Sunshine Coast horse racing tips for Calounda Cup, Winx Guineas on Sunday, July 14, 2024

Caloundra Cup and Winx Guineas feature on a big Sunday of racing at the Sunshine Coast and with clearing weather, the track could improve from the current Heavy 10.

With the rail true, the fence is still likely to be off and riders will be heading to the crown in the straight.

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Race 5: 2,4
Race 6: 1,2,5
Race 7: 1,7,10,13
Race 8: 1,2,3,6
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Race 1: Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1000m

The resuming DEFIANT BOOM (1) was taking on better company at his first preparation, won a recent trial and Stuart Kendrick is leading trainer here for a reason. A tongue-tie goes on, Michael Rodd will have him on the speed and experience should tell.

WARRIOR HEAD (7) gave a sight and was run down late by the talented Matisse at Doomben. Winkers replace blinkers and he will be prominent for a long way.

A bigger track will help JUST CLIFFY (2) which can improve on his first-up run at Gatton. He showed promise at his first preparation and whilst a longer and later type can show up here.

THE SUN DANCE (5)’s dam has been a good producer and he looked sharp at his trial. Trained here he can make a good debut.

Verdict: Home ground advantage with DEFIANT BOOM (1).

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Race 2: Three-Year-Old Handicap 1000m

The first of the Saturday prizemoney races and quite a few scratched from Saturday for this. OUTWEIGHED (1) will appreciate getting back to this level after taking on stronger company at recent outings. She has won five of seven starts here all over this trip and Sean Cormack knows what to do.

BOLD COMIC (2) brings North Queensland form and was dominant at Mackay last start. He has improvement and from the ace draw will get every chance with Vlad Duric.

TERMAGANT (13) has shown promise winning two of three outings. She takes on stronger class here but has no weight and will be rounding them up late.

FEMME FATALE (4) has won five of nine, has an excellent first-up record and with Cejay Graham can make her own luck.

Verdict: Track specialist is OUTWEIGHED (1).

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Race 3: Benchmark 65 Handicap 1000m

Going with the track specialist in GROOMED (1) which has won five of nine here over this trip, goes best second-up and will appreciate a strong tempo. With Rachel King he draws to do no work from gate one and can swallow up the speedsters late.

The moody mare REMLAPS ANGEL (10)’s best efforts come when fresh and she has had two trials to get ready. She has speed and Angela Jones will take no prisoners.

LUVARCHIE (7) is a consistent sort and was only run down late here when resuming. He drops 2kg and with Cejay Graham will be prominent for a long way.

TORQUE I TEE (2) was consistent last preparation and has won over this trip previously. With one trial under his belt he will appreciate a good speed, gets a 1.5kg claim for Cory Collis and can hit the line.

Verdict: The race sets up for GROOMED (1).

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Race 4: Benchmark 70 Handicap 1800m

A likely strong tempo helps PERSEVERE (5) which struggled from a wide gate over a longer trip at Doomben last start but won over this journey here two starts back. Jim Byrne stays on, he draws to do no work and can round them up late.

ARTFUL GIRL (7) found Listed company beyond her last start but will find this more suitable. She can put in the odd bad one but will get a tempo to suit, is well drawn and will be close enough on straightening.

ENTERPRISE LASSIE (6) disappointed here last start but the trip may have been too far. She blew them away over this journeytwo starts back when leading throughout and a repeat effort can produce a similar result.

DIABLO BOLT (9) is still learning but may have more upside than most of these. He just missed at Gatton last start but is better suited on this bigger track and will be hitting the line late.

Verdict: With PERSEVERE (5).

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Race 5: Caloundra Cup (Listed) 2400m

The extra week will have helped KNIGHT’S CHOICE (4) which showed his quality beating all but Fawkner Park at weight-for-age in the Q22 and followed up with a strong effort behind Vow And Declare over this trip. He has won three of five here, had a tickover trial during the week, Robbie Dolan stays on and he will be hard to beat.

HEZASHOCKA (2) was out of his comfort zone in the Q22 but beat a similar field to this two starts back over 2400m at Eagle Farm. 60kg is a steadier and this trip is his limit but he loves heavy ground and with Vlad Duric will be right in the finish

ZOUMON (5) won this race last year, has strong form on rain-affected tracks and an excellent third-up record. Winona Costin replaces Regan Bayliss, can dictate the tempo and turn his recent form around.

DENY KNOWLEDGE (6) bounced back to form with a strong effort when just missing to Princess Rhaenys at Eagle Farm. He is another that likes to go forward and will be one they have to run down late,

Verdict: Going with KNIGHT’S CHOICE (4) again.

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Race 6: Winx Guineas (Group 3) 1600m

Opportunity knocks for CIFRADO (1) which is by far the highest rated horse in the field and whilst he hasn’t won this preparation was only narrowly beaten in a Group 3 here on a heavy track three starts back. He found Hedged too good at Ipswich last start but the step up 1600m should suit and Michael Rodd will give him every chance

The Snowden’s know what it takes to win here and the Canberra Guineas winner XIDAKI (2) was only narrowly beaten on a heavy track at Randwick last start. He has won a trial since and Vlad Duric can overcome an awkward draw.

One with upside is KNOW THYSELF (5) which has won three of four and bolted in on a heavy track at Rosehill last start. He takes on stronger company from a poor draw but is bred for this trip and will be strong late.

MISS ARIA (10) is a consistent filly and wasn’t helped by a wide gate at Ipswich when three lengths off CIFRADO (1). She is poorly drawn again but over the longer distance on a bigger track can make her presence felt.

Verdict: CIFRADO (1) gets his chance.

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Race 7: Glasshouse Handicap (Listed) 1400m

There is upside with WOLLOMBI (13) which charged home to put them to the sword when resuming at Ipswich at her first start for the Tony Gollan stable. She takes on better company but the longer trip and bigger track will be right up her alley. Angela Jones replaces Vlad Duric and she knows when to press the button.

WATEGOS (7) didn’t enjoy the tight track at Ipswich but he has done nothing wrong since coming North. He is well treated with 54.5kg and with Rachel King will get every chance in running.

PUNCH LANE (10) is building a good record and was far too good for them last start in restricted grade. This is a step up but he drops 7.5kg, heavy ground is no problem and he is on the upswing.

THE INEVITABLE (1) ran a bold race in a Group 1 last starts. His last win was in Tasmania over a year ago but he has run the likes of Mr Brightside close since and been competitive in far stronger races than this. He gives them all weight but a big track suits and he will hit the line.

Verdict: WOLLOMBI (13) can get it done.

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Race 8: Open Plate 1000m

The resuming BRUDENELL (1) brings winning Listed form from his last preparation and wasn’t beaten far in a Group 1 three starts back. Well treated under Plate conditions, he goes well fresh, handles heavy ground and with Andrew Mallyon can make his own luck.

GOLDEN BOOM (2) found Steady Ready too speedy at Eagle Farm but has a good record here and has been kept fresh. With Angela Jones he will get every chance.

The stablemate NETTUNO (3) can mix his form but was never on the track in a Group 2 last start and drops back to a trip at which he is unbeaten here. With Vlad Duric he can make his presence felt.

HARDWARE LANE (6) had veterinary issues last start but his previous form was sound and has won three times at this trip. He loves rain-affected ground and will get a positive ride with Michael Rodd.

Verdict: BRUDENELL (1) fresh and brings Southern Group 1 form.