WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MARCH 19

By Darren Winningham | Friday, March 18, 2022

This weekend we are on the scenic Gold Coast at the Aquis Park track at Bundall where The JEWEL races are our feature races on the program. The track is rated “soft” at the time of writing and the rail is in the true position. I think we may get an upgrade – the weather forecast looks great for the remainder of the week and the Gold Coast course manager always seems to get this track in tip top condition for these massive meetings.

NB: As these selections were made prior to raceday please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.

Race 1

A tough race to start off the day. A few early scratchings.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted have continued their run of success. They have Rich Lister (9) fronting up here in the first race. Jaden Lloyd will ride this mare again. The effort at Toowoomba last time out was better than it appears in the form guide. I think back onto the Gold Coast track we should see her close to winning this race.

Jubai Pride (10) is the horse that I think can cause a major upset here. Trained on the track by John Gilmore, Larry Cassidy will ride. Currently at sensational each way odds at $12. Has won here previously – does like the soft going and I think dropping back in distance will suit her this weekend.

Nicci’s Spirit (5) is a Tony Gollan runner resuming here. Has never won first up or at this track. She did manage to win three in a row last preparation though. Will probably sit in behind the speed – drawn poorly in barrier 14 – Ryan Maloney will ride. Was not asked to do much in a barrier trial a month ago – maybe keep your eye on any market moves for this runner.

A rough chance to the Ben Ahrens trained Brilliantly (12) with Luke Dittman aboard.

Selections:

9 – Rich Lister
10 – Dubai Pride
5 – Nicci’s Spirit
12- Brilliantly

Race 2

Not a fan of this 1200 metre race.

I suppose a topical tip might be Holiday Dreams (6) – we all are looking for that elusive overseas holiday or break if COVID can be controlled. This gelding has won his past two starts. Last time out at the Sunshine Coast he won leading all the way. There is some speed in this race this weekend and, despite drawing barrier 14, I think he will be better suited being ridden a few pairs back off the speed. Jimmy Orman will ride for Robert Heathcote and, if he does not get caught wide here, I really think we should be backing this runner.

Dixon Bay (9) is trained on the track by Gillian Heinrich and has been trialling well. Kyle Wilson-Taylor (KWT) will ride, and he does race well on his home track and races well fresh – keep safe.

Festival Prince (12), trained by Matt Kropp, has been racing consistently in the bush. Comes to town with a string of consecutive wins against his name. He resumes here after a spell, however, was super winning a recent barrier trial at Toowoomba. Alex Patis will ride, and her 3-kilogram claim gets him in very well here. There is a heap of gear changes as well for this first up assignment – he faces his toughest test to date – but the money has been flowing all week for this runner since the markets have opened.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted train He Knows (14) and Jaden Lloyd will ride. Not one that wins too often, however in saying that he does always run a very good race and always seems to find a place or just get beaten. He gets conditions to suit this weekend with a good tempo – maybe he can just sit off them and then let down late and win. $10 is the silly odds of this runner.

Selections:

6 – Holiday Dreams
12 – Festival Prince
14 – He Knows
9 – Dixon Bay
Rough chance – (10) Magic Ruler

Race 3

An 1800 metres distance race.

Tony Gollan trains Youngblood (1) and KWT has the ride. This runner has drawn barrier 18 – will need some luck, however, enjoys racing at this track.

Irukandji (6) is trained by Michael Costa on the track. Drawn wide as well in barrier 15. Has had a five week freshen up since his last start at Doomben. I think that he will race better on top of the ground and needs the track to be rated good. In saying that he is not without a chance. Currently he is a $5 favourite in a wide betting market, I think we can find some better value.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted train Don’t Despair (12) – Boris Thornton will ride. The stable has some very good chances in these first three races. This gelding is looking for the 1800 metres. Third up – soft track – he ticks a few boxes here this weekend. Last time out he was ridden in front – that is not the way I think he is best ridden. I am hoping a few others push forward and Boris can get a trail this weekend and then expose him late.

Gollan Racing also has Flensburg (13) in this race – second up. This gelding thrives second up and also on the Gold Coast track. I expect him to be good odds – currently around $8 and Ryan Maloney will ride him this weekend where I will expect a bold showing in this race.

Indian Dreamer (8) is trained on the track by Edmonds Racing – Noel Callow will ride. Has had a five week freshen up. Could run a race here.

The roughie of the race must be Isabella’s Spring trained by Barry Lockwood. She loves wet tracks, and this distance is ideal for her. Samantha Collett will ride her here this weekend. She was very good a fortnight ago at Toowoomba when she was working home exceptionally well over the mile. She looks like she is crying out for this distance.

Selections:

13 – Flensburg
12 – Don’t Despair
6 – Irukandji
16 - Isabella’s Spring
Rough chance – (8) Indian Dreamer & (1) – Youngblood

Race 4 Carbine Club Gold Coast Stakes

Hail Manhattan (2) is trained by Will and Peter Hulbert and Ryan Wiggins will ride. Has been racing very consistently of late. Is undefeated at the Gold Coast in two starts here. Was very good when working home late at Toowoomba when beaten by Sea Raider (1). Does meet that runner well at the weights for that defeat here. I think he can win this race. Not sure when Wiggo last saluted in town on a Saturday meeting – however, it would be great to see him win a feature race!

Sea Raider (1) is trained here by John Gilmore – a last start winner and has been racing very well. Stephanie Thornton will keep the ride here this weekend. You cannot knock his recent form – I am just very worried about his seeing out a solid 1800 metres. In saying that he does love racing at his home circuit.

Tamilaide (5) is trained here as well be Les Kelly. He is racing in fine fettle winning his past three starts. Thrives on wet tracks and loves to race where he gets a solid tempo. He gets these conditions this weekend with Zigallene (12) in the race – she normally sets up a breakneck speed in front. Tamilaide (5) will have Ben Thompson aboard again. I know the stable have always thought he would be better over distance – he gets his chance this weekend to prove their theory right over 1800 metres.

Sayl (13) won last time out at Doomben – probably caught the punters by surprise, however there was good support from the Lindsay Hatch stable to say he could win. Despite dropping back in distance, I think that down on the minimum he could race extremely well and should not be overlooked – Andrew Mallyon will have to waist hard to make the 54 kilograms – but I think this is a fair guide to his chances.

Stardome (8) broke a long run of outs when he won at Toowoomba last start. I did think that he was a good thing last time out with his races spaced better. He gets the chance to post two wins in a row this weekend – Samantha Collett retains the ride for Chris Waller Racing,.

Selections:

2 – Hail Manhattan
8 – Stardome
5 – Tamilaide
1 – Sea Raider
Rough chance – (6) Sir Barnabus & (13) Sayl

Race 5

Open sprint – 900 metres - they always go fast here.

Gollan Racing has Le Palmier (3) resuming here with Jim Byrne to ride. He always races well fresh. I think that due to the serious speed in this race he will sit back in the pack and storm home late.

The stable mate is Pizonie (5) – he loves these short distances and always seems to be flashing home late first up. He could be one to cause an upset here – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Global Citizen (9) is trained here by Toby & Trent Edmonds. He just jumps and runs – barrier 4 he will jump out and looks the likely leader here this weekend. The claim for Jaden Lloyd sees him get in with 52 kilograms – he will be hard to run down late if nothing else takes him on out in front.

Remlaps Gem (2) won here over the Magic Millions Carnival. Did jump and lead them on that day and was too good holding off the opposition late. Has since won at Newcastle carrying a mammoth 62.5 kilograms. He is trained by Scott Singleton and does have another large weight here this weekend.

Selections:

3 – Le Palmier
2 – Remlaps Gem
9 – Global Citizen
5 – Pizonie

Race 6 AQUIS QTIS JEWEL – TWO-YEAR-OLDS

First leg of the Quaddie this weekend. One of our feature races today.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted train She’sgottheboom (5) who is undefeated in two starts. Drawn well in barrier 7 should just jump and lead and win for mine – unless something attempts to take her on in front. Boris Thornton will ride her again here – he will be looking for a feature win on this exciting filly. $1.85 is a short price, but she does look an exceptional prospect moving forward.

Refuel (1) resumed at Toowoomba behind Capital Power and ran a very good race for trainer Tom Button. This colt I think is one that will enjoy the soft track – the Gold Coast circuit and can be ridden a few pairs back and if the favourite is struggling in the final 75 metres, he is the testing material to get home and win. Silly odds as well $26 are on offer – I will be having something on this runner each way.

Burnish Gold (6) is trained by Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn. Has drawn terrible in barrier 13 and I think Jim Byrne may have to snag her back and ride for luck. I don’t think she needs to go forward and be caught wide. In saying that Jim Byrne will have devised some plan to get her in and give her the best run-in transit. She loves the wet and will run out a strong 1200 metres.

Honkytonk Diva (8) is trained by Kelly Schweida. Resumed at Toowoomba with a solid effort behind She’sgottheboom (5). She was never going to win on that day – I think the distance and track were against her. I really think that we will see the best of her over 1200 metres and longer. I expect her to run a huge race this weekend – Jimmy Orman aboard.

If you really want to play wide keep your eye on Tow The Line (14) who is making her debut here this weekend for the Stuart Kendrick stable. My spies on the Sunshine Coast tell me she is very good – she may just run a bold race from barrier 6 with Tiffani Brooker in the saddle – keep her safe.

Selections:

5 – She’sgottheboom
1 – Refuel
8 – Honkytonk Diva
6 – Burnish Gold
Rough chance – (14) Tow The Line

Race 7 THE MILITARY ROSE PLATE

Kisukano (2) resumes here for Michael Nolan Racing. She was tremendous last preparation. Despite not winning any races she was racing in some high-quality races and just getting beaten in the final stride. She gets her chance to win first up this weekend with Larry Cassidy in the saddle. She had a recent trial on her home track in Toowoomba over 650 metres and looked like she went to the line under a hard grip. She races well first up – has won here on this track and enjoys racing on wet tracks – she looks ideally placed this weekend.

I like one at silly odds here to cause a major upset – Say Heya (6) trained by Tony Gollan. Currently at $17 with Ben Thompson to ride. This mare normally comes to hand quickly. She is usually better second up – but I just think this weekend she ticks a few boxes and will be very difficult to beat in this race. One thing for sure I will be following her into her next two starts as she seems to gain momentum as she gets into her preparations. Ben Thompson will ride her this weekend – she is part owned by Larry Olsen – a wonderful jockey. Let’s hope we can see them win this race!

The stable mate is Pull Anchor (7) who will be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. Has had a recent trial – does race well fresh and on wet tracks – maybe a rough chance for your exotic bets.

She Can Sing (8) is trained on the track by Michael Costa and Boris Thornton has another nice ride. She raced over the Magic Millions Carnival without much luck to be fair. I think that she strikes a much easier race this weekend on her home track. I really think that she could win this race. The barrier trial last week was astonishing – raced well on a heavy track and went to the line with great momentum – she looks a great chance to return to racing and win this race.

Befana (13) is trained by Lindsay Hatch and Andrew Mallyon will ride her. She has been very solid with two wins and two seconds from four starts this preparation. Has drawn well in barrier 5 and could pose a threat late.

Selections:

6 – Say Haya
8 – She Can Sing
2 - Kisukano
13 – Befana
Rough chance – (7) Pull Anchor

Race 8 TAB QTIS JEWEL – THREE-YEAR-OLDS

This race has drawn a massive field – another feature race.

The Battle of the BOOMS! I Like the Robert Heathcote trained Prince of Boom (2) to go on with it here after an exciting win when he resumed at Toowoomba. This weekend he is second up over 1200 metres and has drawn well in barrier 6. Jimmy Orman will ride him again.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted have some solid chances here as well. Enterprise Pomme (11) will be ridden by Ben Thompson – she resumed a month ago and won well. Since has had a solid barrier trial. Just have some concerns about barrier 15 – but her win back in February would suggest she will be extremely competitive this weekend.

Birriecart (7) is the stable mate. Has an unblemished record – 3 starts for 3 wins. He won a recent trial and has drawn awkward as well in barrier 10. Boris Thornton has a 100% strike rate on him and has ridden him to all three starts. He gets any luck in running he will be right in the finish.

Blackjack Boom (6) is trained on the track by Edmonds Racing. Their runners always turn up on these big races. He resumed at Toowoomba and was sent out favourite – not certain what happened but maybe he just didn’t race solid on the Toowoomba track. I think you must forgive that run and go on his previous solid efforts – he will enjoy being back on his home track and on a soft track he will probably have a dramatic improvement here.

Tiger Legend (1) resumes for new trainer Les Bridge. A recent barrier trial at Warwick Farm would suggest that he is ready for a bold showing first up with Ryan Maloney to ride.

Selections:

2 – Prince Of Boom
11 – Enterprise Pomme
6 – Blackjack Boom
7 – Birriecart
Rough chances – (1) Tiger Legend

Race 9 CANADIAN CLUB GOLD JEWEL

This is a tough way to end the day with multiple chances here.

Tumbler Ridge resumed with a barnstorming effort first up at Toowoomba demolishing a good quality field. He does race well second up but has never won here at the Gold Coast – Boris Thornton will ride this weekend – taking over from Jaden Lloyd. I think that he will be very hard to hold out here.

Derulo (12) is a very nice type and is trained on the track by Michael Costa. He has a heap of gear changes beside his name this weekend for this first up assignment. Jaden Lloyd has been booked to ride. He rode him in a recent trial where he looked like he could have won the trial if he chose to. He has drawn very well in barrier 1 – probably takes a sit in behind Racecourse Road (2) and Master Jamie (1) and then, with his lightweight, attempts to run them down and defeat them late.

Cracker Esgee (10) is the stable mate with Samantha Collett to ride. He did win a month ago and has had a freshen up. There is no trouble with him running out a strong 1400 metres and he loves wet tracks. He is definitely one to keep safe here.

Racecourse Road (2) has a superb strike rate on this Gold Coast track. He really does love racing here. I assume he will jump well as is customary from barrier 11 and then set up the running with Jimmy Orman attempting to control the tempo. I am a little concerned about the 1400 metres, but by now the track may be chopped up and those in the back of the field may just have some difficulty running down the leader.

I think the jockeys challenge will all come down to this last race.

Selections:

3 – Tumbler Ridge
12 – Derulo
10 – Cracker Essgee
2 – Racecourse Road
Rough chance – (1) Master Jamie
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Jockey’s Challenge

It looks a tough day, and all will depend on what horses end up taking their places in the fields after final scratchings. However, Ben Thompson, Jimmy Orman, Jaden Lloyd, and Boris Thornton all have some nice rides. Maybe something on both Boris – who only has limited rides and should be a great price and a saver on Jaden Lloyd may see you get a nice result.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

6,12,14 /6,12,13,16 / 1,2,5,8 / 2,3,9 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

6,12 / 12,13 / 2,5,8 / 2,3 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,5 / 2,6,8,13 / 2,6,7,11 / 2,3,10,12 - cost is $128 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

5 / 6,8 / 2,6,11 / 3,10,12 - cost is $18 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,6,8 / 2,6,7,11 / 2,3,10,12 - cost is $48 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues this weekend between WINNO and FLEMO in our tipping competition. FLEMO beat WINNO last weekend – so let’s see what happens this weekend. Just for the record – we set a record tipping 6 winners on the program … but the real test this weekend is on Sunday evening when my BULLDOGS play the BRONCHOKERS in Sydney – keep your phone on FLEMO – I will be keeping you updated with all the BULLDOGS tries! 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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