WINNO'S WINNERS: IPSWICH, JUNE 15, 2019

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, June 13, 2019

IPSWICH RACES SATURDAY 15 JUNE 2019

We are heading west this weekend - well not too far west - it is annual Ipswich Cup Day!

The track is rated “SOFT” (Thursday morning) and the rail is in true position for the entire course this weekend. There is rain forecast for the rest of the week. How much who knows?

The horses are coming out of the Brisbane Carnival looking for some prizemoney at Ipswich this weekend. I am not a huge fan of this meeting each year as it can be a wipe-out and treacherous for punters – so punt carefully!

I will be as brief as I can!

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

Race 1

I was looking for something here that will race handy on the speed. Most of the ones I liked get back and will flash home late. I settled on the Tony Sears trained Mail Escort (7) who should race in the first half of the field. He has never been out of the money here at Ipswich in four starts. Jimmy Orman is in the saddle.

Queen of Kingston (4) is trained by Danny Bowen at Lismore. This runner and Danny always seem to fire when they come to SE Queensland. Do not underestimate this mare who has some solid form around her. Matthew McGuren has ridden her in her last two starts and he makes the trip to Ipswich on Cup day looking for victory. I would not be surprised if she pops up over the Grafton Carnival that is fast approaching.

Constantine (8), trained by Munce Racing, is at silly odds at $31. He finished third to Queen of Kingston (4) last start at Casino. I would strongly overlook that run as he got too far back and was making ground late. The mile will probably suit him this week and Ryan Wiggins is in the saddle after a successful trip north last weekend.

Angel Dane (10) has probably the best form leading into the race. I am just concerned that she will get back and may need some serious luck in the straight. Larry Cassidy is riding her again this weekend and he has been very consistent over the Carnival in the saddle.

Selections: 7-4-8-10 rough chance 1

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Race 2

The Matthew Dunn trained Karaja (11) was well backed and ran good time on debut at Ballina back in December. She has drawn well here this weekend and her recent trial on the Gold Coast was impressive. I like her in a tough race.

Magic Trick (8) won last start at Gatton when ridden close to the speed. He has drawn well this weekend and Glen Boss is in the saddle for Tony Sears – it could be a race to race double for the TJ Sears stables with any luck!

Jeweliana (10) is trained by Steven O’Dea. She was impressive on debut at the Sunshine Coast on a soft track. Matthew McGillivray stays in the saddle for her second career start here. She has been the medium of some support since the markets have opened – maybe where there is smoke there is fire!

Tony Gollan has a trio of runners. The topweight Ready to Roam (1) comes off some Carnival runs where he was certainly not disgraced. He could just towel this lot this weekend at some decent odds!

Hold the phone – it must be State of Origin time! My good friend and little Queensland mate – he bleeds maroon like Josh Fleming – jockey Jim Byrne is back this weekend! Welcome back mate – and good luck. Now if you want to follow someone who rides this Ipswich track well it is Jim Byrne. Obviously, his shoulder has recovered from surgery and he has given the all clear to ride the Gollan Racing trained – Sugar Boom (9). She may well just go BOOM and we will see Jim in the winner’s stalls early in the day. She should race in a prominent position from barrier 3 and her last start win at Toowoomba was striking.

Selections: 11-8-10-1 rough chance 9

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Race 3

Another small field here over 1200 metres.

This is a real tough affair. Tony Gollan trains Ef Troop (1) who was taken on in front and just gave up last start at Eagle Farm – it could pay to overlook that run. He probably will struggle to get across the field here from barrier 13 and take the lead from I’ve Gotta Nel (4) however, he may just cruise in behind him and run him down in the straight. He is a class runner and is well in with the claim for Baylee Nothdurft.

Egyptian Bullet (5) has been scratched in recent weeks due to some unlucky barriers. This weekend she has drawn barrier 3, has Glen Boss in the saddle and I think the Ipswich track will suit her.

Smartypy (8) is a Munce Racing runner. This mare has a tremendous record here at Ipswich with four starts for 3 wins and 1 second – that is pretty good form for this track! Her last start in the Helen Coughlan (listed) race at Doomben was exceptional despite the odds being sent out at $101. She is only $5.50 this weekend and she will be competitive.

My old mate Oink (2) resumes from a spell. He won a barrier trial at Doomben after a 16-week spell recently. He normally races well fresh and the fact that I have not tipped him, and I am not at the track would probably enhance his chances of winning. You see he seems to grow an extra 2 lengths when I don’t turn up to watch him race!

Selections: 5-8-1-4 rough chance 2

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Race 4

The Kevin Kemp trained Tisani Magic (2) is racing in career best form and is looking to complete a hat trick of wins this weekend. His last start win was here on a Wednesday meeting. That run was superb, and I think if he runs up to that he should be saluting here.
Johnny Whitesox (6) is another Munce Racing runner who comes off consecutive wins as well. He won his last start impressively at the Sunshine Coast and has won here previously. Munce could grab a race to race double here as he has a strong chance in the previous race as well.

Edmonds Racing has Viral (14) in the race. He was sent out a short-priced favourite here last start and was well beaten by Tisani Magic (2) – it is difficult to see that result being reversed this weekend. By the way, Toby Edmonds and his team will be in England getting ready to watch Houtzen run in the King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) next week. She will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and I think is very generous odds at $26.

Akage (10) stormed home late in the race won by Tisani Magic (2) here. She is drawn well, and Michael Cahill takes the ride this weekend.

Selections: 2-6-14-10

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Race 5

The Provincial Stayers race over 2500 metres – this race can throw up a rough result each year!

Not a race I will be betting on!

Tiffani Brooker made her comeback to the saddle at the Gatton Cup a fortnight ago and partnered Travistee (2) to win easily. This race is tougher but maybe she can manage to put back to back wins on the board for this runner trained by Paul Jenkins.

Jim Byrne and Desleigh Forster combine with It Ain’t All Honey (9) who has been racing consistently and is only lightly raced. He has had three starts at Ipswich and has been in the money in all three. Maybe Byrne can get him to settle just off the speed from the nice barrier and run over them in the straight.

High Wind (6) looks the likely leader but will need some luck from barrier 15.

If you want a roughie to upset the more favoured runners, I would be having something each way on Cushy Princess (12) trained by Marcus Wilson and to be ridden by Robbie Fradd. She will run this distance right out.

Selections: 2-9-6-12

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Race 6

We start to get into the better races here! But it is very open with form from all over the place to try and assess.

Love Squirrels (6) is trained by Paul Jenkins (wow these trainers today look like they have good chances in consecutive races – that will send the scribes heading to the record books if three trainers train a racing consecutive double on a program). This runner has been racing very consistently and last start come from a handy position at the Sunshine Coast to win over 1000 metres. She has only had eight career starts for 4 wins – that is good form for this race, and she does have a win at the track.

Spirit’s Choice is trained by Matt Kropp. She has drawn barrier 17 and will need some extreme luck from out there. Maybe we will see a change in her racing style and maybe she will not lead this weekend – time will tell.

The Chris Anderson and Rob Heathcote combination have Boomtown Lass (11) racing second up here. She has drawn well and has run well second up and at the track. Mark Du Plessis rode her last start here when she resumed and was run down late to finish second. I think she will strip fitter for that performance.

The other two I like are the emergencies so they may need some luck to break into the final field.

Gemelli (17) is trained on the Gold Coast by Trevor Whittington (no relation – haha). This gelding was a solid winner is a recent trial at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago after a 26-week spell. He is drawn handy and he could just jump out and run them into the ground.

Chazelles (18) is another Matthew Dunn Racing runner who resumed on her home track at Murwillumbah as a short-priced favourite and won easily. She looks one to watch for the future for mine.

Selections: 6-11-17-18 rough chances 2 & 13

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Race 7 – 2019 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup

A small field of eleven greets us here for the first leg of the Treble - the Channel 7 Ipswich Cup.

Kevin Kemp trains Fighting Teo (7) who is looking for a hat trick of wins with Luke Tarrant in the saddle. He comes off a win over 1625 metres at Toowoomba which looked like it would prepare him well for this assignment.

Michael Nolan trains Ruby Guru (8) who was dynamic in winning last start at Sunshine Coast. She goes better on top of the ground but I don’t think the soft ground will affect her chances this weekend. If the track gets into the good range that will enhance her chances further.

High Opinion (6) is a Kris Lees Racing gelding heading north looking to claim a feature Cup. He looked like winning the Wagga Wagga Cup two starts ago before he was run down late. I think the 2150 metres of this race will suit him and Larry Cassidy is a master in the saddle in staying races.

Bergerac (2) is trained by Steven Tregea and it will be ridden by Michael Murphy. He is on the short back up after racing last weekend at Eagle Farm but Tregea seems to be able to successfully get the best out of his runners when he backs them up quickly.

Selections: 7-8-6-2

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Race 8 – 2019 Eye Liner Stakes

The second feature race on the program – the Eye Liner Stakes over the distance of 1350 metres.

The defending 2018 winner is I’m A Rippa (2) from the Gollan Racing team. He led in the Stradbroke and faded. Back to Listed company this weekend and drawn nicely look for a dramatically improved run.

The other Gollan runner is Natch (13) who has run consecutive placings, however, he has drawn barrier 16. I wonder with the speed in the race this weekend that they might elect to ride him quiet in the second half of the field and let him settle and then motor home late. Brad Stewart has ridden this runner for three wins, and he has a great record at the track.

Gaulois (11) is the Godolphin runner. The BLUE ARMY must be happy with their Brisbane Racing Winter Carnival assault with the winners that they have had. James Cummings paid tribute to the team that has been based at the Gold Coast, led by Nacim Dilmi, in his speech after they won the TAB Group 1 Stradbroke last weekend with Trekking. This runner was a little disappointing first up at Doomben. I think that he was working home well in his first run after an 18-week spell. The extra distance will be to his liking as well. He looks a great each way chance.

Malvern Estate (12) has been knocking on the door looking for that big win this preparation. Desleigh Forster would be happy with barrier 2 and he should be able to take up a great position from that barrier. The rest will be up to jockey Robbie Fradd.

Violate (3) comes off Group 1 and Group 3 runs in his past two starts. He ran a gallant second in the BRC Sprint last start at Doomben over this distance - beaten by Tyzone who came out and ran a barnstorming race in the Stradbroke last weekend. He must be in the top three chances.

Man Booker (1) – where do I start! Three consecutive Group 1 runs – unlucky, bad barrier draws – just a mission that has not been successful. Blake Shinn has been booked to ride him this weekend – maybe he can turn around his fortunes with some “Shinn Magic”.

Mr Marbellouz (5) has the blinkers for the first time – an interesting move by Kevin Kemp. That may just improve him this weekend.

Selections: 11-13-12-3 rough chances 1 & 5

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Race 9 – 2019 Gai Waterhouse

The last race on the massive program – a Listed event for fillies and mares over 1350 metres.

Wouldn’t it be great to see Gai train the winner of the race named after her! She has Ready to Prophet (12) backing up after running a solid race last weekend in the Listed Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm.

I like the return to racing of the Michael Costa trained Manaya (4) at the Gold Coast last weekend. She normally holds her form and despite the quick back up she has drawn well and looks like she will be very competitive here this week.

The Godolphin team have Organza (6) in the race – third up with three weeks between runs. She has drawn well and has never been out of a place in eight starts over this distance. She looks ideally placed and gives the BLUE ARMY a chance in bagging another two feature races!

Kris Lees trains Pecans (1). This runner races well third up and, despite the barrier draw of 12, will thrive on the damp track and by this stage it should be chopped up as well that should assist her.

Matthew Dunn trains Snow Valley (17) who, despite being an emergency, may get a run her. Her run in the Coughlan Stakes (Listed) a fortnight ago at Doomben (when I thought she was excellent value) was exceptional. She drew wide on that occasion as well and flew home late. I think that she will be suited by the extra distance and could get a rough result here in the last race to send the bookmakers happy.

Selections: 4-6-1-12 rough chance 17

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Jockey Challenge

Looks an open field this week – maybe something on Glen Boss and Larry Cassidy may see you get a nice result.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

1,8,10,11 / 1,4,5,8 / 2,6,10,14 / 2,6,9 - cost is $192 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6,11,17,18 / 6,7,8 / 3,5,11,12,13 / 1,4,6,12,17 - cost is $300 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6,11 / 7,8 / 3,11,13 / 1,4,6 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

6,7,8 / 3,5,11,12,13 / 1,4,6,12,17 - cost is $75 to $1

FLEMO v WINNO

WINNO claimed a good win last weekend at Eagle Farm – poor FLEMO I rubbished two of his best and they both choked like his Broncos on Sunday! I hope we can find some winners here on this challenging program. 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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