WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, AUGUST 28, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Friday, August 27, 2021

This weekend we are back at DOOMBEN where the track is rated “SOFT” and the rail is out for 0.5 metres 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.

I normally do not venture into other sports and their politics but seriously the NRL are joking.

The ruse of a 17th team in QLD – the EKKA was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 - but we observed a side show earlier in the week with the three Brisbane consortiums presenting presentations and business cases to get a licence to play in the NRL.

Well, all I can say that this was all a SHOW! Tell me the logic in placing a seventeenth team in QLD?

Look at it logistically – one extra team – the extra cost to have them included for what benefit? Absolutely no benefit as all their inclusion will do is create a bye each week. Now, how does that improve television ratings? We all know that the larger media consortiums run Rugby League – they have a no extra games to televise with only one extra team being granted a licence – so no net benefit.

I am putting it out there – no extra team in the NRL – wasted exercise for everyone – well, unless they do something totally radical and we all know Peter Vlandys can and will pull a rabbit out of his hat on occasions and he permits two extra teams to enter the competition in 2024.

There is my say – got it off my chest. What do the rest of you think?

On a side note, it probably means that you Bronco supporters can swap teams and support a team who may be able to win a game in the near future – that includes you Josh Fleming – Mark Wood – Joshua Unwin and the rest of you!

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

Tony Gollan has two strong chances here with The Move (3) and Lyrical Girl (9). Both are resuming. Both have a solid first up record, and both had had solid recent trials. Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) rides The Move (3) and his claim brings this runner in well. Ryan Maloney rides the stable mate Lyrical Girl (9) who is resuming from a 30-week spell. She has drawn wide, but normally pings the gates and has wonderful early speed to get across. A lugging bit for the first time is an important gear change.

But I think that, at the value, I will tip the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained Contemptuous (10). He resumed and flashed home late three weeks ago. Baylee Nothdurft will ride for the stable and I just think that he will sit off these speedsters and may be a little too good with one run under his belt and may get the chocolates here.

Ruuca (4) on his best form may just beat them all. I just can never catch him. Jaden Lloyd rides for Edmonds Racing – with my luck he will just come out and win – but that’s punting!

Selections:

10 – Contemptuous
9 – Lyrical Girl
3 – The Move
4 – Ruuca

Race 2

An open affair this one – these Class 3 races can have some upset results!

Now IF Lyrical Girl (race 1 – number 9) wins the first race or gives a bold showing I would expect the Rob Heathcote trained Deep Sceiva (11) to give a good account of herself here first up. She ran second in that trial and was finishing strongly. Stable apprentice Leah Kilner has the ride, and 3-kilogram claim will be of benefit here. Deep Sciva is back in class. Last preparation she raced in Listed company and gave a good account of herself in those races – look for a forward showing.

Keefy (14) is a David Vandyke trained gelding having his second start for the stable. Mark Du Plessis will ride. He looked good first time up here in a midweek meeting. I think he is good each way value.

Spokesman (6) and Achiever (1) are Chris Waller racing runners. Spokesman (6) will be ridden by Jimmy Orman. He won first up at Eagle Farm midweek three weeks ago – solid form for this.

Achiever (1) resumes here and raced in Group races in his last preparation. Luke Dittman rides him after a 13-week spell. I just have a sneaky suspicion he may sprint well fresh here.

Next Dimension (4) is looking for a hat trick of wins here – trained by Kacy Fodgen and will be ridden by Ryan Maloney. He is the early market favourite. Winning form is great form and he must be respected.

Selections:

11 – Deep Sceiva
14 – Keefy
6 – Spokesman
4 – Next Dimension
Rough chance – (1) Achiever

Race 3

A class 6 race here – over 1200 metres.

Tony Gollan has Miami Fleiss (13) second up here. Was not that impressive first up and was a beaten well backed favourite on that occasion. She has had a 5 week freshen up since that run and has the services of KWT who will claim 3 kilograms so she gets in well at the weights here. I just hope that she lets Dusty Tycoon (2) lead them here and she sits in behind. She has drawn well to get out of the gates and lead and dominate if she likes – no excuses this week.

She Can Sing (8) from Michael Costa’s yards on the Gold Coast will not take these leaders on here. She is the ideal runner to knock off these more favoured runners. Look for Jag Guthmann-Chester to let the speed go and take a sit handy – and then flash home late. She is second up after a three week freshen up after a dominant win first up at this track. If she wins here that would mean she has won, her past four starts.

Dis Dah Wun (7) resumed last start and was beaten by She Can Sing (8). The mare is trained by Sears Racing and Jimmy Orman goes on this weekend. Watch for a solid second up effort.

So Taken (3) is trained by Chris Waller Racing and Luke Dittman rides. She resumes here after a 20 week spell – to be fair probably would come into serious calculations if the track was wet. May just race well at $41 first up and cause an upset.

Selections:

13 – Miami Fleiss
8 – She Can Sing
7 – Dis Dah Wun
3 – So Taken
Rough chance – (2) Dusty Tycoon

Race 4

A 2000 metres race here.

Dissolution (1) won last time out for David Vandyke leading all the way. Has gone up in weights and distance, but he looked solid and if they leave him roll along probably behind the likely leader Zigallene (8) I think he will be too strong for them at the end of the race. A big bonus with the stable electing to take a claim for apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor (KWT) means he gets in nicely at the weights this weekend.

London Banker (5) has won his past two starts and has had three weeks freshen up. He races handy and comes back slightly in distance from 2200 metres in his last win. I think that regardless he will figure in the finish with the powerful riding style of Jimmy Orman yielding the whip late.

Purrfect Deal (2) is the 2021 Grafton Cup winner and resumes here. Andrew Mallyon rides the Michael Costa mare. She may sprint well here and she has raced well fresh in the past.

Stardome (6) is on a quick seven day back up for Chris Waller Racing with Jim Byrne to ride. Maybe back at Doomben a change of fortune may arise.

Selections:

1 – Dissolution
5 – London Banker
2 – Purrfect Deal
6 – Stardome

Race 5

Difficult race over 1600 metres.

Barney’s Law (7) is trained by Mark Currie and Taylor Marshall rides him again after a solid win last time out at Eagle Farm over 1400 metres. I thought that the way he finished off the race the mile should suit him at this point of his preparation. He has not won at this track in two attempts – my only concern. He looks the likely leader with no speed in the race.

Roman Aureus (2) from the Brian Wakefield stable just loves Doomben. Larry Cassidy will ride again this weekend. This is his first look at the mile in his 19-start racing career. He won a recent trial at the Sunshine Coast earlier in the week – will be ready to test these.

Bentley Magic (10) is trained by Matthew Smith and Robbie Fradd will ride. At $7 is seriously great each way odds. He was caught wide in the running last time out from a wide barrier and just peaked on his run late when he ran second. He could just get up here.

Milk Man (5) is the stable mate and KWT rides here – his 3 kilogram claim will ensure this runner gets in well. He could cause an upset in an open field.

I have a massive respect for Ulysses (3) who failed at Eagle Farm after winning the previous start here. Maybe it was just a case of the Eagle Farm hoodoo that plagues some runners. The Freedman team has gone for a claim this weekend with Leah Kilner taking the reins. Granted it is his first look at the mile but I think that he will be right in this race.

It is an open affair – tough race for punters.

Selections:

7 – Barney’s Law
10 – Bentley Magic
3 – Ulysses
2 – Roman Aureus
Rough chance – (5) Milk Man

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend – a Class 6 over the 1200 metres.

The ironically named smart Weona Smartone (5) is trained by David Vandyke and looks well placed here to win this race. Has won his last five starts and has been a short-priced favourite in all of them. He resumes here after a 12 week freshen up looks too good for his opposition. Ryan Maloney rides him again – he has had four previous wins on him.

Dreamreacher (6) is a Gillian Heinrich Gold Coast runner. He resumes here as well after a 12-week let up. Jimmy Orman rides again and his recent trial on the Gold Coast was strong.

Tramonto (7) won here three weeks ago fresh up from a spell. They jumped out of trees to back him last time and I can see no reason why he could not go close again. There is silly odds on offer for mine at $8. Jag Guthmann-Chester rides him this weekend. He has struggled at 1200 metres in the past – maybe a change of fortune this weekend.

Hidden Hail (11) saluted last start for Barry Lockwood and Larry Cassidy at massive odds. He has the form and ability to cause another upset here. He has drawn barrier 15 – I would have had him higher in my selections if he had drawn a better barrier.

Selections:

5 – Weona Smartone
7 – Tramonto
6 – Dreamreacher
11 – Hidden Hail

Race 7

The first leg of the treble is over 1200 – some nice runners engaged here.

Robert Heathcote has some good chances here with Prince of Boom (1), who is resuming, and Startantes (12) who and is third up here coming off a last start win. Prince of Boom (1) made a bang on debut last preparation and then won the Champagne Classic (Group 2). Solid form for this race – has the benefit of a solid hit out in a recent trial and won easily – Luke Dittman who has been having some success with the Heathcote stables of late has the plum ride on him.

Alpine Edge (2), trained by Toby & Trent Edmonds, carried a massive weight first up and won like a good thing. With that run under his belt he may be able to win again. There is not much between these two favoured runners. Robbie Fradd rides this weekend, and he has drawn well. He gets his first look at the Doomben track as well.

The thing is that these two runners will race off the speed that is engaged in the race – it may all come down to who gets the luck in running.

Princess Bojack (10), from the Michael Nolan Racing team, won well last time out defeating Glorious Ruby (9). I think these look the likely two to fill the placings in the race.

Selections:

2 – Alpine Edge
1 – Prince of Boom
10 – Princess Bojack
9 – Glorious Ruby
Rough chance – (12) Startantes

Race 8

Tony Gollan has another stand out runner here in Run For Glory (11) with Jim Byrne to ride. Undefeated at the track and distance and second up a wonderful bet at $9 each way for mine. First up he worked home nicely -he goes up in grade, however he goes down in weight, and this makes some serious appeal.

At Witz End (6) is trained by Owen Glue and he has won his last three starts. Despite this winning form he continues to start at ridiculous odds. This weekend he has another new jockey to ride in Robbie Fradd and he will be hard to roll again.

Supergiant (12) is second up and should push forward from his wide barrier and take up a good place behind the likely leader Phantom Falcon (7). Jag Guthmann-Chester will hopefully not get caught wide and will be able to finish the race off strong.

Wapiti (13) is trained by Gary Duncan and is second up after a solid effort first up running home well when beaten by At Witz End (6) last start. He does have a solid second up record and could cause an upset here with Taylor Marshall to ride.

Ballistic Boy (3) resumes here – Brad Stewart will ride. Despite the big weight does race well at Doomben and does have a tremendous first up record – keep safe and if they launch into this runner follow the money.

Selections:

11 – Run For Glory
6 – At Witz End
12 – Supergiant
13 – Wapiti
Rough chances – (3) Ballistic Boy & (4) Desert Lord

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 (10) goes up in grade but down in weight. This runner found the winning post last time out in a midweek race here. Has won three career races here and senior jockey Jimmy Orman goes on this weekend.

Jetski (13) has drawn terrible in barrier 21 for Sears Racing. Importantly the blinkers come off this weekend. Ryan Maloney goes on – he goes up in distance as well to 1350 metres as well which appeals to me as in his past few starts he has stormed home late over 1200 metres.

Night Of Power (2) is trained by Bjorn Baker in NSW. Won last time out at Randwick. Jaden Lloyd rides and he looks like he could post consecutive wins coming to QLD – he will settle off the speed and race home strong.

Robert Heathcote trains Scottish Mist (19) who gets in nicely to this race with Leah Kilner to ride and claim her 3 kilograms. This mare races well at this track and distance and from barrier 2 I expect she may race a little handier than she did first up. If she gets a cosy run near the lead, I expect her to be right in the finish late. She is super odds as well around $14 each way – could be a nice way to end the day.

Selections:

10 – Acrobatic
19 – Scottish Mist
13 – Jetski
2 – Night of Power
Rough chance – (1) Catesby
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Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like a close contest between -Jimmy Orman, Kyle Wilson Taylor, and Robbie Fradd. I think Kyle and Jimmy may dead heat – I wish I could get a price on that result!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

6,11,14 / 7,8,13 / 1,5,6 / 2,3,7,10 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

11,14 / 8,13 / 1,5 / 2,3,7,10 - cost is $32 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5,6,7 / 1,2,9,10 / 6,11,12 / 2,10,13,19 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5,6 / 1,2,10 / 6,11 / 2,10,19 - cost is $36 to $1

>b>Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,9,10 / 6,11,12 / 2,10,13,19 - cost is $48 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. I did manage a victory over him last weekend. Be sure to check Facebook on Saturday morning for our updated information where I will post our selections and any late mail!

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