GOOD” and the rail out 3 metres for the entire course. The weather looks promising for the rest of the week so we should be racing on a surface that will be great for racing.
A brief mention of the mighty mare WINX last weekend – what an amazing effort and what an exciting day for the 42,000 plus racing fans who turned out to see history being made! Whilst I was enjoying the hospitality of the Kilcoy Race Club the action was at Randwick. However, l assumed, like in many places around Australia, the patrons looked on in silence in the early art of the race while watching the race live on TV – then she and Hugh Bowman made their move and BANG she was off in a twinkling of an eye. It was emotional at Kilcoy – cheers, thunderous clapping and some tears from the patrons. It was an amazing experience.
What a way for Chris Waller to post his 100th Group 1 winner – I did tip that in my blog last week as well!
Meanwhile on the local front there is a lot of scuttle-bug about many issues in Queensland Racing. Let’s just hope that there are resolutions to the alleged outstanding issues that plague the racing industry presently. Social media has been a buzz all week with what may or may not occur – I will just say nothing!
Finally – Happy Easter to everyone. Drive safe – drink and eats lots and have a great holiday 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
An early start to the day with an 11.32am start. I may just sip on a tea and a hot cross bun whilst these stayers go around here in the first race over 2200 metres. It is usually a lottery each week!
I thought that Mishani Vaidra (2) was a good thing in the Toowoomba Cup. She got too far back and stormed home – just luck did not go her way on that day. A smaller field this weekend. She probably will get back again but the claim for Baylee Nothdurft gets her in nicely at the weights.
I like another Toowoomba runner to really stick it to the pre post favourite here – Ruby Guru (8) who won impressively over 1625 metres at Toowoomba. She is trained by Michael Nolan and, despite rising sharply in distance, she has been successful in previous campaigns with this type of task. Ronnie Stewart is in the saddle this weekend. If the track stays dry, she is great value at $16 and will race handy on the speed and give Mishani Vaidra (2) something to try to run down.
David Vandyke trains Bargannon (6) who returned to the winner’s stalls at his home track at the Sunshine Coast last start over 1800 metres. He won well. He looks at this distance for the first time in his racing career but he gives me the impression that he will run it out! He has well backed since the markets opened firming from $13 to $6.
Selections: 2-8-6-1 rough chance 5
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Race 2
The two-year-old race.
Gem Of Scotland (6) has been racing in wonderful form – 3 wins from 3 starts – you cannot do better than that! This weekend she drawn in barrier 6 and Jimmy Orman remains aboard after partnering her in Toowoomba last start. I think that she will be very hard to beat again this weekend – but look out for the challengers listed below who will be looking to subject her to her first ever career defeat.
Howwonderfullifeis (10) is the Ben Currie runner who was on debut at Toowoomba when sensationally backed in the pre post markets. She jumped and led and was run down by Gem Of Scotland (6) late. This weekend she has drawn the rails and Jeff Lloyd goes aboard. Look for him to jump her cleanly out of the barrier and attempt to dominate the race from in front – maybe these could be winning tactics!
Perfect Quality (7) is a Gillian Heinrich runner who has won two barrier trials and is on debut here this weekend. The runs and times have been impressive. If can bring that form to the track this weekend he will prove hard to beat.
Winning Shot (11), trained by Stuart Kendrick, won her only career start at the Gold Coast. She has opened at $16 and been smashed into $7.50. She led when she won at the Gold Coast – she has drawn wide in barrier 9 here but Mark Du Plessis will probably look to ride her the same way again.
Selections: 6-10-7-11 rough chance 2
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Race 3
This is a tough race. It may be best to watch for any late betting moves.
The Kris Lees runner - Power Command (8) – made her Queensland debut here last time first up over 1050 metres with Ryan Wiggins in the saddle. They come back this weekend looking to string consecutive wins together over the slightly longer 1110 metres. The way she won last start would suggest that she is going to storm home strongly late here. The other reason I like her is that her second up record is very good – she is decent odds again this weekend – with $8 on offer in some markets.
I’ve Gotta Nel (3) has drawn barrier 1 and will certainly lead this field this weekend. Brad Stewart has been booked to ride him this weekend.
Meet Mr Taylor (2) resumes here after a nine-week spell. His trial was lack lustre on the 26 March – however, he must be respected with a record of five wins from six starts over two campaigns. Mark Du Plessis has ridden him five times for 4 wins.
Cool Drafts (7) from the Ben Currie stables can get back - but with the speed that is engaged in this field you could see her flashing late out wide.
Lloyd Kennewell now trains Poet’s Landing (11) who is first up here. He is unknown here in Queensland however, on the previous runs, must be respected. There has been some money ($11 to $7.50) to suggest that he may run a race here this weekend.
Selections: 8-3-7-2 rough chance 11
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Race 4
The Candy Man (9) is maybe an omen tip with all the chocolate that will be eaten this weekend! He is trained by Barry Baldwin and is only a very lightly raced five-year-old who has had 7 starts – 3 wins and 3 placings. He is looking to step up to win a Saturday race. On paper this looks a weak field and this runner has always shown he has some solid ability. I think that he gets his chance to win in town in this race and probably give Baldwin his first Saturday winner in a while.
Dansez (12) is trained by Kelly Schweida and was sent out at $31 last start when narrowly defeated by Le Juge who has come out and won since. That probably would suggest that this runner has a serious chance this weekend. Sean Cormack is booked to ride this runner – he will be looking to get back winning momentum after an extended period on the sidelines with a serious injury.
Borazon (15) is a Chris Waller Gold Coast based runner who won last start over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm when racing on the speed and proving too tough for the others to beat him. That run was one month ago. He has been freshened since then and had a run in a barrier trial where he just went around to blow the cow webs out.
Francisca (13) is trained by Steven O’Dea Racing and has drawn woefully in barrier 16. She has been racing consistently and without much luck. She was vetted after her run in Toowoomba and was found to have mild heat stroke. This weekend should be cooler and she should be competitive here again despite the wide barrier.
Selections: 9-12-15-13 rough chance 6
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Race 5
Our first Listed race today and Chris Waller has sounded an ominous warning for the upcoming Brisbane Winter Carnival with 7 of the 11 runners in this race.
Tangled (9) has grabbed my attention here this weekend at the decent price of $23. He resumes from an eight week spell and I thought the barrier trial last week, where he won, suggests that he will be ready to fire in the coming weeks. I remember this now 4-year-old winning the Champagne Classic at this track as a two-year-old (Group 2) in such a dominating run. Now that was nearly 2 years ago and he has not won a race since then – however, he has been racing in Group races. His recent campaign was nothing too flash – but I think back in Queensland on a reasonable track we may see the best of him.
One of the stablemates is Tom Melbourne (1) who is an enigma in racing. Maybe he can post his fourth career race win at Doomben – I said MAYBE!
Another Waller runner is Savvy Coup (4) who has struck heavy tracks in her last few starts and I think that we will see the best of her over the coming weeks on good tracks in Queensland. It may pay to follow this runner in the coming months.
The local chance is the in form Order Again (8) trained by Brian Smith. He is lightly raced as well and his runs since resuming have been very good. He possesses a good sprint and he will be looking to confirm the wraps he had on him as a three-year-old when he won the Grand Prix Stakes (Group 3).
My top two selections were both at their peak in 2017 – can they both go well here this weekend?
Selections: 9-8-4-1 rough chance 11
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Race 6
The TAB Ascot Handicap at Listed level over 1200 metres.
I’m A Rippa (2) loves to lead and run out in front. He trialled well for this first up run and has drawn well in barrier 2. Brad Stewart aboard this weekend meaning that there a few boxes ticked here for me.
No Annamossity (8) is trained by Robert Heathcote and he does always run well fresh. He is massive odds at $31. I think that if the track gets wet or deteriorates closer to this race (if it indeed rains) this runner must be one to be considered. Sean Cormack has been booked to ride.
Keen Array (5) is having his first start for Toby Edmonds this weekend. His barrier trial win at the Gold Coast was impressive and looks like he will be ready to show something in his debut run in Queensland. Jeff Lloyd is in the saddle for this first up assignment.
The other Edmonds Racing runner is the very consistent Tyzone (3) who was considered desperately unlucky in the Toowoomba Weetwood. He was belted at the start and then was held up entering the home turn and never got a clear run at them in the straight. He is nominated in another race – he may not take his place here.
Mr Marbellouz (7) is the Kevin Kemp runner who has been out of luck in his last few starts – maybe change of luck is due for the team.
Selections: 2-8-3-5 rough chances 1 & 7
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Race 7
The Mick Dittman Plate – a Listed Race for three-year-old horses over 1110 metres.
Plague Stone (3) is from the James Cummings Godolphin team in Sydney. This lightly raced Lonhro gelding won a recent trial and looks difficult to hold out here this weekend. The early markets have seen a flood of money pour in for this runner firming from the ridiculous price of $6 into $3.40. I thought his recent win in a barrier trial at Rosehill was sensational and places him in great stead for this effort first up with Larry Cassidy in the saddle. Cassidy has an extraordinary hot rate in the saddle for Godolphin as well in Queensland. The only concern I have is that he will be off the speed and in this large field despite drawing barrier 2 and may need some luck at some stage in running.
Matt Kropp and Matthew McGillivray combine again this weekend after winning the Toowoomba Guineas with Rosdendahl Red (race 8 – number 4) two weeks ago. Their runner here is Spirit’s Choice (12) who is perfectly drawn in barrier 1 and loves to lead. She was run down in the final shadows of the post last start by Mishani Hustler in good time. Leading and hopefully getting a soft run - they may just prove tough to get past - and win.
The top weight is Ef Troop (1) from Gollan Racing who raced well in a recent barrier trial at Doomben. Despite blowing in the markets since the betting opened, I expect him to firm sharply on race day. He is a serious race horse and back at home on a track he loves with the wily Jeff Lloyd in the saddle look for a bold first up effort!
Rock Beat (4) has won his past three starts – Emma Ljung remains aboard this weekend. In fact she has been in the saddle for all four careers wins for this Tony Sears trained Easy Rocking gelding. He will need to be at his peak against the opposition this weekend – but you cannot knock the recent superb form.
Selections: 3-1-12-4 rough chances 5 & 7
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Race 8
Another Listed Race – the Princess Stakes - over 1615 metres. The race is at set weights with a large and open field. A tough race!
The Toowoomba Guineas form sees Barefoot (1) and Rosdendahl Red (4) clash here again this weekend. Barefoot (1) was beaten in the last stride on that occasion. I think this weekend the tables may be reversed here at Doomben but it will be another battle supreme.
The Gollan Racing runner Light Up The Room (2) was only narrowly beaten under a massive weight first up at Doomben. She has a win against her name second up and I think, back to the set weights, she gets into this race very well and she is nice odds at $14.
Two Chris Waller runners have been sent north after winning their last starts in NSW. Word for Word (12) broke through for her maiden win at Kensington in a midweek meeting over 1300 metres first up from a spell. She raced handy and was too powerful for the opposition. She steps up to Listed company this weekend and has some serious support in the betting firming from $6.50 to $3.80. There must be respect for this runner. Maybe we can get a good look at her this weekend as I think she is bound for bigger glory in the coming eight weeks.
The other Waller runner is Julkkis (13) who won a fortnight ago at Kembla Grange. I think this runner may prove to be the pick of the Waller runners here this weekend – but there is nothing between them.
Selections: 1-2-4-13 rough chance 12
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Race 9
A BM85 race over 1350 metres to finish off the day – a massive field as well.
There are some good chances at the bottom of the card here. I like the chances of the Steven O’Dea runner So Spirited (15) who carried a massive weight first up at Toowoomba and didn’t get the best of luck on the tight turning track. Ronnie Stewart stays aboard this weekend and he goes down in the weights and has a great second up record. This runner is at $20 in some markets and represents perfect odds for this race.
Splitter (16) won well at Toowoomba last start with Baylee Nothdurft in the saddle. They stay together this weekend and at the weights (despite up in grade) she looks well placed by Tony Gollan. This runner will be hard to beat in the last race as well.
Prince of Tie (13) won here last start after a short break with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle. They go around here again with three weeks between runs. He raced handy last start from a wide barrier like he may have to do this weekend.
The other runner that would be competitive other than for the wide barrier is the Ben Currie trained Snitch (6) to be ridden by apprentice Jordan Grob. This runner has drawn barrier 17 and will need some luck from out there. He has raced well off the speed in the past. I think that he will need to be ridden back and for luck if he is to find a placing in the last race.
Selections: 15-16-13-6 rough chance 9
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Jockey’s Challenge
We have a close contest this weekend – with Baylee Nothdurft, Ronnie and Brad Stewart and Michael Cahill. I think a dead heat between Brad Stewart and Michael Cahill maybe the result!
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
6, 7, 10, 11 / 2, 3, 7, 8 / 9, 12, 13, 15 / 4, 8, 9 - cost is $192 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (race 2 to 5)
6, 10 / 3, 8 / 9, 12, 13 / 8, 9 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2, 3, 5, 8 / 1, 3, 12 / 1, 2, 4, 12 /13, 15, 16 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2, 3 / 1, 3 / 1, 2 / 13, 15, 16 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 6 to 9)
1, 3, 12 / 1, 2, 4, 12 / 13, 15, 16 - cost is $36 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
I will claim victory last weekend as FLEMO was having a break!This weekend FLEMO is back – he always is strong coming off a spell – so maybe he will claim a victory! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and final scratchings!
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