The Brisbane Racing Club’s Doomben circuit will play host to Queensland’s Wednesday metropolitan meeting with eight races on the menu.
The sting should still be out of the track and the rail is out 9m the entire course.
You can find our top selections for each race below.
Race 1 - 2:07pm AEDT
Class 3 Handicap (1650 METRES)
Demon Darb (1) has settled in well at Rob Heathcote’s Eagle Farm stable after previously racing in Victoria.
The son of Pierro ran well first-up at Ipswich when finishing third but he showed his ability last start when rising to a mile at the Sunshine Coast.
He raced outside the lead before powering away late to win by a length.
That was a Class 1 so this is harder, but he performed well in stronger races down south so is up to it.
He maps to get a great run on speed for Bailey Wheeler who claims 2kg.
1 Unit – Demon Darb (1)
Race 2 - 2:44pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
King Tarik (3) did very little in his debut race in August and he was immediately sent back to the paddock to mature.
The Chris Munce-trained Encryption gelding makes his return to racing here following a nice trial win.
He jumped well to lead all the way without being asked for an effort, yet still put a 2.5 length margin on second place.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor should be able to settle in a prominent position from barrier 4.
1 Unit Each Way – King Tarik (3)
Race 3 - 3:22pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Barker (1) resumes here following a nine-week break and is also having his first start for Kelly Schweida.
The former Victorian has had just the two starts, finishing close thirds in both of them.
In his most recent race over 1200m at Swan Hill, he gave a big sight racing on speed but was overpowered late to finish 1.6 lengths behind the winner.
He draws perfectly in barrier 1 which should see Michael Rodd drive forward and either lead or settle handy.
1 Unit – Barker (1)
Race 4 - 3:57pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Ringer’s Reward (2) was a touch unlucky when resuming at the Sunshine Coast over 1200m last start.
The Kevin Kemp-trained filly was held up in the straight and it took a bit to get her clear air, but once she did, she hit the line hard to finish third by just a neck.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and did win her only previous start over this course and distance albeit on a heavy track.
Cejay Graham, who claims 1.5kg, should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Ringer’s Reward (2)
Race 5 - 4:34pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (2060 METRES)
Contreras (5) gets a chance to win a metropolitan race in this average staying affair.
The son of Criterion ran on strongly two starts ago to finish a half-length second over 1900m at Ballina.
His last start effort over 2220m at Grafton was full of merit.
Jag Guthmann-Chester took off at the 800m mark to eyeball the leader before entering a test of stamina all the way up the straight.
Contreras prevailed narrowly and can take that good form into this race.
1 Unit Each Way – Contreras (5)
Race 6 - 5:14pm AEDT
Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Bloodhawke (4) is on debut for the Chris Munce stable.
The son of I Am Invincible had a trial in April, but it was obvious he didn’t have his mind on the job and was sent for a spell and gelded.
A recent trial where he worked powerfully to the line to win suggests he’s come back a more switched on horse.
He draws perfectly in barrier 1 which should see Robbie Dolan give him the run of the race.
1 Unit – Bloodhawke (4)
Race 7 - 5:52pm AEDT
Class 1 Plate (1110 METRES)
Barassi (10) looks set for a bold showing on debut following two very good trials.
The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained five-year-old has shown good speed to lead both trials before giving his rivals the slip in the straight to win comfortably.
In a positive sign, the stable has booked top jockey Ryan Maloney to ride.
From barrier 2, he should be able to lead or settle in a prominent position if they go too hard.
2 Units – Barassi (10)
Race 8 - 6:30pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)
So Country (4) resumes here for the Barry Lockwood stable on the back of a nice piece of work.
He had the one race for Lockwood in May but it’s best to put a line through that given he had no luck.
Taking on open company horses in a recent trial over 1000m, the six-year-old gelding settled second and held his position in the run to the line with little effort asked of him.
He’s drawn a touch sticky but there’s a number of resuming stayers in this race so Jimmy Orman should be able to cross and find a prominent position.
1 Unit – So Country (4)