WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, MAY 13, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 11, 2023

DOOMBEN this week ... nine races with the track rated ‘soft’. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. Stradbroke season continues with the Group 1 – DOOMBEN 10,000.

After holidaying around Asia for the last few weeks – if the flight home is on time, I will make it to the track. Short and brief (still on holidays).

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

Open field to start us off.

Self Indulgent (11) from the Tony Gollan yards was super impressive last start with apprentice Cejay Graham riding her first Saturday Brisbane winner – looks well placed with the speed on.

Keep Arentee (7) very safe – an explosive win in a recent barrier trial – Craig Williams has been booked to ride for Chris Meagher.

Selections:

11 – Self Indulgent
7 – Arentee
5 – Argyle Lane
1 – Astero
Rough chance – (2) Rubamos

Race 2

A 1350 metres contest for the three year olds.

Ekaterina (11) from the Robert Heathcote yards for mine. Only stopped by the huge weight last time out – back to set weight conditions look for her to atone – Tim Clark will ride.

Keep safe the Godolphin pair – Atmosphere (2) and Sandpaper (2). I think Atmosphere )2) has been desperately unlucky in his past two outings – he could be a massive improver – James McDonald will ride.

Selections:

11 – Ekaterina
2 – Atmosphere
1 – Sandpaper
12 – Memoria
Rough chance – (6) Chairman

Race 3

A race over the 1350 – BM80 – not a fan of this race.

Argyle Pink (17) is an emergency for Gollan Racing with Angela Jones aboard. Drawn wide – if she can let them go and get in and take a trail (she normally loves to lead) I think she is a terrific each way chance.

Selections:

17 – Argyle Pink
14 – National Choice
2 – Meritable
7 – Ocean Treaty
Rough chance – (4) Trevelyan

Race 4

Listed race over the mile.

I think the Godolphin pair have the race between them. I particularly like Character (7) at around $17 with Ben Thompson to ride. Unlucky last time out in the Hawkesbury Cup (Group 3) – forgive that run. He loves the mile and should be ready to peak.

Alcyone (11) is the stable mate with Tim Clark aboard. Third up here and will love to get onto a firm track – keep safe.

Selections:

7 – Character
11 – Alcyone
14 – Arctic Thunder
3 – Bigboyroy
Rough chance – (1) Sunshine Rising

Race 5 CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC – GROUP 2

Sprint race – 1200 metres – for the two-year-olds at Group 2 level.

I like the Michael Freedman runner Ducasse (8) with Nash Rawiller aboard. Debut run was impressive at Rosehill – managed to storm home in a slowly run race – speed here and the extra distance - looks well placed.

Sovereign Fund (2) has won at this track – I think he has despised the recent heavy tracks and we will see the best of him on a firm surface.

Appin Girl (10) is trained locally by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted – no knock on her. Two wins from two starts – she may be one right out of the box. I just think the Sydney form maybe a better form line. Happy to be proven wrong.

Selections:

8 – Ducasse
2 – Sovereign Fund
10 – Appin Girl
4 – Thunderlips
Rough chance – (1) Empire Of Japan

Race 6 CHAIRMANS PLATE – GROUP 3

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 2000 metres at Group 3 level.

Not a fan – just play wide.

Secret Glamour (13) only won a midweek race last time out at Randwick for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. I think she is down in the weights and despite coming back in distance could cause an upset here – Craig Williams will ride.

Keep Yonkers (2) safe with James McDonald and Chris Waller combining – a lethal combination. Has not won in 51 weeks – however, does appreciate this distance.

Selections:

13 – Secret Glamour
2 – Yonkers
5 – London Banker
9 – Otyrar
Rough chance – (8) Kalapour

Race 7 ROUGH HABIT PLATE – Group 3

The first leg of the treble – massive field over 2000 metres at Group 3 level. Set weights for the three-year-olds.

I like the Chris Waller runner Kovalica (1). A massive win in the QLD Guineas – James McDonald aboard. Looks well placed.

If there is an upset – the Edmonds Racing runner – The Vowels (2) has been racing well – Jimmy Orman aboard – he could bring down the short-priced favourite.

So Dazzling (16) comes off some solid Sydney form. She is drawn wide – Craig Williams will need to go back and ride for luck. I think the firm track will suit – trained by the master of distance races – John Sargent – she could be my early pick for the QLD Oaks!

Selections:

1 – Kovalica
2 – The Vowels
16 – So Dazzling
5 – Stroke Of Luck
Rough chance – (8) Yusuke

Race 8 LADBROKES DOOMBEN 10,000 – GROUP 1

Our feature Group 1 race.

Giga Kick (8) won the Group 1, All Aged Stakes at Randwick last time out. Freshened since then. Went enormous in a recent barrier trial – Craig Williams came up to ride him in the trail and retains the ride here in this feature race.

The Godolphin pair must be respected. Aft Cabin (9) comes off a win in the Arrowfield Sprint (Group 2). His final sectionals over the last 600 metres were excellent. James McDonald retains the ride.

The stable mate is Vilana (5) who is a super price at $14. He won the Hall Mark Stakes (Group 3) last time out. Brad Rawiller gets the ride. This runner will be settled back in the field smoking his pipe. The faster this lot goes, the more likely he will finish over the tired ones late who have cut each other’s throats in front – this is the runner to cause a major upset for mine!

Selections:

8 – Giga Kick
5 – Vilana
9 – Aft Cabin
3 – A Case Of You

Race 9 BRIGHT SHADOW – Listed Race

Another Listed race over 1110 metres.

Tough race – play wide.

The Godolphin pair both resume here – they both have some very good trials under their belts recently. They look well placed and have drawn well enough to sprint well fresh – take your pick – Hellfest (5) with Tim Clark aboard or Seige (10) with Ben Thompson to ride.

Rob Heathcote’s Extremist (9) goes super at this track and distance – Angela Jones will ride. Was beaten by a smart one on the line when first up – will strip fitter and be hard to toss.

Fetch (11) had no luck in the running last time out. Could get out late and storm home late.

A Very Fine Red (3) I think is Mark Newnham’s final runner prior to heading to Hong Kong – it would be appropriate to win the final race here. Tyler Schiller will ride her here after being caught wide with no luck whatsoever in the Hawkesbury Rush last time out – probably entitled to fade late, however, put in a huge run and ran a gallant second.

Selections:

5 – Hellfest
3 – A Very Fine Red
9 – Extremist
10 – Seige
Rough chances – (11) Fetch & (2) Sneaky Five
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Jockeys Challenge

A few with chances this week – Craig Williams, James McDonald and Tim Clark all have a solid book of rides – looks like Tim Clark may get the job done in a close finish on a tough day.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,11 / 2,4,14,17 / 3,7,11,14 / 2,4,8,10 - cost is $192 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,11 / 2,14,17 / 7,11 / 2,8 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

2,5,9,13 / 1,2,16 / 5,8,9 / 3,5,9,10 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

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

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,16 / 5,8,9 / 3,5,9,10 - cost is $36 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. We had a few wins last weekend – looks a tougher assignment here with the massive fields.

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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