The Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) is the main feature event on the nine race program at Doomben on Saturday.
The 1350m Quality Handicap is the second leg of the Doomben Triple Crown Summer Race Series and premiership winning trainer Tony Gollan has a great hand to collect the major prize again after winning the first leg, the Group 3 $200,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m), with front runner Didntcostalot.
The third leg of the three race series is the Listed $175,000 Bernborough Handicap (1600m) to be run on Saturday week.
The other three feature races on the program are the Listed $100,000 Phelan Ready Stakes (1050m) for the two year old colts and geldings, the Listed $100,000 Calaway Gal Stakes (1050m) for the two year old fillies and the Listed $100,000 Gold Edition Plate (1200m) for the three year olds.
Feature Race
All times are local times
Race 8 – 4:17pm Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes
Premiership winning trainer Tony Gollan dominates the Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes with four of the eleven runners. Tegan Harrison is back on the Gollan trained Temple Of Boom who failed to fire with Michael Cahill when seventh to stablemate Didntcostalot in the Group 3 $200,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m) last Saturday week. Gundy Spirit and Fontelina ran second and third in the George Moore Stakes while Gollan’s other starter is nine year old Brave Ali who is having his first run for twelve months. The Pat Duff trained Steel Zip is looking to win his fourth victory on the trot after taking out the Listed $100,000 Keith Noud Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on November 14. The Robert Heathcote trained Saluter was back in the winner’s stall in a NMW-LY Handicap over 1350m last Saturday week and drops 4kg for this week’s assignment. Interstate raiders Peace Force with Tye Angland and Weinholt with Glen Boss will add more interest to the Lough Neagh Stakes.
Supporting Races
Race 1 – 11:52am BenchMark 75 Handicap (2200m)
The Tony Gollan trained Annaman gets his chance to re-enter the winner’s stall in the 2200m BenchMark 75 Handicap after finishing third over the same course and distance last start. The four year old was a dominate winner over the 2200m at Doomben at his previous start and is the one to beat this weekend. Mr Lebrock was a winner over 1800m at the Gold Coast two starts back and then finished behind Annaman when fifth last start. Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings has ventured north with San Telmo who was a last start third in a mid-week Warwick Farm 2200m BwenchMark 67 two weeks ago.
Race 2 – 12:30pm Open Handicap (1050m)
With most of the speed horses drawn out wide, Mr Favulous should be able to take up the running again from barrier eight and will be hard to run down again with 1.5kg less than he carried in his all the way win over the same course and distance last start. Apprentice Emma Ljung’s 3kg claim will reduce Mr Favulous’ weight to 55.5kg after he carried 57kg last start. Upstart Pride got to within a head of Mr Favulous at their last meeting but the Toowoomba four year old meets his Downs rival on worse terms this week. The speedy Adebisi has drawn barrier ten while top weight Rocky King has drawn even further out at twelve. Espiritu was a winner over the 1050m at Doomben two starts back.
Race 3 – 1:05pm Origin Jockey Series 1MW Handicap (1350m)
Glendara is well overdue for a win with placings from his last five starts and will be hard to beat in the 1MW Handicap (1350m). Trainer Barry Baldwin has freshened up the five year old after his last start second in a NMW Handicap over 1650m at Doomben on November 7. Glendara also has some additions to his race day gear with a Norton bit and the Winkers going on. Cheapskater wasn’t disgraced when he came to town last start for a second over this course and distance in a NMW Handicap and looks like he has the speed to overcome the outside barrier fourteen. Total Authority has been placed at his last two starts at Doomben over the 1350m and will be dropping back in class after running third in the Listed $100,000 Just Now Quality Handicap last Saturday.
Race 4 – 1:40pm Listed $100,000 Phelan Ready Stakes (1050m)
Punishing was very impressive in recording a three and a half lengths win over 1110m in a Doomben two year old colts and geldings Handicap on October 24 from barrier one. The Liam Birchley trained colt has to overcome the outside barrier in the thirteen horse Listed $100,000 Phelan Ready Stakes this week. Sidereus Attacks and Sugar Ray Red finished in third and fifth spots behind Punishing and both will benefit from the run. Expect a better showing from Star Of Pompeii who was sent out as a short priced favourite on debut when seventh to Punishing.
Race 5 – 2:17pm Listed $100,000 Calaway Gal Stakes (1050m)
Tony Gollan has another great chance to enter the winner’s stall with his brilliant filly Zelady’s Night Out in the Listed $100,000 Calaway Gal Stakes (1050m). Zelady’s Night Out gave nothing else a chance last start when she careered away for a four and a half lengths win over this course and distance on November 14. The Last Kiss was also a last start winner beating Our Cinderella in an 1110m two year old Handicap at Doomben three weeks ago. Our Cinderella has Glen Boss in the saddle and the filly will be wearing the blinkers for the first time.
Race 6 – 2:57pm 2MW Handicap (1200m)
Glen Boss and Britaila Kate combined to win a 1200m Class 6 Handicap at Doomben last Saturday and they will be hard to beat again this week in the 2MW Handicap over the same distance. Britaila Kate will also carry the same weight of 54kg and has drawn nicely at barrier two. Soldi Domani will strip fitter for a first up third over 1050m at Doomben three weeks ago and Remagen Bridge has been around the money with two wins and two thirds from his last four starts.
Race 7 – 3:37pm Listed $100,000 Gold Edition Plate (1200m)
Secret Saga and La Dolce Vita have finished first and second at their last two meetings and are set to clash again in the Listed $100,000 Gold Edition Plate (1200m). The margin was only a nose in Secret Saga’s favour last start in the Listed $100,000 Mode Plate (1200m) at Doomben on November 28 but the Tony Gollan trained filly has drawn the worst of the two fillies this week at thirteen. La Dolce Vita has drawn slightly better at barrier ten. Dram Of Red and Song For Song also ran the quinella in the 1110m three year old Handicap on the same day.
Race 9 – 5:00pm Origin Jockey Series BenchMark 85 Handicap (1600m)
Sea Red was able to win from barrier fourteen two weeks ago over this course and distance and the Robert Heathcote trained mare is likely to jump from the same gate again in the BenchMark 85 Handicap (1600m). Glen Boss is aboard Sea Red this week and he might be able to use his magic to gain more points for the Queensland Team in the Origin Jockey Series. Good Job Bro has been around the money at his last five starts and from barrier three might be able to turn the tables on Sea Red after finishing one length third behind her last start. Our Boy Nicholas will be fitter for his first up fifth to Saluter over 1350m in a NMW-LY Handicap two weeks ago and is a winner over this course and distance.