After a week of wet weather we’re confronted with a rain affected track this Saturday at Doomben. As of Friday it is rated a Heavy 8 with the rail out 0.5m. Further showers are a possibility but they look to lessen as we get closer to kick off Saturday so an improvement isn’t out of the question. It should be noted that after racing here on Wednesday on a bog track the going will be better on the inside section of the track out to about 8m.
***Track and Weather update Saturday morning: Following 15mm Friday, the track is back to a Heavy 10. There’s a slight chance of showers today but even if it stays dry, we’ll still be on a rain affected track.***
Race 1
There’s quite a few 1st starters engaged here and when you add a wet track, this becomes a tricky way to start the day. Snitz (2) is a youngster from the Matt Dunn stable that has started his career in good style. After a good trial win he went to Grafton and made short work of the outside gate to cross the field and go on to win by 1.8 lengths over 1006m. He once again draws wide but he’ll be fitter and does possess enough speed to find a forward spot. The appointment of Jeff Lloyd is a positive lead.
Other Hopes:
Acceptile (1) is the most experienced of the field and has competed well in some good Saturday 2 year old races. Never been out of the top 3 in his 6 starts and has race fitness on his side.
Wudang Blade (3) is another that backed up a good trial win with a win on debut. He jumped well and was never headed at Ipswich over 800m. Will be improved 2nd up and draws to get a great run.
Hingus Rose (14) is on debut here and hasn’t done a great deal in 2 trials. Blinkers go on and gets in with a light weight. Breeding suggests she will get through the ground.
Race 2
Magnatune (4) won by a length at the Gold Coast in a BM75 over this distance last start. He goes up in class here but drops in weight. The 3kg claim for Adam Sewell helps. He loves a wet track as shown by his 4 wins and a 2nd from 8 runs on a heavy surface.
Other Hopes:
Outraged (2) won over this distance at Eagle Farm 3 starts back and finished 2nd to Morendi last start. Was beaten by 3 lengths that day but did miss the boat entering the straight when time to make his run.
Comacina (5) will take improvement from his 1st run over this distance last start where fought on behind Morendi after going forward. Similar tactics in a race with limited speed could prove advantageous.
Caillebotte (6) may appreciate coming to Doomben after struggling at Eagle Farm recently. Certainly needs to lift but gets Jeff Lloyd in the saddle.
Race 3
Perilous Love (1) was impressive last start when winning here over 2030m. She found the line strongly to give her rivals a 5.3 length hiding. She rises 4kg on that effort but I doubt that’s enough to turn the tables on her. She’s been in good form and did win over 1800m on a heavy 9 track 4 starts back.
Other Hopes:
Up The Tempo (4) put in a good showing last start when finishing 2nd behind Perilous Love. She was stepping up 430m and did work early that day so will be better here at her 2nd go at the distance.
Nordic Show (9) ran on well last start over this distance to finish 4th behind Perilous Love. Gets in with a postage stamp weight after the claim for Adam Sewell.
Let Me Say This (7) improved last start when winning over 1800m at Eagle Farm. Struggled the start prior in this company but will be fitter here and can race in a prominent position.
Race 4
Sheiswhatsheis (4) broke a long run of outs when winning here over 1630m last start. Alannah Fancourt went forward and was never challenged in the run home. Tony Gollan felt that he had made a mistake keeping the horse at sprinting distances prior to the win and this was this distance was more her go. She rises in grade but drops in weight and will give them something to catch in front.
Other Hopes:
Neuschwanstein (7) won well 2 starts back before racing wide last start. Drawn to get a much better run here and enjoys a rain affected track.
Deconstructed (3) won 1st up before finishing 3rd to Neuschwanstein last start. Will be further improved 3rd up and has enjoyed success in the past over this course and distance.
War Baby (11) gets out to a more suitable distance here after finishing down the track at the Gold Coast over 1400m last start. The heavy track increases her chances.
Race 5
Nilette (8) resumed last start at the Sunshine Coast over this distance finishing 2.2 lengths from the winner. She endured a tough run racing 3 wide the trip but still fought on well. She’ll be further improved here and does possess a very good 2nd up record. She won over this course and distance on a heavy track 2nd up last preparation. From the inside gate Anthony Allen can go forward and take up a prominent position.
Other Hopes:
Candika (13) put it together last start when putting away a similar strength field over 1500m. Has been freshened and drops in trip but will be hitting the line hard.
Trois Choix (9) resumes here on the back of a good trial effort. Raced previously in Sydney and the form it showed there is good enough for this type of race.
Race 6
Fortini (7) has come back this preparation in good form. He won well 2 starts back at Eagle Farm over 1200m before finishing just over a half length from the winner last start here in this class. I thought last start’s effort was very good considering he was held up but did get going once clear. He won his only other start on a heavy track and has performed well on soft going in the past.
Other Hopes:
Privlaka (3) resumes here and did win fresh last preparation. Raced well in good company when last in work. Will be finding the line.
Queen Tara (12) won 3 starts back and went well last start when running on behind Good Job Bro at Eagle Farm. She should be getting home strongly.
Skylimit (4) has been racing ok in stronger races than this recently. Will go forward and be in this for a long way. Untested on heavy going but has performed well on soft.
Race 7
Flamboyer (2) has been racing well lately. Two starts back he won at Eagle Farm over 1200m by 1.3 lengths. Last start he finished 3rd behind Upstart Pride in the Gold Coast Goldmarket. He loomed up at the 200m and looked like he was going to pass Upstart Pride but I feel the pressure of doing the chasing caught up with him. There’s no Upstart Pride here so he should get an easier time of it and prove hard to run down.
Other Hopes:
Beatniks (9) drops in distance after racing really well at Eagle Farm over 1600m in recent races. She’ll be finding the line strongly.
Jopa (3) has drawn horribly here but has to be included based on recent form. Found the line strongly last start to finish 2nd at the Gold Coast to Upstart Pride. Loves this track and distance.
Dream Finnish (14) resumed last start with a 3rd placing behind Flamboyer and Fiery Heights. I thought it was a nice way to return and she’ll be further improved here 2nd up. She’ll be running on strongly.
Race 8
This no metro win race over 1350m is a really tough way to end the day. I’m going with Kim Noir (15). She found the 1630m too far last start when finishing 6th behind Sheiswhatsheis. She raced in the 1st 3 horses and looked likely until the 200m mark. The drop back to this distance will suit and it’s a trip she’s got a very good record over. She’s drawn well which should allow Anthony Allen to settle in the 1st handful of horses.
Other Hopes:
Chivadahlii (5) resumes here and is having his 1st start in Queensland after previously racing with Darren Weir. Races well fresh and while has been better over further, will be finding the line.
Jetsonic (13) ran on strongly last stat when finishing 4th to Tyzone. He’ll appreciate rising in distance here and has raced well on heavy tracks in the past.
Motion Granted (2) rarely runs a bad race. He’d been racing well in these types of races before going to Ballina last start where he won in easier company.
Best Bets
Race 4 – Sheiswhatsheis (4)
Race 6 – Quatronic (1)