WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, MAY 20, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 19, 2023

DOOMBEN this week … nine races, featuring the Group 1 Doomben Cup, with the track currently rated as ‘soft’ and with the rail out two metres the entire circuit. A big day of racing!

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. A class 6 over the mile.

Robert Heathcote had a good week out last weekend landing a winning double on both Saturday and Sunday He saddles up Drive A Deel (5) here with Jason Collett to ride. She ran on nicely last time out over the mile at the Sunshine Coast. She loves this Doomben track with three wins here – and has four wins over this distance.

Manbehindthemoney (13) is having his second start for the Annabel Neasham yards. He flew home first up over 1500 metres at Rosehill – that was his debut in Australia. That run was on a heavy track – should have no trouble with the distance and track conditions on that effort – Samantha Collett will ride. It is the battle of the Collett’s!

Saucey Horsey (10) is a Gollan Racing runner – she has five wins on wet tracks. She must be respected if the track is still wet come Saturday. A solid winner midweek at Toowoomba last time out – could show some more improvement here.

Selections:

5 – Drive A Deel
13 – Manbehindthemoney
10 – Saucey Horsey
2 – Wairere Falls
Rough chance – (8) Olympic Class & (1) Rousseau

Race 2

A 1350 metres race for the Class 3 runners – tough assignment this. May be easier to go and grab some lunch.

Godolphin train Brigantine (1) – Jimmy Orman will ride. Is second up here after flying home first up at the Sunshine Coast – was forced to travel wide and still made ground. Played up behind the barrier and still ran a huge race – look for a bold showing here.

Sunfall (6) is trained by Barry Lockwood and Jaden Lloyd will ride. Has drawn poorly in barrier 15 – will need some luck but has been racing consistently.

Loves Me Likearock (10) is a Kris Lees runner who posted a win last time out at a midweek race at Eagle Farm. Her first up start at Eagle Farm prior to that was good as well. Andrew Mallyon will need some luck – she has a very bad barrier – barrier 19. Does have very solid wet weather form.

Selections:

1 – Brigantine
6 – Sunfall
10 – Loves Me Likearock
4 – Hatchet
Rough chance – (6) Tarex

Race 3 BILL CARTER STAKES – Listed

The two-year-old fillies go around.

The Chris Waller runner Makena (13) looks ideally placed here to break her maiden status here for mine – around $12 in the markets. James McDonald will ride, and I anticipate her to be handy in the running from a nice barrier.

Zia (9) is from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott yards. She led all the way on debut at Canterbury in a midweek race and slayed the field in a strong time. Has drawn wide in barrier 13 – but could take the step up and be hard to hold out.

Russian Alliance (1) is a local representative trained by Kevin Kemp and has won his past five starts. He just keeps going from strength to strength – tough to beat here with the speed on – he should just sit back off them prior to letting down late – Larry Cassidy keeps the ride.

Abounding (4) finished second behind Russian Alliance (1) last time out. Was working home late – maybe some improvement out of that run – Jason Collett will ride here. Keep safe.

Selections:

13 – Makena
9 – Zia
1 – Russian Alliance
4 – Abounding
Rough chance – (11) Infancy

Race 4 PAM O’NEILL STAKES– Group 3

A Group 3 race over the mile.

Chris Waller Racing has a mortgage on the race for mine!

Some value here with Frumos (12) at $10 looks well placed second up. She resumed at Rosehill on a bog track over 1300 metres and worked home well. I think that, with the longer distance combined with the better surface, she should be difficult to defeat – James McDonald will ride her.

Pretty Amazing (2) is the stable mate. She didn’t handle the Gosford circuit last time out. Look for an improved effort in a track where she can settle midfield and get cover before coming out and making a dash at them late. Nash Rawiller will ride. She has a strong record over the mile.

Street Gossip (16) went around in the Bracelet over 1800 metres last time out at the Sunshine Coast. I am not too certain whether that distance was a little longer than she likes. The mile in my opinion is more her go – she has won 2 from 2 over this distance – Jaden Lloyd takes the ride. Look for a bold run.

Bellatrix Black (3) is a Kris Lees runner with Andrew Mallyon aboard. This mare was making up distance late at Gosford last time out in the feature ‘The Coast’ race. Had no luck in the straight – held up – could not get clear. With any luck here and the opportunity to ride her cold she could be hard to defeat at good odds.

Selections:

12 – Frumos
3 – Bellatrix Black
16 – Street Gossip
2 – Pretty Amazing
Rough chance – (13) Princess Rhaenys

Race 5 DARBY McCARTHY

Sprint race – 1110 metres – for the three-year-olds.

Golden Boom (4) is a Tony Gollan runner. Resumed in Mick Dittman Plate and looked like he needed the run in the parade ring. Since then, he has been back to the track for a barrier trial that he won well. He looks best placed here, drawn the rails with Ryan Maloney will ride.

Helluva Barty (6) is trained locally by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted – no knock on her. She is undefeated in two starts on this track. Has been trialling well. She gets back in her races – if they go fast here, she will be belting home late. Brodie Loy will ride.

Spacewalk (1) is trained by Godolphin. Was not disgraced in the Gold Coast Guineas that was run at the Sunshine Coast when defeated by the extra smart Yellow Brick. He probably may be looking for the 1200 metres – however, if they go quick here, he is the type that will be flying home late – James McDonald will ride.

Richon (2) is trained by Peter Robl. The colt has been consistent since his debut in QLD and resuming – now has posted 2 wins from 2 starts. Samantha Collett will ride. She can lead or sit in behind – she looks well placed from barrier 9.

Selections:

4 – Golden Boom
1 – Spacewalk
6 – Helluva Barty
2 – Richon
Rough chance – (11) Lady Laguna

Race 6 XXXX CHIEF DE BEERS – Listed

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 1110 metres at Listed level.

Like one at odds here and in the Godolphin blue silks – Zethus (6). Has raced here previously on two occasions on this Doomben track and did go well. Since that campaign had a spell and resumed at Hawkesbury in the Rush over 1100 metres. Had no luck in the straight – crossed heels – got caught up late and was never tested to the line. Given better luck here – he looks like a solid each way chance at $15. James McDonald takes the ride here.

King Kapa (11) put in an ordinary run last time out. He was eased out of the race as the jockey was worried about his action. Since then, he has been cleared by the vet and won a barrier trial in good fashion. Ben Thompson rode him in that trial and will partner him in this race.

The Big Goodbye (4) is a local chance trained by Robert Heathcote for the QLD Rogues syndicates. There will be nothing better than seeing a NSW Blue silks winning the race and seeing those QLD maroon colours go down – just like they will in Origin 1 in a couple of weeks! He drew barrier 18 in the ATC Cup (Listed) last time out on the Sunshine Coast – he is such an honest runner and never stops trying and was still thereabouts when the judge called a halt to the race. He thrives at Doomben. Draws better here this weekend - will be in the finish – Jason Collett will ride.

The Les Ross Racing trained Mishani Sniper (16) gets in well at the weights. Goes well at this track and distance – represents a knockout chance – Mark Du Plessis will ride.

Selections:

6 – Zethus
11 – King Kapa
4 – The Big Goodbye
16 - Mishani Sniper
Rough chance – (7) Goldsborough

Race 7 XXXX DOOMBEN CUP – GROUP 1

The first leg of the treble – massive field over 2000 metres at Group 1 level – and our feature race!

I do not think Zaaki (1) can win! Egg on the face moment – MAYBE!

I like the Chris Waller Racing three-year-old Kovalica (13) – who was scratched last weekend from the Rough Habit Plate due to a foot abscess that developed the morning of the race. A slight setback – but I think he can atone this weekend in the Cup. Jimmy Orman has the ride – he will be looking to get his maiden Group 1 winner – he has a solid chance – GOOD LUCK JIM!

Numerian (2) has been racing consistently in Group 1 races – has had a 6 week freshen up and normally races well fresh. Is trained by Annabel Neasham and Jason Collett will ride.

Zaaki (1) was soundly defeated in this race last year by Huetor (3). This year Zaaki comes into the race with a solid win in the Hollindale Stakes that was run at the Sunshine Coast – he did win with some authority – James McDonald will ride him again.

Last year’s winner Huetor (3) has had a wonderful preparation and looks primed to have every chance to win the race again in 2023. Snowden Racing trains him and Ryan Maloney will ride. He rode him in the Hollindale when he finished a close second to Zaaki (1).

A solid race with many genuine chances.

Selections:

13 – Kovalica
1 – Zaaki
2 – Numerian
3 – Huetor
Rough chance – (5) Zeyrek

Race 8 BRC SPRINT – GROUP 3

This is a very open race.

I have gone for two emergency runners – they need to make the field first!

Far Too Easy (18) is trained by David McColm. He was a victim of a wide barrier draw last time out at the Sunshine Coast in the ATC Cup (Listed) – he did not shirk the task late, beaten under one length. He has drawn wide again here in barrier 19 – Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride – he will probably get pratted wide again, but there are a few here that will go forward early and maybe string the field out enabling him to get in and get a nice run.

Chris Waller Racing has Brookspire (19) who resumes here after a 17-week spell. She has had two recent trials – has drawn well in barrier 5 and Mark Du Plessis is in the saddle. She comes to hand very quickly and could run a bold race first up.

The stable mate Kiku (8) is second up – James McDonald will ride – barrier 18 to contend with. A six week freshen up – she thrives on wet tracks – keep safe.

Baccanalia (12) is trained by Godolphin and Jimmy Orman will look good in those blue silks! Has drawn barrier 1. Raced at Gosford in the Takeover Target last start and was run down late by a smart one. That race is normally a strong form race moving forward – may pay to follow this one.

Ucalledit (15) is trained by Kris Lees Racing. Resumed from a spell in the ATC Cup two weeks ago – looked like he peaked on fitness late – will strip fitter here this weekend and has drawn well – likes a wet track and Andrew Mallyon will ride. Mallyon has a good association with this runner – 4 rides – 2 wins.

Holyfield (5) could cause an upset – trained by Annabel Neasham, resumed in the Group 2 Victory Stakes and looked like he needed the run. Is second up here with Samantha Collett aboard – could be a genuine each way chance.

Selections:

18 – Far Too Easy
19 – Brookspire
12 – Bacchanalia
15 – Ucalledit
Rough chance – (5) Holyfield & (8) Kiku

Race 9 THE ROSES FILLIES – GROUP 2

Well, it is the last race! A Group 2 race for the fillies – most of these will be looking to go onto the QLD Oaks.

Proscenium Arch (10) is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young who raced in the Australasian Oaks (Group 1) last time out in South Australia. Had a gun run in behind the speed before hitting the lead and being run down late. That run is top class for this assignment – Tim Clark rides this weekend – the filly is around $25 – huge value!

Renaissance Woman (3), trained by Bjorn Baker, won the Bracelet over 1800 metres last time out. Josh Parr retains the ride and the way she settled back and stormed home would suggest the extra 200 metres will be no drama – looks an ideal chance for the Oaks in a few weeks.

Fireburn (1) is proven in wet conditions – she thrives in wet and will relish a wet track. She ran in two Group 1 races – the last race was the Australian Oaks at Randwick – a solid effort. Just think 2000 metres is right up her alley. Gary Portelli has given her a six week freshen up – a solid win in a recent barrier trial and Jason Collett has been booked to ride her. He has a 100% strike rate – 2 rides for 2 wins on her.

Sakura Girl (7) is trained in NZ by Ben Foote – Opie Bosson will ride her. She has raced in Group 1 and Group 2 races in NZ and has been performing very well. She loves to race on the speed and is drawn well to surge forward and take up a nice position.

The local runner Madam Odette (9) looks well placed – will get back and run on late – Tony Gollan trains.

Selections:

10 – Proscenium Arch
3 – Renaissance Woman
1 – Fireburn
7 – Sakura Girl
Rough chances – (9) Madam Odette

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Jockeys Challenge

A few with chances this week – Jimmy Orman – Jason Collett – James McDonald, all have a solid book of rides – looks like James McDonald may get the job done on a tough day.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,6,10/1,9,13/2,3,12,16/1,2,4,6 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,6 / 9,13 / 12,16 / 1,4,6 - cost is $24 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,6,11,16 / 1,2,13 / 5,12,15,18,19 / 1,3,7,10 - cost is $240 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

4,6,11 / 1,13 / 12,18,19 / 3,10 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2,13 / 5,12,15,18,19 / 1,3,7,10 - cost is $60 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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