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WINNO'S WINNERS - DOOMBEN, JUNE 24

By Darren Winningham | Friday, June 23, 2017

Last week a rough program at Ipswich. This weekend we return to Doomben. Doomben has had a fortnight off racing and I am sure every horse will get their chance to shine!

The track is currently rated “SOFT” and the rail is 3.5metres out the entire circuit. We should be good to bet with some confidence this weekend with the track on the improve with no rain later in the week!

Last weekend I ventured to Kilcoy ... a wonderful day.

There were over 1000 patrons on track and there was such a wonderful atmosphere. Country Racing is alive and well when they can attract the good fields and the type of competitive racing that occurred on track last weekend.

In the coming weeks Horse Racing Only will be covering the 2017 Grafton Carnival.

The coverage will include some exclusive tips – late mail and hopefully some great news articles from the Carnival.

In racing news this week – I noticed that Blake Shinn has opened his winning account with his first winner since taking up a contract in Chicago ... clearly the first of many ... go get them Blake!

Brisbane apprentice Michael Murphy packs his bags and his saddles and jumps in his Mitsubishi and is heading to Anthony Cummings in Sydney to continue his apprenticeship – good luck Michael!

And Now to Tatts Tiara day.

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.

Race 1

The opening race on Tatts Tiara day – an open field as well with no real standout bet here.

So I am treading carefully.

Of the local horses, I think Cruising Speed (15), trained by John Meagher, looks a serious contender. A great second up record with 2 wins from 3 starts and it also has the same stats at Doomben – with 2 wins from 3 starts. Jeff Lloyd has been booked here and at around $8 represents great each way value.

I would not be surprised if Trubia (4) from the Michael Lakey yards runs an improved race this weekend. I think this grade and the 1350m at Doomben is right up his alley – has had the benefit of a recent hit out in a barrier trial that he won at Deagon as well . One not to be left out.

Privlaka (5) will benefit from any rain that may fall – if the track is downgraded this one is certainly one to elevate in your selections. Trainer Robert Heathcote has had a good run of late with his stable – 5 weeks off and a freshen up – we may see this one show something here.

Selections: 15-4-5-11

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Race 2

This is a pretty open two year old race. I really do not like the race at all.

For the record, again I am punting on the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Pretty Fast (12) stepping up from a pretty good run last start in the Bill Carter Stakes when beaten 3.3 lengths by Cellargirl (who goes around in Race 3).

Absolutlypositivly (12) is trained by Bryan & Daniel Guy. She looked pretty good winning on debut two weeks ago at the Gold Coast – a key booking of Tommy Berry in this race. May be one to step up and improve.

Curdled (2) trained by Peter Robl for Segenhoe Thoroughbreds rounds out my top three here. Nicely bred gelding. I am hoping that the trip north bring an improved performance.

Mishani Wrangler (3) trained by Ben Currie is shooting for a hat trick of wins here - and his first city win. Looks well in here and has drawn handy in barrier 1. Look to see if there is any support for this one in the markets in the lead up to the race – this stable usually backs them when there is some confidence.

So I am tipping the three “B”s – Browne from Berry and Byrne!

Selections: 12-11-2-3

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Race 3

This race has been pretty hacked up with some early scratchings.

We’ll probably get a good gauge of the top-weight here, Cellargirl (1), if, in the previous race, Pretty Fast (Race 2 – Number 12) wins or runs a solid race. Jimmy Orman rides the filly again this week. He has been aboard for both of her career wins and I think she should be winning – some skinny odds of $1.70 on offer does not make me want to line up and get on early. However, she looks a progressive type.

She’s Our Star (3) from the Tony Gollan yards looks the likely danger. I am sure Jim Byrne will be plotting a way to try and bring the favourite unstuck.

I like a roughie as well – I recall watching this filly win on debut at Eagle Farm – Red Hot Miss (5). She won well and then came out and didn’t seem to enjoy her second race start. With four months off and freshen up she may just show up in the placings.

Selections: 1-3-5-6

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Race 4

What A Promise (12) has been smashed in the early markets firming from $6 to $3.70 and comes off a good win last weekend at Ipswich. Another nice ride from Jimmy Orman for the Ben Currie stable.

Just not too sure about her chances this weekend with a poor record at the track and drawn wide in barrier 10. The stable has shown some confidence with some early support – where there is smoke there is usually fire.

Ringo’s A Rockstar (1) has just been racing a little out of sorts in recent runs. There has been a gear change this weekend with the lugging bit coming off for the first time. I just wonder if we may see a return to his old form here. There looks like there is some genuine speed in the race that will suit him – I think I will gamble on this one – good odds at $7 currently.

Matthew Dunn has Eat My Trust (6) nominated. This gelding is looking for a hat trick of wins after two solid wins on the Gold Coast in recent weeks – a key booking of Hugh Bowman this weekend makes me think the stable has a solid opinion of this one and it may take the step up to Saturday grade here this weekend. Not much support in the early markets with $7 on offer so you may just have to back this one on his recent successful record.

Selections: 1-6-12-9

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Race 5 – 2017 Carlton Mid Tattersall’s Cup

This is an average field here for a good race worth $128,000.

I was going with the Hawke’s Team trained Tucanchoo (2) but he has been scratched.

Rudy (1) has been racing so consistently over the Winter Carnival in higher grade races. He pays the price for that here with a large 59.5kilograms to contend with but he’s all class – like his trainer Helen Page. This weekend could see him finally crack it with a win in the Cup for his consistent runs in recent months.

Ciaron Maher has Pemberley (3) engaged here – not too sure what to make of this one. He is only a lightly raced five year old, has been racing consistently as well, but just not too sure if he does enjoy the Doomben track. Personally I think he is the type that could be hard to beat in a Sunshine Coast Cup or a Grafton Cup – but who am I to offer Group 1 winning trainer Maher advice. He is a trainer in consistent form and he does have great success with his stayers!

More Energy (8) from Jason Coyle stables in Sydney heads north this weekend – I think to avoid the wet and ugly tracks of Sydney in recent months. This one could improve if we get some firm conditions this weekend.

Selections: 1-8-3-7

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Race 6

This is a nice race over the mile at Doomben.

Religify (1) returned to great from last start in the Wayne Wilson (Listed Race). He destroyed that field and ran some good time when Hugh Bowman took the Chris Waller trained gelding to the lead and ran the rest of them into the ground. He has been heavily penalised for that performance and his consistent campaign being allocated 60.5kilograms this weekend. I am sure at some point in the straight he is going to look the winner when the back markers make their runs and try to knock him off.

The back markers that I think are genuine chances are Man of His Word (3) and Payroll (5).

Payroll (5) won very well last start at Doomben. It was a 12 out of 10 ride by Damian Oliver and with the speed on this week should be storming home late. This week a jockey change with Jim Byrne taking the ride, however, he will lose nothing with that engagement.

Man of His Word (3) is trained on the Gold Coast by Bruce Hill. He has been running into some good form. This weekend he is having his second start over the mile this preparation – this is his pet distance and I really think he loves this journey. Personally, I think he is a better Eagle Farm horse, but, I think reviewing his last run he is right in this.

Chris Waller’s other runner Elle Lou (4) showed an improved performance last start at Doomben behind her stable mate Religify (1). She meets the gelding better at the weights this weekend – but can she turn the tables?

Selections: 5-1-3-4

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Race 7 – 2017 TATTERSALL’S TIARA (Group 1)

What a great race. This is the best field of the day!

There are some serious chances here. Too many to go through and I could make a case for more than 70% of the field. Some of the fancied runners have fared poorly at the barrier draw, drawing wide off the track – this may prove a defining factor in the race as well.

Okay – only WINNO can do this! I cannot separate two runners – so I am going to bracket them both to win!

The first one is Prompt Response (14) that I did declare last start at Doomben. Tommy Berry kicked her in the guts with 100 metres to go and she found a 4th and 5th gear. I think that she would have benefitted from that run and will be hard to beat this weekend. We may even see trainer Gai Waterhouse on track to welcome this one back to scale – well let’s hope! Good value at $7 as well.

The other one is Eckstein (15) trained by Kurt Goldman. She was just amazing at Eagle Farm a month ago – I did declare her that day as well and we got the chocolates. Corey Brown retains the ride here this weekend and she has always been set for the race months ago. This is her grand final – and at $10 represents great each way value.

Miss Gunpowder (8) was impressive last start at Doomben in the Listed Hinkler. Drawn nicely here this weekend, the Hayes & Dabernig runner looks well in after some solid performances in South Australia prior to the great win at Doomben. Luke Nolen takes over this weekend for the first time – but looking through her recent form she seems to have had a different rider in her last five starts. She is a definite chance here.

Sold for Song (9) I think is the best of the local chances. Trainer Kevin Kemp and jockey Jimmy Orman deserve a change of luck with this mare – a Group 1 victory this weekend may just top off what could be described as a solid and consistent preparation. Looks like this week’s shoulder challenge is for you J.O – get on Winno’s shoulders if you win this Group 1 – and I promise I won’t drop you this week!

Other chances that rate a mention are Danish Twist (2), who always performs well second up, In Her Time (3) who ran a super race in the Stradbroke when she finished second (the Stradbroke has been a great guide to this race in recent years as well), and Egyptian Symbol (4). She was solid in the Stradbroke – but back to her own sex and set weights she should be right in this – however, barrier 20 is a turn off.

Selections: (14 & 15) -8-9 rough chances 2-3-4

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Race 8 – 2017 W.J.Healy Stakes (Group 3)

Flippant (4) is resuming this weekend – has won a recent trial – and has a good first up record and has won previously at Doomben - $8 each way all day!
Deploy (2) was great in the Moreton Cup (Group 2). Despite the increase in weight I think that as the early favourite he will be very difficult to beat. He has a good third up record as well and has drawn well.

Too Good To Refuse (5) was narrowly defeated last start by Miss Gunpowder (Race 7 – number 8). If you see Miss Gunpowder win the Tatts Tiara it certainly franks that form and the super run. The Desleigh Forster trained stallion does well second up and I am certain will be flashing out wide late as he normally does in his races.

Burning Passion (6) had a great win first up from a spell a month ago at Eagle Farm. The James Cummings rained gelding has a 100% money earning strike rate second up with 4 starts, 2 wins and 2 seconds. Drawn in barrier 1 will probably trail the leaders before emerging as a chance in the straight.

I keep coming back to Upstart Pride (3) as well here. He steps up to his favourite distance of 1200 metres this weekend after running a great race in the Lightning the other week. Drawn handy Jimmy Orman on board he will probably set a genuine speed in the race – however, it may set it up for the swoopers that I have identified above.

Selections: 4-2-5-6 rough chance 3

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Early Quaddie (Races 1 to 4 NSW TAB only)

4,5,15 / 2,3,11,12 / 1,5 / 1,6,12 - cost is $72 for $1

Quadrella (races 5 to 8)

1,3,8 / 1,3,5 / 3,8,9,14,15 / 2,4,5,6 - cost is $180 to $1

Small Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,3 / 1,5 / 8,14,15 / 2,4,5 - cost is $36 to $1

Mad Quaddie (races 5 to 8)

1,8 / 5 / 14,15 / 2,4 - cost is $8 to $1

Treble (races 6 to 8)

1,3,5 / 3,8,9,14,15 / 2,4,5,6 - cost is $60 to $1

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Best Bets

None this weekend – there are a few short priced ones that I have tipped but I am not declaring any of them!

Best Roughies

Race 1 – Cruising Speed (15) – around $8
Race 2 – Absolutely Positivly (11) – around $14
Race 3 – Ringo’s A Rockstar (1) – around $7
Race 7 – Prompt Response (14) – around $7

Jockey Challenge

This week the field looks like a win to the QLD jockey Jim Byrne. If you are looking for some value Jimmy Orman and Tommy Berry may get you a nice result.

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The tipping competition between Sky Racing’s Josh Fleming and Winno will continue this week.

It is a fierce competition. Winno leads 6 -2 at this stage.

Make sure you check our tips and the terms of the competition on Facebook this weekend.

Between us last time at Doomben we nearly tipped the whole program – so stay tuned!

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My last comment for the week is – whilst you Queenslanders jagged a lucky win in Origin on Wednesday night it is not over for 2017 – Game 3 – Brisbane – let’s see how you take getting beaten in front of your home crowd!

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Darren Winningham
Darren Winningham
Queensland's Own www.horseracingonly.com.au Queensland's Best