Midweek metropolitan racing in Queensland this Wednesday comes to us from Doomben. Nine races will be run and won on what looks likely to be a Good racing surface. The rail is out 10.5m the entire course which generally on-pace runners.
Our top selections for each race can be found below.
Race 1 - 11:57am
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1660 METRES)
Dark Chill (2) ran a solid race on debut to finish fourth by 2.21 lengths over 1200m at Doomben. The David Vandyke-trained gelding improved second-up when stepping up to 1350m.
He worked to the line well for second but was swamped late on the outside by Old Song. The rise to 1660m third-up looks suitable.
From barrier 2, Jimmy Byrne can drive forward and take up a prominent position.
1 Unit – Dark Chill (2)
Race 2 - 12:32pm
Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Ever So Clever (8) should take improvement from her debut race at the Sunshine Coast.
The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old filly found the front in the straight of the 1000m contest but was run down by stablemate Caesaris in the closing stages to finish second.
The rise to 1200m should suit second-up and she’ll be better for the experience. She drops 3.5kg and gun apprentice Angela Jones should be able to control the tempo from in front.
2 Units – Ever So Clever (8)
Race 3 - 1:08pm
Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Allora Enzo (1) returns from a year long spell and will resume for new co-trainers Tony and Maddy Sears.
The five-year-old gelding warmed up for his first-up assignment with a nice trial win where he cruised in front for a three-lengths win.
The former O’Dea Hoysted galloper raced well when last in work which included a half-length third first-up over this course and distance. Ben Thompson should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Allora Enzo (1)
Race 4 - 1:43pm
QTIS BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1660 METRES)
Telephone Booth (5) weakened late over this course and distance last start when finishing fifth by 3.15 lengths. That was a Benchmark 70 Saturday race so she’ll appreciate the drop in class here.
The Mark Currie-trained grey mare hasn’t been far away in all four starts this preparation and should be at peak fitness for this.
The addition of blinkers for the first time will have a positive effect. Angela Jones, who claims 1.5kg, should be able to find a position in the first two or three pairs. She’ll carry just half a kilogram more than last start.
1 Unit – Telephone Booth (5)
Race 5 - 2:18pm
Class 1 Plate (2070 METRES)
Leery (7) has improved with each run this preparation and that good form culminated in a strong win last start at Eagle Farm over 1838m.
The Harry Richardson-trained Toowoomba galloper showed a good turn of foot to weave through the pack and win narrowly. Adding merit to the run was the fact that he jumped nearly 500m in trip. The way he found the line suggests the rise to 2070m here will be right in his wheelhouse.
The red-hot Angela Jones retains the ride and should settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Leery (7)
Race 6 - 2:53pm
Class 4 Handicap (1050 METRES)
Hakkai Maru (3) resumes here following an 18–week spell. The Louise White-trained speedster has prepared for her first-up race with a nice trial at the Sunshine Coast.
The daughter of Maurice races well fresh and did bolt in when first-up last preparation over 1200m at Ipswich by 2.3 lengths.
Jockey Jim Byrne can use the inside gate to his advantage and drive forward to either lead or box seat. She looks one of the main hopes.
1 Unit Each Way – Hakkai Maru (3)
Race 7 - 3:28pm
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Third Time Round (9) put the writing on the wall that a super effort was coming two starts back with a solid fourth over this course and distance. That super effort came last start at Ipswich.
The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old settled on pace before sprinting clear in the final furlong to win by a length.
She maps to get all the favours from barrier 2. Ben Thompson retaining the ride is a positive and she can go back-to-back.
2 Units – Third Time Round (9)
Race 8 - 4:03pm
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Sunfall (8) is a former Victorian who is having his first start for Barry Lockwood. The Eagle Farm conditioner has a good recent record of turning the fortunes around of horses from the southern states.
The Zoustar gelding warmed up for this with a nice trial where he settled back and got to the line well under his own steam. It was a good attempt to hide him.
The form he showed in Victoria, including a close second at Pakenham last start, should hold up well here. I’d suggest Kyle Wilson-Taylor will be positive from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Sunfall (8)
Race 9 - 4:38pm
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Typhoon Taavi (9) resumes here and is also having her first start for Tony Gollan after previously racing in Sydney with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
A recent trial where she worked home well late without being asked for an effort will have her ready to fire fresh. She showed good form in stronger races down south which will hold her in good stead here.
She’ll race on the speed and with just 55kg on her back thanks to Angela Jones’ claim, she’ll go forward and can prove hard to run down.
1 Unit – Typhoon Taavi (9)