WINNO'S WINNERS: DOOMBEN, DECEMBER 30, 2023

By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 29, 2023

DOOMBEN this week where, at the time of writing, the track is rated ‘soft’, with the rail out three metres for the entire circuit. There is a warm weather forecast in the lead up to the meeting – I think we should race on a nice track come race day.

As this is the last preview for 2023 – Happy New Year everyone – see you all in 2024.

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

BM70 class race – over 1110 metres.

Selections:

3 – Inasec
2 – Boom Torque
9 – Fumiko
8 – En Pointe
Rough chance – (1) Jemeldi & (7) Get Up Girl

Race 2

Two-year-old runners over 1200 metres. There are some here needing to win to make the 2024 Magic Millions final field.

Selections:

1 – Wolfgang
6 – Spirited
2 – Defiant Boom
4 – Mishani Hercules

Race 3

The first leg of the early Quaddie with ten races on the card – a race at BM85 over 1615 metres.

Drive A Deel (6) just grows another leg at Doomben – he is a track specialist. Robert Heathcote trains him and Martin Harley will ride – he has solid value at around $4.60. I think he will be winning.

Selections:

6 – Drive A Deel
3 – Eaglemont
2 – Aussie Nugget
1 – Otyrar

Race 4

BM90 over 1050 metres.

The Matthew Dunn runner Emperor (9) is undefeated at the track – drawn well with Robbie Dolan aboard looks well placed. He was held up and never had a crack at them in his last race at Randwick – forgive and forget that run.

The danger is Situation Room (5) from Gollan Racing. Coming back in grade here and does race well on this circuit. Look for a huge effort to cause an upset – Angela Jones will ride.

Selections:

9 – Emperor
5 – Situation Room
2 – Orbisyn
3 – Smart Image

Race 5

This is a BM75 over 1350 metres.

I like a roughie here Sabalenka (16), down in the weights with a claim for apprentice Marnu Potgieter. Brian Smith trains this mare. She races well on the speed and is drawn well in barrier 1. She will be thereabouts late – good each way value at $15.

Centrestone (7) is trained by Chris Waller and Mark Du Plessis is aboard. She won impressively first up – went to the line hard held after a great run in transit – a repeat of that effort will see her right in this race.

So Country (11) is trained by Barry Lockwood and is second up here – Jimmy Orman will ride. Could be one at odds to cause an upset.

Pacific Atlantic (10) is with Adam Campton on the Gold Coast. He has been racing consistently and looks well placed here. Blake Shinn will ride.

Midnight In Tokyo (4) has the blinkers going on here. She is trained by Annabel Neasham and Bailey Wheeler will ride. The blinkers may see a change in fortune – but I just want to see her win again prior to getting on her with any confidence.

Selections:

15 – Sabalenka
7 - Centrestone
11 – So Country
10 – Pacific Atlantic
Rouch chance – (4) Midnight in Tokyo

Race 6 MAGIC MILLIONS SHOOT OUT

Last leg of the early Quaddie. A good quality Listed over 2020 metres.

Chris Waller has some nice chances here. I like the roughie Head Of State (9) at $21 – Mark Du Plessis will ride. Finished tailed off last start at Doomben over this distance. No abnormalities could be found by the vet. Just forgive the run for mine – it was his second up run, and he normally is terrible second up. His third up efforts have always been solid – just looking for some value here.

The stable mate is Quality Time (6) with Jake Bayliss to ride. Second up last time out and just seemed to peak on his run late. He has the winkers back on for this run and he will appreciate the soft surface.

Selections:

9 – Head of State
11 – Princess Rhaeyns
6 – Quality Time
2 - Dune Forty Five
Rough chance – (5) Military Gambler

Race 7 MAGIC MILLIONS VO ROGUE PLATE – Group 3

First leg of the Quaddie – Group 3 level over 1350 metres.

I like the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained runner Zouphoria (7) who was a last start winner at Randwick. She seemed to be paddling and off the bit around the 200 metres before she got her mind on the job and stormed home to win over 1400 metres. If she doesn’t hit that flat spot again – she should be winning this race. Craig Williams will be riding.

Chrysaor (2) resumes after an eight-week break. He has had two recent barrier trials and looks well placed here by Chris Waller Racing. Jimmy Orman will ride.

Show Me Mercy (3) is trained by Stuart Kendrick Racing with Michael Rodd riding from barrier 3. This is a tough test for him for mine – I would not be taking the short odds that are on offer.

Cifrado (1) could be ready to step up and show something here.

Selections:

7 – Zouphoria
2 – Chrysaor
4 – Deep Respect
3 – Show Me Mercy
Rough chances – (1) Cifrado

Race 8 MAGIC MILLIONS NUDGEE STAKES – Listed

Listed race over 1200 metres for fillies and mares.

The Tony Gollan trained Comrade Rosa (1) returned to the winners stall last time out with a dominating performance. If Ryan Maloney can get her perform like that again she will be very difficult to beat here.

Parisal (2) is trained by Godolphin and Blake Shinn will ride. A recent barrier trial winner. She has a superb first up record and has drawn well.

Chinny Boom (12) resumed and won at Rockhampton four weeks ago. Justin Stanley will ride for trainer Clinton Taylor. If she produces her past dominating efforts, she will be right in this race. This is probably her toughest test to date in her career though – can she step up and perform on the big stage?

Lady Laguna (4) resumed with a huge weight at Randwick and flashed home late. She is trained by Annabel Neasham with Tyler Schiller in the saddle. She has won at Doomben previously and normally races well fresh.

Rough chance for Essonne (7) trained by Richard Litt.

I like one here at odds as well – Jayanthi (16) who is trained by the O’Dea & Hoysted partnership. Could be one at big odds to cause an upset with Martin Harley riding.

Selections:

1 – Comrade Rosa
2 – Parisal
12 – Chinny Boom
4 – Lady Laguna
Rough chances – (16) Jayanthi & (7) Essonne

Race 9 MAGIC MILLIONS THE BUFFERING – Listed

Listed race over 1350 metres. This is a great field.

Freedom Rally (17) from the Gollan Racing team has been racing consistently. He races well normally behind the speed, or handy in the running. He has drawn barrier 12 that may be a slight problem for Craig Williams who will ride him here.

Startantes (16) is trained by Robert Heathcote, and she has been out of luck so far in this preparation. If she gets back to her best, she will slay this field. Martin Harley will ride. She has drawn wide in barrier 15 – but that should not be a drama as she will settle at the rear of the field. She has a superb record at Doomben with 6 starts for 4 wins and a placing. I expect her to be right in this as there appears to be good speed in the race.

Tamerlane (4) is trained by Godolphin and Blake Shinn is in the saddle. He has had a freshen up since his last effort at Flemington over 1400 metres. He has drawn well in barrier 3 and he will race on the speed – will be in this for a long way.

Ka Bling (12) is a Snowden Racing runner who won last time out at Newcastle. This stable has a habit of bringing an up and comer runner to this series each year – this could be the one based on his last start win.

The Face (8) is trained by David Vandyke and has won his past three starts. He has had a four week freshen up. A recent barrier trial winner as well – it was impressive. Ben Thompson will ride from barrier 7 – I expect him to go forward and control the race in front.

Chatty Lady (14) is a last start winner for Mark Currie. She normally can string a few wins together once she has posted a win. Bailey Wheeler will ride.

Selections:

17 – Freedom Rally
16 – Startantes
4 – Tamerlane
12 – Ka Bling
Rough chances – (8) The Face & (14) Chatty Lady

Race 10

Well, it is the last race! A massive field over 1200 metres at class 6 level.

I have found a roughie here – Golden Point (11) trained by Stirling Osland. Tyler Schiller will ride him – he is around $17 in the markets as well. He won first up at Armidale over 1100 metres and ran a solid time. He is drawn well in barrier 4 and will race handy.

Robert Heathcote trains Hatchet (6) and he will be looking to strike a blow in this last race and post another win. He is resuming from a 19-week spell. He won a recent barrier trial – I have to say the effort was impressive. If he brings that effort to race day, he will be hard to hold out. Michael Rodd will ride him here after riding him in the barrier trial.

Navas Two (7) is an ex-Hong Kong runner with Adam Campton. His first up effort at Ipswich for the new stable and new country was admirable. He did strike some interference at the start – but he will have taken plenty of benefit from that run. Blake Shinn will ride, and he has drawn perfectly in barrier 1.

Sailor’s Secret (2) won first up – on that effort he will be right in this race – Cejay Graham will ride for her boss Kelly Schweida.

Selections

11 – Golden Point
6 – Hatchet
7 – Navas Two
2 – Sailor’s Secret
Rough chances – (1) Arentee
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Jockey Challenge

Looks like an open field. Blake Shinn has a solid book of rides. Then there is Jimmy Orman, Tyler Schiller, Martin Harley and Craig Williams. Shinn to win in a close contest.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

2,3,6 / 5,9 / 7,11,15 / 6,9,11 - cost is $54 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

6 / 5,9 / 7,15 / 9,11 - cost is $8 to $1.

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

2,3,4,7 / 1,2,12 / 4,8,12,16,17 /6,7,11 - cost is $180 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

2,4,7 / 1,2 / 4,16,17 / 6,11 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

1,2,12 / 4,8,12,16,17 / 6,7,11 - cost is $45 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle continues with WINNO and FLEMO. FLEMO won last weekend. 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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