WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, 4 APRIL, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, April 2, 2020
DOOMBEN RACES – SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2020
Doomben races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD”. The weather is forecast to be warm with some intermittent showers as we get closer to race day.
There will be some of the tough questions that will need to be addressed, assessed and answered in the coming months. Take the 2020 Melbourne Cup week for example.
Will the government relax rules for quarantine for staff coming from overseas? Will owners want their horses to come with no assurance they will be present to watch them go around on such an iconic day? How will Racing Victoria moderate this Carnival?
2020 could go down in history as the first year since 1861 that the Melbourne Cup has not been run. It has continued in history despite the great depression – world wars and other challenging circumstances such as weather and the economy.
Time to look at the program for this week at Doomben.
NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check final fields and track rating for any changes on the day
Race 1
The three-year old’s start off the day - a race where they have not won a race. Most of the recent form comes out of a midweek race ten days ago.
The Robert Heathcote trained Hearts Denied (3) is third up this weekend. I thought that he wasn’t suited last start at Eagle Farm. His debut at Doomben was full of merit and back here should be hard to beat.
Angus The Black (1) is a Gollan Racing runner who has drawn wide and may need some luck from barrier 14.
Degas (2) is trained by Chris Munce and will be ridden by stable apprentice Justin Huxtable. This runner is second up this week. He led first up and knocked up late and will strip fitter for that effort – I like this runner!
Expert Eye (11) is a Kelly Schweida trained filly. She looked strong at her debut run at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago and will be hard to hold out from a nice barrier – Bubba Tilley to take the mount.
Selections:
2 – Degas
3 – Hearts Denied
1 – Angus The Black
11 – Expert Eye
Rough chance – (15) Nuclear Boom
Race 2
A distance race – with a very small field. I think it is a match race between the top two runners. They have been in great form.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Quality Seeker (1) has thrived with two consecutive wins leading all the way in Queensland. He looks at the Doomben track for the first time this weekend. To be fair this is no real concern as the Maher runners over the years usually do have a good strike rate here.
Ilwendo (2) backs up after a run here last weekend. He was unlucky there as he was checked and became unbalanced as he was just making his run and coming into the race.
Selections:
1 – Quality Seeker
2 – Ilwendo
4 – Lucky Jackson
3 – Boom Boom Epic
Race 3
The two-year-old babies are out on the track here. This is a tough race. May pay to let them go around and keep your wallet in your pocket.
Less Ross Racing has had some luck in recent meetings with his young runners. I like Mishani Vandal (9) at around $41 to cause a major upset here. He led last start at Eagle Farm and was run down. I am not certain that this the way to race him and I expect he may be ridden a few pairs back this weekend by Jimmy Orman and finish strong late.
Papaya (10) from the Chris Munce yards was a solid winner last start. She steps up to city grade this weekend. If she makes the transition, she will be very difficult to beat. Justin Huxtable’s 2-kilogram claim will assist her chances.
Dejanova (4) had a soft win at her home track on the Sunshine Coast last start – again can she make the transition to Saturday weekend grade?
Tumbler Ridge (1) and Rory’s Reward (3) have the addition of blinkers this weekend for the first time – look for an improved effort.
Selections:
9 – Mishani Vandal
10– Papaya
4 – Dejanova
1 – Tumbler Ridge
Rough chance – (3) Rory’s Reward
Race 4
Another maiden race on a Saturday – things are tough!
Brian Smith trains Monster of Power (8) and Larry Cassidy takes the ride. These two are lethal when they combine. The gelding is third up here and I think he is ready to win at a decent price and upset the more favoured runners. He was held up last start at the Sunshine Coast and then had to be steadied before getting his momentum and striding home strongly to finish fourth.
Adelae (13) is a Barry Baldwin runner who will be again ridden by Mark Du Plessis this weekend. Last start she settled back in the field and flew home late – she will be better and fitter for that run and at $9 is great each way value.
Blackboots (14) is the early market favourite. She debuted here midweek a month ago for the strong David Vandyke stable. Dale Smith must get across into a good position from the wide barrier – barrier 13 - and will need some luck from there.
Toucan Sam (4) is a Gollan Racing runner to be ridden by Lani Fancourt. She rode this runner first up at the Gold Coast and he was strong going to the line. Last start he flashed home late at the Sunshine Coast over 1400 metres. He was heavily backed last start – I think the stable will be looking for retribution here this weekend.
Selections:
8 – Monster of Power
13 – Adelase
14 – Blackboots
4 – Toucan Sam
Rough chance – (16) Lady Belzone
Race 5
A class 3 race over the mile here with a small field to face the starter.
I like the Mick Lakey runner Standing Ovation (9) to turn the tables on Watch The Cat (7) who defeated her last start at Eagle Farm over 1500 metres. I think the extra distance will suit her and Brad Stewart is back in the irons - $7 is a decent price as well.
Watch The Cat (7), from the Barry Lockwood stable, was impressive on debut for his new stable after some solid efforts in some trials. He will be handy again in the running and will be hard to hold out.
Metamorphic (2) is trained by Kelly Schweida. He ran in the same race as the two I have just mentioned and probably will be suited by the longer distance.
Selections:
9 – Standing Ovation
7 – Watch The Cat
2 – Metamorphic
10 – Hopeful Star
Rough chance – (3) Westham
Race 6
A massive field over 1050 metres. Tough way to start the Quaddie.
Gollan Racing has three nice chances here to win the race – Niedorp (10), Hollaback Girl (11) and Cailini (14).
Niedorp (11) resumes here from a 21-week spell. She raced in Group races last preparation and trialled very well here last week. Baylee Nothdurft takes the ride.
Hollaback Girl (11) was good last start at Doomben – if she shows that form she will be in the finish again.
Wimpa (1) resumes here for the Hulbert Racing team with Madeline Wishart to ride. Her three-kilogram claim will be a massive kick along for this assignment. He won a trial last week and he has a great first up record. This runner could cause a massive upset this weekend.
Selections:
10 – Niedorp
11 – Hollaback Girl
1 – Wimpa
14 – Cailini
Rough chances – (3) Ramtastic
Race 7
Probably the best race of the day. A race for three-year-old’s over 1200 metres.
The Gollan Racing runner The Move (11) has been well supported since the markets opened. His first up effort from a spell at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago was strong although he faded late. I think he will be fitter for the run and will be hard to beat this weekend.
His main opposition comes from the Robert Heathcote trained Ziemba (2) who is first up this weekend. He trialled in open class recently at Doomben and he really wasn’t tested. He looked a nice type last preparation and with his 10-week spell I think he may be in for a good preparation this time in – follow him in his next two starts.
Jeweliana (5) is second up for the Steven O’Dea Racing and Boris Thornton. She comes to hand quickly and Doomben will suit her.
Okeechobee (7) from the David Vandyke yards resumed six weeks ago and posted a solid win at her home track on the Sunshine Coast. She sometimes can take some riding and Jake Bayliss will ensure that she keeps her mind on the job here.
Oh Five Glory (1) is trained by the Hulbert Racing team and will be ridden by stable apprentice Adin Thompson. She has been racing without luck in recent efforts and probably deserves a change of fortune. She has drawn well this weekend in barrier 3 and will get the run of the race.
Selections:
11 – The Move
2 – Ziemba
5 – Jeweliana
7 – Okeechobee
Rough chance – (1) Oh Five Glory
Race 8
Open class race over the mile is our penultimate race on the program.
Gollan Racing and Baylee Nothdurft may continue their solid season with another winner here – Get Stuck In (4). He led all the way last start at Eagle Farm and has drawn barrier 2 this weekend. The mile will be right up his alley and he will be hard to run down again.
Plitvice (9) from the Heathcote Racing stables will be looking to spoil the party here again in this race. I think he is better over the mile and drops back from the 1845 metres of last start where he may have not seen out the distance or the weight was just too much. He also drops to 54 in weight this weekend and Jimmy Orman will be working hard all week to make the 55 kilograms. Back to the mile and with Orman abord look for this runner to stalk Get Stuck In (4) in the running and it may just come down to the pull in weights and the tactics of each rider. Orman V Nothdurft …. QLD v NSW! I will always stay loyal NSW – go Baylee!
Magnufighter (2) has apprentice Maddy Wishart aboard this weekend. Her three kilogram claim will come in handy and he comes into the race well after a wonderful win on Jewel Day at the Gold Coast race course.
Selections:
4 – Get Stuck In
9 – Plitvice
2 – Magnufighter
6 – Femme Fireball
Race 9
The last race of the day – the crowd cheers. Oh, wait there is no one at the track!
Moonshine Lady (10) looks like a real nice type for the Hulbert Racing stable. Adin Thompson rides her again. I expect her to lead here and she will take some running down. She may be under some pressure in this race with the Steven O’Dea trained runner Langhro (2) engaged as he looks to start quick and go forward – will this be her downfall this weekend?
Light Up The Room (8) could sit off these leaders and finish off strong – she has a great first up record and has had two impressive. solid trials to get her ready for this race. She is around $16 and could be one to have something on if you want to take on the short-priced favourite. Great to see Lani Fancourt in the saddle as well.
I Am Vinnie (1) is second up in Queensland. He raced well first up at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago and warrants some respect.
Selections:
10 – Moonshine Lady
8 – Light Up The Room
1 – I Am Vinnie
3 – Enterprise Prince
Rough chances – (6) Six Sigma
_____________________________________________________________________
Jockey’s Challenge
Looks like a solid book of rides for Baylee Nothdurft – maybe Stephanie Thornton or Robbie Fradd could upset his day. Jimmy Orman has some nice rides and if he gets some luck could be a major upset winner this weekend.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
1,2 / 1,4,9,10 / 4,8,13,14 / 2,7,9 - cost is $96 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
1 / 9,10 / 8,13 / 7,9 - cost is $8 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,10,11,14 / 2,5,7,11 / 2,4,9 / 1,8,10 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,10 / 2,5,11 / 4,9 / 8,10 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
2,5,7,11 / 2,4,9 / 1,8,10 - cost is $36 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
FLEMO smashed WINNO last weekend with some great tipping. Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!
More articles
|