Eight races will be run and won at Doomben this Wednesday.
It’s a perfect day for racing with fine weather forecast and the track rated a Soft 5 with a likely improvement. The rail is out 6.5m the entire course.
Our top selections for each race can be found below.
Race 1 - 12:37pm AEST
Maiden Plate (1640 METRES)
Houston Rocket (7) has come back this preparation in great form. The Chris Munce-trained three-year-old has placed in both starts this preparation.
Last start the son of Sebring was doing his best work late to finish second by 2.34 lengths to Paienbara over 1400m at Eagle Farm. That horse won again on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast.
The rise to 1640m looks ideal third-up. There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed which may see Damien Thornton settle further forward.
1 Unit – Houston Rocket (7)
Race 2 - 1:08pm AEST
Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Cassimir (5) resumes here following two trials. The Hellbent gelding didn’t show a lot in his first trial but looked very good working to the line under a hold in the most recent.
The three-year-old raced in good form last preparation after joining Kelly Schweida from the Kris Lees Sydney stable. Just two starts back he ran on well for second behind Hidden Wealth over 1050m here.
He has the speed to take up a forward position for Jimmy Orman. The tongue tie goes on for the first time.
1 Unit – Cassimir (5)
Race 3 - 1:43pm AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Money Bear (8) carried on like a cheap watch, over racing badly in a 1200m Ipswich maiden last start. Despite running his race prior to the turn, the Chris Munce-trained three-year-old gelding finished off well for a 4.4 length seventh.
Prior to that failure, the son of Capitalist had been racing well. He hit the line hard first-up before a luckless run at Ipswich two starts back when he got held up and arguably should have challenged for the win or at least finished second.
A crossover nose band goes on for the first time which should help him to settle better.
1 Unit Each Way – Money Bear (8)
Race 4 - 2:18pm AEST
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2040 METRES)
Applications (4) will appreciate dropping back to midweek grade after competing in significantly stronger Saturday metro staying races lately.
The Glenn Thornton-trained five-year-old led and weakened in the straight to finish 5.2 lengths behind Tappy’s Lad over 2400m at the Sunshine Coast last start. The start prior he gave a bold sight over 2200m here before being overpowered late by Iowa to finish second.
He won his only previous start over this course and distance and should go forward for Boris Thornton.
1 Unit – Applications (4)
Race 5 - 2:53pm AEST
Class 4 Plate (1050 METRES)
Luskin Hero (2) resumes here following a 17-week spell. The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained five-year-old gelding looked good in a recent trial where he showed plenty of speed to win defeating the likes of Rubiquitous, Shooting For Gold and Miss Hipstar.
He’s a consistent galloper that has raced well in stronger races. He enjoys racing over this course and distance boasting a record of one win and a second from two starts.
The son of Kaphero looks well placed here under set weight conditions. Particularly with Angela Jones’ 1.5kg claim. He should settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Luskin Hero (2)
Race 6 - 3:28pm AEST
Class 1 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Orient’s Secret (3) clocked the fastest final 400m and 200m splits of the race when finishing 2.2 lengths eighth first-up at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m.
The Matt Dunn-trained three-year-old enjoyed the rise to 1200m last start when racing on speed at Ipswich before dashing clear to win easily by 2.5 lengths.
The Spill The Beans gelding will strip fitter third-up and should be handy in the run for Brodie Loy.
1 Unit – Orient’s Secret (3)
Race 7 - 4:03pm AEST
QTIS BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1640 METRES)
A Call From Heaven (2) stepped up to this distance for the first time last start at Ipswich and it proved a winning move by her trainer Tony Gollan.
The Divine Prophet mare settled outside the lead before sprinting strongly, showing plenty of fight, to win by just under half a length. The four-year-old looks like she needs this trip at this stage of career.
She’ll be at peak fitness fourth-up and did win when having her fourth run back last preparation. Cejay Graham takes the ride and her 3kg claim will come in handy. From the inside gate, she’ll enjoy the run of the race.
2 Units – A Call From Heaven (2)
Race 8 - 4:33pm AEST
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Ring Of Steel (12) was exceptional when resuming with a 6.5 length win at Ipswich first-up. The Kelly Schweida-trained son of I Am Invincible then found the strength of opposition too tough when finishing down the track in the Mick Dittman Plate.
The three-year-old colt bounced back to form last start when leading all the way over 1100m at Ipswich. The final margin was narrowed quickly as the winning post loomed, but the damage had been done.
He should be rock hard fit fourth-up and is ready for this distance. He should be able to lead or find a forward position more easily.
1 Unit – Ring Of Steel (12)