WINNO'S WINNERS: GOLD COAST, JANUARY 7, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Friday, January 6, 2023

GOLD COAST RACES – SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 2023

GOLD COAST this weekend – always an amazing day at the Aquis Park Turf Club. The track rated as a ‘Soft 7’ at the time of writing and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. If more rain comes it may be a tough day.

This is the prelude to one of the best days of racing on the Queensland racing calendar – 2023 MAGIC MILLIONS.

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

Opening race is a maiden race – very tough.

I am going for a local runner to get the job done trained by Scott Morrisey – Iron Grace (15). This filly has ability and raced on heavy tracks for her first two career starts. She went well – however, I think that now she has had a spell and is resuming here – two trials under her belt and trained on the track - she will be right in this race from a nice barrier. Boris Thornton, who recently rode her in a solid trial win will ride - $41 on offer – each way!

Avebury (12) is trained in Sydney by John O’Shea and James McDonald will ride. Has had two recent trials and has been supported since the markets opened – she has drawn barrier 14 which may be trouble – however, she should race well fresh.

Pharoah Magic (8) is around the $51 mark in the markets from the Anthony Cummings stables. This colt was super first up over 1100 metres when a courageous second. Then they stepped him up to 1400 metres – he did not run the trip out at all. They drop him back here to 1200 metres and has drawn nicely. Taylor Marshall will ride. One for the history buffs – trained Cummings – ridden Marshall – this one is a serious chance for mine.

Helluva Barty (7) is a Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted runner resuming. Won a recent barrier trial in good style. He has drawn poorly in barrier 19 – Brodie Loy will ride – any luck from the wide barrier and he should be thereabouts at the end of the race.

Bel Air (5) and Windshadow (2) are the two Victorian trained runners that must be respected. Bel Air (5) is the early market favourite trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman with Ben Melham to ride – not sure what to make of his recent efforts – I will have a close look at him in the yard on Saturday, but I prefer my other selections.

If my trifecta and first four win – will need a cheque to collect – as they will not be able to pay me in cash!

Selections:

15 – Iron Grace
12 – Avebury
8 – Pharoah Magic
7 – Helluva Barty
Rough chance – (5) Bel Air – (2) Windshadow

Race 2

Small field over 1100 metres for the two-year-old boys.

Royal Entrance (8) from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott yards won well on debut – looks well placed here with James McDonald aboard.

Quasimoto (7) raced inthe Wyong Magic Millions race and was beaten by last week’s impressive winner – Sovereign Fund. Jumped awkwardly and raced greenly in that race and found trouble in the running prior to getting clear late and running a nice second. He is rained by Clinton Lundholm and Kerrin McEvoy will ride.

The Chris Waller trained Chrysaor (1) has the blinkers going back on for this run – that will see him improve – his last start he was not disgraced in better company – could upset these more fancied runners – Jimmy Orman retains the ride.

Selections:

8 – Royal Entrance
7 – Quasimoto
1 – Chrysaor
2 – Desert Safari

Race 3

The two-year-old fillies face the starter here.

Excel D’Or (4) produced a solid effort when a narrow second in the Group 3 Bruce McLachlan last time out when narrowly beaten by the Novelist. Drawn in barrier 10 and should get away and take a nice trail behind the speed in the race. Brodie Loy will be trailing them into the straight and hopefully finish over the top of them late.

Miss Joelene (6) won here at this track and distance on debut. Trained by Kelly Schweida the Whalley girls – Janelle, Heidi, and Tayla, along with other owners, race this filly – would be wonderful to see her get some more prizemoney and make the final Magic Millions field. Jimmy Orman will ride.

She’s A Rogue (8) trained by Munce Racing has been heavily supported since the markets have opened. Keep safe.

Selections:

4 – Excel D’Or
6 – Miss Joelene
8 – She’s A Rogue
12 – Just Glamorous

Race 4

The 900-metre sprint race – these are always a spectacle.

Streaka (12) was super first up when beaten on the post at Eagle Farm. Trained by Chris Anderson and is down on the minimum here with Ben Thompson aboard. He has the tongue tie coming off – just the wide barrier may be of concern, however, I do not think he has to lead and may just let these others scoot along and be strong at the finish.

The Bopper (5) was a last start winner at the Sunshine Coast for Kris Lees Racing – James McDonald will be riding. Wide barrier as well in barrier 13 – however, will settle back in the field and makes his run late.

Remlaps Gem (1) loves this track and distance. Despite getting the top weight has been racing very well in higher class races in NSW. Trainer Scott Singleton targets these feature races with this gelding each year. Kerrin McEvoy will ride him.

Le Palmier (4) has drawn well and will jump and run along. Drawn barrier 1 will ping the gates and Jim Byrne will have him placed to perfection. He could be the strongest at the line when the judge stops the race.

Selections:

12 – Streaka
5 – The Bopper
1 – Remlaps Gem
4 – Le Palmier

Race 5

Last leg of the early Quaddie. 1200 metres for the three-year-old runners.

Junqueira (9) is trained by John O’Shea and James McDonald will ride. Resumed and got hampered at the start and was then ridden for luck and still finished off strongly at Warwick Farm. Looks well placed from the barrier and if she gets luck here should win this race.

Hard To Say (4) – well it was “Hard To Watch” when he raced last time out at Doomben when defeated by Hidden Wealth (2). Got belted at the start – raced wide – the jockey lost the whip – nothing went right for him last time out. Trainer Jason Deamer must have been screaming! He was well supported as well in that effort and this weekend gets the chance to atone for that unlucky result. Chad Schofield will ride him – super odds are on offer at $34.

Tony Gollan Racing has two runners here – Hidden Wealth (2) and Busting (6) – both last start winners.

Hidden Wealth (2) has now won his last two starts – both times powering home late. Has barrier 13 to contend with in this race – Stephanie Thornton retains the ride. She has ridden him to all his three career starts. This is first time over 1200 metres – there is speed engaged which I assume enables him to work home fast again.

The stable-mate is Busting (6) with Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) to ride. Has won both career starts – two from two. Won here on debut in nice time. He has improved in each start – he could just upset them here.

Selections:

9 – Junqueira
4 – Hard To Say
2 – Hidden Wealth
6 – Busting
Rough chance – (3) Billionair Baby

Race 6

This is the first leg of the Quaddie. A race over 1300 metres.

Chris Waller has nice chances in the race. Olentia (9) has been impressive winning both career starts. Just keeps going from strength to strength. She faces her toughest test to date with this assignment – I cannot take the odds-on price that is being offered up – around $1.70. She has a nice draw in barrier 3 – Jim Byrne will ride.

The other more seasoned stable mate Bella Rouge (2) will be partnered by James McDonald. She has been racing in Sydney in similar classes of races – however, she just is out of sorts. I think that there will be a dramatic improvement here.

Latakia (13), trained by Gollan Racing, stepped up sharply in grade last time out and probably struggled against some more seasoned opposition. She is down on the minimum here and Craig Williams will ride – there is a lot to like about her chances.

I like the Richard & Will Freedman runner – Amathuba (6). The stable has had tremendous success in QLD in recent months – they look like they have placed this mare well in this race. She has been consistent in recent efforts in weekend grade in Sydney – Kerrin McEvoy will ride, and the price is nice - $13.

Hellavadancer (10) is around $31 – a serious rough chance in this field from the Kris Lees racing team.

Selections:

6 – Amathuba
2 – Bella Rouge
9 – Olentia
13 – Latakia
Rough chance – (10) Hellavadancer

Race 7

First leg of the treble over 1300 metres.

I Am Lethal (3) raced in the Magic Millions Guineas last year and had no luck. He has come back and been racing consistently. He races well fresh and normally when the speed is on. He has had a freshen up with six weeks off – he gets speed in the race and John O’Shea will have him ready to fire here in this race. Brenton Avdulla will ride him.

Resonator (10) has the blinkers going on for the Waterhouse & Bott stables. They have enormous success in recent weeks with runners with gear changes with several of them getting the chocolates. He resumed at Wyong and had no luck – forget that run. Then he lumped 60 kilograms on New Year's Eve at Randwick and led all the way and got beaten in the shadows of the post. He drops in weight – third up – the gear change and barrier 4 he will be difficult to hold out. James Mc Donald has been booked to ride.

I like West of Africa (13), trained by Annabel Neasham, to win the race. Has the blinkers going on. He raced over the mile last time out and did not see out the trip. Coming back in distance looks ideal for this runner and Chad Schofield will get in the saddle and get him home for me!

Arentee (1) is trained locally by Chris Meagher – a super win last time out. Kerrin McEvoy will ride. I think that he is right in this race – just the weight may be the problem, however, in saying that, he gets the perfect conditions in this race to settle midfield – get balanced and storm home late – he will probably get out in the markets as the support for the other runners come – I would be having something on him as he is very impressive.

Prime Asset (6) is trained on the track by Gillian Heinrich – Ryan Wiggins will ride – could be value.

Selections:

13 – West Of Africa
10 – Resonator
3 – I Am Lethal
1 – Arentee
Rough chance – (6) Prime Asset

Race 8 2023 THE WAVE

Open race here over 1800 metres. The feature race on the program.

Kelly Schweida trains Tyresa (12) and I think that down on the minimum with 51 kilograms she looks an exciting chance to win the race. She has been a victim of circumstances in recent races. The tempo has been slow or non-existent – that has not enabled her to get into the race late and finish off strong. She has a wonderful burst of speed if she can get a fast tempo and will run them down. Sure, she looks at 1800 metres for the first time, but with the speed on I expect her to be storming home out wide. Taylor Marshall is a very underrated jockey – I am sure he will be giving everything to win this feature race. She is around the $7.50 mark in the markets.

Chris Waller and James McDonald combine with Head Of State (9), first up here after a 14-week spell. He has won previously first up. His recent barrier trial was full of merit and would suggest that he can run a bold race at a silly price of $18.

Deficit (2) is trained in NSW and has a proven record in QLD. Brenton Avdulla will ride him. He worked home over 1800 m last start at Randwick in a fast run race. He does possess a good sprint and he may just be ready to peak. He needs a firm surface for us to see his best.

Ashgrove (5) is the best of the local runners – trained by Tony Gollan. He won a midweek race over 1500 metres nicely – a great lead up effort in preparation for this race. Ryan Maloney will ride, and he will give him every chance.

Gary Portelli trains Akihiro (3) – William Pike will ride. This runner has won at the track over 1700 metres. I must respect this runner – but he is not all that keen on carrying big weights.

The Cunning Fox (1) is a Victorian runner trained by Patrick Payne with Craig Williams to ride. He has solid form and probably, if he manages the reverse way of going, will be right in the race when the judge stops the race.

Selections:

12 – Tyresa
9 – Head Of State
2 – Deficit
5 – Ashgrove
Rough chance – (3) Akihiro & (1) The Cunning Fox

Race 9

The last race – tough way to end the day over 1425 metres.

Not a fan of the race.

Lord Olympus (5) is third up for Annabel Neasham with Brodie Loy to ride. He just needs speed in the race as he will settle midfield and storm home late.

The early market favourite Wairere Falls (4) I think struggles to win – so I am happy to lay him. I think that you can leave him out and still get a reasonable result.

Rock Amore (9) won impressively first up at a huge price for Gollan Racing. Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride again. On his first up effort he could worry them here.

Animate (3) resumed in Group 3 and Listed races for his first two starts. He is back in grade here – he could be the one the causes an upset in the last race with Brenton Avdulla getting this Kris Lees Racing runner home.

See you all next week – same track – bigger day – MAGIC MILLIONS 2023!

Selections:

5 – Lord Olympus
4 – Wairere Falls
9 – Rock Amore
3 – Animate
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Jockeys Challenge

James McDonald looks like he has a nice book of rides – I will put the WINNO mock on him this weekend! Afterall he is the reigning LONIGINES World Best Jockey!

Exotics

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,7,8 / 4,6 / 1,5,12 / 2,4,6,9 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

7,8 / 4,6 / 5,12 /9 - cost is $8 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,6,9,13 / 1,3,10,13 / 2,5,9,12 / 3,4,5,9 - cost is $256 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,6,9 / 10,13 / 9,12 / 4,5 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,3,10,13 / 2,5,9,12 / 4,5,9 - cost is $48 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. I gave him a flogging last weekend – but I must attempt to get him to lift his game! I am cautious this weekend he seems to go well at this track! 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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