While racing will take place on a rain-affected surface at Doomben this Wednesday, there’s still seven winners to be found.
We’ve studied the form and provided our best wet trackers for each race below.
Race 1 - 3:13pm AEDT
Maiden Plate (2040 METRES)
Taranaki (8) looks close to a breakthrough win following two second placings in his most recent races.
The Chris Waller-trained Tarzino gelding ran on well for a length second over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast two starts back.
There was merit in the run given he sustained an off hind stifle injury.
Last start he settled too far back but found the line powerfully to just miss the win, finishing a nose second over 1846m at Eagle Farm.
The rise to this distance looks ideal fourth-up with Jimmy Orman in the saddle.
1 Unit – Taranaki (8)
Race 2 - 3:48pm AEDT
Maiden Handicap (1110 METRES)
Caxton Lass (10) is blessed with an abundance of speed but just needs the confidence to put it all together.
The Rob Heathcote-trained resumes for the first time since a disappointing display at the Sunshine Coast in August.
She has warmed up for this with a trial where she finished third and a jump out on a wet track here last week where she went straight to the front and was never headed.
Robbie Dolan will look to use her speed to cross from the wide gate and go all the way.
1 Unit – Caxton Lass (10)
Race 3 - 4:23pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1110 METRES)
Better Be Nordy (3) has come back this preparation in fine style.
The Rob Heathcote-trained four-year-old gelding ran on strongly to win first-up at the Sunshine Coast before dropping back to the unsuitable 1050m here two starts back when chasing home Bezique to finish second on a heavy track.
Last start he showed a real will to win when fighting back once headed to win over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.
He’s been given a five-week freshen-up which will suit over 1110m from the inside gate.
1 Unit – Better Be Nordy (3)
Race 4 - 4:58pm AEDT
Class 6 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Hollywood North (6) has taken well to life in Stu Kendrick’s Sunshine Coast stable after previously racing with Chris Waller.
The five-year-old gelding returned in good order when finding the line well to finish 1.53 lengths fifth at Eagle Farm over 1200m.
He raced on his new home deck last start and gave his rivals a galloping lesson when winning by 3.5 lengths over 1400m on a Soft 7 surface.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get a great run for Michael Rodd.
1 Unit – Hollywood North (6)
Race 5 - 5:33pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
King Tarik (8) 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 made his return to racing here over 1200m last start following a nice trial win.
Unfortunately, he ran into Certainlycan who easily accounted for him, but he had the measure of the other horses, finishing second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in trip will suit.
1 Unit Each Way – King Tarik (8)
Race 6 - 6:10pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 72 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Majorelle (5) is undefeated in two starts since joining Matt Dunn’s Murwillumbah stable.
The Zoustar gelding impressed when resuming at Ipswich over 1100m with a win.
He then powered through the heavy conditions at Lismore to win by 1.5 lengths over 1100m last start.
This will be his third run back from a long break so he’ll be close to peak fitness.
Brodie Loy retains the ride and will look to use his mount’s early speed to cross and find a prominent position from the outside gate.
1 Unit – Majorelle (5)
Race 7 - 6:45pm AEDT
Class 1 Handicap (1640 METRES)
Taupo Tiger (2) returned in great order at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m last start.
The Laxon and Symons-trained son of Headwater worked home strongly to just miss the win, finishing second by a neck.
1400m was always going to be too short for him so he’ll appreciate the rise to a mile second-up.
He’s drawn poorly for Robbie Dolan but he tends to get back anyway so a genuine tempo will be to his liking.
1 Unit Each Way – Taupo Tiger (2)