The Two and Three-Year-Old QTIS Jewel Preludes are the features on a ten-race card at Doomben this Saturday.
With the rich QTIS Jewel Race Day just two weeks away, we’ll get to see who the leading chances are with the young horses putting the finishing touches on their preparations.
We’ve provided our thoughts on each of the ten contests below.
Race 1 - 1:12pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (2020 METRES)
Bak Da Man (10) was very good in his first start for Jack Bruce after previously racing with Bjorn Baker in Sydney.
The six-year-old gelding settled at the tail of the field in the 2118m Eagle Farm race after drawing the outside gate but charged home late to finish third by 1.9 lengths.
He’s rock hard fit and will appreciate the drop in class.
Bruce has replaced Taylor Marshall with Queensland’s top jockey Jimmy Orman.
1 Unit – Bak Da Man (10)
Race 2 - 1:47pm AEDT
Class 1 Handicap (1615 METRES)
American Phireball (2) has raced well in each start for Chris Munce and that good form culminated in a win last time out over this course and distance.
The son of American Pharaoh found the fence from the outside gate to settle midfield before finishing off powerfully despite being held up to win by a head.
He charged through the line suggesting that there’s more to come and that he can handle the class rise.
From barrier 2, Kyle Wilson-Taylor should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – American Phireball (2)
Race 3 - 2:22pm AEDT
Class 3 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Dirty Dancing (7) continues to race well above market expectations.
The Gillian Heinrich-trained Hellbent mare won her maiden first-up and a Benchmark 58 Handicap second-up before finishing seventh by 2.5 lengths in a Saturday Sunshine Coast race.
She bounced back as a $61 chance in a similar strength race to this last start where she stormed home to finish third by just over half a length.
She should be at peak fitness now and the rise in distance looks ideal.
1 Unit Each Way – Dirty Dancing (7)
Race 4 - 2:57pm AEDT
QTIS JEWEL PRELUDE 2YO Colts & Geldings Plate (1110 METRES)
Brazen Act (9) makes his debut for Kelly Schweida following two trials.
The son of Brazen Beau trialed well in September before being spelled but it was his work in his most recent trial that demanded attention.
He flew out to lead the 1000m trial comfortably by three lengths before switching off in the straight to win by 1.5 lengths.
From barrier 4 Cejay Graham can find a prominent position and given he hasn’t been fully tested, he should be strong late.
1 Unit Each Way – Brazen Act (9)
Race 5 - 3:32pm AEDT
QTIS JEWEL PRELUDE 2YO Fillies Plate (1110 METRES)
Tiye (12) is on debut for Tony Gollan following two winning trials.
The American Pharoah filly won her first trial over 650m at Deagon before leading all the way over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast for 1.5 length win.
She pulled away late which was very encouraging.
Angela Jones, who has been aboard in both trials and takes the race ride, should look to go forward from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Tiye (12)
Race 6 - 4:07pm AEDT
Class 6 Plate (1350 METRES)
Boom Torque (2) can bounce back here after enduring a tough run over this course and distance last start.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding was forced to work early to find a forward position after drawing wide and understandably weakened to finish fifth by 3.3 lengths.
The start prior he was brilliant when winning the Magic Millions QTIS race at the Gold Coast.
He draws the inside gate which should make him tough to beat with the drop in class.
2 Units – Boom Torque (2)
Race 7 - 4:43pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1615 METRES)
Heleva Deel (5) didn’t have a great deal of luck when resuming last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm with a 3.1 length sixth.
The Mark Currie-trained Dundeel mare settled at the tail before finding the line strongly despite having to weave through traffic and then being held up late.
She should have finished closer but given how strong through the line she was she’ll appreciate the rise in distance second-up.
The 3kg claim for Tahlia Fenlon is beneficial and she’ll appreciate the drop in class.
1 Unit – Heleva Deel (5)
Race 8 - 5:23pm AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)
Golden Boom (10) was backed as if unbeatable last start at the Sunshine Coast but unfortunately, the hot day got to him and he suffered from a post-race recovery.
The Tony Gollan-trained was very good when third in the Magic Millions The Syndicate race the start prior when resuming so he certainly has it in him to bounce back.
Following his last start failure, he went back to the trials and turned in a slick piece of work to win.
He maps to get the run of the race and boasts a great third-up record.
1 Unit – Golden Boom (10)
Race 9 - 6:08pm AEDT
QTIS JEWEL PRELUDE 3YO Handicap (1110 METRES)
Highbar (4) has won three of his four career starts and looks well placed to add another win to his tally here.
The Josh King-trained son of Spieth impressed last start when despite sitting three deep outside the lead in the run, he powered home to win at the Sunshine Coast over 1000m by 1.8 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and once again has Mark Du Plessis in the saddle who has won each of the three times he’s ridden the horse.
2 Units – Highbar (4)
Race 10 - 6:50pm AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1615 METRES)
Daytona Bay (3) has taken to life in Kelly Schweida’s stable well after previously racing in Victoria with Moody and Coleman.
The American Pharoah gelding found the line strongly first-up to finish second over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
He then led over 1400m and showed a tremendous kick to stave off Emperor and win by a length.
The rise to a mile will be to his liking and with the lack of speed in the race, Jimmy Orman should roll forward and find a nice spot.
2 Units – Daytona Bay (3)