WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, JULY 8, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, July 6, 2023

DOOMBEN this week.

The track currently is rated 'Soft'.The rail is out 1 metre for the entire circuit.

WINNO is off to Grafton on Sunday for the massive Clarence River Jockey Club annual Grafton Carnival featuring the Ramornie and the Grafton Cup. Watch for my reports from there.

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

Two-year-olds start the day off.

Last start winner at the track and distance Transatlantic (1) looks like he should be able to transition to weekend grade. Trained by Tony Gollan and Jimmy Orman to ride again – looks well placed.

Power Of The Brave (2) won on debut for the astute Kris Lees Racing team. Settled back in the field at Newcastle before storming home for an impressive victory over 1150 metres. The increase in distance should be no drama – Andrew Mallyon will ride.

Robert Heathcote trains Ride For Luck (5) and Ben Thompson is aboard. Had his debut over 1050 and worked home nicely – could be the one with some improvement to win over the longer distance.

Selections:

1 – Transatlantic
2 – Power Of The Brave
5 – Ride For Luck
3 - Tiger Town

Race 2

Class 3 over the mile.

The odds-on favourite is an overseas runner having its third race start in Australia for the Annabel Neasham stables. His two runs in Sydney have all been solid and Spacetracker (3) has been sent out as favourite in both runs and they have left their money in the bookie’s bags. This weekend Michael Cahill has been booked to get him across the line for his first win for his new stable. I cannot see him winning! (NB NB ***Spacetracker has been scratched).

I like the Kris Lees Racing runner - Ella Te Ama (8). She is third up over the mile – loves this distance and has won third up previously – Andrew Mallyon will ride. Just think the way the race maps that she gets a solid run and will be finishing off the race strong.

Eaglemont (2), trained by Matthew Dunn. Is fourth up this weekend – looks like he has been looking for this trip. Forget the last start effort at Ipswich where he pulled up dehydrated according to the steward’s report. Look for an improved effort here with Jimmy Orman in the saddle.

Akihiro (1) is trained by Gary Portelli and Tegan Harrison has ridden this gelding to success in QLD previously. Has been outclassed in his past two starts in Sydney in weekend grade. Back in class and ridden more forward, look for him to be thereabouts late.

Selections:

8 – Elle Te Ama
3 – Spacetracker* (Scratched)
2 – Eaglemont
1 – Akihiro

Race 3

Another distance race over 2000 metres – these are so difficult to assess.

Not a fan of the race. David Vandyke trains Colleagues (8) who is working through the grades nicely and who has won his last start over 1800 metres. The extra distance should be no problem – seems to settle well and has a solid sprint – Jaden Lloyd will ride him for the first time.

Atlantic Eagle (3) is on the quick back up from the Sunshine Coast last weekend – Luke Tarrant retains the ride – does he even know what the Doomben track looks like – have not seen him in town in weeks! Hopefully he has a new haircut – the last one looked like he had lost a bet! (Talking smack again). I think that the extra distance will see him right in the race.

As for the rest, take your pick!

Selections:

8 – Colleagues
3 – Atlantic Eagle
1 – Readily Availabull
5 – Flensburg

Race 4

BM78 over 1200 metres.

Gollan Racing is well represented here with three runners. Self Indulgent (1) has been racing in Listed races and drops back to restricted grade. Raced on the speed in the Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich last time out and got run down late. She has drawn barrier 13 and has some speed inside her – they may force her to go hard early and this may test her late with the 61 kilograms. Cejay Graham will claim 3 kilograms and that will assist.

Inasec (8) is the stable mate with Ryan Maloney riding. Has been racing in midweek company – has won previously in weekend grade – nicely drawn barrier 1.

Star Spirit (2) is from the Matthew Smith stables in Sydney – a hit and run mission on the cards here. She won last time out at Canterbury in midweek company. The time was solid there if she runs up to that effort, she should be competitive here. Michael Cahill will ride.

Skidamarink (14) is from the Anthony and Sam Freedman yards. Only lightly raced, she has won two of her three career starts. Gets in well at the weights and this stable has an impressive strike rate when they bring their horses to QLD. Jaden Lloyd will ride – she has drawn well – looks a solid chance ... but ...

I cannot go past Canadian Dancer (3) who resumed ten weeks ago and has had a freshen up. She was desperately unlucky when resuming – held up – knocked over and went to the line hard held. Look for some luck here with Ben Thompson to ride. I think that she can get the job completed at around $6.

Selections:

3 – Canadian Dancer
14 – Skidamarink
2 – Star Spirit
1 – Self Indulgent
Rough chance – (8) Inasec

Race 5

The three-year-olds face the starter here over 1350 metres.

Sailor’s Secret (1), trained by Kelly Schweida, was a solid winner last time out at Ipswich. He travelled into the race nicely and stormed away – an impressive win. Cejay Graham has been booked to ride him this weekend and the 3-kilogram claim makes this runner appealing to win again here.

Pocket Full (3) is probably as the name suggests with the owners having a pocket full of cash after resuming and winning two starts in a row. Looks for a hat trick of wins this weekend – I have some concerns with him coping with Saturday grade. Jimmy Orman rides him again.

Count Da Beans (2) is trained by Tony Gollan and Ryan Maloney will ride. A tongue tie goes on this weekend. He clearly has something go wrong in the race when resuming at Ipswich – the effort was sub-par. He is much better than that.

The stable mate is Porky (9) who resumes here – just think he may run well fresh.

Selections:

1 – Sailor’s Secret
3 – Pocket Full
2 – Count Da Beans
9 – Porky

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie – open field here over 1350 metres at Class 6 level. The race has been decimated by early scratchings.

Just box my top three in the trifecta and you should gain a profit!

Blaze A Trail (7) comes out of the Listed Eye Liner at Ipswich where he got caught up late with nowhere to go – probably may have gone close to winning the race to be fair. Ryan Maloney will take over this weekend. In his start prior to that effort he was narrowly defeated by a smart one in Antino.

Arentee (6) is trained by Chris Meagher and Melea Castle will ride him and claim 3 kilograms and that could a prove vital advantage over the final 100 metres. His past two efforts have been in Group 2 and Group 3 levels respectively at Eagle Farm. I just think he is a different proposition at Doomben where he seems to thrive – keep safe and much respect for this runner.

Sir Warwick (4) has found a more suitable race to get back into the winner’s circle. He likes Doomben as well and with the 3-kilogram claim for Cejay Graham he gets in well.

Selections:

7 – Blaze A Trail
6 – Arentee
4 – Sir Warwick
14 – Ashgrove

Race 7

The first leg of the treble – Open class over 1110 metres.

Joe Pride has sent Dragonstone (2) north to QLD looking for a win. He was unlucky last time out in a Listed race at Randwick over 1100 metres. He has drawn well here Jimmy Orman booked to ride – plus the recent barrier trial win was very good. Looks well placed here.

Goldsborough (4) is on the quick back up after a massive effort last weekend on his home track at Sunshine Coast. Gary Duncan trains this gelding and he has elected to claim with Cejay Graham to ride and claim 3 kilograms. Was unlucky last weekend over the 1000 metres – he will appreciate the extra distance of this race – the claim will also assist.

Sneaky Five (8) drops back in grade and down in the weights – maybe a sneaky rough chance for Gollan Racing.

Selections:

2 – Dragonstone
4 – Goldsborough
8 – Sneaky Five
5 - Snowzone

Race 8

A race over the mile.

Kevin Kemp trains Linthorpe Lad (2) with Larry Cassidy in the saddle. Technically it is not “Last Race Larry” but it is close. He has raced at Listed level in his past two starts. He had no luck last time out in the Tatt’s Mile at Eagle Farm. Had a checkered path in the running, plus got too far back to really make an impression late. He did work home well.

I think he is a much better performer on the Doomben track – would be great to see “Kempy” back in the winner’s stalls on a Saturday meeting.

Mississippi Prince (5) was strong on the line at Ipswich winning last time out with a massive weight. He controlled the race throughout with Cejay Graham riding. She has retained the ride here this weekend and her 3-kilogram claim seems to be in popular demand since she has been riding in Brisbane. Will be difficult to beat if he dominates like he did last time.

Hype (10) has some of that about him – well, plenty of hype to be fair. Has won his past two starts at midweek grade. Aiden Nunn trains him and Andrew Mallyon has ridden him to his past two starts and will need to waste to get down to the 54 kilograms this weekend. On his latest win he is a threat – despite the raise in class.

Selections:

2 – Linthorpe Lad
5 – Mississippi Prince
10 – Hype
8 – Seleque
Rough chances – (4) Last Chance

Race 9

A massive field over 1200 metres.

Looks like it is the battle of Brisbane in this last race – the big three stables going to war here – Heathcote, Gollan and the O’Dea/Hoysted training partnership – all have serious chances here.

Kanazawa (1) has been transferred to the new stables of Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted. Has had a 20 week freshen up and despite the huge weight looks well placed – plus 3 kilograms off for Cejay Graham is a massive bonus.

Then you have the Robert Heathcote team represented by Hatchet (12) and Release The Beans (9). Hatchet (12) won a midweek race here at his last run. That was hot on the back of two solid runs in Saturday races. He has a solid record on this track – Ben Thompson retains the ride.

Release The Beans (9) is the stable mate. Resumed last time out and worked home well late – will be better for that effort. Boris Thornton will ride – barrier 17 may be a drama.

Zarastro (14) is the Tony Gollan runner. A change in trainers from Chris Waller to his new yards. Proved that he was very forward with a solid win in a recent trial at Doomben a month ago – will have trained on since that effort. Drawn perfectly in barrier 1 – Ryan Maloney will ride – looks a solid bet to end the day.

There is one here that could upset the party – Mill Rossa (7) from the Toowoomba yards of Mark Currie. This gelding resumed on his home track at Toowoomba with a huge weight and won well. Luke Tarrant takes the ride here.

Selections:

14 – Zarastro
12 – Hatchet
9 – Release The Beans
1 – Kanazawa
Rough chances – (7) Mill Rossa

Time to run – and pack for Grafton – hopefully will see some of you from the track over the next week down there!
______________________________________________________________________

Jockeys Challenge

Andrew Mallyon, Cejay Graham, Jimmy Orman and Ben Thompson all have a solid book of rides – looks like Jimmy Orman may get the job done in a close battle with Cejay Graham.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,3,8 / 1,3,8 / 1,2,3,14 / 1,2,3 - cost is $108 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

3,8 / 3,8 / 3,14 / 1,3 - cost is $16 to $1.

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

6,7 / 2,4,6 / 2,5,10 / 1,9,12,14 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

7/ 2,4 / 2,5 / 12,14 - cost is $8 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,4,6 / 2,5,10 / 1,9,12,14 - cost is $36 $to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. He has been crowing for weeks after QLD have won the first two Origins. I think I will have to find a place to hide if they with 3 - 0 next week. 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!