Nine races are scheduled to be run this Saturday at the Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben circuit. There is a possibility that the track will be rain-affected with showers forecast later in the week. The rail is out 3m the entire course.
Continue reading for our top selections in each race.
Race 1 - 1:02pm AEDT
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350 METRES)
Adelad (1) finished off strongly to break his maiden status at Ipswich last start over 1200m.
The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained colt will strip fitter third-up and the rise to 1350m looks ideal. His breeding also suggests he’ll appreciate a trip.
He has a fitness edge over most of his rivals, which is a plus given the trip can be challenging for young, inexperienced horses. Jimmy Orman takes the ride.
1 unit – Adelad (1)
Race 2 - 1:37pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Above And Beyond (3) ventures north from Sydney for Gary Portelli. The seven-year-old is taking on this distance for the first time but gives the indication that he’ll handle it.
Two starts back he looked the winner only to be picked off late by Field Legend at Canterbury over 1900m. Last start he ran on well for third over the same course and distance when chasing a tearaway leader.
This isn’t the strongest of staying races which should see his Sydney form hold up well.
1 unit each way – Above And Beyond (3)
Race 3 - 2:12pm AEDT
Fillies & Mares No Metro Wins Handicap (1200 METRES)
Sabalenka (9) resumed in impressive fashion with a win at Ipswich last start. Rob Heathcote took the blinkers off the mare and it worked wonders with the daughter of Swiss Ace sprinting hard and fast at the end of the 1200m contest.
She’s always looked to have had ability and she looks set to deliver this preparation. She’ll strip fitter second-up and did win when having her second start back last preparation.
James Orman takes the ride and it’s a strong push that the top jockey is getting down to 55.5kg to ride.
2 units – Sabalenka (9)
Race 4 - 2:48pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1110 METRES)
She’sgottheboom (1) makes her long awaited return to racing after finishing at the tail of the field in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in August.
The daughter of Spirit Of Boom showed above average qualities in her first preparation that saw her win three in a row including the QTIS Two-Year-Old Jewel.
She looks wound up for her first-up assignment following a nice trial win where she defeated the talented Netuno. The outside gate is not ideal but she has the early speed to counter that and she may just be too classy for her rivals.
1 unit – She’sgottheboom (1)
Race 5 - 3:28pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1615 METRES)
Regal Pom (6) was scratched from a winnable race on Wednesday at Warwick Farm for this. The Annabel Neasham-trained gelding is rock hard fit following four top races this preparation.
After being nailed on the line two starts back, he showed plenty of fight to win over 1550m at Canterbury last start. He clocked the fastest last 600m of the race.
Brodie Loy should be able to settle on speed from the inside gate and give them something to catch.
2 units – Regal Pom (6)
Race 6 - 4:08pm AEDT
Colts, Geldings & Entires No Metro Wins Handicap (1200 METRES)
Buying Time (13) made an impressive return to racing two starts back when bolting in over 1050m at this track.
The O’Dea Hoysted gelding was then caught deep and back after drawing an outside gate last start at Eagle Farm. It was a forgive run and he can hit back from the inside gate here.
With just 53kg on his back, he’ll take a power of beating.
2 units – Buying Time (13)
Race 7 - 4:48pm AEDT
Class 6 Plate (1050 METRES)
Gemelon Bolt (4) resumes here on the back of a nice trial where he jumped well and cruised around with Boomnova and Lepreezy. That will have her tuned up for a bold showing first-up.
The Chris Anderson-trained mare raced well last preparation, winning four of seven starts. Included in that stretch was a win first-up at Gatton and a victory over this course and distance.
Jimmy Orman takes the ride and will look to race on speed.
1 unit each way – Gemelon Bolt (4)
Race 8 - 5:28pm AEDT
Class 3 Plate (1350 METRES)
Rangi Toa (4) resumed with a solid effort to finish third at Ipswich over 1350m. The Alicia Willick-trained gelding did well given he had to carry 61kg.
He’ll have taken benefit from the run and will strip fitter second-up. He drops to a Class 3 and will also carry 2kg less than last start thanks to the set weight conditions of the race. In fact, he is extremely well placed with his 75 rating.
He loves this distance and should get a nice run on speed with Sam Collett in the saddle.
1 unit each way – Rangi Toa (4)
Race 9 - 6:12pm AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1350 METRES)
Cepheus (2) caught the eye flashing late to finish second to The Big Goodbye over 1200m here first-up. The Matt Dunn-trained galloper clocked the fastest last 400m of the meeting.
That was his first run in 68 weeks so he’ll no doubt strip fitter second-up. He won and placed at black-type level so will appreciate the rise in distance.
Barrier 1 could pose problems given his style of racing but if Brodie Loy can get clear air in the straight, he’ll be tough to hold out.
1 unit – Cepheus (2)