Metropolitan racing heads to Doomben this Wednesday for an eight-race card.
The track is in the Soft range with the rail out 7m the entire course which should see on-pace runners favoured.
We’ve provided our best bet for each of the eight races below.
Race 1 - 2:03pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Boom Shot (3) made a successful debut when winning over 1200m here last start. There was plenty to like about the Tony Gollan-trained gelding’s win.
Jimmy Orman settled last after drawing the outside gate before getting to the outside in the straight and letting down with a powerful finishing burst. The son of Spirit Of Boom clocked the fastest final 200m time of the day.
From barrier 2, I expect Orman to settle closer and the rise to 1350m looks ideal second-up.
1 unit – Boom Shot (3)
Race 2 - 2:38pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1050 METRES)
Calescent (1) resumes here and is also having her first start for Jack Bruce. The six-year-old mare has warmed up for this with two trials with the most recent producing a solid workout for second.
The Sizzling mare flies fresh having won four of seven first-up races. She raced well in stronger Sydney races prior to coming north which should place her well here.
She has been given plenty of weight but Melea Castle’s 3kg claim comes in handy. From barrier 3 she looks to control the race in front.
1 unit each way – Calescent (1)
Race 3 - 3:13pm AEDT
Class 3 Handicap (1640 METRES)
He’s The Ultimate (1) will appreciate racing at the midweeks after competing in stronger Saturday races in both starts this preparation.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Fastnet Rock gelding raced on speed last start over 1600m in a BM72 at Eagle Farm before weakening in the final furlong to finish 3.86 lengths behind the flying The Red Kite.
He should be reaching peak fitness third-up and did finish second at Moonee Valley when having his third run back last preparation. He maps to get a great run for Ryan Maloney.
1 unit – He’s The Ultimate (1)
Race 4 - 3:48pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1640 METRES)
Sea Ripple (10) finally had things go her way last start after three luckless races that she arguably should have won that would have had trainer Chris Munce pulling his hair out.
The four-year-old mare stepped up to this trip for the first time here last start and handled it beautifully. She settled handy before letting down strongly to win by just over half a length.
She maps to get a similar run for Kyle Wilson-Taylor.
1 unit – Sea Ripple (10)
Race 5 - 4:23pm AEDT
Maiden Plate (1110 METRES)
Ocean Endeavour (13) led and weakened late to finish 1.67 lengths fourth to Jump ‘N’ Fly on debut over 1200m here.
The O’Dea Hoysted-trained three-year-old filly was found to be suffering from heat stress post-race so the run was better than it looked.
She’ll carry just 53kg after Jaden Lloyd’s claim and can take advantage of the light weight by leading or box seating from the good gate.
1 unit – Ocean Endeavour (13)
Race 6 - 4:58pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Dark Chill (2) was well supported on debut over 1200m here but the money was left in the bag.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding didn’t have the best of luck and seemed to be struggling to keep pace but did let down well in the final 200m to finish fourth by 2.21 lengths to Boom Shot.
Given the way he raced, the rise to 1350m looks to be more to his liking. From barrier 2, Jimmy Byrne should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 unit – Dark Chill (2)
Race 7 - 5:33pm AEDT
Class 5 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Charge On (2) has been racing in great form for trainer Adam Campton with two wins and two placings from his past five starts.
Last start he enjoyed a great run but then looked like he’d be pinned on the fence behind the leader but once he got clear he finished off nicely to win narrowly.
The rise to 1350m looks ideal and Elione Chaves can settle in a nice position.
1 unit – Charge On (2)
Race 8 - 6:10pm AEDT
Class 2 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Duchess Rothesay (10) looked good in her return to racing at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m following a 33-week spell.
The Rob Heathcote-trained mare settled handy before letting down strongly to win narrowly. Third place was 1.5 lengths further back.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise to 1200m will suit second-up. She drops 3kg and should get a nice run for Damien Thornton.
1 unit each way – Duchess Rothesay (10)