WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

By Darren Winningham | Friday, September 17, 2021

This weekend we are on the scenic Gold Coast at the Aquis Park track at Bundall. It is the massive annual PINK RIBBON CUP – where real men wear pink!

This weekend with the track rated “SOFT,” the rail is out 0.5 metres from the 1400 metres to the winning post and then 1.0 metres the rest of the track. There is forecast for warm weather so the track may get into the GOOD range come race day.

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

A nice race to start off the day – over 1100 metres.

Local runner She Can Sing (11) has plenty of ability. Trained here by Michael Costa and Jag Guthmann-Chester will ride. Class 6 last time out, back in grade and a more suitable opposition looks a good way to start the day – hopefully on a winning note.

The Big Goodbye (5) has his second run for the Robert Heathcote stable. He was very good in his first run when narrowly beaten by Ingear at Eagle Farm – Leah Kilner rides here, and she has been in superb form. He has drawn wide in barrier 14 and that could obviously be some hinderance, but he could well “Goodbye” to his opposition here.

A River Somewhere (12) is a lightly raced mare from Gollan Racing. She won a midweek race at Doomben when resuming a month ago – Stephanie Thornton retains the ride here. Drawn barrier 1 and with a solid record on this track she could well upset the opposition.

Ruuca (4) – Edmonds Racing representative – I just can never catch him – maybe a change of fortune on his home track.

Selections:
11 – She Can Sing
5 – The Big Goodbye
12 – A River Somewhere
4 – Ruuca
Rough chance – (7) Deference

Race 2

The distance race over 2200 metres

There was some solid efforts last time out amongst several of these runners in the race that was won by the Kim Anderson trained Top Order (5). Taylor Marshall rides Top Order (5) again this week and looks for a hat trick of wins on him. He will be right in this race – and, seriously, is anyone riding better than Taylor presently?

I like the 2021 Grafton Cup winner Purrfect Deal (1), trained here by Michael Costa – despite the massive weight of 65 kilograms as he gets a 3-kilogram relief for apprentice Jaden Lloyd. His run on resuming at Doomben a fortnight ago was sensational, sprinting late over 2000 metres to nearly win the race. The extra distance should assist – just some concern with the weight late.

Honorable Spirit (2) destroyed his opposition last weekend at Doomben when ridden by Jaden Lloyd. This weekend John Smerdon has booked Andrew Mallyon to ride the gelding. He has a 3-win and 1 placing record from 6 starts on his home track – much respect must be placed on this runner.

Navy Cross (6) was heavily backed last time out – was disappointing. But now he has had more time to settle into the QLD stables maybe he can improve on that ordinary effort.

Selections:

1 – Purrfect Deal
2 – Honorable Spirit
5 – Top Order
6 – Navy Cross
Rough chance – (7) Sciconic

Race 3

For the three-year olds over 1100 metres.

Chris Munce trains Rhapsody Rose (1) and Justin Huxtable renews his association with with this filly who he won on last time he rode her. She is second up here over 1100 metres – I would have preferred to see her race over 1200 metres, but I think she can get the job done here.

The Kewess was tardy out of the barriers last time out at Eagle Farm. Basically, that was the end of his chances. But, despite the disappointing start, he still raced true and made good ground late with some solid sectionals. Trainer Melissa Taylor will be hoping that Jimmy Orman can get him out of the barriers cleanly this weekend and be able to trouble the judge when he calls a halt to the race.

Chris Anderson trains Rubiquitous (3) who led them up when resuming a fortnight ago. Won well with Brad Stewart in the saddle and looked like he had plenty of improvement in him.

Selections:

1 – Rhapsody Rose
5 – The Kewess
3 – Rubiquitous
6 – Mister Larabee

Race 4

Another relatively small field face the starter. This time a sprint over 900 metres.

I think that this will be a strong form race in weeks to come. There is some serious speed in this race – a few will be going at each the other out in front. Maybe look for something to swoop late and finish off the race.

I think the Tony Gollan trained The Move (8) will sit in behind the speed and should get a cosy run throughout. Hopefully, the gelding, who will be ridden by Stephanie Thornton, should be able to get clear and win. He won well first up at Doomben over 1050 metres and should be able to post consecutive wins here.

The old warhorse The Odyssey (1) resumes here. Let’s not overlook the silly $15 on offer for this classy runner who loves the Gold Coast circuit. He will be ridden by Jimmy Orman who has ridden him in both of his recent trials which have been very good. He will probably let them go in front with horses like Sugar Boom (2) and King Klaus (4) and Tavisan (5) going straight to the front. He may just be the one to beat with the keen speed in the race.
King Klaus (4) has posted two wins now since resuming from a spell. He is trained by Gary Clem and Ronnie Stewart reunites with the gelding for his first look at the Gold Coast track – his form has been superb, and it is probably at my peril that I have only tipped him to run fourth.

Selections:

8 – The Move
1 – The Odyssey
2 – Sugar Boom
4 – King Klaus

Race 5

Tough race – play carefully.

Ocean Treaty (11) got the job last time out at Eagle Farm over 1400 metres. She was suited by the ridiculous speed that was set in front and was able to power home and win at $31. Trained by Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted she has Baylee Nothdurft to ride her this weekend. The step up to 1800 metres and the strong pace in the race this weekend gives me more confidence in backing her again this weekend. I do know that the Brisbane Bugler, Ross Stevenson, did have a good win on this runner after I tipped it to him last time out – maybe he will load up again this weekend. Oh yes, that is right, he will be on track as well in his Bugler outfit trumpeting his heart out!

Chris Waller Racing has several runners in the race, and they all have genuine chances. I like the chances of one of the longer priced runners around $14 – Irish Sequel who will be ridden by Luke Dittman. He resumed in the race won by Ocean Treaty (11) over an unsuitable distance of 1400 metres, but he still motored home late and look good finishing off the race very strongly.

Another Waller runner is Fortified (9) who won last weekend. He is on the quick back up after a strong effort at Doomben over a mile under the urgings of Jimmy Orman who retains the ride this week. This runner just gets better as the races get longer and he could well go back-to-back third up from a spell.

Aswaat (13) another winning chance for the lethal combination of Rob Heathcote and Leah Kilner. She was impressive over this distance – 1800 metres last time out at Eagle Farm – gets in well at the weights and may well post another win here this weekend.

Selections:

11 – Ocean Treaty
10 – Irish Sequel
9 – Fortified
13 – Aswaat

Rough chance – (14) Dovetail Diva

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie and one of the feature races on the program.

Just watch Weona Smartone (2) get the job done here again this weekend. This impressive son of Shamexpress is trained by David Vandyke and he has been racing so well in his racing career that he has a near impeccable career record of six wins from seven starts. Ryan Maloney has been on him for five of those wins and gets to increase his winning record on him this weekend.

If there is one that could spoil the Vandyke party, it could well be Tramonto (3), trained by Jon Walk and will be ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester. He was very good last time out when he ran a gallant second in the Gold Coast Newmarket when beaten narrowly by Desert Lord. Could history repeat itself here being beaten by another David Vandyke trained runner or can this gelding turn the stable tables?

Take your pick for the rest – Say Heya (8) could likely fill the trifecta for Tony Gollan.

Selections:

2 – Weona Smartone
3 – Tramonto
8 – Say Heya
4 – Ditmas

Race 7 GOLD COAST PINK RIBBON CUP

The feature race on the program is over 1300 metres. Probably destiny and irony would see a female jockey win the race!

A heavily backed favourite here as well – into $1.50 now – I am talking about Miami Fleiss (4), trained by Tony Gollan and to be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. She won impressively last time out at Doomben and I expect her to give her opposition yet again something to catch here this weekend – I am sure Stephanie would love to salute in this big race.

Then you have Dash For Dreams (5) from the Chris Munce Racing stables who has won her past two starts here at the track. In fact, she is looking to win four in a row this weekend. The mare will be ridden by Tiffani Brooker and she will be smiling after the race if she can lower the colours of this short priced favourite.

Champagne Aunty (1) drops back in distance for Steven Tregea and will yet again be partnered by Larry Cassidy. This mare has won her past three starts at Eagle Farm over longer distances. However, she has had a four week freshen up and she could well cause a major upset here if the favourite is found wanting in the final 100 metres.as she can run some very good sectionals late and will be powering home.

Selections:

4 – Miami Fleiss
5 – Dash For Dreams
1 – Champagne Aunty
10 – Scottish Mist
Rough chance – (11) Maddi Rocks & (12) Oh Five Flory

Race 8

This race is one that I am not keen on – Class 3 – huge field – spells DANGER for all punters!

Morethannumberone (2) is trained on the track by Michael Costa and would well top a wonderful day for this stable on their home track! Andrew Mallyon rides him again looking for another win after winning on the gelding last time out here. He can get back in his races – I just hope he is not caught up in any traffic late – that could hinder his chances.

Neutron (9) is trained by Kacy Fogden and Kyle Wilson-Taylor has been booked to ride. He resumes here this weekend and his recent trial win would suggest he is ready to post a win first up. He is drawn well in barrier 7 and will probably race 3 pairs back in the running and be difficult to hold out late. There has been very good support for this runner since the markets have opened – ideally weighted and the support has me worried that I should have put him on top – oh well. Now, maybe some more irony, the silks are PINK as well and, of course, it is PINK Ribbon Cup day.

WINNO has found one at $61 here that I expect could cause an upset. Trained on the track by Bruce Hill and to be ridden by local hoop Scott Galloway - Leica Bita Fun (8). Do no underestimate the chances of this runner to cause a major upset. He won here a month ago over this distance – and then stepped up to 1600 metres at the Sunshine Coast where I think he didn’t get the mile and the jockey reported to stewards that he thought the gelding was field shy. Given that information – watch him likely to race wide late and get a clear run at them and maybe cause a huge upset.

Charretera (1) is trained by Snowden Racing in NSW – he comes north to find a chance to post a win for the stable. Despite the big weight he is a genuine performer and could get the job completed with Ryan Maloney in the saddle.

Selections:

2 – Morethannumberone
8 – Leica Bita Fun
9 - Neutron
1 – Charretera

Race 9

The last race – on a massive day of racing – let us hope that all the patrons turn up in pink!

This is a tough way to end the day as well – multiple chances here.

I was on Run For Glory (2) last time out and he was deprived “glory” in the final bound by Ballistic Boy who has since come out and won again. He rises in weight and Tony Gollan has gone for a claim with the form female apprentice Leah Kilner to ride him – I hope he can get redemption this weekend.

Catesby (1) likes speed on and should get that again. He has won his past two outings for trainer Grant Allard and again will have Michael Hellyer riding him this weekend. “Muppy” will be looking to post a hat trick aboard this runner who takes his first look at the Gold Coast circuit. Hellyer loves this track and has great success here – he will be right in the finish.

Tokoriki Lad (3) is second up here for Tony Gollan. His best efforts are normally third up, however, he has a very good record at this track. Jaden Lloyd will ride – the claim will be a distinct advantage for him this weekend.

Samarui (9) was disappointing last time out at Eagle Farm. Trained by John Moore on the track, he goes down in weight. Senior jockey Robbie Fradd goes on him this weekend and an important gear change with the blinkers coming off and the winkers going on could see a major form reversal. Keep safe.

Full Nelson (5) won well last weekend and is on the 7 days back up – was strong on the line last weekend and Andrew Spinks will be looking for another win.

Bentley Magic (11) will be ridden by Michael Cahill this week. I think they will be looking to bring this runner wide on the track – last time out he definitely resented being ridden amongst other runners and really did not let down late as we know he can do. At $14 – could be a major upset in this last race!

Selections:

2 – Run For Glory
1 – Catesby
3 – Tokoriki Lad
9 – Samarui
Rough chance – (5) Full Nelson & (11) Bentley Magic
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Jockey’s Challenge

Well after all it is PINK RIBBON DAY – only fair to see a battle between the two housemates – Stephanie Thornton and Leah Kilner on this program. I will stick with Stephanie to get the chocolates – and hopefully then her partner Ben Thompson to provide the pink roses when she arrives home!

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,5 / 1,3,5 / 1,2,8 / 9,10,11,13 - cost is $108 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 / 1,5 / 1,8 / 10,11,13 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,3 / 4,5 / 2,8,9 / 1,2,3,9 - cost is $48 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2 / 4 / 2,8,9 / 2,3,9 - cost is $9 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

4,5 / 2,8,9 / 1,2,3,9 - cost is $24 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

WINNO beat FLEMO last weekend – so let’s see what happens this weekend. Just for the record – we set a record tipping 7 winners on the program at Doomben – ON FIRE! The battle continues. 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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