For the second week in a row, Saturday metropolitan racing comes to us from Doomben.
Nine races are scheduled to be run and won on what should be a perfect day for racing.
The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 4m the entire course.
We’ve studied the form and provided our best bets for each race below.
Race 1 - 11:53am AEST
Class 3 Plate (1050 METRES)
Devastating (1) has come back this preparation in fine fettle.
The Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old gelding fought hard first-up but just couldn’t get past Kat Chinna when finishing second by a neck at Eagle Farm over 1000m.
Last start he added to his excellent second-up record when proving too strong over the Eagle Farm 1000m in the same class race as this.
He’ll strip fitter third–up and did win when having his third run back two preparations ago at Ipswich.
Jimmy Orman retains the ride and should be able to give him the run of the race from barrier 1.
2 Units – Devastating (1)
Race 2 - 12:28pm AEST
BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (2000 METRES)
Nikau Spur (7) found the line strongly to win over 1835m two starts back at Eagle Farm.
Co-trainers Kylie and Corey Geran tested him last start by stepping him up to a similar strength race to this and he held his own, fighting out the finish to dead heat for third.
Mark Du Plessis has built a great relationship with the seven-year-old, but he found the front a touch early in my opinion last start, which adds merit to him getting within a half-length of the winner Tony Be.
He rises to 2000m for the first time but will get every opportunity to run it out strong with a light weight and a kind draw.
1 Unit Each Way – Nikau Spur (7)
Race 3 - 1:03pm AEST
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Argyle Pink (8) resumes here on the back of a nice piece of work that resulted in a trial win.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare raced well in stronger races last preparation.
Several of those races were over this course and distance which included a win against Benchmark 78 Handicap opposition.
Cejay Graham, who claims 2kg, can go forward from barrier 3 and should prove hard to run down.
1 Unit – Argyle Pink (8)
Race 4 - 1:38pm AEST
No Metro Wins Handicap (1600 METRES)
Smytzer (6) will appreciate the drop in class from No Metro Win races to a Class 3 Plate.
In his past two starts, the Brian Smith-trained I Am Invincible gelding finished third then fourth by just two lengths on each occasion over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
The last time he was in this class which was five starts ago, he had a bit on his rivals when winning by a length over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast.
He looks ready for the mile now and Mark Du Plessis should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Smytzer (6)
Race 5 - 2:13pm AEST
QTIS Class 6 Plate (1350 METRES)
Release The Beans (5) broke through for an overdue win over this course and distance two starts back.
Last start the Rob Heathcote-trained five-year-old gelding worked to the line well for a length third behind two handy types Canadian Dancer and Kinloch over 1400m at Eagle Farm in a stronger affair than this.
The son of Spill The Beans loves this course and distance having won two of three over it.
Damien Thornton replaces his brother Boris in the saddle and should give his mount every chance.
1 Unit Each Way – Release The Beans (5)
Race 6 - 2:48pm AEST
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Vodka Martini (7) has hit a purple patch of form for Kelly Schweida.
The striking chestnut gelding proved too classy two starts back when winning over 1050m at Doomben before dominating his rivals last start when racing out of his own age for the first time at Eagle Farm.
He steps back up to 1200m for the first time since finishing second to Freedom Rally over the trip three starts back.
From the inside gate Cejay Graham, who claims 2kg, can lead and give them something to catch.
2 Units – Vodka Martini (7)
Race 7 - 3:23pm AEST
QTIS 3YO PLATE (1200 METRES)
Deep Respect (5) took his impressive trial form to the track when he debuted over this course and distance two weeks ago.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Deep Field colt settled midfield before coming with a strong run to put them away easily by 1.12 lengths.
He looks capable of taking the step up to Saturday company and will get every opportunity to from the low draw with Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
2 Units – Deep Respect (5)
Race 8 - 4:02pm AEST
OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)
Spaceboy (8) was a touch disappointing last start when leading over 1200m at Eagle Farm and weakening with a furlong to go to finish 1.5 lengths fifth.
The large impost of 59.5kg looked to weigh him down so he’ll appreciate dropping to 53kg.
That was the case two starts ago when going forward with 53.5kg and giving a massive sight to finish a half-length second.
Gary Portelli’s seven-year-old gelding doesn’t win out of turn, but he gets every chance here from the inside gate and no weight on his back.
1 Unit – Spaceboy (8)
Race 9 - 4:38pm AEST
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Aqua Alta (14) broke through for a well-deserved win last start over 1600m at Eagle Farm.
The Rex Lipp-trained six-year-old mare went forward from the outside gate under Mark Du Plessis’ guidance to settle in a handy position.
It proved a winning move as she dashed clear in the straight to comfortably defeat her rivals by 1.18 lengths.
She’s rock hard fit now at her fifth run this preparation and will again carry just 52.5kg.
Du Plessis will look to be positive again.
1 Unit Each Way – Aqua Alta (14)