WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MARCH 14, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Friday, March 13, 2020
GOLD COAST RACES – SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2020
Gold Coast races this weekend with the track rated “HEAVY.” The rail is in the true position for the entire course this weekend. The weather is forecast to be warm but then storms late in the week could make keep the track in the wet and heavy range.
The feature races, the two and three-year editions of the JEWEL and the GOLDMARKET, headline this wonderful program.
Time to look at the program for this week.
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
A restricted Class 4 race to start the day – it is a tough assignment for the punters!
Mountbatten (2) has some good form on soft tracks and won three starts ago for trainer Leanne McCormick. Since then the two runs have been solid at Eagle Farm. Back to the soft going and a track where he will probably sit handy maybe three pairs back off the lead, I think he can win this race with Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
Master Baylee (1) is a nice ride for the comeback jockey Michael Cahill. This is his second week back after returning from injury and this runner I think will appreciate the senior rider aboard this weekend.
Perfect Aim (4) is trained by the veteran Pat Duff and gets in well in this race with Adin Thompson to ride.
A tough way to start the day – maybe a race to stand back and watch!
Selections:
2 – Mountbatten
1 – Master Baylee
4 – Perfect Aim
8 – Enterprise Moss
Rough chance – (3) Paua
Race 2
A large field here again.I am staying with Mittere (15) who has fared a little better than some of my other selections in the barrier draw this weekend. Justin Huxtable is aboard, and his 2 kilogram may just prove vital on this wet surface. He is due for a win this gelding and stepping up to 1200 metres should suit him.
The Toby & Trent Edmonds Racing team have a nice runner - Fisticuffs (16) - resuming fresh on his home track after being gelded over his spell. Robbie Fradd to ride and his recent trial here a few weeks ago was impressive. If he had drawn better at the barriers, I think I may have even declared him! Edmonds Racing normally have some good luck at these big race meetings on their home turf so do not underestimate the chances of this runner.
Magic Fox (10) resumes here for Kelly Schweida. He won a recent trial at Eagle Farm and normally races well fresh. Again, the barrier is of some concern – barrier 17. Jockey Jimmy Orman will probably have to go back and ride him for luck from there. However, there is some genuine speed in this race that should enable him to fly home late.
Paul Nolan has Keep On Loving You (14) from barrier 14 in the race. I know some punters like this system – same saddle cloth and same barrier to find a winner! This runner comes off two solid wins at his home track in Toowoomba – winning form is good form!
Gollan Racing have two nice chances here as well in All Pluck (2) and Umberto (4).
Selections:
15 – Mittere
16 – Fisticuffs
10 – Magic Fox
14 – Keep on Loving You
Rough chances – (2) All Pluck & (4) Umberto
Race 3
These early races are very tough! I think I may grab a bite to eat whilst the starter and judge settle this race! I think the Tony Gollan / Baylee Nothdurft juggernaut may continue to roll on here.
They have Trail of Glory (14) racing second up this weekend. She loves this track and the wet surface. She has an impeccable second up record as well and is around the $10 mark in the early markets. I think that she is the one to beat in an open field.
Moonshine Lady (21) is a Peter & Will Hulbert runner who has an impressive record on heavy tracks. Two starts for two dominant wins – so she will appreciate the wet going. Her only problem is that despite jumping quickly and trying to race to the lead is that she has drawn barrier 21 – she may as well be racing on the Gold Coast beach!
The stable apprentice Adin Thompson has the ride and won on her two weeks ago at the Sunshine Coast. She will need to be very good to get out and lead and win here this weekend.
Molly’s Rocking (15) is trained by Mark Currie. Lightly raced – nice barrier draw – solid wet form track and good odds $14 – she has a lot going for her. Plus, the inform Matthew McGillivray has the ride!
Jardin Rouge (2) rounds out my top four here. Don’t be turned off by the massive 61.5 kilograms that she has been allocated. She likes a wet track and, to be fair, it was a super run last start at Eagle Farm being in a hopeless position on the turn and storming home to go under by just 0.7 lengths. I think that Jackson “McLovin” Murphy’s claim will get her in well this weekend – 59.5 kilograms to carry – probably means he can lash out this week and have some KFC or take away not having to ride so light!
Selections:
14 – Trail Of Glory
21– Moonshine Lady
15 – Molly’s Rocking
2 – Jardin Rouge
Rough chances – (16) Written with Ease (17) Unguarded
Race 4
1800 metres this race on a wet track – could be a slog.
Eric the Eel (11) was dynamic winning last start at Doomben. He goes up in grade here but will handle the wet conditions. This looks a nice race for him.
Magnufighter (5) is fourth up and have been racing consistently. He is not a massive fan of this Gold Coast circuit and has limited success on wet tracks. Dale Smith always seems to get the best out of this runner, and he is legged up again this weekend.
The mudlark of the field is the Kris Lees trained Hallelujah Boy (1). He loves the wet and goes exceptionally well on heavy surfaces. Ryan Wiggins is in the saddle and this gelding is third up this week at around $12. Could be a serious blow out chance if the track deteriorates.
Selections:
11 – Eric the Eel
5 – Magnufighter
1 – Hallelujah Boy
2 – New Universe
Rough chance – (6) Gresham
Race 5 AQUIS 2-YEAR-OLD JEWEL 2020
One of the feature races of the program – the two-year-old clash worth $500,000!
How can you go past the recent sensational form of the Heathcote Racing – Rothfire (1). He has been amazing in all his starts – in fact his wins have been dynamic! This is his first look at 1200 metres – the heavy track – will that be his downfall?
The logical danger is the Michael Nolan trained filly Kisukano (6) who gives me the distinct impression that she will be suited by the extra distance. She could be the only danger to this short-priced favourite. She will be ridden again by Mark Du Plessis.
As for the placings – lets go for Spirit One (9) and Hancora Field (8).
Selections:
1 – Rothfire
7 – Kisukano
1 – Spirit One
9 – Hancora Field
Race 6
The first leg of the Quaddie this weekend – these are awesome races – 900 metre sprints on the Gold Coast - a super spectacle.
There is some serious speed in this race. I think we will need to be looking for something sitting off them and thundering home late.
The locally trained runners look well placed here.
John Smerdon trains Removal (9) who resumes here after a 13-week spell. He resumed last preparation with a solid win and was well supported. He loves his home track and he likes the wet – as a matter of fact he probably has the best wet track form of the race. Sean Cormack is aboard for this first up assignment.
Edmonds Racing has Usmanov (14) coming off a nice win last start at Eagle Farm. He will settle behind the speed and should finish off strong as well. This runner loves genuine speed in his races, and he gets those conditions to suit this weekend but he may just struggle on a genuine heavy track.
Boom Chicka Boom (6) is a previous winner here and will appreciate barrier 7 and his normal jockey Michael Cahill back aboard this weekend. Trained on the track by Les Kelly he will be in front for a long way and will be hard to run down.
Tycoon Ace (3) is well placed here by Tony Sears with a 3-kilogram claim for apprentice Adin Thompson. Barrier 16 is a problem from the 900-metre chute here – Adin will need some luck and some magic from out there. But he has one promising blessing in his favour – he jumps cleanly and the runners on his inside will go forward fast early.
Spurcraft (2) is trained by Charlotte White and is a true speedster and have a wonderful record over these shorter distances. He has the addition of blinkers and Bubba Tilley is back aboard this weekend.
It really is an open race to start the Quaddie!
Selections:
9 – Removal
14 – Usmanov
6 – Boom Chicka Boom
3 – Tycoon Ace
Rough chances – (2) Spurcraft, (4) Guard of Honour, (10) Gypsy Toff
Race 7 TAB QTIS 3-year-old JEWEL 2020
Our second feature race for the weekend.
Gem of Scotland (14) trained by Rex Lipp at Toowoomba is a mighty fine filly who races well at the Gold Coast, races well fresh and loves a wet track. She ticks a lot of boxes this weekend and her trial at Toowoomba a fortnight ago was a serious hit out. She must be going well – Jimmy Orman drove up to ride her in the trial and he will be the saddle again in this feature race. Seven rides for 5 wins and 1 second is a tremendous record for a jockey on a horse. She will be difficult to beat if she gets luck in running.
Sugar Boom (15) and Baby Boomer (5) are trained by Tony Gollan Racing.
Sugar Boom (15) will be ridden by the smiling – tongue poking Lani Fancourt – she will be glowing after the race if she can jag this feature race. She rides this track extremely well and she does not get many big race chances, however, she is a fine jockey and can compete with the best of them.
Baby Boomer (9) has been storming home late in his recent races. He has drawn well this weekend in barrier 4, so I think he gets his chance to post a win. He is fourth up this weekend and should be at peak fitness for this run. Matthew McGillivray stays aboard.
The Odyssey (1), trained by Kelly Schweida Racing, won the two-year-old edition of this race last year. He was strong on the line winning a fortnight ago at Doomben. Drawn perfectly in barrier 3. With a heavy track and a leader who is tough to run down he may give apprentice Stephanie Thornton a feature win in Queensland.
Selections:
14 – Gem Of Scotland
15 – Sugar Boom
9 – Baby Boomer
1 – The Odyssey
Rough chance – (5) Ready to Roam
Race 8 The 2020 TAB Newmarket
An Open sprint over 1300 metres. This race can be a blow out for punters – be careful!
Let’s start at the top of the field and work our way down.
Desleigh Forster trains Chapter and Verse (1) who is the class runner here and if he gets the race run to suit will be hard to hold out here this weekend. His recent barrier trial win would suggest that he is forward enough to win this race. He likes this track and will appreciate the soft conditions – just some uncertainty if it gets to a very heavy surface.
Freddie Fox Trot (3), trained here by Les Kelly, loves heavy tracks, however, has drawn wide this weekend in barrier 15. Northern Rivers jockey Matthew Paget has been booked to ride him – I would think that if he wins this race it would be a highlight of his career.
Manaya (4) raced well and won last start. The race was run to suit her. She is trained here – likes her home track but has equivocal form on heavy surfaces.
Prioritise (7) comes back from a mile to the more suitable 1300 metres. Ryan Wiggins aboard for Steve Tregea – he could be a rough chance to cause an upset.
Top Striker (8) is an interesting runner trained by Greg Hickman. I distinctly remember this runner winning a race at Rosehill on a bog heavy track coming late wide and fast and drawing away to post an easy victory. This race is much harder but with some speed in it and the heavy track he could win at silly odds – around $51.
Grey Missile (10) is trained on the track by Edmonds Racing. He was caught wide last start and probably got to the front too early, was a sitting duck late and got run down. He is third up this weekend with Robbie Fradd retaining the ride. I would have declared this runner who is raced in the same interests as Tyzone but he has been extremely unlucky drawing barrier 17. If he can get in though – and get some luck – he will be very hard to beat.
Selections:
1 – Chapter and Verse
10 – Grey Missile
3 – Freddie Fox Trot
4 – Manaya
Rough chance – (7) Prioritise, (8) Top Striker
Race 9
The last race of the day – 1400 metres. Looks a tough way to end the day.
Seentoomany (13) is trained on the track by Michael Costa and is undefeated in two starts on her home track. She also won last start at a midweek meeting in NSW – Canterbury on a soft track. She gets in with a light weight as she is sharply up in grade, but she does look well placed and well-drawn here.
Gollan Racing finishes off the day with a solid chance here in Tokoriki Lad (9). He gets back in his races and needs some genuine speed in the race – he gets that here. The real trouble is the large field but I am certain Matthew McGillivray will get him in the best section of the track and be making a run out wide in the last race. He thrives at 1400 metres and he does like this track. He probably is the runner to beat to be honest and represents great value at $14.
Peppi Le Few (12) won easily last start leading all the way at Eagle Farm for Edmonds Racing with Brad Stewart in the saddle. He doesn’t have to be ridden in front, however barrier 18 this weekend does pose some issues for this runner. Stewart will probably have to go back and ride for luck.
Fomo (18) is massive odds at $41 and is an emergency. If this Mark Currie trained runner makes the field make sure you have something on him each way.
Defence Missile (3) loves the wet track – the heavier the better. He is trained by Les Ross who is having a great run with his stable recently. He won last weekend and Eagle Farm and backs up this weekend. The wet track - even if more rain comes - will suit him down to the ground.
Selections:
13 – Seentoomany
9 – Tokoriki Lad
3 - Defence Missile
18 – Fomo
Rough chances – (8) The Tax Accountant, (12) Peppi La Few, (14) Beaufort Park, (16) Red Chase
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Jockey’s Challenge
Looks like a solid battle between Jimmy Orman and Robbie Fradd. Orman has some nice rides – and if he gets some luck could be a winner this weekend.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
10,14,15,16 / 2,14,15,21 / 1,5,11 / 1,7 - cost is $96 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
15,16 / 14,15,21 / 1,11 / 1 - cost is $12 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,3,6,9,14 / 1,9,14,15 / 1,3,4,10 / 3,9,3,18 - cost is $320 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
9,14 / 9,14,15 / 1,10 / 3,9,13 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
1,9,14,15 / 1,3,4,10 / 3,9,3,18 - cost is $64 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
WINNO smashed FLEMO in our tipping competition last weekend for the first time in weeks! The footy has started this weekend – he will probably have some lame excuse at the track on Saturday of why his Broncos were flogged by the Cowboys in Townsville! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!
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