WINNO'S WINNERS: TOOWOOMBA CUP/WEETWOOD DAY
By Darren Winningham | Friday, September 24, 2021
This weekend we are up the hill and far west today at Toowoomba where the meeting features the Toowoomba Cup and the Weetwood. The locals will be out in force and for sure they will kick on further later – it will be a day in Toowoomba! Headaches will feature come Sunday morning for sure and certain.
The track is rated “Good” and the rail is in the true position.
Resident caller Anthony Collins will call the big day – an expert race commentator and another QLDer like his mate Josh Fleming!
A big congratulations to Nick Hahn who trained his first winner on Tuesday at Beaudesert earlier in the week – well done mate!
Looks like the NRL are set to announce the seventeenth team to enter the competition in 2023. My mail is that it will be the Redcliffe Dolphins consortium bid. I wish them well – but is there seriously enough young talent players being identified to keep the competition entertaining long term – time will tell.
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 1800 metres.
Chris Waller’s runner Fortified (2) won last time out a fortnight ago. Was scratched last weekend from the Gold Coast to be saved for this race. Jimmy Orman retains the ride.
Tides of Jupiter (5) could be the upset material – Jaden Lloyd will ride for trainer Jay Bellamy – has won at the track and distance which could be of vital importance.
Youngblood (6) is third up for Gollan Racing – Jim Byrne to ride – looks ready to show something.
Selections:
2 – Fortified
5 – Tides of Jupiter
6 – Youngblood
7 – Cabochin Lil
Race 2
A race over the mile – well 1625 metres.
Chris Waller Racing has a strong hand with three runners. Can he win the first two races on Toowoomba Cup Day 2021?
I think that he has a big chance with Nyami (4) who will be partnered by Jim Byrne. Huge run last time out just running out of time to reel in the winner. Will strip fitter – big chance here.
Predictable Miss (7) is from Kris Lees Racing. The claim for Jaden Lloyd brings her nicely into the race. Forget the run last time out at Sunshine Coast – was forced to lead, not her go – watch her settle midfield this weekend with cover and storm home late.
Selections:
4 – Nyami
7 – Predictable Miss
6 – Deep Sceiva
5 – Avowal
Race 3
A massive field here over 1000 metres.
Gollan Racing trains Lyrical Girl (4) who is second up here for the massive group of owners – MiRunners. She led them up last start and seemed to peak on her run late and was soundly defeated. She blew in the markets dramatically on that occasion – she will be better for the run and a month since the last run should surely be fitter for that effort. Ideally drawn in barrier 1 – to be ridden by Ryan Maloney and is a short-priced favourite.
I think the favourite can be beaten – but not sure what one to tip to beat them.
Exceed Rock (10) is trained on the track by Mark Currie – Brad Stewart rides. Last start winner on his home track – commands respect and could bring the downfall of this short-priced favourite.
Avocado Sunset (8) maybe could squash his opponents as well. Won a month ago in Mackay – was impressive – maybe can bring that form here and cause an upset for trainer Jared Wehlow.
Bid In a Hurry (15) with a huge price of $61 on offer could cause a major upset for trainer Caroline Allardyce who prepares and places her runners very well. Won here two starts ago and then got too far back here last start out – drawn better this weekend for a cosier run.
Selections:
4 – Lyrical Girl
10 – Exceed Rock
8 – Avocado Sunset
15 – Bid In a Hurry
Race 4 THE PAT O’SHEA PLATE
Pat O’Shea one of the great race callers! This race is named after him, and each year this is the first two-year-old race of the season in Queensland.
Les Ross Racing has four of the nine runners here!
His runners all have genuine chances – Mishani Sunshine (8) opened at $10 in some markets and has been smashed in the early markets into $4. Bobby El-Issa rides for the Ross Racing team. She did win a barrier trial recently in good style. She must have improved as they have jumped out of trees to back her.
Mishani Warfare (1) and Mishani Embrace (4) both have won recent trials and are well placed.
Straight Alphas (5) is trained on the track by Sears Racing and won her trial last week on her home track. She has the blinkers going on for her first career start and Kyle Wilson-Taylor rides this track like he owns it – I think this runner could upset the Les Ross party!
Selections:
5 – Straight Alphas
8 – Mishani Sunshine
4 – Mishani Embrace
1 – Mishani Warfare
Race 5
The Toowoomba Guineas – a race that has a history of some rough results.
There is some good speed in this race – could be a swooper winning.
Local trainers Tony and Maddy Sears have Red Wave (3) waving the flag for the locals – Jimmy Orman to ride. Sensational effort last time out to go down in a photo finish at Eagle Farm – solid sectionals as well. I think he can get the job done here.
David Vandyke has Whitewater (2) and Keefy (4) in the race. Both have performed exceptionally well last time out.
They both command respect – I just think the local runner with Orman aboard – he did do all his grounding here as an early apprentice on this track – may just have some local advantages.
Selections:
3 – Red Wave
4 – Keefy
2 – Whitewater
6 – Bulloo
Race 6
First leg of the Quaddie. A very open race to think about over 1300 metres.
Gollan Racing is well represented with Rock Amore (4) and Vinco (5).
Rock Amore (4) went forward last time out and just run out of steam late – maybe with this larger field they may ride him a little quieter and he will finish off strongly. Leah Kilner – riding in sensational form has the ride.
Vinco (5) had no luck in the straight last time out and carried a huge weight – lost all momentum at a vital stage – Ryan Maloney to ride this weekend – deserves a change of fortune in this grade.
Let’s Party Marty (9) – well there will be a massive party if the locally trained runner can get the chocolates for trainer Lindsay Hatch. Third up here this weekend Kyle Wilson-Taylor (KWT) to ride. Could upset the city slickers.
Don’t Stop (14) trained on the track by Paul Nolan (Junior) has won his past two starts here. Keep safe.
Selections:
4 – Rock Amore
5 – Vinco
9 – Let’s Party Marty
14 – Don’t Stop
Race 7 TOOWOOMBA CUP
One of the feature races on the program today over 2000 metres – the Toowoomba Cup.
Honorable Spirit (8) won last time out in what I would call a dominant win for trainer John Smerdon. Despite the big race they have elected to go for the jockey who won on him last time out in apprentice Jaden Lloyd. If Lloyd can win this race, it will be a huge coup in his relatively short career. He has been riding well and rating his runners well – the speed in the race ensures that this runner can sit three or so pairs back and have the chance to get home over the top of the opposition late.
Champagne Aunty (4) will be looking to pop the corks for his fans and owners plus trainer Steve Tregea and jockey Larry Cassidy. Last start just had a nice hit out in preparation for this race – she likes this track and will be hard to hold out.
You want a roughie – Sokudu (11) who is trainer by Les Kelly and has Michael Cahill will ride. He flashed home late over 1800 metres last time out – the extra distance will suit him.
Wapiti (2) will be suited by the longer distance – just concerned with his weight – but good luck Taylor Marshall.
Selections:
8 – Honorable Spirit
4 – Champagne Aunty
11 – Sokudu
2 – Wapiti
Race 8 WEETWOOD HANDICAP
The other feature race – the Weetwood for 2021.
Do you need a reason to smile? Well, you could just back the Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted trained – You Make Me Smile (6) who has Stephanie Thornton riding him again this weekend. Fast time – good sectionals over 1110 metres at Doomben last time out – this runner commands the utmost respect.
Desert Lord (2) is a last start winner in the Goldmarket at the Gold Coast for David Vandyke and jockey Michael Cahill. They combine again to attempt to win this time-honoured race.
I like a roughie – trained by Tony Gollan Racing. Royal Hale (12) for me at odds of $11. Georgina Cartwright to ride. It could be a female 1 -2 (jockey wise) in the race when the judge calls a halt. He had a massive weight last time out and was run down late. He will be better for that run and is only fourth up this weekend. He has only one disadvantage in barrier 16 – I am sure the punters will shy away from him due to this, but if Cartwright can get him in – settled midfield and down at 54 kilograms - he will take plenty of beating late.
Soxagon (1) is the local runner. Mark Currie trains. Second up here this weekend with Brad Stewart riding again. He was sent out favourite first up in the race won by You Make Me Smile (6). He looked like he needed the run when parading in the ring for mine – he would have taken huge benefit from the run. Does like this track and this distance is his go – despite carrying top weight he has a nice barrier – barrier 5 – and the speed in the race gets him tracking 4 pairs back at most and giving them something to beat when he lets down late and storms home.
Selections:
12 – Royal Hale
6 – You Make Me Smile
2 – Desert Lord
1 – Soxagon
Rough chances – (3) Apache Chase & (14) Red Stina
Race 9
The last race – on a massive day of racing – off to the pubs in town after this one!
Barry Lockwood trains Fifteen Rounds (15) – Larry Cassidy will ride. Last start at Eagle Farm had no luck in the straight – every time he went for a run he got chopped out. Went to the line untested for mine. Given that effort he will be hard to beat here if he gets some luck late in the straight - $15 on offer – a great way to finish off the day for mine. Last time out was racing over 1400 metres and drops back to 1200 metres – I think this should see him feature in the finish.
Ingear (11) is the favourite – a Gollan Racing runner to be ridden by Ryan Maloney. She resumed three weeks ago dominating in front at Eagle Farm and giving nothing else a chance. I just think that here at Toowoomba, whilst horses can lead and get around the corner first and hold on, there are a few here that will be handy and be storming home late. She doesn’t have a strong second up winning record – prepared to gamble on her here.
Frozen In Time (7) nearly got the chocolates last time out when narrowly beaten at Doomben over 1200 metres. Kris Lees Racing trains this mare and Andrew Mallyon will ride again. With some good speed engaged in the race, she will be storming home late.
Jestki (9) is another runner trained on the track by Sears Racing – he could create some waves here if he can get any luck in running.
Don’t’ Stop (16), a dual acceptor (Race 6 as well) is trained on the track by Paul Nolan (Junior), has won his past two starts here. Georgina Cartwright has been booked to ride in this race.
Selections:
15 – Fifteen Rounds
11 – Ingear
7 – Frozen In Time
16 – Don’t Stop
Rough chance – (5) Tesarc and (9) Jetski
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Jockey’s Challenge
Looks like it is a battle between senior rider Ryan Maloney – he has a nice book of rides - and the up-and-coming apprentice of this season Jaden Lloyd. I will go for Maloney this weekend.
Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
4,6,7 / 4,8,10 / 4,5,8 / 2,3,4 - cost is $81 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)
4,7 / 4,10 / 5,8 / 3,4 - cost is $16 to $1
Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
4,5,9,14 / 4,8,11 / 1,2,6,12 /7,11,15,16 - cost is $192 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
4,5,9 / 4,8 / 2,6,12 / 7,11,15 - cost is $54 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
4,8,11 / 1,2,6,12 / 7,11,15,16 - cost is $48 to $1
WINNO V COLLINS
WINNO beat FLEMO last weekend – so let’s see what happens this weekend. I will be taking on ANTHONY COLLINS on his home turf – he does have a hometown advantage, but I am confident I can give him a towelling this weekend – how about a $10 scratchy on the result Mr Collins? The battle continues this weekend with WINNO and COLLINS – yet another QLDer trying to inflict pain on me Be sure to check the up to date and amended tips each Saturday morning on Facebook after any track changes and scratchings!
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