WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, NOVEMBER 28

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, November 26, 2020

This weekend we stay at DOOMBEN with the track rated “GOOD” and the rail is out 4.5 metres for the entire circuit.

I suppose I will be in for it at the track this weekend with the QLD supporters coming out from under their rocks after they won (luckily) in Origin 3 last week in Brisbane. I suppose I must pay tribute to the QLD Maroons for winning the 2020 “COVID CUP”. I mean it was not a real State of Origin series in the middle of the year with normal scheduling and conditions. So, the 2020 series will always appear in the history books with an asterisk next to the series saying “COVID CUP”! Just saying!

Back to the horses as the racing starts to warm up for SUMMER in Queensland!

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

Race 1

We start off the day with a race over the mile.

Countess De Galvez (6) is trained by Mark Currie in Toowoomba – Jim Byrne up this weekend. The run last start was a little odd after she led the field and battled on well late. Stepping up to the mile will suit her – she has some solid form over the mile. Good odds again this weekend with $7 on offer she may just cause an upset in the first.

Grand Zou (9) is from Edmonds Racing. He led all the way last start in a Class 3 event here a fortnight ago and gave nothing else a chance surging away late to make the opposition look second rate. He goes up in grade and down in weight – look for Robbie Fradd to set the tempo again and try and run the more seasoned runners into the ground.

Ligulate (3) is on the quick back up from last weekend after running a solid effort at the Sunshine Coast over 1400 metres.

Tabard (10) has been very well supported – keep your eye on any further market moves.

Selections:

6 – Countess De Galvez
9 – Grand Zou
3 – Ligulate
10 - Tabard

Race 2

The Winning Edge Plate for the two-year-old runners – this can be a great guide to the Magic Millions so take a good look at this race.

The Chris Waller trained Conexy (2) was well supported on debut here a fortnight ago. He looks like he will have derived some benefit from the run. Luke Dittman dropped his wallet - sorry his whip - at the 100 metres and could not ride the gelding out with his normal vigour – however, he struck a good one on the day and probably would not have won the race. This weekend with the race benefit under his belt I am looking for him to win this race. They say that REAL men wear pink – so let us hope the pink silks and Luke salute in this race.

I’ve Bean There (1) was solid on debut as well. That run was 5 weeks ago, and he has had a recent trial to get him ready for this race - rained by Stuart Kendrick and to be ridden by Ryan Maloney.

Baby Wong (6) is a NSW runner trained by Stephen Jones. His debut at Newcastle in a strong race was better than it looks on paper as he was caught wide and still managed to finish off the race strongly. Look for a more conservative run this weekend with Andrew Mallyon aboard – he may be the surprise packet in the race.

Yes We’re Ready (4) is trained at the Gold Coast by Scott Morrisey. He was strong winning a trial on his home track. There has been some early solid support for this runner – someone must have an opinion of him – keep safe.

Selections:

2 – Conexy
1 – I’ve Bean There
6 – Baby Wong
4 – Yes Were Ready
Rough chance – (3) Hostwin Toronado

Race 3

A difficult field over 1050 metres.

Kelly Schweida Racing has Apollo Prince (11) on debut here for the stable. This runner has had some previous good form before coming to Queensland. I liked his trial the other week and I am hoping he will sprint well fresh this weekend – Jim Byrne has the ride. There is as much as $31 on offer if you shop well.

Mary Valley (14) resumes here as well for trainer Steele Ryan. Her debut win at the Sunshine Coast back in March suggested she was a nice type. She then went to Sydney and raced in a Group 2 on a heavy track – rule a line through that run as the track gave her no hope. First up here with apprentice Kate Cowan in the saddle taking 3 kilograms off – she could run well with no weight on her back. She has drawn terrible in barrier 14 so will have to jump cleanly and will try to race near the lead.

Patches (6), trained by Michael Nolan Racing in Toowoomba, is undefeated in three starts second up. I like his run first up at the Gold Coast. I am assuming that part owner Nick Hahn will be partnering him to the track and strapping him – maybe they can get into the winner’s stall and Nick can give the gelding a big kiss after the race!

Gin N Bitters (9) as the name suggests maybe bittersweet here. Trained by Billy Healey from whom I am certain that I will get a SMS saying, “you idiot – she is flying” and “she is a certainty now you have not tipped her”. She did run very well last start here 5 weeks ago. She does race well with her runs spaced apart – but not for me this weekend – sorry Billy! But … she has been well supported since the markets have opened – just saying!

Highland Son (13) is a lightly raced gelding from the Stuart Kendrick yards to be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. This runner could upset the lot of them – you just cannot tip them all – well you can – I just did!

Selections:

11 – Apollo Prince
14 – Mary Valley
6 – Patches
9 – Gin N Bitters
Rough chance – (13) Highland Son

Race 4

A QTIS three-year-old event here over 1630 metres.

See Marie (7) is a Desleigh Forster runner who is second up this weekend with Jim Byrne taking the ride. She raced well in the Winter Carnival in Listed races – I think this weekend second up with some speed in the race she will power home late.

Mob Buster (14) was driving home last start here over the mile. This runner is trained by Tony Haydon and Mark Du Plessis retains the mount this weekend. He has had a month off after his last effort but his opposition here are not as tough as his previous run in my opinion. He is great each way value at $9.

Olympic Class (5) was powerful winning first up on his home track on the Gold Coast. Then he stepped out over 1400 metres and just could not finish off the race second up. He did fight on well late but was just pipped on the post. Maybe it was just the second up blues – but with that effort under his belt and stepping up to a mile look for a solid effort here. Jimmy Orman will ride him for the first time. The money has come for this runner since the markets were posted on Wednesday.

Beg Me (6) – what an appropriate name for this Tom Button runner who will carry blinkers for the first time this weekend. You see Luke Tarrant rides this runner and we all know how good he looks in BLUE colours since he will be riding in the sky blue colours of the stable. I bet he will be “Begging Me” not to sledge him on the way out. Then again – he will have plenty to say after his dirty QLD team won on Wednesday night.

Selections:

7 – See Marie
14 – Mob Buster
5 – Olympic Class
6 – Beg Me

Race 5

An open affair here over 1350 metres – at Class 3 level!

We saw Gollan Racing train the first 4 in a race a few weeks ago.

This weekend we could see Chris Waller Racing train the trifecta with his three runners here!

Kubrick (2) is a dual acceptor scratched from the first race to run here. He does go up in weight as it is a Class 3 race – but he was solid last start out in a Class 6 race. Luke Dittman who continues to have a solid strike rate with the stable rides this weekend.

Lubuk (3) ran here two starts ago and won in this grade. They then stepped him up to Class 6 in the same race that Kubrick (2) raced in. He will be competitive here. Michael Cahill to ride.

Toomai (11) rounds out the Waller stable’s representatives here. Again, will be partnered by Larry Cassidy. She has been a model of consistency posting three consecutive seconds – she is due for a change of luck. She has drawn barrier 14 – that will pose a problem, however, there is some good speed here that should string out the field so she may just get in and get some cover. Cassidy will need some luck or clear running in the straight.

Beachbreak (8) is an Edmonds Racing runner. She won here on Melbourne Cup day with Jim Byrne in the saddle. They stay together here this weekend. She has drawn well but is stepping up to Saturday class racing.

Selections:

2 – Kubrick
11 – Toomai
3 – Lubuk
8 – Beachbreak
Rough chances – (9) Got My Thrills & (10) Latina Beauty

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie. This race is a LOTTERY – a massive field over 2030 metres.

Tough race – no confidence.

Grand Zou (7) is a dual acceptor (race 1 number 9). If he races here, he will be a genuine chance.

Populist (11) ran well last start when second here for trainer Gary Duncan. He is third up this preparation. I just think that the longer distance and Sean Cormack will suit him this weekend.

Michael Costa has a pair of runners here – Seentoomany (1) and Purrfect Deal (15) both coming off wins.

Seentoomany held on in the race where she was backed heavily from $21 to $10 and held up despite being protested against – Brad Stewart retains the ride, and she is big odds again this weekend at $11.

The stablemate is Purrfect Deal (15) who was sent out a short priced favourite last start on her home track over 1800 metres. That was a solid effort, and the extra distance does not look an issue this weekend – Ben Thompson to ride.

Takeittothelimit (13) is a Sears Racing runner. She has been consistent in recent outings. Maybe a place chance.

Torrens (5) fired up last start with blinkers on – this weekend trainer Ethan Ensby has changed the gear and put winkers on. Last start he was as much as 16 lengths in front at one stage – maybe he will settle this weekend and run the distance out. Luke Dittman takes over from Matthew McGillivray who was a muck lather after returning to scale after the ride last start.

Selections:

11 – Populist
15 – Purrfect Deal
1 – Seentoomany
13 – Takeittothelimit
Rough chance – (5) Torrens

Race 7

This is an open race – 20 runners – Class 6 over 1200 metres. But there are several early scratchings.

There are plenty of leaders engaged here – it may be run at a frantic rate.

With that in mind I think that the Chris Waller Racing representative Baller (11) will sneak home late with Luke Dittman using the whip (please keep a hold of it in this race – you will need it). Baller resumed behind Boomtown Lass (8) and was coming home hard over 1110 metres first up. Second up, with that effort under his belt, he can win this.

Boomtown Lass (8) was exciting first up for Chris Anderson Racing when she returned this preparation and staved off the others late under the solid urgings of apprentice Justin Huxtable. She is second up this weekend. I am prepared to risk her as she does have an average strike rate second up – however, her record at Doomben is amazing with 5 starts, 4 wins and a second. She will be suited with the speed on and probably will make her run at the same time as Baller (11). I just hope the weight differential this weekend sees my tip get home first!

Then again – if she does win this weekend my mate James Goves – hopefully will not be as emotional as he was the other week – one of the most special moments on a race track I have seen!

Phantom Falcon (12), trained by Kacy Fodgen, loves to lead and was great last preparation. He won a recent trial, has drawn well in barrier 7 and Jimmy Orman gets aboard this ex-Hong Kong runner. If they leave him alone in front, he could box on late and cause an upset.

Racecourse Road (19) gets a run with the scratchings – he loves to lead and battled on first up to run a gallant third. Will have strip fitter and will also be hard to run down if left alone in front.

Catesby (1) went around in the Keith Noud where Jonker broke the long-standing track record of Takeover Target. There was nothing wrong with the effort and despite the weight is right in this with Jim Byrne to ride.

Selections:

11 – Baller
8 – Boomtown Lass
12 – Phantom Falcon
19 – Racecourse Road
Rough chance – (1) Catesby

Race 8

The feature race the Listed Recognition Stakes over 1350 metres.

The North QLD warrior and topweight The Harrovian (1) has been transferred to Toby Edmonds. Last start he scraped in over 1600 metres here and it was a tough run. He has had a four week freshen up since that run. Look, he is one super race horse that carries weight and just gives his all every time he goes around – it is hard to see him not being in the placings again this weekend. Brad Stewart is looking for a hat trick of wins aboard him as well – much respect for this runner – this could be his toughest test since coming to South East Queensland.

Red Chase (2) is a Desleigh Forster trained runner who won well last start over the track and distance. This runner normally can string a few wins together once he has found the winning post – he gets conditions to suit again here this weekend. Taylor Marshall rides him again – a pretty good records aboard him as well – 9 rides, 5 wins and 3 placings.

Emerald Kingdom (4) is a Robert Heathcote Racing runner who put in an indifferent effort last start. There was some support for him, however, he was soundly beaten by Red Chase (2). He meets that runner better at the weights this weekend – so do not underestimate his chances.

Stampe (11) from Chris Munce Racing went around in the Keith Noud (Listed) last start and could not make ground on the tearaway leader and eventual winner Jonker from the Gollan Racing stable. I thought the run was still full of merit. Despite being beaten 5 lengths I thought that he raced well – it was his second run up from a spell and he will have derived some benefit from that effort. This weekend Jim Byrne takes the mount.

Soxagon (6) settled back in the field in the Keith Noud and was never a winning hope. Forget that run as he is better than that effort suggests. He is third up this weekend with Robbie Fradd to steer – he could be one here at odds to create an upset. Mark Currie trains this runner and I think the nice barrier draw will assist him in racing a few pairs back in behind the speed and then being right in the race late.

Profit (10) from Chris Anderson Racing has been trialling well. He is first up this weekend. As there is speed in the race, he probably does get conditions to suit and could be one flashing home out wide late with Matthew McGillivray in the saddle.

Selections:

2 – Red Chase
1 – The Harrovian
11 – Stampe
6 – Soxagon
Rough chances – (4) Emerald Kingdom & (10) Profit

Race 9

The last race – another open field – fillies and mares at Listed level over 1200 metres.

I cannot split my top two selections in this race – Jadentom (2) and Thine Is The Power (13).

Let’s talk about Jadentom first from the Lindsay Hatch yards in Toowoomba who has returned to racing with two striking and very imposing victories. She is looking for a hat trick this weekend with Andrew Mallyon to stay aboard.

Her win last start here was effortless letting down and slaying the opposition in a solid time of 1:09.05. Despite being now a seven-year-old mare, she is racing in career best form and looks a serious contender in this last race. Her strike rate is superb - only 28 career starts for 12 wins and 5 placings. She is the early market pre-post favourite and I am certain there will be support for her as the race draws closer.

Now the other runner, from the Toby and Trent Edmonds (Edmonds Racing) stables on the Gold Coast, is Thine Is The Power (13) who returned to racing with a huge win in 1.09.57 here three weeks ago. She carried a big weight and was way too good for the opposition. She goes up in grade – down in weight and has the services of Jim Byrne (who appears to have a solid book of rides this weekend). Byrne has been riding well since returning from his stint in NSW – maybe it is that wonderful NSW air – has lifted his spirits and created a new man! Thine Is The Power has drawn wide here in barrier 18 but I think she will be able to get across with the early speed drawn inside her and be placed 5 pairs back or so in the running. I really think at around $9 she is a great each way bet.

Mark Newnham brings his mare Blazing Miss (6) to Queensland. This stable has a great strike rate when they bring their horses north and they know how to place them well. Michael Cahill is in the saddle here. She seemed a touch disappointing last start at Rosehill when she was well backed and was defeated by her stablemate Invictus Salute (now scratched from this race). I think that on a firm track and third up she looks a serious contender here – just cannot line up the form completely. If she has travelled up well and eaten up – she will probably make this field look ordinary on her best form.

Skate To Paris (3) is from Chris Munce Racing. Now if this race was across the road, I would nearly be declaring her as she has a tremendous strike rate at Eagle Farm. Whatever she does here this weekend she will take some improvement from as she has a superb record second up – so keep your eye on her in the coming weeks. Her trial the other week at Eagle Farm was a lot better than it appears on paper was well.

Niedorp (11) is a great chance for the Gollan Racing stables as well although she has drawn terrible in barrier 19 this weekend – they have left Georgina Cartwright on her and this could see Cartwright win her first black type race since coming north on loan to the Gollan stables – that would be a story if she can get this mare home.

Socialising (17) is the stablemate from Tony Gollan’s team. She is a lightly raced mare that has trialled well leading into this race. She has drawn well and has solid form first up on the track and at this distance. Ben Thompson has the ride on her and look for him to be getting her out late and storming home.

It is a tough race this last one – but there is some value if you shop wide for mine.

Selections:

2 – Jadentom
13 – Thine Is The Power
6 – Blazing Miss
17 - Socialising
Rough chances – (11) Niedorp & (3) Skate To Paris
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Jockey’s Challenge

I am going for Jim Byrne to get the job done this weekend. Maybe a saver on Luke Dittman at a silly price!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,6 / 6,9,11,13,14 / 5,6,7,14 / 2,3,8,11 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 / 6,11,13,14 / 5,7,14 / 2,3,11 - cost is $72 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,11,15 / 1,8,11,12,19 / 1,2,6,11 / 1,3,6,13,17 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,11,15 / 8,11,12 / 1,2,11 / 2,6,13 - cost is $81 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,8,11,12,19 / 1,2,6,11 / 2,3,6,13,17 - cost is $100 to $1

WINNO v FLEMO

FLEMO has bragging rights after QLD got a lucky win over NSW and won Origin last week. Be sure to check our up to date and amended tips for our tipping competition 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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