Queensland's Own Welcome to the best coverage of racing in Queensland Queensland's Best
Horse Racing Only
www.horseracingonly.com.au Horse Racing Only logo
editor@horseracingonly.com.au
Home Racing Queensland National International Blogs Photo Gallery Links Contact Us

WINNO'S WINNERS: TOOWOOMBA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, September 21, 2023

TOOWOOMBA RACES – SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023

This weekend we are up the hill and far west today at TOOWOOMBA with their meeting featuring the Toowoomba Cup and the Weetwood. The locals will be out in force and for sure kick on further later in town – it will be a big weekend in Toowoomba!

The track is rated ‘Good’ and the rail is in the true position this weekend. Resident caller Anthony Collins will call the big day – an expert race commentator and another QLDer like his mate Josh Fleming! Only one better thing that can make this amazing day better – the Broncos getting beaten at Suncorp Stadium! Go the WARRIORS!

Race 1

A nice race to start off the day – over 1000 metres.

Looks like it's Tony Gollan versus the locals here.

Sears Racing has the stallion Steady Ready resuming on his home track after a solid effort in a recent trial. He is at prohibitive odds of $1.70. Andrew Mallyon will ride.

But maybe Gollan can upset the locals here in the first race.

Devastating (1) has been racing consistently and Jimmy Orman did all his early riding years on this track – he knows every blade of grass here. This Gollan Racing runner has drawn the rails and will sit behind the speed and maybe have the last crack at them as they tire.

The stable mate Caesaris (11) resumed here a few weeks ago and won well. Up in class (Class 1 to Class 3), but on that win here the mare will be super competitive.

Keep Compassionate (12) safe as well from the Barry Lockwood yards. The stable has been in great form recently. The mare is third up here and ideally placed – Damien Thornton will ride.

Selections:

6 – Ready Steady
1 – Devastating
11 – Caesaris
12 – Compassionate
Rough chance – (3) Magnitudo

Race 2 THE PAT O’SHEA PLATE

This race is named after Pat O’Shea, one of the great race callers! Each year this is the first two-year-old race of the season in Queensland.

Les Ross dominates the numbers here with six of the ten starters, but I think the Ben Ahrens trained filly Don’tleavemenow (5) may be the way to go here. A superb trial winner at Beaudesert – Ryan Wiggins is turning on his GPS and making his way up the hill to ride her – hopefully he won’t get lost!

As far as the Les Ross Racing runners are concerned – watch the markets is my tip – they usually back the preferred runner late.

On the trial form I like Mishani Opal (4) - has drawn well in barrier 2 – good trials and Boris Thornton will ride. Mishani Ego (6) won her trial in good fashion – she has drawn barrier 1 – probably will take a sit – Ben Thompson will ride. Mishani Fire (7) may burn them all at good odds. She won her trial as well – Anthony Allen will ride. They have come for this runner – firming from $10 to $5 – maybe this is the Ross runner to be on!

Selections:

5 – Don’tleavemenow
4 – Mishani Opal
6 – Mishani Ego
7 – Mishani Fire

Race 3

A massive field racing over 1200 metres.

I think the local trainers have the wood on them here.

Lindsay Hatch has a few runners here – I like a roughie at $31 who may just get the job done – Motomiss (5) with Justin Huxtable riding. She was second-up here three weeks ago – stormed home late to just miss. The only drama is barrier 15 – but she does like her home turf.

The stable mate is Wanda Rox (6) who is undefeated in 5 career starts – all of them on this track. She looks well drawn in barrier 5 – just some concerns from me in running out a solid 1200 metres. Jake Molloy rides her and his 3-kilogram claim will prove handy late.

Outlawed (12) is from the Robert Heathcote stables. Sent out favourite at her first Saturday run a fortnight ago and ran well, but just couldn’t reel in a leader that had a cruisy run-in front – Ben Thompson will ride her again.

Selections:

5 – Motomiss
6 – Wanda Rox
7 – Argyle Pink
12 – Outlawed
Rough chances – (11) Cottee & (14) Miss Tambo

Race 4

Class 6 over 1300 metres – a tough race to line up the form.

Chris Waller Racing has Kir Royale (9), a last start winner at Eagle Farm over 1200 metres – she led all the way on that occasion. Damien Thornton will ride her.

O’Dea & Hoysted Racing have Aranaqueur (6), second-up for the new stable. She won first up for the team at a midweek meeting – she looked to have plenty of improvement left in her. Just note she has never won in five starts second up – sometimes the stats do not lie! Ben Thompson is aboard.

Chatty Lady (8) from the local yards of Mark Currie could pop up at odds.

Release The Beans (4), trained by Robert Heathcote, has drawn wide in barrier 15 and will need some luck from out there.

Selections:

9 – Kir Royale
6 – Aranaqueur
4 – Release The Beans
8 – Chatty Lady

Race 5

BM80 over 1625 metres.

Magic Conqueror (5) won last time out over 1615 metres for the Kelly Schweida Racing team. Angela Jones will ride again. I think he is ideally placed here from barrier 7 as he does like to race handily – which should be of benefit here.

Kronenbourg (4) is from the Gollan stables with Jimmy Orman to ride. He was first up over 1350 metres and will benefit from the step up in the distance.

Aqua Alta (12) is trained on the track by Rex Lipp. She won three starts ago at Eagle Farm over the mile. His last two runs have been ok, but I think you should forget the last run over 1810 metres at Eagle Farm. She did not like the distance and coming back to the mile should see a sharp improvement.

Selections:

5 – Magic Conqueror
4 – Kronenbourg
12 – Aqua Alta
6 – Red Top
Rough chance – (11) Telephone Booth

Race 6

First leg of the Quaddie is the Toowoomba Guineas over 1625 metres.

This race has a history of some rough results – so play wide.

Local trained Adelad (1) looks a solid each way chance here. From the Sears Racing team, and a last start winner at Eagle Farm over 1500 metres, there is a lot to like about this runner. Andrew Mallyon will ride him. He just held on in that race which was a very slowly run affair.

Capital Cee (2) was storming home and was beaten an eyelash by Adelad (1). The Stuart Kendrick yards are in superb form recently. I think the way he motored home late in that race he should benefit from the extra distance. He will race midfield and may need some luck in the straight – Ben Thompson will ride.

Red Defcon (8) is trained by Matt Kropp and Bubba Tilley will ride. She resumed winning a maiden race at the Sunshine Coast over 1400 metres – a solid effort – she looks progressive enough to cause an upset here.

Bobby Shiraz (14) is trained by Bjorn Baker in NSW. If he can post the win in this race, then the corks will be popping and the Shiraz flowing at the Baker stables! This gelding won at Eagle Farm back in March. Jimmy Orman won on him then and has the ride here. He resumed at Kembla Grange and looked like he needed the run – the stable has a high strike rate when they send their horses to QLD – keep safe.

Selections:

2 – Capital Cee
1 – Adelad
14 – Bobby Shiraz
8 – Red Defcon

Race 7 TOOWOOMBA CUP

One of the main feature races on the program today is over 2000 metres – the Toowoomba Cup.

An open field.

Namazu (1) comes to Toowoomba after some solid wins on the Nth QLD tracks where he won the Townsville Cup – prior to being sent out a short-priced favourite in the Cairns Cup in which he finished fourth. He is trained by Ricky Vale – Ryan Wiggins will ride him again – he is a prolific winner – 37 starts – 11 wins. I just think the weight may see him struggle here.

My suggestion is to play wide here and look for some runners down in the weights.

The locals have a solid representation in the race – they just love winning their hometown Cup and keeping the invaders away from the trophies and the prize money.

Mark Currie trains Heleva Deel (12) who won last time out at Eagle Farm in restricted grade. He steps up to the “big one” this weekend – Bailey Wheeler retains the ride in this feature race – can he claim another feature race? The way this runner flashed home over 1800 metres – the extra 200 metres does not look like it will trouble him at all.

Another local is Sayl (7), from the Lindsay Hatch stables, who won the Cairns Amateur Cup last time out – a feature race - and he left the opposition in his wake as he stormed to victory. That race was over 2100 metres. He has drawn barrier 1 – Kyle Wilson Taylor aboard. Serious chance.

Geran Racing has Nikau Spur (9) who has won his past two starts – the last win was over 2200 metres. He comes back in distance here – however, the 2 weeks freshen up should see him right in this race. This would probably give the training team of Corey & Kylie Geran their biggest career win – Ben Thompson has been booked to ride.

Military Gambler (10) is from the Munce Racing team. Went down narrowly over 1615 metres after making ground late. He looks like he is primed and set for this race. Damien Thornton has the ride.

Selections:

12 – Heleva Deel
10 – Military Gambler
7 – Sayl
9 – Nikau Spur
Rough chances – (1) Namazu & (6) Red Wave

Race 8 WEETWOOD HANDICAP

The WEETWOOD for 2023.

The Sears Racing boom gelding Yellow Brick (2) resumes after a barnstorming trial win at Doomben nearly a month ago. Jimmy Orman will ride. He has the class to win this race – the only chink in his armour is possibly going first up into a race with some quality opposition – he might be exposed late by these runners that have a few runs under their belt already.

Gollan Racing is well represented with three runners – all three have genuine chances.

All That Pizzazz (12) has Ben Thompson aboard. He has run second in the past two starts and is knocking on the door for a win. The way he has been racing he will be strong to the line.

The stable mate Situation Room (8) is looking for two wins in a row after winning last time out - Angela Jones remains in the saddle. He will race handily and will be suited by the way the track races.

Roman Aureus (4) from Brian Wakefield’s yard resumes here. Has won at this track and distance. A recent solid trial win as well – could be some value in your exotics. Georgina Cartwright will be in the saddle.

Holyfield (1) has some class on these runners – he usually performs best ridden two or three pairs back. He could sprint well at $21.

Selections:

2 – Yellow Brick
12 – All That Pizzazz
8 – Situation Room
4 – Roman Aureus
Rough chances – (1) Holyfield & (13) Ned’s Gully

Race 9

The last race – on a massive day of racing – off to the pubs in town after this one!

Fair few early scratchings in this event. This is great as I have gone for an emergency runner – Jimmy’s Dream (21) trained by Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted with Justin Huxtable in the saddle. He resumed over 1000 metres – not an ideal distance. His record over 1200 metres is very good. Is drawn a little wide, however, the $21 on offer each way could be a good way to conclude the day.

Pocket Full (11), the early market favourite, is trained by Stuart Kendrick and Ben Thompson will ride. The locals will be hoping he can win the last and send them home or into town with a pocket full of cash. He had some bad luck last time out at Doomben – checked at the start – trouble getting a crack at them in the straight. Lodged a protest that was dismissed.

Our Magnus (10) is trained on the track by Geran Racing – with Gary Geran to ride. Has been racing consistently and was heavily backed last time out at Eagle Farm. To be fair the effort was disappointing, but, back in distance and on his home track, he must be respected.

Hamlet Von Snitzel (3) is from the Heathcote Racing team – is second up and could show something.

Some rough chances to Light of Boom (9) and Micro (13).

Selections:

21 – Jimmy’s Dream
11 – Pocket Full
10 – Our Magnus
3 – Hamlet Von Snitzel
Rough chance – (9) Light Of Boom and (13) Micro
________________________________________________________________________

Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like it is a battle between Ben Thompson, Jimmy Orman. Andrew Mallyon and Damien Thornton – Ben Thompson he has a nice book of rides so I will go for him.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5,6,7 / 5,6.7,12 / 4,6.9 /4,512 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

4,5,6 / 5,6,7 / 6,9 / 4,5 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2,14 / 7,10,12 / 2,8,14 / 10,11,21 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1,2 / 10,12 / 2,12 / 11,21 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

7,10,12 / 2,8,14 / 10,11,21 - cost is $27 to $1

WINNO V FLEMO

FLEMO beat WINNO last weekend – so let’s see what happens this weekend. I will be taking on ANTHONY COLLINS on his home turf – he does have a hometown advantage, but I am confident I can give him a towelling this weekend – how about a $10 scratchy on the result Mr Collins?

The battle continues this weekend with WINNO and COLLINS – yet another QLDer trying to inflict pain on me!

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!

More articles


Winno
Winno
The local training partnership of Tony and Maddy Sears could be in for a big day at Toowoomba
The local training partnership of Tony and Maddy Sears could be in for a big day at Toowoomba
Yellow Brick (see race 8)
Yellow Brick (see race 8)
Steady Ready (see raee 1)
Steady Ready (see raee 1)
And other local trainers with good chances on the day include Mark Currie (see race 7) ...
And other local trainers with good chances on the day include Mark Currie (see race 7) ...
... and Lindsay Hatch (see race 3)
... and Lindsay Hatch (see race 3)
Then there's the visitors - Les Ross (see race 2)
Then there's the visitors - Les Ross (see race 2)
Stuart Kendrick (see race 6)
Stuart Kendrick (see race 6)
Ben Thompson ... my pick to take out the Jockey Challenge ...
Ben Thompson ... my pick to take out the Jockey Challenge ...
... although the likes of Andrew Mallyon ...
... although the likes of Andrew Mallyon ...
... Damien Thornton ...
... Damien Thornton ...
... and Jimmy Orman might have something to say about that

Photos: Graham Potter and Darren Winningham
... and Jimmy Orman might have something to say about that

Photos: Graham Potter and Darren Winningham
Queensland's Own www.horseracingonly.com.au Queensland's Best