Doomben Racing Tips
Track: Soft 6. Rail: True.
Best Bet: Race 2 – ULMANN
=====
Race 1: Hinkler Handicap 1200m
GIBRALTAR GIRL (14) is resuming for a new trainer and has the benefit of three recent trials under her belt. She had been competitive at Group level for the Snowden cap prior to going to the paddock and looks to have lost nothing at her recent trial efforts.
Dangers:
MISSILE CODA (13) is speedy, she has been up for a while but from the good gate she should be punching through and trying to lead all the way. HAVASAY (7) was ok last time, he appeared to have every chance but does map to get a soft run in behind them again. GRACIDA (5) won the Chief De Beers last time after racing up on the speed. He probably has to sit outside the leader again but has shown he can win that way.
Race 2: The Wayne Wilson Plate 1600m
ULMANN (3) hasn’t been far away at his three starts up north, he will get back from the draw but with any luck and an economical run he should finish hard. This is no harder than what he has been contesting.
Dangers:
A SHIN ROOK (11) won at his Australian debut in a much easier race then went to the feature at the Sunshine Coast and ran on well after having every chance. He may just need a little luck getting away from the inside, presuming the fence isn’t off. COLDSTONE (9) has the poor draw but will push forward, if he can get to the spot outside the leader and control the tempo he will be hard to run down. ECUADOR (5) is better than his last run reads on paper when featuring in the steward’s report, he will roll forward and look for the top.
Race 3: Queensland Guineas 3YO 1600m
PEACEFUL STATE (1) is attempting to win three in a row for the Weir camp, his two wins in SA were super when running on hard from the back. He has had a month between runs but was sharpened up with a nice recent trial effort and will be ready to go.
Dangers:
ASSIMILATE (2) has really stepped up in class this prep, narrowly beaten at his last two starts, he will also get back. He won’t want to be letting the top selection get too far in front of him in the run. SAMBRO (3) was good winning the easier Hawkesbury Guineas after not having a lot of luck in the run. He maps well here and looks suited getting out to the mile. SEAWAY (7) will find this harder than more recent runs but has only missed a place once out of his seven career starts. Double figures would be needed to back him to win.
Race 4: Brisbane Cup 2200m
RISING RED (4) was perfectly ridden up on the speed to take out the Premier’s Cup here last start and looks to map well again in the small field. He should push on from the wide gate and get up on the speed.
Dangers:
AMBITIOUS (1) had no luck in the Doomben Cup, ran on hard when finally clear and was the eye-catcher of the race. He will get back in the field but just may struggle to get into the race as the tempo may not suit. KIWIA (3) was suited the way the race was run here when well beaten by the top selection last time. He could take up a more forward position here. MEGABLAST (2) settled a lot closer last time at his second Australian start, he doesn’t have a lot of brilliance but will keep grinding home all day.
Race 5: Stradbroke Handicap 1350m
IMPENDING (1) didn’t have everything go his own way in the lead-up here last time but was still good enough to win. Damien Browne rides the track as well as anyone here, if he can get cover in the big field he will be hard to hold out late.
Dangers:
SANTA ANA LANE (2) was super winning the Goodwood in SA last time. He was suited by the way the race was run but gets the perfect draw for the soft run again here. He was impressive the way he ran through the line in that Group One win. CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES (16) comes through the same form line as most of these, she was an eye-catcher when storming home late in that race here and only needs luck off the inside to beat the older horses here. PERAST (15) is also a 3YO taking on the older brigade, he will be trying to carve over and lead from the wide gate. If he can find the top and the rails first, he will be hard to run down.
Race 6: J.J Atkins Plate 2YO 1600m
THE AUTUMN SUN (5) is an unbeaten baby from the Waller yard, he strikes a rain affected track for the first time which is a little concerning, but his win was impressive in Sydney last time when plenty went wrong in the run.
Dangers:
As usual with the babies they can improve so much from one start to the next, so it wouldn’t surprise to see something jump up at big odds. LEAN MEAN MACHINE (9) saved every inch when running on hard to win the Sires here last time, ZOUSAIN (2) was the leader on that occasion and had the race run to suit but was weakening late. He may have to work too hard from the wide gate to get on the speed today. HOME MADE (9) will find this a lot harder than his last start defeat, the stable wouldn’t be sending him here for nothing and looks to have improvement in him.
Race 7: Queensland Derby 3YO 2200m
YOUNGSTAR (16) has the horrible draw in the big field but looks to have so much upside. She continues to step up to the plate at each start, her win the Oaks was super after having to make a couple of runs. She was string through the line and can rise another level against the boys here. The wide gate may just mean a better price.
Dangers:
DARK DREAM (1) was narrowly beaten by HEAVENLY THOUGHT (2) in the lead up and was string through the line. They both had the race run to suit and will both be in the first couple of pairs again no doubt in the run. LIVE AND FREE (7) will have to keep improving as he has done at his last couple, his back-to-back wins in NSW have been soft and the extra furlong should suit.
Race 8: Dane Ripper Stakes Fillies and Mares 1350m
Where to look in the last, if you are still alive in the Quaddie I am tipping you will want to have a few selections in this. MOSS TRIP (9) looks the horse with the most upside after solid wins at her last two. She has to take on the older girls here and has trialed well in between runs. PROMPT RESPONSE (1) is horribly drawn and first-up after a couple of months break, but she has the class and will try and find a spot on the speed. INVINCIBELLA (11) is consistent but also drawn badly whilst WHITE MOSS (8) is drawn well and can improve up on the speed and out of trouble. Tough race, play wide.