WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, MAY 7, 2022

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 6, 2022

This weekend we are on the scenic Gold Coast. These races … featuring the Ken Russell Classic (2-year old’s – Group 3), The Silk Stocking (Listed), the Gold Coast Guineas (Group 3) and then the time-honoured A.D.Hollindale Stakes (Group 2) … are always a great stepping stone for the coming weeks in the QLD Winter Racing Carnival.

The track rated “soft” at the time of writing and the rail is in the true position this weekend.

There is rain forecast leading up to this meeting and then again on Saturday – we may end up on a heavy track that would be very unfortunate for this massive race day!

Let us hope the rain stays away and we complete the program.

Exciting news for QLD apprentice Zac Lloyd having his licence transferred to Godolphin and James Cummings. He is an exciting rider who will refine his skills and knowledge under this powerful NSW based stable. I think he will look wonderful in BLUE – I just hope he sees the light and gets behind NSW come State of Origin time!

Race 1

A tough race to start off the day – some emergencies get the run here they could get a victory and great odds.

Aheadofhistime (10) is trained at Grafton by Trevor Hardy and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. Two starts ago at Doomben the horse was desperately unlucky in the straight when it couldn't get a run. This weekend with Kerrin McEvoy aboard probably should get the right of the race from the barrier it's drawn. Carried a massive weight last time out at Grafton and was very unlucky in the running. Stepping up in distance this weekend I expect this horse to be great value at $26.

Two emergencies here have got the run this weekend and should be extremely competitive in the race. Snitzify (18), trained by Tony Gollan, has been knocking on the door in its past two starts. Does enjoy wet tracks and is drawn very well this weekend. The gelding was sent out favourite last start but had no luck in the running. Ryan Maloney will ride this weekend and he should get the perfect run in transit.

Jack the lad (19), trained by Chris Waller, won over a mile last time out. Probably didn't beat much to be honest but seems to thrive on wet tracks. He should get those conditions again here this weekend. The “Wizard” William Pike will ride the horse and from the barrier it looks like he'll take up forward position in the running. If there's any early track bias this horse may be in the firing line to win the race.

The first starter for Annabel Neasham – Sibaaq (8) making his debut here. Has won a recent barrier trial impressively whichsuggests that he is very forward and should race well here this weekend. There has been an avalanche of money for this runner since the markets opened earlier in the week. James Mc Donald will partner this gelding for his first run in Australia.

Selections:

10 – Aheadofhistime
18 – Snitzify
19 – Jack The Lad
8 – Sibaaq
Rough chances – (6) Mix & (7) Montez

Race 2

A 900-metre race here – the BAT OUT OF HELL – blink and you will miss this race.

Remlaps Gem (2) is trained by Scott Singleton and is undefeated in two starts at the track over 900 metres. Each time this horse has stepped out on the Gold Coast circuit he has looked invincible, and I cannot see any reason why this weekend he cannot go on his merry way by winning this race. I see the stable has put James McDonald aboard this weekend so he probably does deserve the favourite tag and will be extremely hard to beat in this race.

Usmanov (1) is trained on the track by Trent and Toby Edmonds. this gelding always races well here on his home track and should be respected. Ryan Maloney will ride the gelding this weekend. Keep safe.

The Tony Gollan team is represented by Lyrical Girl (5) and Niedorp (4). These two sprinters could race well if they can handle the track conditions.
Selections:

2 – Remlaps Gem
1 – Usmanov
5 – Lyrical Girl
4 – Niedorp

Race 3 THE GOLD COAST CUP

A 2400 metres distance race.

I think the Tony Gollan pair are well placed here.

Youngblood (7) will be ridden by Ben Thompson. The gelding has won here previously at this track and excels on a wet surface. He's last two starts at Doomben have been exceptional – his last start he won convincingly and steps up another 200 metres this weekend.

The stablemate is Tavion Prince (6) who will be ridden by Stephanie Thornton. Would it not be ironic to see the boyfriend/girlfriend combination fight out the finish in race three at the Gold Coast. I suppose the victor of the race will be shouting dinner on Saturday night somewhere flash on the Gold Coast. The six-year-old gelding was run down late in the race won by Youngblood (7) at Doomben last time out. He hasn’t won at the distance. However, I think this weekend he is suited by the conditions of the race.

Soprano Supreme (10) Is a New Zealand runner making her debut in Australia. The mare is trained by Mark Walker and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. She won last time out over 2200 meters in New Zealand. I think as the carnival progresses and with the forecast of a wet winter in Brisbane this runner may be one to follow in coming weeks.

Isabella’s Spring (8) Is trained by Barry Lockwood and thrives on wet and heavy surfaces. Samantha Collett will keep her association with this mare and if the track deteriorates by Saturday, she is the one to back.

Le Baol (4) is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace and will be ridden by William Pike. This would be a lethal combination in any circumstances. He failed last time out on a bog track at Randwick in the Sydney Cup. That race was over 3200 meters and, despite him being the favourite for this race, I really think he may struggle here this weekend.

Selections:

7 – Youngblood
6 – Tavion Prince
10 – Soprano Supreme
8 – Isabella’s Spring
Rough chance – (1) Swords Drawn & (4) Le Baol

Race 4 KEN RUSSELL MEMORIAL CLASSIC

The two-year-old runners hit the track here at Group 3 level.

I think the undefeated, Tony Gollan trained colt Nettuno (3), to be ridden by Ryan Maloney, looks a solid proposition for this race. In each of these two careers starts he has been very dominant and from barrier 4, I feel that he is a solid bet this weekend.

Allude (2) is from the Chris Munce racing team. Resumed at Eagle Farm with an impressive effort first up. On that occasion he was heavily backed in the markets and got the job done for his loyal supporters. Mark Du Plessis will ride the colt again this weekend and from barrier 5 it looks like he will be the only danger to this short price favourite.

Stroll (13) resumes here for Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted. The filly will be ridden by Boris Thornton. Her first preparation was solid, and a recent barrier trial would suggest that she is forward enough to run well this weekend.

I have found a rough chance here in this race trained on the track by Gillian Heinrich – Rose Of Shiraz (12). The filly will be partnered by Luke Tarrant and in a recent barrier trial she looked very forward. They say real men wear pink so maybe this weekend Luke you will look better in pink than what you do in blue! At $121 – something each way could net a huge result!

Selections:

3 – Nettuno
2 – Allude
13 – Stroll
12 – Rose of Shiraz
Rough chance – (7) West Of Africa

Race 5 SILK STOCKING

The Silk Stocking for Fillies and Mares at Listed level over 1400 metres.

This is a tough race on the program. I like the Clarry Connors trained mare Stolen Jade (10) who was second up at Doomben over 1200 meters and put in a solid performance. She is proven at the track winning a race in the lead up to the Magic Millions carnival in 2022 and has solid form at the 1400 meters. She gets in on the minimum this weekend and, drawn in barrier 2, to I expect her to race forward and be very hard to beat. Larry Cassidy takes the ride.

Café Royal (4) is trained by Nathan Doyle and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy. This mare has won her past two starts on heavy tracks in Sydney and seems to relish the opportunity to get into the wet tracks that have been on offer. She may get those conditions here this weekend at the Gold Coast if the rain comes and, in that case, could be very difficult to beat.

Chris Waller trains Starla (5) who will be ridden by William Pike. This mare has had her races spaced a month apart and I think she represents good value here at the 1400 metres. I think last time out at Eagle Farm she probably did not enjoy the hard surface and we may see the best of her at the Gold Coast track.

The stablemate is April Rain (6) who will be ridden by James McDonald. She is at the Gold Coast after resuming on a heavy track at Randwick. She was well supported in that race, however didn't fire. I think the track will not be as heavy this weekend and, in that case, she probably will race better. There has been some solid support for her since the markets opened on Wednesday.

Yamazaki (1) is trained locally by Michael Costa. Has been trialling well on her home track. Hugh Bowman will ride the mare. She will carry the top weight and on her best form will be very difficult to beat.

Selections:

10 – Stolen Jade
4 – Café Royal
5 – Starla
6 – April Rain
Rough chance – (1) Yamazaki

Race 6 GOLD BRACELET (Listed)

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

This is a very open race. Gypsy Goddess (1) comes back to Queensland after a reasonable campaign in Sydney on the wet tracks. She is trained by David Vandyke and will be ridden again this weekend by William Pike. The filly was not disgraced last time out in the Group One ATC Oaks where she finished a good second. Back home and on a track that will not be bottomless she is a genuine contender for this race and then the other feature races she will contest as the Winter Racing Carnival continues.

Honeycreeper (3) is from the powerful Godolphin team who in recent years have had very good success at this carnival - in fact, they won a race last weekend with Character ridden by Jimmy Orman. it is possible that if this filly measures up this weekend and that, looking ahead, the Godolphin team could win the Derby and Oaks over the upcoming carnival. Whilst I don't have all the statistics on this type of history, I think it would be an exceptional performance from a stable to win two feature races like this in the coming weeks. Honeycreeper will be ridden by Opie Bosson this weekend. I think you can safely overlook her last effort in the ATC Oaks where she did not appreciate the bottomless conditions and did not sprint like she did in her previous win. The conditions this time will not be anywhere like that found last start and I expect her to be very competitive this weekend.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted have a nice type in Canadian Dancer (5) engaged here. She was very dominant last time out at Doomben when letting down and storming too a very solid win over 1640 metres. Ben Thompson will again ride the filly this weekend.

Mokulua (2) is trained by Clarry Conners and will be ridden by Larry Cassidy. She was sent out a short price favourite in the race one by Canadian Dancer (5) last time out. I'm not too sure whether the heavy conditions were to her liking on that occasion, but I think she did enough in the race to suggest that this step up in distance this weekend will be to her liking. Her ultimate mission is to win the Queensland Oaks, and this is a good stepping-stone in preparation for that assignment.

Selections:

3 – Honeycreeper
1 – Gypsy Goddess
5 – Canadian Dancer
2 – Mokulua
Rough chance – (6) Stalking

Race 7 GOLD GOAST GUINEAS (Group 3)

This is a very open race with many chances. I have gone away from the more favoured runners looking for some value here especially if the track is rain affected and has deteriorated across the program.

Prince Of Boom (2) has resumed with two exceptional wins since returning from a spell. He is trained by Robert Heathcote and will be ridden again by Jimmy Orman. Orman has a 100%-win rate on this gelding and will be seeking to keep that record intact this weekend. He will need a great deal of luck from barrier 16, but this gelding has come back better this preparation and should not be overlooked due to the wide barrier. Orman is in career best form currently and will give this gelding every chance.

Miss Hipstar (13) is trained by Kelly Schweida and was nailed in the final stride first up last time out. I think she will strip fitter this weekend for that effort and does race well on which tracks. She has drawn nicely this week in barrier 7 and should be given the run of the race by Larry Cassidy. She does have a very good second up record and at $21 represents great each way value.

The locally trained Me Me Langrande (10) looks well placed by the Edmonds Racing team. She resumed in Sydney (Group 3 – PJ Bell) on a heavy track which she really did not appreciate first up and got too far back in the running where on pace runners had distinct advantages on the day. She has had a month between runs, and I expect the extra distance this weekend will be right up her alley. Robbie Fradd will ride this weekend. At $12 she looks a great each way prospect in this race.

Four Moves Ahead (11) is trained by the wily John Sargeant team and despite drawing barrier 20 could run a forward race after two solid barrier trials in preparation for this first up effort. Kerrin McEvoy will be in the saddle – mad odds-on offer as well at $16. She normally comes to hand quickly and could cause an upset here..

There are plenty of other chances in this race they are listed in my rough chances below. On their recent form they all warrant some respect and should be kept safe.

Selections:

13 – Miss Hipstar
10 – Me Me Langrande
11 – Four Moves Ahead
2 – Prince of Boom
Rough chance – (3) Sword Of State & (5) Zethus

Race 8 A.D.HOLLINDALE STAKES (Group 2)

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

This is the return to Queensland of last year’s super horse of the 2021 carnival – Zaaki (1). On this day and at this meeting and race he commenced his amazing form last year. I am really finding it difficult to find anything to beat him. Annabel Neasham will have him prepared to the minute to get consecutive victories in this race. James McDonald will partner him for the first time this preparation. Jay Mac has and exceptional record riding him for six starts for five victories. The only way I can see him being beaten is if the track beats him on the day.

Chris Waller Racing has five starters in the race looking to knock off the favourite. If the track is severely rain affected, I think you should be on Polly Grey (12) who just swims in rain affected tracks. Opie Bosson will ride here. She did win last time out over 2000 metres in a heavy track at Randwick. She has had a three week freshen up in preparation for this run.

The Peter & Paul Snowden runner Huetor (9) could upset these runners if the race is run with a solid tempo. Kerrin McEvoy will ride him yet again – 4 rides – 3 wins and a placing. His first up effort Randwick over 1400 was an eye-catching run powering home late to be beaten just under two lengths by the eventual winner. I think second up he could be the one that is storming home late and upsetting these more fancied runners. His second up performances are exceptional starting three times and posting two wins.

Ayrton (3) Is unknown in the wet and despite a very resounding win first up at Caulfield I have some reservations about him on wet track. Regardless of his performance this weekend he is one to keep in mind across the carnival and the big races that are scheduled in the coming weeks, especially when he gets back to Eagle Farm where I think you will see the best of him.

Selections:

1 – Zaaki
12 – Polly Grey
9 – Huetor
3 – Ayrton
Rough chance – (5) Kukeracha

Race 9

Last race – on a massive day of racing.

This is a tough way to end the day as well – multiple chances here over 1200 metres.

Let me start by saying that if we get to the last race on the program and the track is rain affected and has deteriorated into the heavy range you will need to be backing Simply Fly (10) trained by Rex Lipp & Nick Hahn in Toowoomba. He will be ridden by Stephanie Thornton and thrives on heavy tracks. There is genuine speed in this race, and this will suit this gelding down to the ground. His first two starts from a spell have been over 1000 metres which has been too short for him. Back to 1200 meters this weekend and third up look for a very good performance – and he is ridiculous odds at $15.

If we don't get into the heavy track range, I think that the Tony Gollan trained Salateen (9) is the one to load up on here in the last race. This mare consistently performs well first up in her preparations and down on the minimum gets into the race very well this weekend. Kerrin McEvoy will ride, and she has drawn well enough in barrier 11.

Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted train Shooting For Gold (6) and he will strip fitter for his first up effort at Eagle Farm where he got too far back and never had much luck in the running. Second up this weekend he will be better for that run and will appreciate the 1200 metres here this weekend. Ben Thompson will ride.

Sir Warwick (15) probably faces his toughest test of his career this weekend. In saying that he is down on the minimum at a distance that I think he'll be suited by. James Innes Jnr will ride him for the first time and drawn in barrier 5. He should not be underestimated.

There are some other rough chances here – More Sundays (14) had no luck last time out and really went to the line not really tested. You must respect that ‘Last Race Larry’ Cassidy will ride him again here.

Palaisipan (13) resumes for Chris Munce Racing – Desert Lord resumes for David Vandyke – both have been trialling well and could show up and massive odds.

You will need to play wide here and put multiple selections in your exotics to hopefully jag a win!

Selections:

9 – Salateen
10 – Simply Fly
15 – Sir Warwick
6 – Shooting For Gold
Rough chance – (14) More Sundays, (13) Palaisipan and (2) Desert Lord
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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 on this wet track. However, Kerrin McEvoy, James McDonald, Ryan Maloney, and William Pike all have some nice rides. Maybe something on Kerrin McEvoy may see you get a nice result.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 / 6,7,8,10 / 2,3,13 / 4,5,6,10 - cost is $96 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2 / 6,7,10 / 2,3 / 4,5,10 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,3,5 / 2,3,10,11,13 / 1,9,1 2/ 6,9,10,14,15 - cost is $300 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,3,5 / 10,11,13 / 1,9 / 9,10,15 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,3,10,11,13 / 1,9,12 / 6,9,10,14,15 - cost is $75 to $1

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