WINNO'S WINNERS: SUNSHINE COAST, MAY 11, 2024

By Darren Winningham | Thursday, May 9, 2024

SUNSHINE COAST this week - nine races. This is the featured Hollindale meeting originally scheduled for the Gold Coast which was transferred up north.

The track is rated ‘Heavy’. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit. A great meeting with some feature races on the program. These races will be vital to some horses moving forward into the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

I suppose the traffic is always the concern getting here – so leave early just in case!

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

A BM85 race over 1200 metres.

Tough race to start the day. Annabel Neasham trains Midnight In Tokyo (7) who has drawn the rails and resumes here. The mare has solid wet weather form – she may be just one run short on this heavy ground but should be right in the race for a long way – Damien Thornton will ride.

Standing Order (10) from the Gollan Racing yards resumes here as well. He likes to lead and has drawn perfectly in barrier 2 – Mark Zahra will ride. His recent trial was not all that impressive, however, he enjoys wet tracks and has a solid first up record.

Godolphin and James Cummings are represented with Pereille (4) who resumes as well. He has had two solid trials and looks forward enough to trouble the judge at the end of the race. He goes well fresh and has an impressive wet weather track record – he has the bonus of the recent FWD QEII Cup (Group 1) winning jockey James McDonald riding.

Sha Of Gomer (15) is trained by Chris Waller Racing and resumes here. He has drawn wide – will need some luck, but races well in this class of race.

Interestingly the four big stables are represented here in this first race – they will be stables to follow throughout the upcoming Carnival.

Rough chance to Red Rubi (11) and Ang Pow (9).

Selections:

7 – Midnight In Tokyo
10 – Standing Order
4 – Pereille
15– Sha Of Gomer
Rough chances – (11) Red Rubi & (9) Ang Pow

Race 2 GOLD COAST CUP

A race over 2400 metres to start the Early Quaddie.

Annabel Neasham is well represented here with Bois D'argent (1) and Regal Lion (2).

Bois D'argent (1), who will be ridden by Ryan Maloney, comes out of a Group 3 race at Randwick last time out on a heavy track. He worked home well and will be competitive here.

John Allen will ride Regal Lion (2) again after nearly getting him home at Eagle Farm two weeks ago when he was run down in the shadows of the post over 2200 metres. He has not won at this distance; however, he settles well and if he gets a cosy run-in transit he should run the distance out.

I like one here at $11 trained by Mitchell Freedman – Rattle and Hum (7) with Kyle Wilson Taylor (KWT) to ride. He won at Randwick on ANZAC day over 2400 metres. The sectional times were good for this grade. He races handy, has drawn barrier 1 and likes a wet track. I think they may just surge him to the lead from the start and he will dictate the speed. With no weight on his back, he may just steal the race – KWT is in good form lately as well.

Contrition (6) is trained on the track. Hometown horses always race well here – he loves heavy tracks as well!

Selections:

7 – Rattle and Hum
2 – Regal Lion
1 – Bois D'Argent
6 – Contrition
Rough chance – (8) Red Wave

Race 3 SILK STOCKING – Listed

A Listed race for fillies and mares over 1400 metres.

Tojaki (11) is trained on the track by Stuart Kendrick and Robbie Dolan will continue his association with the mare. Six rides with four wins on her. She bounced back to form with a strong win third up at Eagle Farm over this distance. She is undefeated on her home track in two starts and she has solid soft track form.

I think that the Kris Lees Racing runner Powerful Peg (9) may just upset the local’s party! She has been racing in restricted grade and gets down in the weights here. She likes to race handily and with Jimmy Byrne to ride it would be wonderful to see him riding a winner in a feature race after he has worked so hard after recent surgery to get back in the saddle. Serious each way odds as well at $12.

The Chris Waller runner Thalassophile (1) is the class runner and has attracted a large weight. James McDonald will ride. Has had a six week freshen up after racing over 1900 metres at Rosehill. She has had a solid barrier trial as well. This distance with the wet track could prove to be trying late for some runners – she looks strong enough to be in the finish.

Overriding (2), trained by Nathan Doyle, raced well last start at Tamworth – not sure what to make of the run as he was hard up against the fence late – maybe not the best place to be on the day. KWT will ride.
Selections:

9 – Powerful Peg
11 – Tojaki
1 – Thalassophile
2 – Overriding
Rough chance - (14) Star of Chaos

Race 4 Ken Russell Memorial Classic – Group 3

A race for the two-year-old runners over 1200 metres at Group 3 level – plenty of speed engaged here.

The real issue is that some of these youngsters have never seen a wet track.

The two Chris Waller Racing runners I think have plenty of upside and could be hard to beat.

Imperial Force (6) was a solid winner last start at Canterbury with Nash Rawiller riding there and again here. He has no race wet weather form, however, his trials on wet tracks have been great. I think that if he had drawn better (currently barrier 19) he would have nearly been a certainty.

The stable mate is Althoff (8) with James McDonald riding. He had trialled well on soft tracks into his debut run at Rosehill. He settled eighth in the running and surged to the line at big odds over 1100 metres. I would expect the extra distance will be right up his alley and drawn barrier 8 he gets his opportunity to post his maiden win in a Group 3 race.

Tony Gollan has Balastier (9) racing after a win at Ipswich on what was an extremely heavy track. He led on that occasion and relished the conditions. Drawn in barrier 2 Ryan Maloney will have plenty of options from the barrier – he could be one to go on with it here.

Perspiration (2) is trained by Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra will ride. The colt won on a slow track at Mornington. The win was impressive sitting wide and finishing the race off strongly. One that must be considered if he handles the opposite way of racing.

Volatile (4) is a Snowden Racing runner with Tommy Berry to ride. He has been solid in two recent trials and has the addition of blinkers. His second career start in the Golden Gift at Rosehill over 1100 metres was full of merit – he was luckless in the straight and probably should have finished closer. He will be given every opportunity from barrier 3 – and at $21 he is at rude odds in this race – I think I will be having something on him here.

Con Searle is still crowing after Jemoma Apilage (16) won last time out at Eagle Farm. Trained by Kevin Kemp and ridden by Vlad Duric the filly loves wet surfaces and must be respected. I see that the wily Con Searle must have opened his wallet as she has firmed in the markets from $51 into $21.

Poster Girl (13) from the Munce Racing team resumes here. She won her maiden race on this track – Tim Clark has been booked to ride.

Selections:

6 – Imperial Force
8 – Althoff
9 – Balastier
2 – Perspiration
Rough chance - (4) Volatile, (16) Jemoma Apilage (13) Poster Girl

Race 5 Australian Turf Club Trophy – Listed

Another large and difficult field to assess. A Listed race over 1200 metres.

The Gollan Racing team has some genuine chances here – with five runners engaged!

Zarastro (2) is one of his team with Angela Jones aboard. This runner will go forward and ensure a solid tempo. This could create some favourable conditions for some other runners.

The stable mates Nettuno (6) and Freedom Rally (7) are genuine chances with speed on. Nettuno (6) loves heavy tracks – 2 starts – 2 wins on the surface. Ryan Maloney will ride. Has drawn well to get into the race and is undefeated in two starts on this Sunshine Coast track. He has won second up too – keep safe.

Freedom Rally (7) is resuming and has been trialling well. Vlad Duric will ride from barrier 1. Races well fresh and drawn well must be considered.

Millane (14) is the other Gollan runner with Michael Dee to ride. Last start winner and down in the weights could be in the finish as well.

Robert Heathcote has two runners here – The Big Goodbye (1) who certainly said goodbye to the opposition first up over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm two weeks ago. He loves the wet track as well – 2 wins from 2 starts. He has never won on this track – that could be a telling factor. Martin Harley will ride him again.

The stable mate is Ekaterina (9) with Robbie Dolan to ride. She is undefeated second up – 4 starts for 4 wins. She has raced well on soft tracks; however, she has never encountered a heavy track in her career. I just think that with the speed on and with the extra distance she is a serious each way chance at $21.

Yellow Brick (4) resumes for Sears Racing and Opie Bosson will ride. He has drawn terribly in barrier 16 – he loves this track – 2 starts and 2 wins plus he races well on soft and heavy tracks. He has been trialling well – maybe his class will get him through the race – but the wide draw and with some speed drawn inside, he may get caught wide in the running first up.

Selections:

6 – Nettuno
9 – Ekaterina
4 – Yellow Brick
14 – Millane
Rough chance - (7) Freedom Rally

Race 6 GOLD COAST GUINEAS – Group 3

First leg of the Quaddie over 1200 metres at Group 3 level.

Bjorn Baker trains Stefi Magnetica (12) with Tommy Berry in the saddle. She has had an eight-week fresh up since a gallant second at Randwick in a Group 1 race over 1400 metres. I think that she is probably in for a good Winter Carnival up here – whatever she does this run be certain to follow her in the coming weeks.

Abounding (10) is the QLD runner trained by Robert Heathcote – second up in this race. She ran well first up over an unsuitable 1000 metres. She has a solid record on this track and will handle the soft track. Martin Harley will ride her again.

Corniche (3) is a Godolphin runner. Has had a four week freshen up and a solid recent barrier trial. James McDonald will ride him from barrier 11 – he will need some luck from out there to get in and not get caught wide.

Bases Loaded (5) is a Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott runner who resumes after a 12-month spell. On his two-year-old form in Group 1 competition he would be competitive here. Three very solid barrier trials in the lead up to resuming here. Drawn barrier 4 and Tim Clark to ride I think that they may go forward and roll the dice to see if his class and fitness will hold out.

Chrysaor (2), trained by Chris Waller, resumes here as well. He won here as a two-year-old. Massive odds with Nash Rawiller aboard – could be a roughie to fill a place at $31.

Selections:

12 – Stefi Magnetica
10 – Abounding
3 – Corniche
5 – Bases Loaded
Rough chance - (2) Chrysaor

Race 7 TAB A.D.HOLLINDALE STAKES (Group 2)

First leg of the Treble. A Group 2 over 1800 metres.

I like the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained Osmose (14) to cause an upset here at around $31. The mare has the blinkers coming off this weekend after a lacklustre performance over the mile last time out at Randwick. I think coming back in distance from 1900 metres to 1600m in her previous start at Rosehill was something that she did not appreciate. Stepping back up in distance and Adam Hyeronimus to ride I think that she can get the job done.

Unspoken is another roughie at $41 from the Snowden Racing yards. He won the Five Diamonds over this distance back in November at Rosehill. That was a dominant win. Last start he endured a very heavy track at Randwick over 2000 metres and I think the track combined with the distance conspired against him. A freshen up and back in distance should see him improve here – Michael Dee will ride – look for a bold effort at odds.

Just Folk (5) won at Hawkesbury last weekend and is on the quick back up. Gavin Bedggood trains him and with an excellent record on wet tracks he gets the right conditions to post another win. Mark Zahra will ride.

Kovalica (4) is trained by Chris Waller. Nash Rawiller will ride. He has raced in Group 1 races in his past three starts and was caught up in the Pride of Jenni fiasco at his last effort – just forget the run. He will be able to sit handy and sprint late in this race – should not be overlooked.

Huetor (2) a last start surprise winner is the stable mate – Tommy Berry will ride. He is the winner of the Doomben Cup last year – he thrives when he comes to QLD – keep safe.

The local runner Wapiti (12), trained on the track by Gary Duncan and with Robbie Dolan to ride, is a genuine chance on a heavy surface.

Selections:

14 – Osmose
6 – Unspoken
4 – Kovalica
2 – Huetor
Rough chance - (5) Just Folk & (12) Wapiti

Race 8 Channel 7 Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed)

Some of the big stables from around Australia and New Zealand are represented here. The race is over 1800 metres. Most of these fillies are on trial for the QLD Oaks in a few weeks.

Chris Waller Racing runners hold the key for me here. I like the promising Mare Of Mt Buller (11) who will be ridden by Tommy Berry. Drew wide last start over the mile at Eagle Farm and they took her back and she worked home late. The wet track, the longer distance - she really ticks a few boxes here to get the win.

The stable mate is Firestorm (18) who should make the field with James McDonald to ride. She has drawn the rails, and she will be able to be ridden closer and will be able to finish off the race.

Kind Words (12) is trained by Kris Lees Racing with Ryan Maloney riding. She ran at Group 3 level at Randwick on a heavy track at her last start. She got galloped on in the final 400 metres – got checked twice in the straight – but kept fighting to the line. A five week freshen up – look for her to race well fresh. Her only career win has been on a heavy track – she will be at big odds as well.

David Vandyke trains Moszur (13) here on the track. Tim Clark will ride her. She was impressive last time out at Doomben over 2020 metres. From barrier 5, I would expect her to be a few pairs back and right in the race. She has a recent barrier trial on the track on a heavy track and relished the conditions.

Exotique Miss (4) from the Michael Nolan stables had no luck last time out. Drew wide – raced wide throughout and was gallant in defeat. Unfortunately, she has drawn terribly again in barrier 14 – hopefully she may get some luck from the bad draw and get a better run here.

Amazonian Lass (3) was superb first up running a solid effort. She has had poor form in the past second up. I think I will keep my eye on her for the QLD Oaks – she looks the perfect type as these races get longer.

New Zealand is represented by Molly Bloom (1) trained by the O’Sullivan & Scott team with Opie Bosson to ride. She is a last start winner at Te Rapa at Group 2 level over 2000 metres – I think she will need a hit out here before I can get on her. I think she got everything in her favour to win last time out – I cannot back her at $3.10.

Selections:

11 – Mare of Mt Buller
18 – Firestorm
12 – Kind Words
13 – Moszur
Rough chances – (1) Molly Bloom & (4) Exotique Miss & (3) Amazonian Lass & (9) Oceans of Energy

Race 9

Well, it is the last race – over 1000 metres – a large field as well – the traditional BAT OUT OF HELL.

I think there may be another upset here.

Gollan Racing is well represented with All That Pizzazz (1) and Hidden Wealth (16). All That Pizzazz (1) goes well at this track and likes a wet track. Has drawn wide in barrier 10, however, he normally races midfield.

Hidden Wealth (16) is the stable mate with Samantha Collett to ride. He is a last start winner at Eagle Farm at Class 3 level with 60 kilograms – in good time as well. He is a genuine speedster and loves these short distances. The main issue is the horrible draw – barrier 17. She will need some luck from out there – possibly race midfield. I just think that down on the minimum of 52 kilograms he gets in well and will be competitive at around $11.

Steady Ready (11) from the Sears Racing team resumes here. Cejay Graham will ride – she is in great form and after winning the Group 2 QLD Guineas last weekend she will be looking for more success in the coming weeks. The gelding won a trial at Deagon three weeks ago and looked impressive. He always races well and is well placed in this grade. He does enjoy the sting out of the ground as well.

Here is a real roughie for you all to consider – Hakkai Maru (15) at around the $61 mark. Trained by Louise White and Robbie Dolan is up. She is a very interesting mare – resuming after racing on the biased Gold Coast track back in March. She thrives on wet tracks and her record on this track is sensational with eight starts – 4 wins and 2 placings. She normally races in behind the speed – drawn barrier 9 she is perfectly drawn and placed to cause an upset for mine.

Economics (8) is a newcomer to the Stuart Kendrick yards after being transferred from Annabel Neasham. The gelding has already made an impression with his new stables winning a trial on his new home track and that win was on a heavy track. The lightly raced gelding has drawn terribly in barrier 18. In his races he has been ridden back and forward – so there has been no real consistency with the tactics. His only two wins were recorded in 2022 – so there has been 84 weeks between him saluting the judge. Both of those wins came about sitting off the speed and outsprinting the opposition late. Maybe these will be the tactics on Saturday?

Rubiquitous (2) resumes for the Chris Anderson stables. Loves wet tracks and goes well fresh. Damien Thornton booked to ride – drawn excellently in barrier 6 and has trialled enormous – silly odds as well at $10.

It is a tough race to end a massive day of racing – but there is some value here if we can jag some of these exotics.

Selections:

16 – Hidden Wealth
11 – Steady Ready
15 – Hakkai Maru
8 – Economics
Rough chance - (1) All That Pizzazz & (2) Rubiquitous
______________________________________________________________________

Jockeys Challenge

Too tough this week! Where do we start? Opie Bosson, Tommy Berry, James McDonald, Nash Rawiller and Ryan Maloney all have some genuine chances. I think it could be a split decision between Berry and JMAC.

Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

1,2,7 / 1,9,11 / 2,4,6,8,9 / 4,6,9 - cost is $135 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 2 to 5)

2,7 / 9,11 / 6,8,9 / 6,9 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

3,5,10,12 / 2,4,6,14 / 4,11,12,13,18 / 1,8,11,15,16 - cost is $400 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

10,12 / 4,6,14 / 11,12,18 / 11,15,16 - cost is $54 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

2,4,6,14 / 4,11,12,13,18 / 1,8,11,15,16 - cost is $100 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 last weekend by the Roosters. He was MIA at Eagle Farm on Saturday – maybe he had nothing to say after the Bulldogs are now equal on the NRL ladder with the Broncos.

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!

More articles