WINNO'S WINNERS: MAY 25 - DOOMBEN CUP DAY

By Darren Winningham | Friday, May 24, 2024

DOOMBEN this week. Back to ten races as well with some awesome races scheduled to be decided. This week the featured race is the XXXX Doomben Cup (Group 1). The track is rated ‘soft’ and the rail is out for 2 metres for the entire circuit.

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 1350 metres.

I like the Gollan runner here Standing Order (10) with Tommy Berry to ride. First up on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast really did not suit him. He will strip better for that run and looks ideally placed here at $11. A big odds winner to start the day (hopefully).

Pacific Ruby (14) is trained by Ciaron Maher and will be ridden by Craig Williams. The mare resumes here after a 40-week spell with no barrier trials documented. She has an impressive first up record and if she brings her previous preparations form to this race, she will be difficult to beat. They have jumped out of the trees to back her early in the early odds so there must be an expectation from the stable to get the job done.

Avebury (15) is trained by John O'Shea and will have James McDonald riding. Resumed at a Canterbury midweek meeting and really didn't fire. Since then, she has had a barrier trial where she performed exceptionally with the blinkers on. She retains the blinkers here and this could be the key to her chances.

Midnight in Tokyo (8) is trained by Annabel Neasham. She struck a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast when resuming. I would forgive that run and, on a firm surface this weekend, look for a bold improvement.

Wategos (3), who is trained by Bjorn Baker, really didn't fire last time out at Newcastle on a heavy track. I think he is better than that and should be respected in this field with Jimmy Orman to ride.

Selections:

10 – Standing Order
14 – Pacific Ruby
15 – Avebury
8 – Midnight In Tokyo
Rough chance – (3) Wategos

Race 2

A class BM85 over 1110 metres.

Contemporary (1) is trained by James Cummings for Godolphin with Nash Rawiller to ride. He was an impressive last start winner at Hawkesbury. He raced midfield and then stormed home late to get the chocolates. That was not the bias of the track on that day which made the win even more impressive, and I expect him to be very hard to be here.

Helluva Barty (13), trained by Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted, resumes here. Races well at this track with 3 wins from 4 starts. Goes well fresh as well and has Justin Huxtable to ride. The recent barrier trial would have topped her off nicely for this first up effort.

My Snow Queen (19) is trained by David Vandyke and will be ridden by the boom NSW apprentice Zac Lloyd (welcome home mate). This mare was impressive first up at Eagle Farm behind an impressive type. She has no weight on her back for this run and is drawn exceptionally well in barrier 2.

Vodka Martini (8) is trained by Kelly Schweida and will be ridden by stable apprentice Cejay Graham. He resumed a month ago at Eagle Farm and just didn't seem to fire. I'm not sure whether he really enjoys the Eagle Farm track, however, he has an impressive record at Doomben. Since then, he has had an impressive barrier trial win and drawn well in barrier 6 should get the run of the race.

Selections:

1 – Contemporary
13 – Helluva Barty
19 – My Snow Queen
8 – Vodka Martini
Rough chance – (14) Hidden Wealth

Race 3 The Darby McCarthy

The first leg of the early Quaddie with ten races on the card – a three-year-old race over 1110 metres named after a wonderful jockey.

Fortuneer (10) looks an exciting type – three wins from three career starts so far. Worked through his grades quite well in his last preparation. He was well placed by trainers Steven O’Dea & Matt Hoysted. They have set him a tough task here, but he gets in well with the conditions of the race. I liked his recent barrier trial – Tyler Schiller will ride him – drawn well – sit in behind the speed and bury them late – simple on paper!

Power Ballard (8), trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, looks the likely leader with Tim Clark riding. She will jump well and then thunder to the lead – look for Clark to stack them up and then attempt to hold them off late.

Skirt The Law (6) is the 2023 Magic Millions winner who hasn’t won a race since. She has been working well on the track and Tony Gollan, I think, will have her ready to fire second up. She has had a recent barrier trial. Damian Lane will ride her here.

Celui (1) was unwanted in the betting at the Sunshine Coast on a heavy track at his last start and he ran a bold race. Brent Stanley trains Celui (1) and Opie Bosson will ride him again here. I think we could see a bold performance on top of the ground.

The other runner to keep your eye on here is the Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich trained Genzano (2) who resumes here. This filly is a real star in the making. I think she could be in for a big Carnival here. She had a recent barrier trial win. Zac Lloyd rode her to the Spring Stakes (Group 3) win at her last start at Newcastle. With the speed on, look for her to be thundering home – massive odds as well at $15 to cause a supreme upset.

Selections:

10 – Fortuneer
8 – Power Ballard
2 – Genzano
1 – Celui
Rough chance – (6) Skirt The Law

Race 4 BILL CARTER – Listed

A Listed race over 1200 metres for the two-year-old runners.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott train Clean Energy (4) who won on debut at a midweek race at Warwick Farm on a heavy track. Despite being a midweek win it was an exceptional effort and she looks like she is one to keep improving. Adam Hyeronimus will ride her again. Can she keep her unbeaten record and post a Listed win at her second career start?

Lincolnshire (2) is trained by the Moody & Coleman team. She was caught wide at Caulfield over 1200 metres and still fought on tenaciously late giving me the impression that if she gets a cosy run here, she will be hitting the line strong. Damian Lane will ride.

Poster Girl (1) is trained here by Chris Munce Racing. She resumes and draws barrier 13. She will race midfield so the barrier may not be an issue. Tim Clark will ride. Her recent barrier trail was strong – may run a bold race here.

The one I have gone for is around $16 – I would literally not be surprised if the Anthony & Sam Freedman trained Not Surprised (6) can back up her debut win at the Sunshine Coast on the poly track over 1000 metres. She did run some solid sectionals and I think she may just cause an upset at huge odds. Barrier 5 will be important as well. Mark Zahra will ride.

Selections:

6 – Not Surprised
4 – Clean Energy
2 – Lincolnshire
1 – Poster Girl
Rough chance – (7) Zatanna

Race 5 MAGIC MILLIONS NATIONAL CLASSIC

This is a $1 million two-year-old runner race over 1050 metres – the race transferred from the Gold Coast.

Spywire (1) I think is the way to go here with James McDonald riding for Ciaron Maher. He got caught wide in the Magic Millions and was still bold finishing third. His last start prior to a freshen up was a disastrous watch when he got stuck in behind a wall of horses at Moonee Valley and went to the line hard held and untested late. Had a huge barrier trial win after a 9-week spell – he wins this.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy filly Arabian Summer (10) I think is the likely testing material at $10. She resumes from a 19-week spell after a good run in the Magic Millions where she pulled up after the race with a poor post-race recovery. Freshened up and had a barrier trial on this track three weeks ago. Harry Coffey has ridden her in all her career starts. I think this short distance first up will suit her.

Eneeza (9) won last time out at Randwick in the Percy Sykes (Group 2) over 1200 metres. She has been freshened since that win and Damian Lane will be able to ride here wherever he likes from barrier 4. A five week freshen up and back in distance – she deserves to be the pre post favourite. I just think she will be better over a longer distance.

Gin A Tonic (4) drew the outside at his last start at the Sunshine Coast on a heavy track. It was a bold effort to finish in a three-way photo. He comes back in distance – but he is a serious racehorse trained by Bevan Laming. Michael Cahill will ride him again.

Snowden Racing has Embassy (5) in the race with Blake Shinn riding – keep safe.

Selections:

1– Spywire
10 – Arabian Summer
9 – Eneeza
4 – Gin A Tonic
Rough chance – (5) Embassy

Race 6 CHIEF DE BEERS Listed

Last leg of the early Quaddie. A Listed race over 1110 metres.

This is a tough race.

I have settled on the Les Ross trained Mishani Sniper (6) with Jimmy Orman to ride. He ran in the Archer last time out at Rockhampton – got too far back on a day where leaders or on pace runners had all the advantage. He flew home from an impossible position and ran third after having no luck in the straight. He loves Doomben as well with three wins from seven starts here.

Doull (3) resumes from a 31-week spell after winning a Group 2 race at Caulfield. Trained by Annabel Neasham and Blake Shinn will ride. Has had three barrier trials in rapid succession to get him ready for this race. He will ping the gates and race in a prominent position.

King Kapa (5) is trained by Tony Gollan. Resumes from a long 48-week spell. He has had a pretty good preparation to resume racing with two nice barrier trials. He is a very good sprinter and at his best would beat this field. I think that he just need the run – but going forward he will be better suited in the coming weeks – Damian Lane will ride.

The stable mates Situation Room (9) and Golden Boom (14) are rough chances.

Spacewalk (1) is a Godolphin runner – resumed at Hawkesbury and ran third to a stable mate after being held up in the straight. He has drawn terribly in barrier 18 – but he can go well with the speed in this race.

Hardware Lane (10) was smashed in the betting when he won at Sunshine Coast at his latest start. Trained by John Smerdon, he will be again ridden by Mark Du Plessis. Not without each way knockout chance.

Selections:

6 – Mishani Sniper
3 – Doull
5 – King Kapa
1 – Spacewalk
Rough chance – (10) Hardware Lane & (9) Situation Room & (14) Golden Boom

Race 7 Drinkwise Mile (Group 3)

First leg of the Quaddie – Open class race over 1200 metres.

Chris Waller Racing has a super representation here – he could fill all four placings with any luck.

The last start Sunshine Coast winner in the Silk Stocking (Listed) over 1400 metres was Thalassophile (5) who just dropped in on them and then burst away leaving the opposition in her wake. James McDonald will ride her again here. The extra distance should not be a problem.

The stable mate Chica Mojito (15) is now third up for her new stable. In each of her runs she has made some tremendous improvement. Down on the minimum here she looks well placed – Zac Lloyd will ride her. In her last start, in the Group 2 QLD Guineas, she was bold running a gallant fourth – her final 600 metres was solid. With some solid tempo in the race, she could be difficult to hold out at great odds - $19.

Another stablemate is Firestorm (14) who ran in a Listed race at the Sunshine Coast over 1800 metres. She failed on the heavy track, and I think the distance may have been too far. In her previous start at Eagle Farm over the mile (Listed event) she flew home. She should be better suited on top of the ground here.

Konasana (6) is another Waller runner. Her last start at Hawkesbury should have a red pen put through it. No luck – didn’t race well at the track on that surface surface. She was impeded in the straight – not really tested late – Tommy Berry will ride.

Zoe’s Promise (2) resumed with a barnstorming win over 1400 metres. Trained by Kris Lees – Andrew Mallyon will ride her again. She is a classy mare and will strip fitter for that victory – solid form over the mile as well.

Foxy Frida (3) has been unplaced in her runs this preparation – back to a suitable distance and class – watch for an improved effort.

Selections:

5 – Thalassophile
15 – Chica Mojito
14 – Firestorm
2 – Zoe’s Promise
Rough chance – (3) Foxy Frida & (6) Konasana

Race 8 The Roses – Group 2

A Group 2 race over 2000 metres. The first leg of the Treble.

Molly Bloom (1) is from the New Zealand stables of O’Sullivan & Scott. She was having her first run after a three-month spell from her last run in New Zealand when struck a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast in a Listed race over 1800 metres. She was held up in the straight and then regained her momentum to run a gallant second. The extra 200 metres will suit her, and Blake Shinn will ride. Looks like she will peak here and go onto the Oaks in great winning form.

Poifect (12) is from the Hayes stables. She won her last start at Morphettville over the mile. The way she stormed to the line and held the opposition at bay, I think that the extra distance will suit her. Michael Dee rode her in South Australia and will stay aboard her in this run.

Scarlet Oak (13) is trained by Chris Waller and she just keeps going from strength to strength. James McDonald will ride. She has raced on heavy surfaces in her past two starts. Her last win was at Newcastle over the mile – she raced away from them in the final stages – not sure she beat much on that occasion – I cannot see why she is the early favourite here.

The stable mate is Mare of Mt Buller (17) who is the first emergency with Tommy Berry to ride her. She worked home well in the race won by Amazonian Lass (3) over 1800 metres. She drew wide on that occasion, and she was forced to race wide throughout. Given a more conservative trip from a reasonable barrier, look for her to go well in this race.

Amazonian Lass (3) is trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. She was exceptional sprinting away late to post a dominant win on a heavy track last start. She did win the Wakeful (Group 2) at Flemington last November – solid form for this race.

Selections:

1 – Molly Bloom
12 – Poifect
13 – Scarlet Oak
3 – Amazonian Lass
Rough chance – (17) Mare Of Mt Buller & (9) Good Banter

Race 9 XXXX DOOMBEN CUP – GROUP 1

The feature race on the program – the XXXX Doomben Cup – Group 1 level.

Kovalica (3) from the Chris Waller Racing team has been running consistently and looks set to peak for this race. Nash Rawiller will ride. He is not at his best on wet tracks and has struck heavy tracks in two of his past three starts – the other start was the QE Stakes (Group 1) when Pride of Jenni ran them ragged – just put a pen through that run. His latest effort at the Sunshine Coast over 1800 metres on a wet track should have topped him off nicely. Despite it being a heavy track, he got too far back in the running, got caught wide – he really had no luck. However, his sectionals were amazing, and he did run the best 600 metres and 200 metres sectionals. With that in mind – a firm track here at Doomben he should be hard to hold out.

Huetor (2) won this race last year. Snowden Racing has him ready to peak here again with Tommy Berry to ride. The tempo of the race at the Sunshine Coast brought him unstuck. This weekend there is some serious speed in the race that should make it a true staying test. With that in mind he will be ready to fire here.

The 2023 QLD Oaks (Group 1) winner Amokura (15) returns to QLD to possibly get another Group 1 victory. She is trained by Kris Lees and Mark Zahra will ride her. The blinkers go on this week – these should make a difference. She resumed a month ago at Rosehill over 1500 metres and didn’t fire a bullet. Since then, she has had a freshen up and a recent barrier trial where she went very well. She has a superb second up record and she seems to thrive when she comes to QLD.

Fawkner Park (12) has been winning the regional NSW Country Cups. He has won the Albury and Wagga Wagga Cups in recent starts. Both times Tyler Schiller has ridden him, and he stays aboard here. He is a serious contender despite the rise in class to Group 1.

The stable mate is Numerian (1) who was a surprise winner in the Hollindale Stakes (Group 2) at the Sunshine Coast at his last start. Jamie Mott will ride him again for Annabel Neasham. Could cause another upset.

Selections:

3 – Kovalica
2 – Huetor
15 – Amokura
12 – Fawkner Park
Rough chance – (4) Detonator Jack & (1) Numerian

Race 10 LADBROKES BRC SPRINT – Group 3

Godolphin (James Cummings) and Nash Rawiller combine with Vilana (4) in an attempt for this runner to post his third Group 3 career victory. His last start was in the Hall Mark (Group 3) on a bog heavy track at Randwick. He was defeated by a mudlark in Mazu – so the effort was very good. He has a great second up record and has drawn well in barrier 8.

Yellow Brick (12) resumed at Sunshine Coast in the ATC trophy (Listed), drew wide and was forced to race wide throughout. The hard run probably cost him in the final 75 metres of the race – he was working home to run down the leader and just missed. Given a better run in transit here, look for him to be right in the finish. Opie Bosson has retained the ride.

An emergency that looks well placed is the Joe pride trained Estadio Mestalia (20) with Tyler Schiller booked to ride. She resumed at Newcastle over 1200 metres where she had no luck in the running, in fact she was hampered several times throughout the race before finishing off the race strongly suggesting that she is looking for further - this weekend she gets the ideal distance at 1350 metres to post her first group win.

Ucalledit (11) from Kris Lees Racing raced very well in the Archer recently at Rockhampton. On a day where leaders had a distinct advantage he got too far back in the running. However, he did have some nice sectionals late and stormed home – at $31 he represents a great roughie in this race. Michael Rodd has been booked to ride.

Strait Acer (10) is trained by Edward Cummings and Mark Zahra will ride. Has drawn perfectly in barrier 2 – he just seems to pop up when the speed is on in his races – there are a few here that will go fast – he gets his chance to finish over the top of them late.

Selections:

4 – Vilana
12 – Yellow Brick
11 – Ucalledit
20 – Estadio Mestalia
Rough chance – (10) Strait Acer
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Jockeys Challenge

A battle between the interstate jockeys. James McDonald, Nash Rawiller, Blake Shinn and Tommy Berry. I think Nash may cause an upset and win.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

1,2,8,10 / 2,4,6 / 1,4.9,10 / 3,5,6 - cost is $144 to $1.

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

2,8,10 / 4,6 / 1,10 / 3,5,6 - cost is $36 to $1.

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

2,5,14,15 / 1,3,12,13 / 2,3,15 / 4,11,12,17 - cost is $192 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

5,14,15 / 1,12 / 2,3 / 4,12,17 - cost is $36 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

1,3,12,13 / 2,3,15 / 4,11,12,17 - cost is $48 to $1.

WINNO V FLEMO

The battle will continue with WINNO and FLEMO. WINNO 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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