WINNO'S WINNERS: TOOWOOMBA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

By Darren Winningham | Friday, September 25, 2020

This weekend is out west and up the hill to the TOOWOOMBA racetrack where the track rated “GOOD” and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
This is Toowoomba’s premium race day of the year. It features the Toowoomba Cup and the time honoured Weetwood as well as Queenslands first two-year-old race of the season (race 5).

A word of warning – local horses or horses who have won here previously normally have a distinct advantage on this day each year. Mark my words there will be plenty of betting moves on the day – but will the plunges land in 2020?

I cannot sign off without a comment about the BRONCOS – deserved wooden spoon winners in the NRL for 2020 – stay tuned in the coming weeks for WINNO’s unique tribute for this wonderful success!

Lastly, thanks to the WINNO supporters who have bought eggs for me on Sunday and dropped them around home! Yes, I got it wrong when the Tony Gollan sensation ZOUSTYLE won well last weekend at the Gold Coast. And yes, for all you that were not at the track on the day – Josh Fleming (dressed in his pink) did give WINNO a spray from the box about his comments in his blog last weekend. On the “flip side” or the “sunny side up” – I have been enjoying omelettes and scrambled eggs for brekky all week!

I think I have found some serious value in most of the races – now for some of them to be first past the post!

Race 1

Looks like Chris Waller can claim the opening race here with his charge Kimpembe (2) who has won his past two starts – Michael Cahill to ride here.

Coco Fashion (7), from the Chris Munce stables, looks like she is looking for the extra distance - 1850 metres of this race - and will be the likely challenger.

Then you must respect the two local chances who have been well supported in the markets – Ultimate Power (6) trained by Kieran Kirwan and to be ridden by Rebecca Goldsbury and Rhyme Time (11) trained by Lindsay Hatch, who is undefeated at the track with two starts for two wins. Sheriden Tomlinson rides this one.

Selections:

2 – Kimpembe
7 – Coco Fashion
11 – Rhyme Time
6 – Ultimate Power

Race 2

The race has a field of only seven runners.

If Supergiant (2), from the Michael Costa yards on the Gold Coast is to get back in the winner’s stalls it would have to be this race – small field – reasonable length of straight and Matthew McGillivray in the saddle – it cannot get much better. If he cannot put this field away, he is in the SIN BIN for me!

Prioritise (1) is undefeated here with three starts for three wins. Sheriden Tomlinson is in the saddle – his 3-kilogram claim is in keen demand by trainers! This runner is on the quick back up from a run last weekend on the Gold Coast where things just didn’t go right for him on the day. Look for a dramatic improvement here on a track that he loves.

Mark Currie trains Junction (2) on the track. Must be considered. Baylee Nothdurft is in the saddle … as too must the Matt Kropp trained Okanagan Miss (1) mare who gets in well at the weights with the claim for apprentice Alex Patis.

Selections:

3 – Supergiant
1 – Prioritise
2 – Junction
6 – Okanagan Miss

Race 3

This race has plenty of early scratchings.

The Peter and Will Hulbert trained pair look well placed – Moonshine Lady (6) and Oh Five Glory (14). Oh Five Glory (14) has had a start here and has won – Taylor Marshall to ride for the stable. There has been some good support for this runner since the markets opened. Where there is smoke there is usually FIRE and this stable do like to back their judgement! For her part, Moonshine Lady (6) won in the last stride at huge odds last start with stable apprentice Adin Thompson aboard. They combine here again and if she handles the track, she will be very competitive.

I like the local runner Clockwise (9) at around the $11 mark to be ridden by Nathan Evans and trained by Tony Webb. She is third up here at a track where she has had seven starts and only been out of the money in one of those efforts. She has drawn well in barrier 3 and could cause an upset here for mine.

Catesby (3) has had a trainer change – has been racing in good class races and has been very consistent and could pop up on this big day. Luke Dittman will ride the six-year-old for Grant Allard.

Rock Beat (2) trained on the track with four wins from five starts here must be respected – Luke Tarrant hopefully can find his way from the Sunshine Coast to Toowoomba this weekend – maybe someone could lend him a GPS to ride him for the Tony and Maddy Sears Racing team.

Selections:

9 – Clockwise
14 – Oh Five Glory
3 – Catesby
6 – Moonshine Lady
Rough chance – (2) Rock Beat

Race 4

Only eight runners here – but seriously I can make a case for each of them in the 2020 Toowoomba Guineas.

The Michael Costa stable have a big opinion of this Top Echelon filly, Miss Cabaret (7) who remains undefeated in two career starts to date. She has been impressive at each of these starts and Jag Guthmann-Chester has found a fast one here to partner and remains aboard this weekend. I thought the latest win at Doomben over the mile sets her up nicely here for this weekend. Seeing is believing they say, and she looked a nice type when she saluted last start.

Calm Seeker (4) is trained by Matt Kropp locally. If I am correct, he won this race last year with a runner that I tipped at a massive price. This colt comes off a solid win here last start over the track and distance and Michael Cahill gets back aboard – he could just cause an upset and see a local take away the trophy for the Guineas in 2020.

Gollan Racing has The Actuary (6) going around here and she is the early market favourite. I could not find any excuses last start for her and I am happy to leave here out of my top two selections this weekend – Ryan Maloney takes the ride here.

Selections:

7 – Miss Cabaret
4 – Calm Seeker
6 – The Actuary
1 – Magic Conqueror

Race 5

This the two-year-old race – the first for the 2020/21 season in Queensland!

Will we see a champion come out of this race?

There is limited trial form to go on – so I would strongly suggest that you follow any moves in the market here. Then again owners and trainers will be bullish that their horse can win – take care is my warning here!

So, can the duo of Tony Webb and Nathan Evans get a unique double on this program with the debutant Golden Groove (9) who in my eyes was the best of the local runners at the trials. She has drawn okay as well in barrier 8 and should trail in behind some of these that will go like the clappers when the barriers crash back.

Sherwood Prince (1) races for the trainer/jockey combination of Glenn Richardson and Hannah Richardson. This colt has had two exciting trials on the track and he won his latest trial. He will derive some improvement from those hit outs and will be fit for his first up assignment – can he salute and be like his name suggests – “steal from the rich and give to the poor”?

Then you have the Les Ross Racing team fronting up here as well with two runners – Mishani Operator (2) and Mishani Scandal (3). These two have both had solid trial efforts and have drawn well. Jimmy Orman partners Mishani Scandal (3) and he was very impressive at the trials a fortnight ago at Deagon over 650 metres. The stablemate is Mishani Operator (2) who finished second in a trial to a stablemate in good time. He has drawn well here in barrier 2 and gives the stable apprentice Sheriden Tomlinson every chance to either lead or sit in behind the speed and come around them in the straight – 3 kilograms off this gelding’s back will assist him as well.

Money has come for the locally trained Alert and Ready (6) trained by the wily Kevin Kemp. As much as $10 was bet when the markets opened, and she has firmed into $5 and may even press for favouritism in the money keeps flooding in. I cannot find any official trial form – however, my track spies in Toowoomba do tell me she has been working well at the track under the cover of early morning darkness. Her dam is Plumage – maybe a good local PLUNGE may come off here with this one!

Selections:

9 – Golden Groove
1 – Sherwood Prince
3 – Mishani Scandal
2 – Mishani Operator
Rough chance – (6) Alert and Ready

Race 6

The first leg of the Quaddie this weekend is over 1050 metres – it is an open field.

This is where I think the value starts for the day – Motomiss (15) is my tip from the local stables of Lindsay Hatch to be ridden by Andrew Mallyon. She has raced well in town and hasn’t had much luck. But back on her home track, where she has a tremendous record of 3 wins and a second from 5 starts, I think she represents great value at $12.

Man In Motion (9) is trained here as well. Despite the wide barrier (barrier 13) he should begin well as usual and cross them easy and set up a good tempo in front. His last few starts have been solid, especially his last effort at Doomben when, over the 1110 metres, he looked the winner and was swamped late by Aheadofhistime (11).

Le Palmier (3) sees the Gollan Racing team looking for a winner on this feature race day. Georgina Cartwright is looking for another win after a great debut on the Gold Coast last weekend for the stable. I am just concerned with barrier 15 for this one in the large field.

The stablemate is Ready To Roam (12) has drawn wide as well in barrier 14. He probably will be best suited by the race conditions of all the runners here with some serious speed in the race – the faster they go, the faster he will flash down the outside of the track. Baylee Nothdurft rides this one for the stable and he did do all his early riding here on this track and knows all the short cuts home – do not underestimate this runner at around $8.

Selections:

15 – Motomiss
9 – Man In Motion
12- Ready To Roam
3 – Le Palmier
Rough chances – (11) Aheadofhistime, (10) Mort Doyle

Race 7 – 2020 TOOWOOMBA CUP

One of the feature races on the program the TOOWOOMBA CUP.

I liked the effort of Bajan Gold (11) last weekend when he won at the Gold Coast over 1800 metres. Trained by Cody Morgan and again to be ridden by Andrew Mallyon, the way he stormed home under hands and heels suggests that the 2000 metres should not trouble him here this weekend. He goes up in class and that may be the only concern – but down on the limit of 54 kilograms. Drawn well – and with some good speed in the race I am punting on him here around the $6 mark.

Mark Currie has Matthew McGillivray on Factory Warrior (12) who has a strike record on the track – 7 starts for 5 wins and 2 placings – a 100% place strike rate. I am thinking that he may lead this lot if Fighting Teo (3) does not push forward and take up the running. If Matty can get his own way in front, he could be hard to run down late. Sure, I am taking a risk here with a leader in a race where normally the back markers do best but I think this runner has always shown the ability to fight on strong late and hold them out.

Sir Barnabus (4) – what can I say – Jason Edwards has him going amazingly and he cannot be left out of the chances. Jimmy Orman has been aboard this one his past two starts and despite coming to the track for the first time will appreciate 2000 metres and the strong tempo that appears to be engaged.

The pre-post favourite is the Steven O’Dea trained Reckless Choice (5). The form cannot be knocked here either. This gelding steps out for his first assignment over 2000 metres. Justin Huxtable won on him last start at Eagle Farm over 1800 metres – he will need to be putting this runner into the race on the home turn for him to be any chance here, but if he runs out the distance he will be there when the judge calls a halt to the Cup for 2020.

Selections:
11 – Bajan Gold
12 – Factory Warrior
4 – Sir Barnabus
5 – Reckless Choice

Race 8

The time honoured WEETWOOD for 2020 – over 1200 metres.

Here we go more controversy this weekend from WINNO – more eggs for me?

Let’s start with the runners that, on form, have a great chance from the top of the page.

The Odyssey (4) produced a great effort when resuming – trained by the Kelly Schweida and again to be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. He will be out in front for a long, long way. Drawn perfectly in barrier 4 there is much appeal for this runner here. He was solidly backed first up to beat Alligator Blood (and tipped by WINNO) but back into open class and a larger weight the jury is still out for me!

Boomsara (5) – Chris Munce Racing – Larry Cassidy to ride. Drawn wonderfully in barrier 2, he will sit in behind the speed and get the run of the race. Seriously, the efforts in the 2020 Grafton Ramornie and the Ipswich Eye Liner were enormous. He races well fresh, out of Spirit of Boom with some local owners, he must be a serious contender. He hasn’t had any official trials for the first up run but Munce will have him cherry ripe for this feature race.

Then the fairy tale story – Love You Lucy (6). The local trainer Barry Squair and local legend jockey Ron Goltz combine with the mare who took all before her last preparation winning the Gold Coast Silk Stocking and then the Dane Ripper at Eagle Farm. This is the story waiting to be written if she can win her hometown feature race. She is undefeated at the track with 2 starts for 2 wins. She will be given every chance here by Ron Goltz I can assure you that!

Then we have Tony Gollan’s Snitch (7) who has raced well previously here with two wins on this track. Has been freshened recently and won a barrier trial in emphatic style a fortnight ago. Big odds on offer here at $17 – Baylee Nothdurft looking for a feature hometown win in front of his family would a special moment as well!

And what about the Kevin Kemp trained Mr Marbellouz (9) who may go forward and lead from barrier 1 or may just trail The Odyssey (4) – either way it would be a wonderful story if this locally trained and owned runner saluted after coming back from injury.

Now for my tip – yes, I am okay – yes, I have taken my medication – and yes, I am sober!

I am tipping one at $101 earlier on Wednesday when the markets opened (and yes, I did get on!) – he races well with the blinkers on – is resuming from a 63-week spell and has had the benefit of two recent trials. He thrives on the track and he just go well for the jockey as well. I’m talking about Bergerac (2), trained by Steve Tregea and to be ridden by Michael Murphy. The barrier is a drama drawn the outside regardless of the scratchings in barrier 19. Look he will need some luck but if Murphy can get him in handy and get some cover with the speed on, I am hoping he can race well fresh as he has done in the past!
I am going on his previous form and efforts in Group and Listed company – he could cause an upset here!

Selections:

2 – Bergerac
6 – Love You Lucy
5 – Boomsara
4 – The Odyssey
Rough Chances – (7) Snitch (9) Mr Marbellouz

Race 9

The last race of the day over 1300 metres. A tough way to end a good day’s racing.

The Great Boombino (12) for me. Trained by Craig Cousins and another nice ride for Stephanie Thornton (she could ride the last two winners on this feature race day). Has drawn well in barrier 3 so will bounce to the front and should get her own way in front – that final 75 metres is going to tell the story – will she run out a solid 1300 metres? She is $14 in some markets.

If Boombino is caught short at the distance, the local trained runner Trengganu (18) will be storming home late for Sears Racing and Luke Tarrant – the distance suits this gelding and the speed in the race makes him an exciting proposition here.

I am not sure if Coup (17) will take his place in the field. Trained on the track by Michael Nolan he is another that could cause an upset.

Voila (9) from the Waller Racing stables on the Gold Coast gives them a genuine opportunity to book end the program if they win the first race. This mare has been racing consistently – has drawn better this weekend in barrier 2 and Luke Dittman would like to win the last race here I am certain.

Selections:

12 – The Great Boombino
18 – Trengganu
17– Coup
9 – Voila
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Jockey’s Challenge

I think this will be an open affair this weekend – I am going for Michael Cahill. A big watch on Andrew Mallyon, Matty McGillivray and Baylee Nothdurft has some solid rides as well.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3 / 3,9,14 / 4,6,7 / 1,2,3,9 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,3 / 9,14 / 4,7 / 2,3,9 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,9,12,15 / 4,5,11,12 / 2,4,5,6,7 / 9,12,17,18 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,9,15 / 11,12 / 2,5,6,7 / 9,12,18 - cost is $72 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5,11,12 / 2,4,5,6,7 / 9,12,17,18 - cost is $80 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO beat WINNO last weekend in our tipping competition. This weekend Josh Fleming has a well-earned break and I get to take on my other “tipping bunny” the resident vocal cords from Toowoomba, ANTHONY COLLINS. I have a solid record against this Muppet as well – so bring your best COLLINS – no excuses – it is your home turf! Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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