WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, 4 JANUARY, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, January 4, 2020
Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful men and women who have gallantly defended property and lives over the past few months across Australia – these people are amazing! I don’t care who gets paid and who doesn’t I just hope that State Governments, when this crisis is over, acknowledges these magnificent people with a ticker tape parade through major cities across the country!
Okay – let’s go one step further – let’s have a fire services day as well at the Brisbane Race Club when things settle down. t would be great to see them having some R&R and maybe bring some of their equipment to the track so people can pay tribute!
Gold Coast races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD.” The rail is in the true position for the entire course this weekend.
The day looks like a great lead into the next week’s major Magic Millions meeting on Saturday 11 January where the eyes of Australian racing will be firmly on the Gold Coast for this wonderful race meeting held each year!
It was great to see Dale Smith hit back after a trackwork incident last weekend – they say the curse “JUNWIN” caused the incident! Only joking. It is also great to see Joshua Unwin back in Brisbane with the Heathcote Racing team for the 8th …. 10th …. Maybe 33rd time! Hopefully he has realised that Brisbane is where he should be!
Time to get into the 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
Les Kelly looks to have some nice chances engaged here. Take Tea (4) who was solid last start at Eagle Farm gets back to her home track this weekend. She has a solid record here and Glen Boss has the ride.
Kelly’s other runner is Exploration (9). This runner is fourth up here with apprentice Adin Thompson aboard – his claim should be useful. He has started favourite his past two starts and is around $34 in the markets and could be a real genuine knock out chance.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott has Czarson (1) first up here after losing his nuts (gelded). He looked very forward with a recent trial win at Canterbury – Brenton Avdulla who seems to find some winners each year over this Magic Million Carnival is in the saddle. With his change of 'status' and the addition of pre-race ear muffs he could embarrass this field.
Le Palmier (2) from Gollan Racing I think didn’t race well on the Eagle Farm surface – so overlook that run and look for a dramatic improvement here this weekend.
Selections:
1 – Czarson
4 – Take Tea
2 – Le Palmier
9 – Exploration
Rough chance 11
Race 2
Epic Girl (7) is on a quick back up from last weekend where she ran an “epic” race in the Listed Nudgee stakes. She only went down in the final 50 metres and if she can back up here this weekend, she will be very hard to beat. The dynamic duo of Chris Anderson and Stephanie Thornton combine again looking for a win.
Mr Bellagio (3) was sensational first up for Edmonds Racing – he is ridiculous odds at $21 this weekend on his new home track. I think that second up he will be right in the finish – especially with some genuine speed in the race.
Alot Like Home (4) with Ryan Wiggins in the saddle goes well second up (never out of a place in four starts) and steps up to a more suitable distance of 1200 metres.
Andrew “Smiling” Spinks rides Ice Frost (11) for Doug Duryea. She is second up as well – I just hope she can run a solid 1200 metres.
Selections:
7 – Epic Girl
3 – Mr Bellagio
4 – Alot Like Home
11 – Ice Frost
Rough chance 2
Race 3
The two-year-old fillies’ race – many of these are looking to win to claim a spot in the final field of the Magic Millions next weekend! It looks like a battle of the sons and fathers here – read on!
Hugh Bowman rides Bribery (1) for the Tony & Calvin McEvoy Racing partnership. The relatively new partnership will be looking for their first Magic Millions victory. Tony seems to target this race every year as a solid lead up and hit out for next weekend – I think her win in Adelaide will assure her a solid win here this weekend.
Trent & Toby Edmonds have the logical danger with Smart ‘N’ Sexy (5) who was great on debut in the Listed Calaway Girl a fortnight ago. She was held up at a vital point in the straight and if she gets a clear crack at them this weekend, she will be in the finish.
Her stable mate is Queen Kay (10) making her racing debut. She has had two excellent trials leading up to this race – and it is her home track.
She’s A Tigress (4) won here on debut – she will strip fitter for that effort and cannot be overlooked.
Selections:
1 – Bribery
5 – Smart ‘N’ Sexy
4 – She’s A Tigress
10 – Queen Kay
Rough chance 8
Race 4
The colts and gelding’s edition here for the two-year-old runners.
Can James Cummings and Godolphin do like they did last year and get a runner into the Magic Millions the weekend before the big dance and come out and win the grand final? This is what they did last year with Exhilarates who went onto win the MM in 2019.
They have Conceited (1) engaged here with Godolphin’s Victoria “Dizzy” Appleby looking after him on the Gold Coast. This colt won well on debut at Flemington. I think, as his name suggests, the stable are very “conceited” about his chances this weekend and then moving forward to the 2020 edition of the Magic Millions.
Anders (5) from Maher and Eustace stables has been smashed in the early markets. Luke Currie is on this weekend - looks well placed here.
Dark Son (2) I think disliked the Eagle Farm surface and I think will be better suited on the Gold Coast track.
Selections:
1 – Conceited
5 – Anders
2 – Dark Son
3 – The Drinks Cart
Rough chance 11
Race 5 Magic Millions Country Cup
This is a great race for the country runners. It is very difficult to line up the form from all around Australia here.
May pay to bet carefully.
The Pines (5) looks a progressive type winning her last three starts heading into this big race worth $250,000. She is trained by Edmonds Racing on the track and will probably race midfield with the speed in the race and should finish off the race very powerfully.
Elixir (2), trained on the track by Les Kelly, has also won his last three starts all here at Aquis Park. He has drawn well and should be handy when they sort themselves out in the running. Brad Stewart rides this one.
David Vandyke brings Secret Spirit (12) to the Gold Coast again. He has raced here three times for 2 wins and a placing. He is third up this start and has won previously third up – a nice ride for Jake Bayliss.
Ibini (14) is trained by Brett Cavanough in NSW. He has a knack of setting his runners for a first up plunge and killing – respect this runner in your multiples.
Selections:
5 – The Pines
2 – Elixir
10 – Secret Spirit
14 – Profit
Rough chance 12
Race 6
I just love these 900 metre dashes at the Gold Coast – they are always a great sight and always very competitive.
The horses that are resuming here look like they may just have the edge on the runners who have been racing in Listed company in recent starts.
I like Boom Chicka Boom (7) who loves his home track and was superb winning a trial recently at the Gold Coast. Look for him to scoot across and take up the running and set a good pace in front – hopefully Glen Boss can hold the opposition off in the final 50 metres of the race.
Tycoon Ace (2) is trained by Tony & Maddy Sears and is another who thrives at this track (6 starts for 5 wins). He has drawn wide – I just think that he does not have to lead here this weekend with the speed engaged and I am hoping that jockey Jimmy Orman just sits off the speed before unleashing in the straight. Orman has been riding in great form of late – his tactics last weekend in the Bernborough to get Niccanova home were ballsy to say the least!
Guard of Honour (4) resumes here as well for Kelly Schweida Racing. He has a nice trial win at the Sunshine Coast recently and has drawn well in barrier 3 to enable Brenton Avdulla to position him in behind the speed here and make a dash late.
Spurcraft (1) will be ridden by Bubba Tilley. This runner thrives on the short distances but I am just concerned with the weight this weekend against the others who have been treated quite well but he is a quality sprinter and cannot be taken lightly.
Selections:
7 – Boom Chicka Boom
2 – Tycoon Ace
4 – Guard of Honour
1 – Spurcraft
Rough chance 3
Race 7 THE TAB WAVE - $250,000 race
Another big prizemoney race on the card – this time over 1800 metres.
It is a very open race. I remember Etana (10) running a bottler of a race here over this distance in the Gold Coast Bracelet last year on a bog of a track. The effort was amazing and then she came out and slayed them next start in the Group 2 Roses at Doomben. I think she has been trained for this race and will be very hard to beat.
Dawson Diva (9) ran a wonderful race behind The Candy Man last start and that form is good enough to suggest she will be competitive here this weekend. She is fourth up and will be ready to fire.
Trevelyan (2) was a dominant winner last start at Eagle Farm when ridden by Ronnie Stewart – some may say an arrogant win! He is getting a large weight rise as this race’s conditions are WFA – not sure if these conditions will suit him, however, the form does stack up well for this race.
Diamonds and Rust (15) is a Waterhouse & Bott runner who won a maiden very well last start at Canterbury. She has no weight on her back, will be ridden forward and I think may cause some of the more seasoned runners’ grief if she gets her way in front. She is a dual acceptor and has no jockey yet – if she takes her place in the field, I think she may be hard to run down.
Cellarmaid (14) has been crying out for this distance – weight and conditions suit her this weekend – Jackson “McLovin” Murphy aboard. There is a lot to like about this runner – she will be right in this race – around $8 is a good each way gamble.
Selections:
10 – Etana
9 – Dawson Diva
2 – Trevelyan
15 – Diamonds and Rust
Rough chances 11 & 14
Race 8 MAGIC MILLIONS RISING STARS - COLTS AND GELDINGS
Another $250,000 race – wow we must be rich in Queensland!
This time over 1300 metres. It is a VERY open field – multiple chances and at WFA – anything could happen!
I would expect the exotics to pay big dividends here.
I like the Sydney runners here to dominate – Edison (12) and Mandela (15).
Edison (12) is trained by Bjorn Baker who seems to get his horses to thrive here on this track. His last start win at Randwick over 1400 metres was impressive and would suggest that he will be right in this race. Robbie Fradd has been booked to ride and from gate 3 should be no further than three pairs back in the running when they settle into stride.
Mandela (15) resumed at Eagle Farm last start and seemed to miss the start slightly before storming home over 1200 metres from back in the field. The extra distance will suit him this weekend. Peter & Paul Snowden know how to train a winner for these big races and Mark Du Plessis has been booked to get this runner home.
Morrissy (2) is the early market favourite from the Leon and Troy Corstens stables. He has been racing consistently in Victoria – Mark Zahra is in the saddle. Just not too sure how he will cope with this Gold Coast track.
The Edmonds Racing runners both have genuine chances as well – Astro Boy Toy (11), who has the addition of blinkers this weekend for the first time, and Scout (9) who is on a quick seven day back up.
Astro Boy Toy (11) was favourite last start first up – a month between runs and I think will appreciate going around on his home track.
Scout (9) drops back in class from a Group 3 race last weekend where he was not disgraced. I think you should overlook the run at Eagle Farm – I just wonder whether he is one of those horses that does not like that surface. In saying that his previous two starts were solid wins at Doomben and here. I think there is a message in that form!
Magic Fox (5) is a rough chance that must be included in your multiples.
Selections:
12 – Edison
15 – Mandela
2 – Morrissy
11 – Astro Boy Toy
Rough chances 5 & 9
Race 9 MAGIC MILLIONS RISING STARS - FILLIES AND MARES
Another tough race to finish off the day and yet – wait for it – another $250,000 in prizemoney!
Malahide (1) was great first up and won in a dominant fashion for local trainer Michael Costa. She has a great second up record and races well in this class – with the speed on in this race she will be well suited and hard to defeat.
Snow Valley (8) comes back from Listed grade races to this Class 4 event against her own sex and looks well placed this weekend. She has the bonus of having Hugh Bowman in the saddle – I think that she will be well suited here.
Sugar Boom (15) from the McEvoy team in South Australia has been super in her recent starts. She has drawn wide here in barrier 16 so Luke Currie will need to be a genius to get her across and to lead. She normally races well in front and gives nothing else a chance. I just am concerned that she is up in grade and with the wide barrier she may have to be used up early and may be caught floundering near the line. Her past three wins have been exceptional – if she had drawn a barrier, I would have declared her as unbeatable – then again maybe she has the class and ability to destroy this field. We will see!
Call Me Royal (7) rounds out my top four selections. She ran a great race at Randwick last start over 1200 metres. She ran some super sectionals as well in that race. Stepping up to 1300 metres will suit her and she should not be discounted lightly.
Some roughies that could show up are Calzini (10) and Yamazaki (11).
Selections:
1 – Malahide
8 – Snow Valley
15 – Sugar Boom
7 – Call Me Royal
Rough chances 10 & 11
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Jockey’s Challenge
Looks like an open field – no one jockey has a dominating book of rides. Hugh Bowman, Robbie Fradd, Luke Currie and Glen Boss all have some solid chances. I may go for a roughie – Matthew McGillivray to just pip Luke Currie.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
3,4,7 / 1,4,5 / 1,5 / 2,5,10 - cost is $54 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
3,7 / 1,5 / 1,5 / 2,5 - cost is $16 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,2,4,7 / 2,9,10,14,15 / 2,9,11,12,15 / 1,7,8,15 - cost is $400 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,4,7 / 9,10 / 9,12,15 / 1,7,8 - cost is $54 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,9,10,14,15 / 2,9,11,12,15 / 1,7,8,15 - cost is $100 to $1
Value Treble
9,10 / 9,12,15 / 1,7,8 - cost is $18 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
FLEMO pipped my last weekend by a narrow margin in our tipping competition – well done mate! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes of scratchings!
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