The 2023/24 Queensland Summer Racing Carnival officially kicks off next weekend, but we have been served up a tasty snack to whet our appetites this Saturday at Doomben with the running of Keith Noud Quality Day.
The Listed Keith Noud Quality headlines a ten-race program that should produce some exciting racing.
In recent years the $160k feature has seen subsequent Group 1 winner Jonker (2020) and Holyfield (2022) break the 1200m track record on their way to winning the race.
We’ve scoured the form guide and provided our top selections in each race below.
Race 1 - 1:08pm AEDT
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
This is a tricky way to start the day with the babies racing over 1200m.
Once again trainer Les Ross has a large hand with six of the nine acceptors and I’m with one of them, Mishani Suspect (4).
The daughter of Sun City fought bravely on debut to lead all the way over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
Last start over 1100m at this track, Mark Du Plessis settled towards the back after drawing wide.
She ran on strongly for a 1.93 length fifth to Mishani Eclipse, clocking the equal quickest last 400m and fastest last 200m of the race.
Du Plessis can be positive from barrier 1 just as he was in her debut win.
1 Unit – Mishani Suspect (4)
Race 2 - 1:43pm AEDT
No Metro Wins Handicap (1050 METRES)
Queen Assassin (5) returns to Brisbane for the first time since joining the astute Nick Walsh stable in Rockhampton.
Formerly with the O’Dea Hoysted yard, the four-year-old mare is no stranger to Doomben having won here early in her career and placing fourth to the flying Vodka Martini.
She has settled in very well in Central Queensland, easily accounting for her rivals in two races at Rockhampton over 1050m and 1200m.
She’ll strip fitter third-up, loves the sting out of the ground and is drawn to get a sweet run for Justin Stanley from the inside gate.
1 Unit – Queen Assassin (5)
Race 3 - 2:20pm AEDT
Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Midnight In Tokyo (7) ran well in her first race for Annabel Neasham when resuming over this course and distance last start.
The four-year-old mare sat outside a strong speed and fought on well, but condition gave out with 100m to go and she finished 1.36 lengths third to the flying Outlawed.
Last preparation she wasn’t far away in black-type races in Sydney so she has strong form for this race.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and should enjoy a nice run on speed for Damien Thornton.
1 Unit – Midnight In Tokyo (7)
Race 4 - 3:00pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (2000 METRES)
Montabot (6) looks ready for the step up to 2000m after an eye-catching performance last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding settled a long last over 1800m at Eagle Farm before unleashing a powerful finish to miss the win by a nose.
The last time he contested a race over this course and distance, he was unlucky not to win.
He’s at peak fitness now and will appreciate the drop in weight for top jockey Ryan Maloney.
Barrier 1 will ensure an economical run.
1 Unit – Montabot (6)
Race 5 - 3:40pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Addriel (7) has been finding the line well and looks ready for a peak performance third-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Harry Angel was slow away from the inside gate over this course and distance last start but picked up strongly late to finish second by 1.57 lengths to Abounding.
He was backed heavily into favouritism that day and as they say, where there’s smoke there’s fire so I’m expecting a big showing third-up.
With a cleaner getaway he can settle handy for Damien Thornton.
1 Unit – Addriel (7)
Race 6 - 4:20pm AEDT
Class 3 Plate (1350 METRES)
Pentito (4) returned in good order when finishing third over 1200m here last start.
The Jason Edwards-trained son of Spill The Beans settled back and worked home strongly despite encountering traffic issues to get within a length of The Face.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise to 1350m.
Early in his career he won over this course and distance when second-up so while it was some time ago, there is a precedent that points to a win.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will help his cause.
1 Unit Each Way – Pentito (4)
Race 7 - 4:58pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Amore Veloce (8) has come back this preparation in good style with placings in both starts.
The Rob Heathcote-trained mare was in need of the run when finishing a length third at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m first-up.
Last start she was held up early in the straight and then raced in restricted room on the fence as she tried to get past the leader The Face.
She failed to do so but it was a great run to finish a long neck second.
She’ll strip fitter and has won third-up in the past.
1 Unit – Amore Veloce (8)
Race 8 - 5:37pm AEDT
LISTED KEITH NOUD QUALITY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan has dominated the Keith Noud Quality in recent years, winning four of the past five editions.
He has a strong hand in this year’s race and I’m with a rising star of his, Zarastro (10).
Since a nose defeat over this course and distance in his first start for Gollan, he’s gone on to dominantly win three races in a row.
The I Am Invincible gelding was last seen winning nicely over 1200m at Eagle Farm five weeks ago.
He has since been back to the trials where he never got out of second gear when easily accounting for Steady Ready and All That Pizzazz in slick time.
Angela Jones, who won her only previous ride on him, is back in the saddle and can give him a great run from barrier 3.
3 Units – Zarastro (10)
Race 9 - 6:15pm AEDT
Class 6 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Tidal Creek (1) can be forgiven for his disappointing run last start at Eagle Farm.
The Stuart Kendrick-trained son of Snitzel was found to have poor post-race recovery.
Prior to that, he was low flying with back-to-back wins over this course and distance including the Doomben Mile.
He’s been given six weeks to get over last start with the break doing him the world of good.
He faces easier opposition and maps to get the run of the race which should see him hard to beat.
2 Units – Tidal Creek (1)
Race 10 - 6:45pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Starzam (3) signalled he was in for a good preparation when winning a recent trial in fine style.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding took that form first-up to the races at Ipswich where he charged home for a soft one-length victory over 1350m.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and went within a whisker of winning at his second run back last preparation.
He tends to get back in his races but Cejay Graham who claims 2kg can settle a touch closer from barrier 1 which will make him hard to hold out late.
1 Unit – Starzam (3)