WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, AUGUST 3, 2019
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 1, 2019
DOOMBEN RACES SATURDAY 3 AUGUST 2019
Doomben this weekend – a nine race program.
The track is rated “GOOD” (Thursday morning) and the rail will be in the true position for the entire course this weekend. There are some showers forecast for the rest of the week so we may see some deterioration in the track.
This is the first weekend of the new racing season.
Some changes of note – no Jeffrey Lloyd riding in Brisbane? Who will win the premiership in the coming 12 months? The uniting of father and son Toby and Trent Edmonds at Edmonds Racing – another training partnership amalgamation that looks certain to prosper.
There has been lots of commentary across the week regarding workloads for jockeys and apprentices. A few observations …
Personally – if Sunday racing could be scaled back so the races start at lunch time and are over by 3.30pm I think that it would bring some quality family time for jockeys, their families and others.
On other tracks around the world they can manage to turn around races in 30 minutes. I really cannot see why we could not achieve a 7 or 8 race program in this time period.
Are demands on racing participants too much? I am not sure. Some may say they have the choice to ride or participate on a particular day, whilst others will say the pressure from owners and trainers for them to keep an association with a particular horse or stable is necessary as once you get off one – it opens the door for someone else.
It is really a Catch 22 situation.
Well I am going to be brief this week as I am heading to Darwin as I write my preview.
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 small field.
Happy Two Thousand (3) won on debut for Kacy Fogden at the Sunshine Coast. He led from barrier to box and got away with the race. This weekend he has been smashed from $6.50 into $3 so I am just following the money here.
The danger looks like the Edmonds Racing trained Betaima (1) who looks well placed here. Robbie Fradd in the saddle.
Selections: 3-1-7-9
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Race 2
A small field over 2000 metres with some runners are backing up from last weekend.
I am staying with Borazon (3) again this week who beat the stable mate Miss Shanti (4) last weekend.
The irony is that Robbie Fradd was on Miss Shanti (4) last weekend but has elected to ride the Anderson-Heathcote Racing trained Our Mantra (2) who won last weekend – looks like he may finish second again behind Borazon (3) this week!
Selections: 3-2-4-1
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Race 3
Stampe (1), trained by Munce Racing, won at the Gold Coast last start. The time on the Gold Coast was good so I am hoping he can bring that form to town and step up in distance to 1350 metres this weekend.
Toby Edmonds has two runners in the race.
Champagne Jet (2) raced home strongly last weekend and would seem to be looking for the extra distance while the other Edmonds runner, Astro Boy Toy (4) won on debut over 1200 metres and looks a likely improver.
Selections: 1-4-2-7
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Race 4
A sprint race here.
The Mark Currie trained Crusher (5) has a good record over these short distances. She is lightly raced and has 6 career wins from only 10 starts.
The runner that I am going to forgive his last start failure is Ditmas (10). He was caught wide and I think the heavy track may have led to his downfall. He has never been out of the money in his seven career starts and they have gone for the claim this weekend with Jackson “McLovin” Murphy aboard. Hopefully he has stayed away from McDonalds this week so he can ride this one at 52 kilograms!
Stellar Power (11) won very convincingly last start at Eagle Farm with Luke Tarrant in the saddle. Two weeks between runs – just a small concern because it was reported that he bled from one nostril – but he was very well backed in that victory.
Selections: 10-5-11-3
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Race 5
A couple of these runners are nominated for the Coffs Harbour Cup on Thursday – so we may have a few scratchings here. With Looks Like Elvis (1) and Gold Ambition (3) probably running down there I am left with these tips.
Tony Gollan has Hectopascal (4) and Galtero (6) in the race – they both have good chances. Hectopascal (4) was a solid fourth last start in the Tatt’s mile a fortnight ago and that run suggests he will be ready for this race. He just has never won at Doomben. Maybe jockey Brad Stewart can help change that statistic.
Snapchat Girl (7) won the Mothers Gift race over 1400 metres last start at Grafton. She was in a hopeless position around the 200 metres but somehow on that occasion jockey Anthony Allen got her out and she narrowly got home. The way she stormed home and finished off that race the mile should suit her.
Downloading (9) returned to the winner’s stall last start midweek – maybe he can show up again.
Selections: 4-7-6-9
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Race 6
Sienna Rose (6) from the Steven O’Dea yards has been racing consistently and probably needs a change of luck – maybe that will happen this weekend. She has drawn barrier 15 that is the only drama this weekend. Ronnie Stewart rides!
Exdream (7), trained by Kris Lees Racing, comes off a solid second to Red Doulton who then came out and won again last weekend at Eagle Farm – so that form has been franked. Larry Cassidy is in the saddle.
Look for an improved effort from Spending My Time (9) if the track remains good. I think the wet track last start was his downfall. That excuse probably goes for Mr Storm (10) as well who didn’t seem to appreciate the wet track last start.
There is a roughie here at $71 – Zou Der Zee (13) - who was fatter than his owner Con Searle last start when he went around at Grafton over the Carnival. He may not have coped with 1400 metres either. I am looking for a big improvement here this weekend.
Selections: 6-7-9-10 rough chances 12 & 13
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Race 7
Intrinsic (8) comes out of some Listed races back to a Class 3 race here and has drawn well and set weights. He does look well placed in this grade. His run in the Ramornie to finish on the heels of the winner beaten under a length was enormous.
Our Girl Silke (10) resumes this weekend for new trainer Kelly Schweida and her recent barrier trial at Deagon. She is undefeated in two starts first up. She could strip fit and ready to race this weekend for her debut in Queensland.
Veranes (16) has been racing in some harder fields and drops back in grade. She has drawn a little awkwardly in barrier 13. Robbie Fradd is in the saddle and she looked strong in a recent Gold Coast barrier trial.
Skins (6), who is trained by David Vandyke, has two wins from two starts to his credit. He steps up to city weekend grade – can he take the next step?
The top weight from Gollan Racing is an interesting runner – Macewen (1). The recent trial looked good.
Selections: 8-10-16-6 rough chances 1 & 18
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Race 8
The Tim Bell Memorial handicap.
This race is named after a young man and jockey who left us too early. Tim Bell was a tremendous jockey, a wonderful athlete and a great advertisement to racing. Each year racing formally honours his memory with this race named after him.
I think there is some speed in this race and the faster they go the more it should suit Handsome Thief (3) who won last start over the track and distance.
Guard of Honour (4) was disappointing last start when sent out favourite at the Sunshine Coast. He seems to struggle at the 1200 metres – but maybe with the speed on and a trail he may finish off strongly.
Whypeeo (6) led them in the Ramornie and was swamped late. If he gets his own way in front and is left alone and gets some cheap sectionals out in front, he may prove hard to run down.
Do not underestimate the other Edmonds Racing runner here Impregnable (12) if he takes his place in the field. His run in the Kirby at Grafton was a lot better than it looked on paper. He was legless over the first 400 metres and then started to make ground and finished the race off nicely. He could be one at long odds to cause a major upset here.
Selections: 3-12-6-4
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Race 9
Granny Red Shoes (12) needed the run last time first up at Doomben. That was three weeks ago – watch out for a dramatic improvement here this weekend on a track and surface where she has performed well on previously.
Chris Waller stables on the Gold Coast are well represented here in the last race with The Avenger (9), Sparky Lad (11) and Auerbach (7). They all have genuine chances. The Avenger (9) is on the quick back up after a solid effort last weekend – he could be the pick of them.
I would not underestimate the chances of Madam Shazam (10) who was first up for new trainer Darren Evans and she won quite well her last start. That was a month ago now and maybe the heavy track did benefit her – but she has always showed some genuine ability and could be one to blow the Quaddie and Treble punters out of the water in the last leg. Corey Bayliss retains the ride. Despite drawing wide - there is some good speed here – she could show up and the generous odds of $16.
Selections: 12-10-9-7 rough chances 11
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Jockey Challenge
Mark Du Plessis, Robbie Fradd and Ryan Maloney all have some nice rides. Watch out for Jim Byrne if he can ride the last winner – he could pip them all in the last race.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
2,3 / 1,2,4 / 5,10,11 / 4,6,7 - cost is $54 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6,7,9,10 / 8,10,16 / 3,6,12 / 7,9,10,11,12 - cost is $180 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
6,7 / 8,10 / 3,12 / 9,10,12 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
8,10,16 / 3,6,12 / 7,9,10,11,12 - cost is $45 to $1
FLEMO v WINNO
FLEMO claimed a good win in our tipping competition last weekend at Eagle Farm – I think he nearly tipped the Quaddie again! He has taken a few weeks off and will be having a spell but I will still update my tips each Saturday morning after any late scratchings or changes in the weather. I must make special mention to the three stooges – sorry three dwarves – Dopey (Michael Charge), Grumpy (Anthony Collins) and finally Bashful (Josh Fleming) who took on WINNO in a three-meeting tipping competition. The labelled themselves as “QLD” v “NSW” – sadly I lost three nil – so well-done boys – we can do it all again soon!
Well – see you all from Darwin this weekend – the 2019 Darwin Cup Carnival.
Good luck and good punting!
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