With Eagle Farm taking centre stage during The Queensland Racing Carnival, Doomben will again host midweek metropolitan racing in Brisbane this Wednesday.
Nine races will be run and won on a Soft 5 surface and the rail is out 10.5m the entire circuit.
Our best bets for each race can be found below.
Race 1 - 11:45am AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Unfortunately, a couple of the leading hopes in this race have drawn wide so I’m going with the resuming Ciccone (1).
The Les Ross-trained filly was last seen finishing second by just one length to Snow Boum at Ipswich over 1200m in April. That proved to be a good form race with four subsequent winners coming out of it.
She ran well when first-up last preparation and draws to get a great run. Jimmy Orman has been booked to ride.
1 Unit – Ciccone (1)
Race 2 - 12:20pm AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Cassimir (2) has been given no favours with the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding having to start from the outside gate.
The son of Hellbent returned in good order last start following a 19-week spell. He found the front with a furlong to go but was overpowered late by Dark Harmony to finish second by a length.
He’s been a frustrating conveyance with six placings from his eight starts but will strip fitter here second-up. He has the early speed to cross for Jimmy Orman.
1 Unit – Cassimir (2)
Race 3 - 1:00pm AEST
QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Right To Party (11) debuted at Cranbourne five weeks ago with a solid performance. The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained grey filly settled back from the wide gate before running on strongly for a 1.4 length third.
She’s had a trial since arriving in Queensland and looked very good chasing down a tearaway leader to win at the Sunshine Coast. At no stage was she asked to extend beyond her comfortable gallop.
One of Queensland’s best jockeys, Ryan Maloney, has been booked to ride which boosts my confidence.
1 Unit – Right To Party (11)
Race 4 - 1:40pm AEST
Maiden Handicap (1660 METRES)
Encompass (2) looks close to a win after finding one or two better in each of his four career starts.
That was the case for the Kelly Schweida-trained three-year-old last start over this course and distance. He fought bravely in the straight with Houston Rocket but that horse got the better of him late, ensuring a 0.44 of a length second. The third place horse was 2.38 lengths away.
The son of Fastnet Rock looks close to a win and should be at peak fitness. He maps well for Jimmy Orman.
1 Unit – Encompass (2)
Race 5 - 2:18pm AEST
Class 4 Handicap (1660 METRES)
Eaglemont (2) was excellent when resuming over 1350m here on Doomben Cup Day.
The Matt Dunn-trained six-year-old gelding settled back in the Class 3 Plate before tearing off the quickest 1000m, 800m, 600m and 400m splits of the race to finish just 1.85 lengths behind Brigantine.
He’ll appreciate the rise to 1640m and will strip fitter second-up. Nash Rawiller retains the ride and may settle closer given he has drawn nicely.
2 Units – Eaglemont (2)
Race 6 - 2:53pm AEST
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Mintaka Lad (9) looked a quality galloper when he romped in by five-lengths at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m at just his second career start.
Following a disappointing run when heavily backed two starts ago, the David Vandyke-trained Deep Field gelding was back to his best last start over this course and distance. He went to the front and was never headed, sprinting away from the opposition to win easily by four-lengths. His final 200m was the quickest of the race.
He draws perfectly in barrier 2 for Ryan Maloney who should be able to lead and prove hard to catch.
2 Units – Mintaka Lad (9)
Race 7 - 3:28pm AEST
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Hatchet (2) will appreciate dropping back from Saturday grade to the midweeks.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding worked home strongly to finish fourth to Brigantine last start over 1350m here. Coming back to 1200m won’t worry him as he ran a gallant second to Self Indulgent when caught deep over this course and distance three starts back.
Ben Thompson can use his natural gate speed to settle in a handy position from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Hatchet (2)
Race 8 - 4:03pm AEST
QTIS Class 6 Plate (1350 METRES)
Ravaged Award (9) was awkwardly away last start over 1200m here but recovered to run on strongly for second by the classy Enterprise Pomme.
The Mark Currie-trained four-year-old mare will appreciate the rise to 1350m. Three starts back she romped in by three lengths over 1300m on her home track of Toowoomba.
She’s drawn perfectly in barrier 3 and should be able to lead or at the very least, settle in the box seat. She will carry just 52.5kg after the claim for Angela Jones.
1 Unit – Ravaged Award (9)
Race 9 - 4:33pm AEST
Class 1 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Israelite Bay (9) will appreciate stepping up to 1350m following a very good run last start at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m.
The Tony Gollan-trained galloper clocked the quickest final 200m of the race to finish third to Queen Assassin in a race that wasn’t run to suit. Cravy Brave was just in front of her in second and she meets him better at the weights thanks to Angela Jones’ claim.
The former Victorian will strip fitter third-up and there looks to be good speed in this race which should suit.
1 Unit – Israelite Bay (9)