WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MAY 16, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 14, 2020
GOLD COAST RACES – SATURDAY 16 MAY 2020
Gold Coast races this weekend with the track rated “GOOD”. The weather is forecast to be warm for the rest of the week. It brings to mind the awesome back drop of the unique Gold Coast high rise skyline and the wonderful blue skies. Then combine that with a noisy crowd hanging over the fence - wait hold it - no crowds … still! Not even WINNO – so we will all have to watch on TV and enjoy the spectacle as best we can from a distance.
In previous years the Sydney horses normally have a mortgage on this program as they have been racing in top company in Sydney and come here and meet some horses that they can dominate – keep this thought in your minds when doing your form and assessment this weekend. This course and meeting could turn up some upsets this weekend!
I come off good form last weekend at Doomben with 5 winners – can I do it again?
Time to look at the program for this week.
NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check final fields and track conditions on the day for any changes.
Race 1
A Class 3 race opens the big program.
The local number 1 stable of Edmonds Racing is well represented here with several runners. Some of them are emergencies and may make the field with some of the early scratchings.
Heritage Sash (2) ran a solid second here last start and backs up again to seek retribution with apprentice Nick Keal aboard again.
Fisticuffs (5) who has been well supported since the markets opened. He ran a solid fourth last start in a good quality race and drops back in class and looks well placed in this race.
Decisive Heart (19), who will be ridden by Robbie Fradd, loves this track and must be respected.
I like Sea Raider (10) who won here in his first two career starts. Last start he was first up and was forced to lead and knocked up late. I think he will have taken some benefit from that run and will strip fitter and will be competitive here this weekend.
Lady Appleton (13), trained by Barry Baldwin ran in the same race as Fisticuffs (5) last start and finished third. That was her first run from a spell. Note that she has won second up last preparation. She has drawn terrible in barrier 18 and will need some luck in running.
Selections:
10 – Sea Raider
13 – Lady Appleton
19 – Decisive Heart
5 – Fisticuffs
Rough chances – (1) Desert Knight (2) Heritage Sash
Race 2
A small field here for the stayers – there appears there will be some scratchings as there a few runners that are dual acceptors in the field.
Last start the Matt Kropp trained Romakash (9) won here with a massive 60 kilograms in a BM race. Sure, it was a restricted grade and he steps up to Open company this weekend. However, he goes down in weight and Larry Cassidy takes the ride. He has ridden him to victory previously. He is $15 and represents great value.
The Kevin Kemp runner Fighting Teo (3) has an impressive record here at the track and distance. Apprentice Adin Thompson takes the ride – I would probably prefer him more if the track were wet.
Lota Creek Gold (5) is trained locally by Harold Norman and will be ridden by Brooke Ainsworth. They combined last start to win here over 1800 metres – the only problem is that this runner has never won over 2200 metres.
Mongolian Wolf (6) is well placed here by Kris Lees – should sit behind the speed and sprint well late.
Selections:
9 – Romakash
3 – Fighting Teo
6 – Mongolian Wolf
5 – Lota Creek Gold
Race 3
Let’s start with Pay With Cash (4) trained on the track by Gillian Heinrich. He won here last start over the same distance with Luke Dittman in the saddle. I suppose there is some irony with this runner and his name Pay With Cash! During the week Luke bought an amazing new car – an Audi Q3 sportback – maybe he did pay with cash! Then again it is great to see him buying a BLUE car and maybe considering supporting NSW in State of Origin – there is nothing like the combination of winners!
The Golden Hind (11) went into his last start at the Sunshine Coast with a massive 64 kilograms (I think I may have made weight to ride him) and got too far back before storming home late for a gallant third. This weekend he gets in well here. Boris Thornton remains in the saddle.
He's Imposing (7) is stablemate to The Golden Hind (11). Both are trained by Steven O’Dea Racing. This runner won first up over 1300 metres and looked impressive. He will get better as the distances get longer.
The Chosen One (12) is trained by Neville McBurney and will be ridden by Michael Cahill. This runner gets back and has a solid late sprint. I think with some genuine speed in this race my two on top selections will be suited by the genuine tempo.
Selections:
11 – The Golden Hind
12– The Chosen One
7 – He’s Imposing
4 – Pay With Cash
Race 4
1400 metres for this race and an open field.
The Trent and Toby Edmonds trained She Za Boss (10) was unlucky last start at Ipswich getting back out of her ground and made a late run to finish fourth. I think back to her home track and ridden a little closer to the speed from barrier 5 she will atone for her recent unlucky runs.
Seles (8) has been sent north to the Gold Coast by Chris Waller. She debuted here at her new home track a fortnight ago and really did not race generously. Now she has settled into her new surroundings I expect to see a remarkable improvement here this weekend.
Iconista (14) won last start over a mile for Chris Munce Racing. She drops back to 1400 metres here, however I think she will race on the speed and be difficult to run down – Justin Huxtable the stable apprentice is in the saddle.
Zoulou Dancer (13) is trained here by Gary Doughty and will have Michael Hellyer aboard. A last start winner at Sunshine Coast and back to her home track where she should be competitive again.
Selections:
10 – She Za Boss
8 – Seles
14 – Iconista
13 – Zoulou Dancer
Rough chance – (11) Lope For Joya
Race 5
I think that the Mark Currie trained talented sprinter Soxagon (7) who, resumed here with an exciting win two weeks ago, looks the standout selection here. He has drawn well and is an exceptionally talented sprinter who should get away with this race. Brad Stewart has the ride.
In saying that Soxagon (7) is the probable winner the Edmonds Racing team will be looking to create and upset result with no less than three runners in the race – Maslow (5), The Pines (11) and Thine Is The Power (12). They all have genuine chances.
The best of them is probably Maslow (5) who finished second to Soxagon (7) last start. At the set weights here, it is unlikely that he should beat him on facts and figures but I think he poses a genuine threat to the favourite. Jim Byrne is in the saddle. Since resuming from injury Jim been riding in wonderful form!
Selections:
7 – Soxagon
5 – Maslow
12 – Thine Is The Power
11 – The Pines
Race 6 Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic
The first leg of the Quaddie. This is always a wonderful race that remembers a fine jockey who had a wonderful affiliation with two-year-old runners. He could rate them so well – he was taken from us in a tragic race fall in 1993 at the age of 42.
Chris Waller has a large contingent of horses coming to Queensland for the Winter Carnival. I think it all starts here with his two runners Spokesman (3) and Saffiano (4) who make their debut here at the Gold Coast track. Both runners come off recent wins in Sydney prior to coming north. Spokesman (3) won at Warwick Farm and had some great sectionals in the race and finished the race off strongly. On that effort, and with Matthew McGillivray in the saddle, I like this runner here. He had a recent barrier trial as well in which he just ambled around the course and looked imposing. At around $11 he looks great value.
The stablemate is Saffiano (4) who won the Clarendon Stakes over 1400 metres at Rosehill. His sectionals were the best of the day over 600m and 200m. He is coming back in distance here this weekend but has had 3 weeks between runs and that would have freshened him up well for this run – Ryan Maloney takes the ride.
Minjee (11) is trained by Robert Heathcote and they have always thought this filly has some ability. She has won her past two starts by coming from a position at the tail of the field and coming home and winning in the last bound. She faces her most challenging race this weekend – but with genuine speed I think she is a great gamble at $10 to maybe cause and upset. Michael Cahill will probably come wide and may need some luck to win.
The favourite is Wisdom Of Water (1) from Edmonds Racing. He resumed here on his home track and won easily against some poor opposition. I keep going back to his win here in early January and his gallant fourth in the 2020 Magic Millions. He looks the one to beat – but $1.70 in this race – I am not too sure. He can be a bit quirky but maybe team Edmonds have sorted him out whilst he had a spell. I think that he cannot win – watch the Edmonds team give me plenty if he does win!
Selections:
3 – Spokesman
And
4 – Saffiano
11 – Minjee
1 – Wisdom Of Water
Rough chance – (10) Neutron
Race 7
So earlier in the week Aquis trainer Kacy Fodgen celebrated her Birthday (10 May). Maybe her gelding Kings Full (5) can give her a late birthday present by posting consecutive wins over the track and distance. This weekend he will be ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester, a very underrated jockey who will give this runner every possible chance.
Matthew Smith trains Milk Man (4) who was sent out as favourite last start and looked like he may have needed the run. He comes to the Gold Coast with a fortnight between runs and Matthew McGillivray aboard. He looks a solid chance over 1800 metres.
I am going to give a push for one here at $101 trained by Louise White and to be ridden by Jim Byrne – Joys Reward (14). I remember watching this runner winning at the Sunshine Coast last preparation over this distance. She is third up here this weekend at a more suitable distance, drawn well, likely racing in behind the speed probably two pairs back. I think she is a terrific gamble and one for your exotics.
This race has the distinct smell of a blow-out result for punters – play carefully!
Selections:
5 – Kings Full
4 – Milk Man
14 – Joys Reward
7 – Calibration
Rough chance – (9) Light Up The Room
Race 8 Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas
Another feature race on this awesome program.
I like the Snowden Racing runner Hightail (2) to continue his winning way after resuming from a 16-week spell win a great win at Kensington. He raced well here over the Magic Millions Carnival and I think looks well placed at the set weight conditions of this race. Another solid ride for Ryan Maloney.
Commandnconquer (8) is the local new boom gelding that has made a dramatic appearance on the scene. He is trained by Steve Tregea and will be ridden by Jimmy Orman. If he wins, I will be filthy that I am not on track to but Orman on my shoulders as is tradition!
This runner was freshened for 5 weeks before resuming here over 900 metres. He only jumped fairly from the barriers and from that point needed some luck to prevail. I think the run was more like a barrier trial and to get him hard fit for the Winter Carnival. Back to 1200 metres this weekend he looks a competitive chance.
Exhilarates (10) is the 2019 Magic Millions winner for James Cummings and Godolphin. She has not really performed well since that win. However, her recent barrier trials and the addition of blinkers are a great sign that she may bring some of that old form to Queensland this weekend. She has drawn wide in barrier 15 but this will not be a problem as she gets back in her races and loves to fly home late – Robbie Fradd to ride.
The Odyssey (1) has had some wonderful wins at this track. Last start I said he could not win, and he won – part owner Darren Wilson called me after the race to thank me for not tipping him! So, as I have potted him again this weekend it probably means that he will come out and win this feature race! Good luck to the Kelly Schweida Racing team and jockey Stephanie Thornton with this runner.
Selections:
2 – Hightail
8 – Commandnconquer
10 – Exhilarates
12 – Baroda
Rough chance – (1) The Odyssey
Race 9
The last race of the day – 1400 metres. Looks a tough way to end the day.
There are some big stables represented here – Godolphin and James Cummings, Tony Gollan Racing, and Snowden Racing. I think these big yards hold the key to this race.
The topweight has a fair bit of class on this lot – Multaja (1) from the Godolphin team. They brought a solid team to Brisbane last year for the Carnival and had some wonderful success. This runner raced at Group 3 level last start and her sectionals were sensational. I think second up here this weekend and racing in a forward position she will be super hard to beat in the last. The massive weight may tell late – but she is all class.
The stable mate is Resin (4) who comes off a first up effort at Hawkesbury when she had no luck in running. Drawn okay here and with Larry Cassidy aboard she represents great value at $16.
Snowden Racing has Jen Rules (11) second up here after a barnstorming effort first up at Randwick a month ago. Since then she won a trial last week. Snowden has a knack of getting his runners to peak for this Carnivals. I would not be surprised to see her flash home late at the big odds of $12. Dale Smith gets the ride for this big powerful stable – hopefully he can get this one first past the post and set himself up for a solid Carnival.
Then you have the local stable Gollan Racing with a superstar in the making – Niedorp (14) who has been awesome since returning from a spell winning both his starts since resuming from a spell. She has drawn terribly in barrier 16 and Baylee Nothdurft will need some luck in running. If she misses the jump out of the barriers it may be all over for her.
Krone (8) is the stable mate resuming here after a nice barrier trial 3 weeks ago. It would not surprise me to see this runner win the race with Jim Byrne aboard.
A tough race to finish off the day.
Selections:
1 – Multaja
11 – Jen Rules
14 - Niedorp
8 – Krone
Rough chance – (4) Resin
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Jockey’s Challenge
Looks like a solid battle between a few jockeys – Jim Byrne, Michael Cahill and Robbie Fradd. I think that Michael Cahill may just pip Jim Byrne – but they both could be nice odds.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)
3,5,9 / 7,11,12 / 8.10,13,14 / 5,7 - cost is $72 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
3,9 / 7,11,12 / 8,10 /7 - cost is $12 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,3,4,11 / 3,4,7,14 / 2,8,10,12 / 1,8,11,14 - cost is $256 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
1,3,4 / 4,5 / 2,8 / 1,11,14 - cost is $36 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
3,4,7,14 / 2,8,10,12 / 1,8,11,14 - cost is $64 to $1
WINNO V FLEMO
WINNO smashed FLEMO last weekend in our tipping competition – tipping 5 winners at Doomben! This weekend it gets harder with the feature races at the Gold Coast – hopefully, we can find you some value! 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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