Doomben is on the quick back-up this Wednesday where eight midweek metropolitan races will take place. 

The rail is out 7m the entire course and with warm weather forecast, we should be racing on a good surface. 

We’ve provided our thoughts on each race below. 

Race 1 - 2:05pm AEDT

Maiden Handicap (1640 METRES)

Autora (5) was heavily backed last start over this course and distance and came very close to landing those bets. 

The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old filly ran on strongly and looked the winner but was picked off late by American Phireball to finish a head second with third a further 2.3 lengths away. 

Now that she is at peak fitness, this looks the right race for her to break her maiden status. 

Mark Du Plessis takes the ride and will give her every chance from the inside barrier. 

2 Units – Autora (5)   

Race 2 - 2:40pm AEDT

Class 1 Plate (2040 METRES)

Kadavar (4) appears to be one of those horses that saves his best for the races. 

The Chris Waller-trained son of Tarzino had been just fair in two trials leading into his debut at Ipswich last start. 

Come race day and he picked his rivals up and spat them out as he showed an impressive turn of foot from the back to win the 1666m contest by half a length, running away from them. 

He has since been back to the trials where he again just cruised around. 

The rise to 2040m looks ideal second-up given how strong through the line he was over a mile. 

1 Unit – Kadavar (4) 

Race 3 - 3:15pm AEDT

Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Hell And Back (10) resumes here for his second preparation and looks to be a more furnished gelding. 

The Tony Gollan-trained son of Hellbent started his career with back-to-back thirds before being spelled in September. 

He warmed up for this first-up assignment with a slick trial where he jumped straight to the front from an outside gate and cruised around under a hold to win comfortably against horses that were hard ridden. 

The wide gate is not ideal, but he has the early speed to cross and find a prominent position and the fact Gollan scratched other runners in the race but left him in is a vote of confidence. 

1 Unit – Hell And Back (10)  

Race 4 - 3:51pm AEDT

Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Lavoni (10) returned in fine style at the Sunshine Coast last start. 

The Jack Bruce-trained filly raced three-wide the trip but still recorded the quickest final 200m of the race to finish second by 1.8 lengths to Stellar Lady who placed in a Saturday metropolitan race at her next start. 

The daughter of Encryption will strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance will suit. 

1 Unit – Lavoni (10)   

Race 5 - 4:26pm AEDT

BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)

The Drover (1) rises in weight but will appreciate the drop in class from what he has been racing lately. 

Last start he led the Sunshine Coast Cup field into the straight but weakened late after a tough run to finish tenth by seven lengths.  

His last win came five starts ago over this course and distance in a stronger race than this. 

Cejay Graham, who claims 1.5kg, can settle in a forward position and give her mount every chance. 

1 Unit – The Drover (1)    

Race 6 - 5:01pm AEDT

BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1350 METRES)

This’llbetheone (3) didn’t have a lot go right in his first start for Jack Bruce.  

The former John O’Shea-trained gelding resumed last start over this course and distance and probably should have finished closer than the 2.6 length margin given he was held up multiple times and never really got clear. 

He’ll have taken benefit from that run and the market liked him that day so as the saying goes, where there’s smoke there’s fire. 

Jimmy Orman takes the ride and in a race with limited speed on paper, he can make full use of the inside gate and go forward. 

1 Unit – This’llbetheone (3) 

Race 7 - 5:36pm AEDT

Class 5 Handicap (1640 METRES)

Binding (3) gave a big sight last start over 1600m at Eagle Farm when leading until the closing stages for a 1.3 length fourth. 

That was a Class 6 Handicap and the Lee Freedman-trained mare now drops back to a Class 5. 

Two starts back she led all the way for an easy two length win in this class at Gatton over 1600m. 

With Melea Castle’s 3kg claim, she’ll carry just 1kg more than last start which should make her hard to get past in the run home. 

2 Units – Binding (3)  

Race 8 - 6:16pm AEDT

Class 2 Plate (1200 METRES)

Amathuba (8) will appreciate a return to midweek racing after competing well in two Saturday metropolitan races. 

The Tony Gollan-trained Pride Of Dubai mare gave away too much start two starts back when chasing home John Rambo for a half-length third. 

Last start she found the line strongly over this course and distance despite being galloped on to finish 1.3 lengths fifth to Strapparsi. 

Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should be able to settle in a forward position from barrier 2. 

1 Unit – Amathuba (8)