The Group 1 Ladbrokes Doomben 10,000 headlines a massive day of racing this Saturday at Doomben.
Along with the first Group 1 of this year’s Queensland Racing Carnival, there’s four other black-type races on the nine-race program.
We’ve provided our bests bets for each race below. You can also find our detailed runner by runner Doomben 10,000 preview here.
Race 1 - 11:48am AEST
QTIS Class 6 Plate (1200 METRES)
Self Indulgent (11) showed the benefit of a positive ride last start when overcoming barrier 11 to win by 1.18 lengths over this course and distance.
The Tony Gollan-trained four-year-old mare will strip fitter and is undefeated in two third-up races. That includes last preparation when bolting in by 3.25 lengths over the 1200m here.
This is a tougher assignment than last start but she will carry just 52.5kg after Cejay Graham’s claim. I suspect she’ll go forward given that tactic worked so well last start.
1 Unit – Self Indulgent (11)
Race 2 - 12:23pm AEST
3YO Plate (1350 METRES)
Atmosphere (2) should be ready to peak after three good runs back this preparation.
The Godolphin gelding has found one better in his past two starts when finishing second in the Listed South Pacific Stakes and the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas.
The son of Lonhro has the early speed to overcome the potentially awkward gate and gets the services of James McDonald.
1 Unit – Atmosphere (2)
Race 3 - 12:58pm AEST
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1350 METRES)
National Choice (14) has come back this preparation in excellent form. The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding has won two and placed in two from four starts.
The Snitzel gelding found the line strongly last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm and looked the winner, only to be run down late by Stradbroke Handicap contender Antino. That was a Benchmark 85 and he now drops back to a Benchmark 80.
He’s drawn well for Mark Du Plessis who should be able to settle just off the speed before launching in the straight.
1 Unit – National Choice (14)
Race 4 - 1:33pm AEST
LISTED MEMBERS' HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Santero (13) didn’t have the best of luck last start in the Listed Tails Stakes. The O’Dea Hoysted-trained five-year-old mare was snagged back after drawing wide and then raced in a confined space in the straight. She got clear late to hit the line strongly and finish 1.66 lengths fifth.
She had been racing in great heart prior to that, winning two in a row over similar distances to this.
The daughter of Hallowed Crown is rock hard fit now and with good speed drawn out, there should be a solid tempo which will suit.
1 Unit Each Way – Santero (13)
Race 5 - 2:08pm AEST
GROUP 2 SPIRIT OF BOOM CLASSIC (1200 METRES)
Appin Girl (10) has started her career in perfect fashion with wins in both her starts. The O’Dea Hoysted-trained filly clocked the fastest 400m of the day when winning on debut at the Sunhine Coast over 1000m.
Last start the daughter of Capitalist worked to the line powerfully to win the Listed Dalrello Stakes over 1000m at Eagle Farm. This is her first race over 1200m but the way she has found the line suggests that third-up it won’t be a problem.
She’s drawn perfectly in barrier 1 which should see Boris Thornton settle in the first few pairs before dashing strongly in the straight.
2 Units – Appin Girl (10)
Race 6 - 2:43pm AEST
GROUP 3 JRA CHAIRMAN'S HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
Kalapour (8) fought bravely but was overpowered in the run home by a more seasoned horse, Serpentine, last start when finishing second over 2200m at Eagle Farm. He did flog the third horse but I think the run was a lot better than it looked given there were only four in the race and the leader dictated.
The start prior, the Kris Lees-trained six-year-old gelding sprinted powerfully to the line to win with ease over 1815m at Eagle Farm.
He’s drawn awkwardly out wide but I’d suggest the booking of Tim Clark means that they’ll be positive early. Regardless, he’s fit and in good form.
1 Unit – Kalapour (8)
Race 7 - 3:22pm AEST
GROUP 3 LADBROKES ROUGH HABIT PLATE (2000 METRES)
Brookhaven (6) is racing over 2000m for the first time but is at peak fitness now and gives every indication he is ready for it.
The Chris Munce-trained son of Spieth has been building to a big run. Two starts back he fought on well over the unsuitable 1400m at Doomben to finish 1.15 lengths behind The Vowels in the Daybreak Lover. He then had to work early from an outside gate in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas but still fought on well when 1.38 lengths behind Kovalica.
He draws beautifully in barrier 1 for Justin Huxtable who should be able to settle forward of midfield.
1 Unit Each Way – Brookhaven (6)
Race 8 - 4:02pm AEST
GROUP 1 LADBROKES DOOMBEN 10,000 (1200 METRES)
This year’s Doomben 10,000 looks like Giga Kick’s to lose. The Clayton Douglas-trained excitement machine has taken all before him in his short career.
He stamped his class when winning The Everest at just his fifth start and looks to have returned this preparation in superb form. Last start he made Zaaki and Cascadian look second rate as he flew by them to win the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
He’s been freshened since that run a month ago and comes to Brisbane at the peak of his powers. His work on Tuesday was insanely good with Douglas declaring him. He maps perfectly for Craig Williams and I expect him to be hard to beat.
3 Units – Giga Kick (8)
Race 9 - 4:38pm AEST
LISTED BRIGHT SHADOW (1110 METRES)
Extremist (9) was brave first-up when leading over 1200m at Eagle Farm before being run down late by Antino. The Rob Heathcote-trained mare was clearly ahead of the rest.
The daughter of Extreme Choice races well second-up including an easy win last preparation when easily accounting for Alburq and Hatchet. She never runs a bad race having only been out of the top 3 on four occasions from 15 starts.
She loves racing at Doomben where she’s won three of five starts. From the inside gate, Angela Jones will be able to give her the run of the race.
1 Unit – Extremist (9)