WINNO'S WINNERS: SUNSHINE COAST, JULY 1, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 30, 2023

SUNSHINE COAST - nine races this week. The track is rated ‘Soft’. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. Looks like a super day with a warm weather forecast – there will be plenty heading to the track. The traffic is always the concern getting here – so leave early just in case! Always a great meeting with some feature races on the program.

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

The two-year-old runners feature here in a race named after a superb, champion trainer who based himself on this track – Bruce McLachlan.

Femme Fatale (4) is looking for a hat trick of wins over this track at this distance. Jimmy Orman will ride for the Kelly Schweida yards. She has led them easily in her past two starts – just have some concerns that there may be others who press forward here. If that is the case, I think she may be best served taking a sit – time will tell – she looks above average.

Mishani Ambitious (6) is trained by Les Ross and Angela Jones will ride. Last start winner here two weeks ago – should race well again against this opposition.

Kitri (7) could be one at value from the Michael Nolan stables in Toowoomba. She won on debut on her home track. Just jumped cleanly and showed them a clean pair of heels to win impressively. Cejay Graham will claim 3 kilograms here – she gets in very well.

Defiant Spirit (2) is the favourite trained here by Stuart Kendrick. Was beaten last time out at Ipswich when heavily backed over 1200 metres. I think he had every chance – not for me this weekend – Ryan Maloney will ride.

Selections:

4 – Femme Fatale
6 – Mishani Ambitious
7 – Kitri
1 – Defiant Spirit

Race 2

A race over 1800 metres to start the Early Quaddie.

Last start winner at the track and distance Le Heros (7) looks a genuine chance to post consecutive wins. Trained by Paul Duncan and I suppose to be ridden by my favourite “hero” – none other than Luke Tarrant! This gelding (no not Luke) has a serious record on the track with 7 starts – 2 wins and 3 seconds. Great each way odds at $7.

Warp Speed (4) looks the likely danger from the Mark Goodwin stables – Ben Thompson (fresh off a superb treble on Wednesday at Eagle Farm) will ride. He raced first up in a midweek meeting over the mile when resuming – just raced evenly. Up to a more suitable distance and second up where he has a solid record, he could find the winner’s stall.

As for the rest of them – they are an even bunch – keep your eye on them all in case there are any moves in the markets.

Selections:

7 – Le Heros
4 – Warp Speed
2 – So Dapper
3 – Backlog
Rough chance – (10) Rations

Race 3 PROVINICIAL SPRINTERS FINAL

Ralphie (7) turned in a solid effort last time out behind a nice sprinter Deepour.

Trained by Gary Doughty and Sean Cormack will ride. He looks well placed and I expect that the short straight at Ipswich really didn’t suit him. Given the longer straight and wider track look for him to sprint late and let down – there is some good speed engaged in the race.

Enterprise Mia (6) resumes here for Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted. A recent trial winner, she looks forward enough to sprint well fresh. Cejay Graham will ride. I know Enterprise Mia has never one first up but on her best form she can go close.

Be Water My Friend (1) won leading all the way here last time out – not without a genuine each way chance.

Win Burn (14) is trained on the track – he won last time out here at a Sunday meeting. Nothing wrong with his form and no drama with his going up in the grades as he plummets in the weights. Ben Thompson will ride for Stuart Kendrick.

Selections:

7 – Ralphie
6 – Enterprise Mia
1 – Be Water My Friend
14 – Win Burn
Rough chance - (13) Zingalong

Race 4

QTIS races for the three-year-old runners over 1000 metres – plenty of speed engaged here.

It is a very tough field – not one to have a bet on.

Kelly Schweida trains Vodka Martini (13) – I am certain the glasses will be raised by the owners if they can win. The filly resumes here, but on her recent striking barrier trial she could be set for a first up killing by the stable. Cejay Graham claims 3 kilograms as well. She has drawn poorly in barrier 17 – not ideal as she normally races best close to the lead. I think that there are several other runners who will go forward – maybe Cejay can let them go and get across into a few pairs back and save her up for one sprint.

Catwalk Criminal (12) is trained by Adam Campton – Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride. They combined last time out at a midweek meeting at Doomben to win her Class 1 grade race. She is up in grade – drawn well in barrier 6. Again, not sure if she must lead, but will be thereabouts.

Golden Boom (1) is the Tony Gollan runner who went well last time out in Listed company. Has a massive weight to contend with – but on paper is much better than these. Found trouble early in the race last time out – so maybe some excuses. Is undefeated at this track and distance. Keep safe with Ryan Maloney to ride again.

Emperor (7), trained by Matthew Dunn Racing, was an impressive winner at a midweek meeting at Doomben. Is looking for a hat trick of wins here. Damien Thornton will ride again – he is looking for his third consecutive win aboard the colt.

Selections:

13– Vodka Martini
12 – Catwalk Criminal
1 – Golden Boom
7 – Emperor
Rough chance – (8) Matilly

Race 5

Another large and difficult field to assess – BM78 over 1400 metres.

The Gollan Racing team has some genuine chances here.

Tick Tock Queen (2) raced well in the recent Group 1 Stradbroke. She finished a wonderful eighth. Angela Jones rode her on that occasion and retains the ride here in this easier race. Just some concerns with the large weight.

I like the stable-mate to win the race – Love Sensation (5), another nice ride for Ryan Maloney. She raced at Ipswich last time in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes and drew wide – got pratted wide and had no luck. Forgive that run for mine. She has drawn barrier 1 here – she will be able to sit off the speed and then zoom home and win for us.

Ancient Girl (11) is a Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted runner who debuted for the stable at a recent midweek meeting at Doomben and was heavily supported and got the chocolates – maybe she can go on with it here. Boris Thornton retains that ride.

Atlantic Eagle (14) is a locally trained runner. She was injured last time out and has had an eight week freshen up. Loves this track and loves this distance – Luke Tarrant will ride – I just think she is a very good knock out chance at $15.

Selections:

5 – Love Sensation
2 – Tick Tock Queen
11 – Ancient Girl
14 – Atlantic Eagle
Rough chance – (12) Petunia

Race 6 CALOUNDRA CUP (Listed)

First leg of the Quaddie over 2400 metres.

Zoumon (8) comes from the powerful Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stables. He is third up. He won over 2000 metres last time out in the McKell Cup at Rosehill. The way he worked to the line in that race he will run the distance right out. I would expect a win here would see him head to Grafton in a fortnight to race in the 2023 Grafton Cup.

Desert Icon (2) staged a massive battle with Regal Lion (4) in the recent Ipswich Cup. I thought the weight differential cost him. That has been reversed here and he loves the 2400 metres. Jimmy Orman will ride him again for Chris Waller.

Lunices (1) is on the quick back up after winning the Tattersalls Cup last weekend. He will be ridden by Andrew Mallyon. Nothing wrong with his win last weekend – just some concerns over the stayers he beat. He is still a very consistent and genuine stayer and must be respected here.

The Annabel Neasham pair – Bois D’Argent (3) and Regal Lion (4) are not without genuine chances.

Selections:

8 – Zoumon
2 – Desert Icon
1 – Luncies
3 – Bois Dargent
Rough chance – (4) Regal Lion

Race 7 WINX GUINEAS (Group 3)

First leg of the Treble. A Group 3 over the mile.

A super competitive race with local runners mixing it with numerous runners from NSW, who have been sent north looking to try and put some black type against their names.

Two solid runners from NSW look well placed here.

Grebeni (4), who is trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, has won his past two starts at Rosehill over 1800 metres. That form is ideal for this race – you need to be strong on the line at the end of 1600 metres – he certainly will be strong late and Ryan Maloney will suit him.

Crafty Eagle (7) is trained by John Thompson and is third up here. Last start he had no luck – missed the start and got caught wide – but still worked home late. He has won third up previously – can run out a strong mile as well. I think that around $11 he is a great each way chance – Tyler Schiller will ride the gelding – he too deserves a change of luck after being unlucky across the Carnival!

Brookhaven (10) is from the Munce Racing team. Their win in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara last weekend must give them confidence in bringing this runner to the races. Martin Harley – who dominated in Rockhampton last weekend will ride the gelding again. In the Gunsynd Classic (Group 3) he went back and got too far back in a race that had some genuine speed in the race. I think from the poor barrier – barrier 17 - he may have to go back to midfield again. I just think he has won at this track, and he may be suited coming wide down the crown of the track late to win.

Soothsayer (2), trained by Lee Freedman, has been consistent across the Carnival. He has won here at this distance. I think from barrier 3 – jockey Tim Clark will be positive out of the gates and get a nice cosy run a few pairs back just off the speed. At least he has drawn well when compared to some of the opposition.

Chairman (6) won well last time at Ipswich for Gollan Racing. Steps up in grade for mine here – just not too sure the depth of the opposition he defeated last time. Jimmy Orman retains the ride.

Stroll (16) and Robosto (3) have genuine chances as well.

A very open affair – anything could win it.

Selections:

7 – Crafty Eagle
4 – Grebeni
10 – Brookhaven
2 – Soothsayer
Rough chance – (3) Robusto & (6) Chairman & (16) Stroll

Race 8 Glasshouse Handicap (Listed)

Some of the big stables from around Australia are represented here.

Let me start with the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace yards who are represented by Chassis (11), with Jake Bayliss to ride, and Blaze A Trail (15) with Tyler Schiller in the saddle.

Chassis (11) won the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich last start. She got all the favours in running and was just too tough for them late. She has drawn poorly here in barrier 18 – and I have a genuine concern that she will run out a strong 1400 metres.

Blaze A trail (15) is the stable mate. Desperately unlucky in the Eye Liner at Ipswich. He was travelling well enough to win – but just could not get a crack at them until the bird had flown. Change in jockeys this week with Tyler Schiller going aboard. He has drawn badly in barrier 15, but I think with this wide track and large straight he gets every chance to post his first win in ages – as a matter of fact he hasn’t won in 48 weeks.

Then you have the local trainers. Chris Munce, trains Aureus Angel (14) with Martin Harley booked to ride. The mare drew terribly in the Dane Ripper (Group 2) in barrier 15. Was forced to go back and in a race that was run at a very slow tempo really should not have finished as close as she did in the end – running a superb third. I really think drawn in barrier 1 she will be right in this race at huge odds.

Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted have Namazu (6) - Boris Thornton to ride and Fleetwood Maca (18) with Jaden Lloyd riding engaged.

Namazu (6) resumed in the Archer at Rockhampton. He worked home well from back in the field. Has had an eight week freshen up – does race well second up with an impressive strike rate. Keep safe at huge odds.

My tip for the race is $31 in the markets – Fleetwood Maca (18). She is second up and worked home nicely to just get beaten in the final few strides in restricted grade – carrying a big weight. She goes up in grade here – down in the weights and has drawn barrier 6 to give her a nice run midfield and then hopefully outsprint them all late. She races well second up and I think she is great each way odds to win a race that can be an absolute bloodbath for punters each year.

Cepheus (1) produced an eye-catching run in the Eye Liner – flying home late to run a gallant fourth. He is trained by Matthew Dunn and, onto a larger track and a larger straight where he can be wound up and probably make a run in the middle of the track, he could post a win.

A rough chance to Munhamek (3), trained by Nick Ryan with Ryan Maloney to ride. He raced over the mile last time out on a quick back up. A few things against him in that race – now back to a more suitable distance and a nice freshen up he will be competitive here.

Selections:

18 – Fleetwood Maca
14 – Aureus Angel
15 – Blaze A Trail
1 – Cepheus
Rough chance – (3) Munhamek & (6) Namazu & (11) Chassis

Race 9

Shamrock Lu (9) is on top here for the Tony Gollan stables – Jimmy Orman to ride.

Never been beaten at this track and distance. Forget the run at Ipswich – no luck whatsoever. He is third up here this weekend and has drawn well in barrier 5. A definite each way chance for mine at around $13.

Reliable Ruby (13) is from Chris Munce’s yards – she has won her past three starts. Munce has spaced these runs out nicely and she keeps on showing up and running good races. Damien Thornton will retain the ride. She normally races midfield and I expect with the fast race tempo she will be flashing home late.

The stable mate is Hot Spring Gold (4) who didn’t seem to come up lately. The distance is short of his best – in saying that he will appreciate the pace in the race and will be thundering home late. This runner won a recent trial in a solid time – that would suggest that he is ready to race well fresh.

Red Rubi (7) is second up in this race. She normally comes to hand quite quickly and she has a tremendous second up record – three starts for two wins and a second. Boris Thornton has been booked to ride. He has a solid record on the mare as well.

I think there is a real roughie from the Les Ross Racing team here that could upset them all at around $31. The horse is Eyewitness (16) with Melea Castle to ride and claim three kilograms. It is her first run for the new stable. She has demonstrated significant form in these short distances. The run at Ipswich was a forget me run as she resented the tight turning track. Back to a large open circuit, look for her to be finishing off late at huge odds to put some extra spice in the exotic bets.

Selections:

9 – Shamrock Lu
13 – Reliable Ruby
7 – Red Rubi
4 – Hot Spring Gold
Rough chance – (16) Eyewitness & (3) Rubiquitous
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Jockeys Challenge

Too tough this week! Where do we start Jimmy Orman, Angela Jones, Cejay Graham, and Ryan Maloney all have some genuine chances. I think it could be a split decision between Orman and Maloney.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,7 / 1,6,7 / 1,13,14 / 2,5,11,14 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,7 / 6,7 / 13,14 / 2,5,11 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,3,8 / 2,4,7,10 / 1,14,15,18 / 4,7,9,13,16 - cost is $320 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)
2,8 / 4,7,10 / 14,15,18 / 7,9,13 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,4,7,10 / 1,14,15,18 / 4,7,9,13,16 - cost is $80 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. FLEMO won last Saturday. He has plenty to say about Origin – but he was missing in action after the Broncos got bashed on Sunday! He is on his home turf this weekend – I am sure he will be on fire! 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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