WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, 27 JUNE 2020

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 26, 2020

DOOMBEN RACES – SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2020

Doomben races this weekend with the track rated “SOFT”. The weather is supposed to be cold but fine over the coming days. The rail is out 6.5 metres for the entire circuit.

How good was it to see Baylee Nothdurft ride is 100th winner for the season bagging a treble for his boss Tony Gollan at Ipswich on Wednesday – the kid is riding in sensational form – well done mate!

The season is drawing to an end – the Carnival has come and gone – the cold has arrived – frost on the grass and below zero temperatures in the west of the State – I think it may be time to hibernate and wait for the warmer weather!

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day
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Race 1

A small field. Looks like one to beat is the Chris Anderson Racing trained One Shy Ruby (5) to be ridden by James Orman. She should jump and take up the lead here and with the rail out she may be difficult to run down if she gets left alone in front.

I am going for some value here and tipping the Steven O’Dea debutant Think Glory (12) who was scratched from the Gold Coast on Friday to run here. She was impressive, in my opinion, in a barrier trial at Doomben a fortnight ago. Boris Thornton rode her in the trial and he stays aboard for her first career start. Let’s hope she can win on debut!

Selections:

12 – Think Glory
5 – One Shy Ruby
10 – Queen Sweeper
2 – Bellisimi Amici
Rough chance – (3) Real Fine Wine

Race 2

Kelly Schweida Racing has Cellarmaid (8) going around here. She turned in a wonderful effort last start storming home behind the impressive Vanna Girl in The Roses (Group 2). She steps up to 2030 metres. If she can settle and race like she did last time she will be extremely hard to defeat here. The speed is on as well in the race and a small field should see her pull out wide in the straight and make a late dash at the leaders. Jimmy Orman is aboard again – another live chance for him. She is part owned by my “good friend” Darren Wilson – he will be hitting the cellar if she salutes here this weekend!

Munce Racing trains Smart Meteor (1) who went around in the Group 3 Rough Habit. He seemed to peak on his run late – but I think that sets him up nicely here for this race. Mark Du Plessis to ride.

Selections:

8 – Cellarmaid
1 – Smart Meteor
2 – Wapiti
3 – Lando Bay
Rough chance – (6) Man of Sinn

Race 3

Looks like a rough race for punters – a big field with many chances. Play wide and win a motza is my tip!

Phobetor (11) is trained on the Gold Coast by Michael Costa and will be ridden by Brad Stewart. He is only lightly raced, has raced well previously on soft tracks and has superb first up record. He has had three trials in the lead up to his resumption to this preparation. The last trial I thought was a particularly good trial in preparation for this race.

Hi Fever (17) is trained by Brian Wakefield and stormed home last start over 1050 metres. I do not think the extra distance will bother him. He is looking for a hat trick of wins and could cause another upset in this race.

Matt Kropp trains Spirits Choice (5) who just does not seem to fire at Doomben. He does love this distance and could ping the start and take up the running and therefore he could lead all the way as he has done in the past. Adin Thompson rides and his claim will come in handy.

Selections:

11 – Phobetor
17 – Hi Fever
5 – Spirits Choice
9 – Doctor Zous
Rough chance – (6) One Stryke

Race 4

Chris Munce trains Scathing (3) who has been racing in Group 3 races in his past two starts. He has been solid in both races. Back in class and with Justin Huxtable (the stable apprentice) aboard there is a lot to like about his chances this weekend.

Better Reflection (2) will be ridden by Ryan Wiggins this weekend for John Wigginton – so this is unique - seems like the Wiggins (maybe we should call them the Wiggles – have combined here). Better Reflection loves the Doomben track and I am going to overlook the last start at Eagle Farm. She steps up for the first time to face 1350 metres this weekend. I think that she will get the distance and could cause an upset at good odds.

Selections:

3 – Scathing
2 – Better Reflection
7 – Vinco
1 – Wandabaa
Rough chance – (9) Arthur in Charge

Race 5

These races – leave me out!

Chris Waller Racing from the Gold Coast has 5 out of the 9 runners.

I think that Alward (3), with a short break of four weeks, will have fresh legs and should prove hard to catch – Larry Cassidy the master of distance races is in the saddle.

Another Dollar (1) resented the way the race was run last start at Eagle Farm. Rule a line through that run and look for an improved effort with Luke Dittman in the saddle. Luke has been riding well recently – flying under the radar but his winning rides have been superb!

Selections:

3 – Alward
1 – Another Dollar
7 – Fighting Teo
9 – La Pulga
Rough chance – (2) Le Juge

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie this weekend and it is as open as the Sydney heads – not that I will be seeing those anytime with the borders closed! Now let us talk about that – why can we not open the borders at least with the wonderful NSW? As for Victoria – they have another surge of the COVID-19 disease. Let us take a leaf out of Trump’s book – build a fence round that State keep them locked in and the rest of us can get on with life!

Thy Kingdom Come (7) won well last start at Eagle Farm and looks well placed again – Michael Cahill retains the ride.

Soxagon (6) looked all over a winner and was run down in the final strides last start at Eagle Farm over 1400 metres. He will appreciate the slightly shorter 1350 metres. Mark Currie hasn’t had a city winner for a while, and he has booked Brad Stewart again to try and change that!

Shijin (8) loves to lead – loves the wet – has drawn well – has Maddy Wishart aboard again this weekend and has won 3 out of 4 starts here at Doomben. She has drawn well in barrier 2 and will ensure that this race is run at a solid speed.

Selections:

7 – The Kingdom Come
6 – Soxagon
8 – Shijin
12 – The Pines
Rough chance – (5) Saxton Rock

Race 7

There will be a major “inquiry” if Inquiry (7) from the John Smerdon stables on the Gold Coast does not run a race here. He will lead this field this weekend. Ryan Wiggins has the ride he looks a solid chance in a race where he should not have any pressure placed on him in the lead. He was gallant in defeat last start at the Gold Coast carrying a massive 60 kilograms. Down in weight a chance to lead with no pressure makes him hard to beat.

Scallopini (1) resumed with a great win and then may have just suffered the second up yips. He has a solid third up record with three wins from five efforts. Boris Thornton retains the ride here – the weight will not stop him.

Star Reflection (8) trained by Kris Lees may run well – a solid chance for your exotics.

Selections:

7 – Inquiry
1 – Scallopini
8 – Star Reflection
2 – Chapter and Verse

Race 8

The feature race – the Group 3 Sapphire Stakes. This race is incredibly open.

I like Krone (6) from Gollan Racing to put in a massive effort over the mile. She is fourth up here and has progressively got better since arriving at the Gollan yards. I think that her run in the Dane Ripper (Group 2) last start is a solid lead up for this race. Brad Stewart has the ride this weekend.

The NSW invaders look the likely dangers. Tricky Gal (9) from the Matthew Smith stables will have Baylee Nothdurft aboard. Baylee will be looking to knock his boss off here in this race. She loves the wet tracks – if it stays wet and the track chopped up, she will love the conditions and poses a serious threat.

Shuhood (12) is from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yards. She has gone from a maiden win four starts ago into Listed and Group 2 level in her past two starts. She looks to have serious ability and she could go all the way this weekend – Robbie Fradd has been booked for the ride.

There are many chances – it may all just come down to tactics and who gets an uninterrupted run in the straight with the rail out so far.

Selections:

6 – Krone
9 – Tricky Gal
12 – Shuhood
5 – Sure Knee
Rough chances – (2) Baccarat Baby (3) Delectation Girl

Race 9

The last race of the day – I do not like the favourites and expect the race to be won by something rough – I just hope I have found the winner in one of my top two selections.

Unconditional (10) is the runner I have settled on. Trained by Edmonds Racing on the Gold Coast. He comes to town with two solid wins under his belt. He ran superbly on a heavy track at home last start with apprentice Nathan “Faz” Fazackerley in the saddle – he retains the ride here. I think he is still looking for his first Saturday metro winner and he may get that as a reward this weekend with this runner who has drawn barrier 1 – this may not be an advantage so late in the day after eight races – but he will race in off the speed probably two pairs back.

Love Squirrels (11) is second up for Paul Jenkins. Robbie Fradd is in the saddle and she has solid second up form and loves the wet tracks. Could cause an upset.

Pinnacle Star (2) is trained by David Vandyke and has been solid without winning – I think he needs a firm surface before we see the best of him.

Selections:

10 – Unconditional
11– Love Squirrels
2 – Pinnacle Star
12 – Our Top Sheif
Rough chances – (1) Oriental Runner (16) Sukwhinder
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Jockey’s Challenge

Boris Thornton, Brad Stewart or Jimmy Orman. Let us hope Brad gets some luck in the middle of the program and gets the chocolates this weekend.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5 NSW only)

1,2,8 / 5,9,11,17 / 2,3,7 / 1,3,7 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,8 / 11,17 / 2,3 / 1,3,7 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6,7,8,12 / 1,7,8 / 5,6.9,12 / 2,10,11 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6.7 / 1,7 / 6,9 / 10,11 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9

1,7,8 / 5,6.9,12 / 2,10,11 - cost is $36 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO beat WINNO last weekend with some great tipping in our tipping competition. 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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