The Brisbane Summer Racing Carnival rolls on at Doomben on Saturday with the running of the middle leg of the Summer Triple Crown Series, the Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m), as the feature race on the nine event program.
Premier trainer Tony Gollan saddled up the trifecta for the first leg of the series, the Group 3 $200,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m), with Didntcostalot, Gundy Spirit and Fontelina with the second and third placegetters lining up again this week.
The third leg of the Summer Triple Crown Series, the Listed $175,000 Bernborough Handicap (1600m), will be run at Doomben next Saturday.
The rail is out 0.5m for the entire course with the Doomben track rated a Good 3 at the moment but that could change if the predicted storms roll in on Friday afternoon.
Another tough day ahead for the punt with large fields to work through, but here are some thoughts below.
Race 2 No. 3 Mr Favulous
Toowoomba speedster Mr Favulous scored a first up win over the same course and distance as the $65,000 Open Handicap (1050m) three weeks ago and will be hard to beat again. Apprentice Emma Ljung’s 3kg claim will come in very handy and Mr Favulous will carry 1.5kg less than he carried to victory last start. The speedy seven year old should be able to use his good gate speed to overcome barrier eight in the fourteen horse field and find the fence before the first turn.
Race 3 No. 4 Total Authority
Total Authority is dropping back in class and gets his chance to find the winner’s stall again in the 1MW Handicap (1350m). The Les Ross trained Total Authority ran a cheeky race when third in the Listed $100,000 Just Now Quality (1350m) at Doomben last week and will find the opposition a bit easier this week. Damian Browne takes the ride and should get a good run from barrier seven.
Race 6 No. 7 Britaila Kate
Britaila Kate was a late pick up ride for Glen Boss when she won a 1200m Class 6 Handicap at Doomben last week and the top Melbourne based jockey has stuck with the Steven O’Dea trained mare this week. Britaila Kate stays on the minimum 54kg in the 2MW Handicap over the same distance as last week’s win and Boss is certain to give her every chance again from barrier two. The seven year old mare has winning form on a rain affected track so if the storms arrive it won’t be a problem.
Race 8 No. 1 Temple Of Boom
Temple Of Boom is listed at double figure odds but on his day would take care of the field in the Listed $175,000 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) and has to be considered a top each way chance. Trainer Tony Gollan expects the nine year old to strip a much fitter horse this weekend after finishing seventh behind stablemate Didntcostalot in the Group 3 $200,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben a fortnight ago and with his old mate Tegan Harrison back in the saddle is certain to be fighting out the finish. Even though the form guide says that Temple Of Boom hasn’t won over the 1350m, he was beaten a nose by Spirit Of Boom in the 2014 Group 1 $650,000 Doomben 10000 (1350m).
Race 9 No. 13 Good Job Bro
Good Job Bro is clashing again with Sea Red this week in the Origin Jockey Series BenchMark 85 Handicap (1600m) and a good barrier draw can see the five year old reverse the placings in the BenchMark 85 Handicap (1600m). Good Job Bro jumped from barrier thirteen when third to Sea Red in a 1615m BenchMark 75 Handicap a fortnight ago but will jump from gate three this week. Even though apprentice James Orman can’t use his 1.5kg claim, he is riding well and will give Good Job Bro every chance.