WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, AUGUST 7, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, August 5, 2021

This weekend we are back at Doomben … well, some of us are while the rest of us will watch the action from home under lockdown conditions. This Saturday the track rated “soft” and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. The track should be upgraded with warm weather forecast. In recent weeks leaders at Doomben have had a distinct advantage.

Wow – the Olympics Games – how good has Australia been! A wonderful effort from our athletes.

With COVID 19 restrictions in place it will be tough going for many people over the coming weeks. I am thinking of you all and your families – stay safe and make sure you and your family are healthy and well over this trying period.

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

Rob Heathcote has been getting some success of late. I believe he has been catching some good fish up in North QLD as well! Release The Beans (1) won here last time out with Luke Dittman aboard – seems he probably will be touting a nice tan as well as he has been holidaying up that way as well whilst the rest of us have been freezing and in lockdown! This runner was heavily backed last time out and won over 1200 metres – will race just off the speed and looks well placed again this weekend.

Hamlet Von Snitzel (3) is the early market favourite from the Natalie McCall stables. Has posted two wins in a row – Jimmy Orman takes the ride this weekend. Did lead and win here over the distance last time out at a midweek race but I think he may struggle here this weekend so I am looking for some value.

Rockin Artie (5) is from the Morrisey yards on the Gold Coast and will be ridden by Jaden Lloyd. This runner was beaten last time out by Release The Beans (1), however, meets that runner better at the weights for that defeat plus has an added 3 kilograms off for Lloyd’s claim. Massive odds as well at $21 – each way all day for mine. He did work home well last start over 1200 metres and I think the step up in distance will suit him – plus he is third up this weekend.

Derani (2) ran well at Grafton over their Carnival and the came back and won at Ipswich – keep safe.

Selections:

5 – Rockin Artie
1 – Release The Beans
3 – Hamlet Von Snitzel
2 – Derani

Race 2

A race over 2200 metres – small field.

Tavion Prince (4) worked home well last time out here over 2020 metres for Gollan Racing. Up in distance, but looks ideally placed again here as I think there was not much speed on in that race and he was not suited to that. He did storm home late to be narrowly beaten by the leader of the race.

He Runs Away (1) has returned to the Chris Waller yards and went around in the same race as Tavion Prince (4) last time. Just think he may strip better for that run and he does have a solid record at Doomben – Luke Dittman rides.

London Banker (5) won last weekend at Eagle Farm over 2212 metres for Kelly Schweida Racing and Jimmy Orman. He was dominant in that win – nothing wrong with the form and the ride was an 11 out of 10 from Orman. He is a short-priced favourite – a repeat of that effort would make him very difficult to hold out here.

Selections:

4 – Tavion Prince
5 – London Banker
1 – He Runs Away
6 - Safin

Race 3

A class 3 race here – over 1050 metres.

I think that Chris Munce Racing has a good chance with Kavak (3) at $11 to get the chocolates here. He is fourth up this preparation and has had a four week freshen up since his last start effort at Eagle Farm. I like him here at Doomben – Jaden Lloyd has another nice ride and his 3 kilogram claim will come in handy – drawn well in barrier 2 and should just sit in behind the leaders who should put some pace into the race early.

Aviemore (6) from Barry Lockwood’s yards does like to go forward and looks the likely leader. Jimmy Orman will ride. Did resume at Eagle Farm and was heavily backed into favourite and was disappointing. I think back at Doomben, and second up where she is undefeated, look for a dramatic improvement.

Tramonto (5) has had some gear changes for Jonny Field – Jag Guthmann-Chester will ride him this weekend. He drops back in grade considering his recent starts. He has had an 8 week freshen up and normally races well fresh.

Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted train Contemptuous (1) who will resume here. A strong recent trial and a superb first up record and Baylee Nothdurft to ride keeps this runner under watch. If there is any money for this runner, I would suggest that you follow it come race day.

Selections:

3 – Kavak
5 – Tramonto
6 – Aviemore
1 – Contemptuous

Race 4

Gary Duncan trains Dzsenifer (10) who I think was very unlucky last time out when beaten by Magic Conqueror (6).

He worked home well late over the 1615 metres but just could not reel in the leader. Larry Cassidy did ride Magic Conqueror (6) to perfection leading and controlling the race. I think on the day on speed runners had a distinct advantage early. Dzsenifer (10) will be working home late and Taylor Marshall will ensure that he gets the chance to knock Cassidy off this weekend. I must confess Cassidy does seem to have the wood on Marshall at the poker tables recently – then on the other hand so does WINNO. He seems to always knock him off dealing the river to ensure another player gets all the chips – sorry Taylor just had to have a cheap shot!

Magic Conqueror (6) is trained by Kelly Schweida and, as stated, led last time out. Not sure if he will get it all his own way in front this weekend with runners such as I Am A Rocker (13) and Fighting Commando (11) pushing forward. Cassidy may have to come up with alternate tactics to get this runner home.

Bentley Magic (8) resumed here after 4 weeks off and racing in NSW last start racing over 1350 metres. The step up in distance for the Matthew Smith yards looks ideal for this runner and Robbie Fradd will ride again. Look for an improvement on his last run. There has been some support for this runner being backed from $13 into $9 since the markets opened.

Fighting Commando (11) won last time out at the Sunshine Coast over the mile. Steps up to Saturday grade for the first time for trainer Neil Hocking. Minonette Kennedy rides again – 3 kilograms off – will race on the speed, so if they are leading and winning you must consider this runner. Kennedy has an amazing record on this gelding with 6 rides – 3 wins and 2 seconds.

Selections:

10 – Dzsenifer
6 – Magic Conqueror
8 – Bentley Magic
11 – Fighting Commando

Race 5

Difficult race over 1600 metres.

Not a fan of the race. Take your chances. I have gone wide here in my selections.

Alderman (3) looks the likely leader here for Lindsay Gough with Jimmy Orman to ride. He is now third up and up to a more suitable distance. He has run consecutive second placings since resuming. I have respect for this runner.

Wham (2) has been sensationally backed since the markets opened firming from $6 to $3.60 for the Lindsay Hatch yards. Apprentice Jayden Lloyd will ride him this weekend and the gelding comes off a solid win when resuming at his home track in Toowoomba last start. Does not have an impressive second up record – but is racing for a new stable – maybe he has settled in well. When this stable put their money on you should pay attention!

Adelase (9) is trained by Barry Baldwin and won midweek at her last run. That effort for mine suggests that she will be suited again here this weekend with Mark Du Plessis to retain the ride. She is around the $5 mark which is good value. I think on race day she may get out a little more in the market if the money continues for these other runners.

Nemingah (11) went around at Coffs Harbour last start when resuming. I think the run was solid – just believe that the track and tempo of the race did not suit the gelding who is trained by Edward O’Rourke. Jake Bayliss rides this weekend – he will be handy in the running and gets in well at the weights.

Selections:

9 – Adelase
11 – Nemingah
3 – Alderman
2 – Wham

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend – a large field at a No Metro Win level – tough assignment for punters.

I like Gollan Racing’s Purroni (5) who will be ridden by Jim Byrne. She is second up after resuming at Ipswich six weeks ago and being nailed in the shadows of the post by At Witz End (Race 9 number 3). She has raced in better quality races than this and I expect her to be stalking the leaders and Byrne to forge a gap late and win this race.

The Pines (1) resumes for Edmonds Racing and has won a recent barrier trial on the Gold Coast. She is lightly raced and has won 3 from 4 starts first up. They have elected to put Robbie Fradd on and not look for a claiming apprentice – that would suggest to me that she is going well on the track and will be difficult to roll here.

Power Boom (9) resumed at Eagle Farm for Glenn Thornton and will be ridden this weekend by Stephanie Thornton. Why not keep the winning feeling in the family? I really think that this mare resented the Eagle Farm track and will love the Doomben surface and I look forward to a massive improvement here this weekend.

Dis Dah Wun (3) is raced by Sears Racing and will be ridden by Leah Kilner – fresh off a superb winning double last weekend. Her claim ensures that this mare gets into the race well. She resumes here and has been smashed in the markets opening at $5 and now into $3.80. Where there is smoke there normally is FIRE!

Front Money (4) is trained by Bryan & Daniel Guy and she won last time out here at a midweek race. She likes to lead and if she gets left alone in front, and if leaders have any advantages on the day, she could prove very difficult to hold out again. Mark Du Plessis stays aboard for the stable.

Keep some other runners safe – She Can Sing (13) from the Michael Costa stables and Mary Valley (14) from the Steele Ryan stable.

Selections:

5 – Purroni
1 – The Pines
9 – Power Boom
3 – Dis Dah Wun
Rough chances – (4) Front Money & (13) She Can Sing & (14) Mary Valley

Race 7

The first leg of the treble here. Over 1200 and another No Metro Win race this time for the boys!

I must start with the John Moore runner So Clever (11) who missed the start here last time over 1200 metres. He then motored home and nearly won the race. A victim of circumstances – he will be very competitive this weekend. Jim Byrne goes on this weekend – an interesting move from Moore to place a senior jockey on this weekend. He has drawn well in barrier 4 and if Byrne can get him out of the barrier cleanly, I think he will be hard to beat.

Far Too Easy (12) was sensational at Grafton over the Carnival and he did destroy the field in the feature 2-year-old race. Sectionals and overall time were great – I think this runner has plenty of ability and is trained by David McColm. Will be ridden by Chris Caserta again here stepping up to weekend metro in the big smoke. He could well be one right out of the box!

Angus The Black (4) is trained by Gollan Racing. He normally races well fresh and loves Doomben. I think his is at massive overs at $21 – Robbie Fradd will ride here.

Selections:

11 – So Clever
12 – Far Too Easy
4 – Angus The Black
13 – Zumikon

Race 8

Here we go – two runners from Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted look hard to beat here. Shooting For Gold (5) who has been in amazing form winning his two starts after resuming from a spell. Baylee Nothdurft will continue his association with the gelding – a 100% strike rate now with 2 rides for 2 wins presently. He does extend out to 1110 metres this week – some speed in the race – I hope this will not see him beaten.

Totally Charmed (6) is the stablemate who resumed with a barnstorming win a month ago at the Sunshine Coast. He does have a good second up record and will be suited by the extra distance and Stephanie Thornton will ride again this weekend. He could be the one to beat at some good odds.

Ef Troop (7) from Gollan Racing resumed, led and was run down in the narrowest of margins in the shadows of the post last time. Jaden Lloyd takes the ride – again the 3-kilogram claim will ensure he gets in well. He will race on the speed as well – he may just be too fast for them this weekend, second up and drawn well on the speed. At around the $4.80 mark he does represent good each way value to knock off the favourite - Shooting For Gold (5).

Selections:

5 – Shooting For Gold
6 – Totally Charmed
7 – Ef Troop
3 – Just Orm

Race 9

The last race – an extremely competitive field – a massive one at that!

I like the chances of another Kelly Schweida Racing runner here – probably put the WINNO mock on him! Acrobatic (17) goes up in grade but down in weight. Even less weight with apprentice Jaden Lloyd to ride the gelding. He has drawn awkward in barrier 14 and that is of some concern – but he is fourth up here and he does like this Doomben surface. I think the extra distance will help him as well.

Tony Gollan’s runner Really Discreet (13) is well placed as well after a last start win in Class 6 grade over 1350 metres here a fortnight ago. She does have an impressive record on the track – Robbie Fradd rides.

Roman Aureus (4) keeps on performing at a peak level without much luck. Brian Wakefield must be tearing his hair out trying to find a race for him to win and draw a barrier! He has drawn 16 this weekend – probably will have to be ridden for luck midfield by apprentice Adin Thompson – but seriously 8 starts at this track for 4 wins and 4 placings it is an impressive record that must be respected.

Smowzone (5) thundered home last time out to win for Kris Lees Racing and Andrew Mallyon. He is another runner who has a superb record at this track with 14 starts for 5 wins and 5 placings. He will get the run of the race from barrier 10 and with some speed on will be thereabouts when the judge calls a halt to the race.

At Witz End (3) is trained by Owen Glue and must be included in the chances. He has won his past two starts impressively – has drawn a little wide but, with Brad Stewart returning from a suspension to ride, look for him to attempt to get this underrated runner home for a hat trick of wins.

Selections:

17 – Acrobatic
13 – Really Discreet
4 – Roman Aureus
5 – Snowzone
Rough chance – (3) At Witz End
_____________________________________________________________________

Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like a close contest between the “J” ‘s this week- Jimmy Orman, Jim Byrne and the new kid on the block Jaden Lloyd. Tough call here I may go for the “old” bloke Jim Byrne to just pip the whipper snippers.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5 / 3,5,6 / 6,8,10 / 3,9,11 - cost is $54 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5 / 3,5 / 6,10 / 9,11 - cost is $16 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,4,5,9 / 11,12 / 5,6,7 / 4,5,13,17 - cost is $120 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,5 / 11 / 5,6 / 4,13,17 - cost is $12 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

11,12 / 5,6,7 / 4,5,13,17 - cost is $24 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO is still on holidays – well paternity leave – having a wonderful time with his baby boy! I think I will take on HRO columnist David Fowler this weekend – he was in sensational form last weekend tipping 5 winners … as well as the Quaddie with a handsome return. Be sure to check Facebook on Saturday morning for our updated information where I will post our selections and any late mail!

More articles