WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON JULY 14
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, July 13, 2019
Day 5 of the GRAFTON CARNIVAL 2019 – and it is the MACLEAN BOWLING CLUB CUP. The track has been posted as a SOFT for the meeting – maybe there will be an upgrade? The track raced very well and even across Wednesday and Thursday. There seemed to be a fast lane early along the rail and then jockeys started to come 3 and 4 metres wide. The rail is in the true position for the entire course.
With some great weather forecast I am certain it will be a wonderful way to conclude the annual Grafton Carnival.
A massive congratulations to jockey Ben Looker for finally winning his hometown Cup aboard Sacred Day. A day to be remembered in Grafton Racing history. Family and friends and the locals cheered him home and then celebrated with him when he brought the winner down the outside rail after the race to salute the crowd. I wish more Clubs would engage in this so the patrons can get to show their appreciation.
There are 7 good races on Maclean Cup Day to be decided – it is time to find some winners.
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 distance race to start off the day – over 3120 metres.
I think that the Jim Jarvis trained Winged Poet (6) is the way to go here. Jarvis has had a number of placings across the Carnival and has yet to crack a winner. I hope this one can run the long distance – he settled well last start and was warming up late, so I reckon he is the one to beat here. Matt McGuren is aboard again.
Consoling (7) ran third in the same race behind Winged Poet (6) he looks like he will be competitive here as well.
Cut The Mustard (2) is trained by Melanie O’Gorman and will run this distance out.
The other runner to consider is from the Ethan Ensby stables – Fencourt (3). His form has been out of sorts – however, he did run second in this race last year. Ethan is a good young trainer he deserves a change of luck.
Selections: 6-7-2-3
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Race 2
Horara Vel (3) trained by the leading Grafton Carnival for 2019 so far - Tony Newing - looks nicely placed first up here.
His only run was at Dubbo and he was unfortunate not to win on debut. He has had 12 months off since that run and has had some recent barrier trials to get him ready for this assignment.
The local trainer John Shelton has had a quiet Carnival with only one winner so far. Queenofthecastle (14) was super last Sunday week ago when she ran a great second. Matthew Paget is in the saddle and I would expect this one to race well on her home track.
Michael Costa trains a three here – most are dual acceptors. I think the topweight is the pick of them – Euro Hustler (1) who has been trialling well and looks forward enough for a bold showing here.
I’m Fluent (5) is trained at Port Macquarie by Jenny Graham and will be ridden by the man of the moment Ben Looker. This filly won a recent barrier trial on her home track and will be right in this as well.
Selections: 3-14-1-5 rough chances 8 & 10
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Race 3
The topweight looks well placed after he ran a great race out of maiden grade in the Grafton Guineas prelude. Round of Applause (1) is back to restricted grade with Ben Looker to ride.
Celebration Day (2) is trained on the track by Wayne Lawson. He ran a solid second to Tainted Affair on Day 1 of the Carnival and I reckon the extra distance will suit him here.
I think it is a race in two – 1 & 2 take your pick.
As for the rest of them Patriot Missile (8) comes back in distance and the 1700 metres may be better.
Tickets For Youth (10) is trained by David Campbell and has several gear changes for this run – I would not be surprised to see an improved effort.
Selections: 2-1-8-10
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Race 4
Another race over 1700 metres.
This race looks a genuine contest between two runners that have already won over the Carnival and are backing up here. Tan Tat Nova (3) trained by Paddy Cunningham and Tainted Affair (6) trained by Tony Newing.
There is nothing between them. Newing has taken the winkers off for this run and put the blinkers back on his runner. I will go for this one at the longer odds.
Genoa (7) is trained at the Gold Coast by Marcus Wilson – he is a lightly raced 3-year-old who could race well here.
Selections: 6-3-7-2
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Race 5
The feature race – the Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Cup for 2019.
It is only a small field with nine runners at the moment with a early scratching.
Evopex (4) put in a noble effort in the John Carlton Cup when beaten narrowly. Jim Jarvis will have him ready to fire here this weekend. The extra distance will assist as well.
Petrology was scratched out of the South Grafton Cup last weekend when the track was downgraded to heavy. He likes it on top of the ground and comes out of Listed races over the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Matthew Dunn has had a lean Carnival in 2019 – his stable apprentice Emily Atkinson rides this one and her 3-kilogram claim will be beneficial in displacing the 63 kilograms that he has been allocated. I am sure she will do more than poke her tongue out if she can win this feature race.
The knockout chance is Landmarks (2) is trained by Scott Cumming with Matthew Paget to ride. This runner loves 1400 metres. This is his fourth run into this preparation – he could be one to knock the favourites off here.
Selections: 4-1-2-5
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Race 6
A restricted sprint race.
The topweight from the Gold Coast looks a solid chance here. Trained by Michael Costa, Countercurrent (1) resumed a month ago at the Sunshine Coast with a nice run over 1000 metres. The extra distance will assist her this weekend and the alteration in gear with the application of a tongue tie should assist her.
Charging Clear (10) resumes here for Tony Newing. She had a soft trial at Newcastle a month ago. Another great chance for the wonderful syndicators SJ Racing who have had some wonderful success with Tony and jockey Matt McGuren over the Carnival. Clearly the highlight was the win of Charming Princess in the Grafton Guineas.
That’s Madness (12) ran here on Wednesday and is on the very quick back up. Maybe a chance.
Selections: 1-10-12-8
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Race 7
A tough race to end the Carnival.
The topweight has some great form in this grade – Bolghari (1). Forget the last start run at Randwick on a heavy track – he doesn’t handle the bog tracks. If you forgive him that run his form has been very solid and despite the weight gets in well here.
Jakuta (2) is resuming for Angela Plumb and will be ridden by Ryan Plumb. He normally races well fresh – if there are any market moves for this one, I would suggest you follow the money.
Dangerous Dan (8) is trained by Matt McCudden at Port Macquarie. I believe the name was derived by his nuisance brother Daniel. The horses breeding may give you all a clue – the dam “A Little Knowledge” = you see Dan is considered a little challenged both in height and intelligence (only joking mate – you brother paid me $50 to write this).
In Fiore (10) was impressive last Sunday when the track was downgraded, and he stormed home for an impressive win. I think the winkers may have done the trick last weekend – I hope Stacey Newing took my tip and took them home and washed them, so they are fresh for this weekend!
Selections: 10-1-2-8
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Jockey’s Challenge
Matt McGuren will win easy – he will be prohibitive odds!
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)
6,7 / 1,3,5,14 / 1,2 / 3,6,7 - cost is $48 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)
6,7 / 3,5,14 / 1,2 / 3,6 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
3,6,7 / 1,2,4 / 1,10,12 / 1,2,8,10 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
3,6 / 4 / 1,10 / 1,10 - cost is $8 to $1
Treble (races 5 to 7)
5,6,11 / 1,3,5,6 / 1,2,8,10 - cost is $48 to $1
BIG 6 (NSW only races 2 to 7)
3,14 / 1,2 / 3,6 / 1,4 / 1,10 / 1,2,8,10 - cost is $128 to $1 7
WINNO V ANTHONY COLLINS
On Day 4 of the Carnival I won again. The score is WINNO 3 …. COLLINS 0. With a NSW victory to contend with he will need to lift for the last day not to get smashed with a duck egg next time his name! Be sure to check out our updated tips and thoughts on Facebook each morning of the Carnival as we amend or alter the tips according to the scratchings and track!
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