While racing will take place on a rain-affected surface at Doomben this Wednesday, there’s still eight winners to be found.
We’ve studied the form and provided our top selections for each race below.
Race 1 - 2:03pm AEDT
Maiden Handicap (1110 METRES)
Hell And Back (1) returned in great order last start over 1200m at this course.
The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old gelding worked early from an outside gate to find the front and fought gamely but was run down late to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the slight drop in distance will suit.
Unlike last start, he draws perfectly here to lead and should prove hard to catch.
2 Units – Hell And Back (1)
Race 2 - 2:38pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1660 METRES)
Sacred Feeling (5) caught the eye when resuming over 1350m at Doomben.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare settled a long last after drawing the outside gate before running on strongly despite being blocked late to finish 1.3 lengths fifth.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and easily won over this course and distance by 2.8 lengths when having her second run back last preparation.
Being sired by Sacred Falls, she’ll love getting her toe in the ground.
3 Units – Sacred Feeling (5)
Race 3 - 3:13pm AEDT
QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Give Me Space (6) debuts here for the astute Barry Lockwood stable.
The son of Cosmic Force has had the one public trial, and while I prefer them over further than 650m he did look good in his work.
He intentionally raced very wide but really let down powerfully in the closing stages and was strong through the line to finish a close third.
We’re in good hands with Michael Rodd who was also aboard in the trial.
1 Unit – Give Me Space (6)
Race 4 - 3:48pm AEDT
Class 1 Plate (1660 METRES)
Torabella (9) could not have been more impressive when debuting at Ipswich last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Toronado had impressed in her trials and took that good form to the track where she led all the way for a dominant 3.3 length win over 1350m.
The rise to a mile looks ideal second-up for the filly who has been touted as a Queensland Oaks contender.
From barrier 2 Angela Jones can give her the run of the race.
3 Units – Torabella (9)
Race 5 - 4:23pm AEDT
Maiden Plate (1660 METRES)
Autora (8) started favourite over this course and distance last start but was upstaged by her stablemates.
The Chris Waller-trained mare put in a solid effort to finish just under a length fourth but importantly now meets Discover 2.5kg better at the weights.
Two starts back she finished powerfully to go down by just a head, again over the Doomben mile.
Many of these have convictions, but she will at least be finding the line for Mark Du Plessis.
1 Unit – Autora (8)
Race 6 - 4:58pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Jonny Da Wolf (6) resumes here and is also having his first start for Chris Waller after previously racing with Lindsay Gough.
The Tivaci gelding ran well in his first preparation with placings in his two races but looks to have come back this time a more furnished horse.
He’s had two trials leading into this with the most recent an impressive piece of work where he settled back before cruising past them under double wraps in the straight.
Jimmy Orman can settle in a prominent position and give his mount every chance.
1 Unit – Jonny Da Wolf (6)
Race 7 - 5:33pm AEDT
Class 2 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Mannerheim (8) resumes here on the back of a fair trial that has seen Flag Hall and Purveyor win their subsequent races easily.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Dundeel was unlucky on debut last preparation over this course and distance when held up but still found the line well for a two-length third.
He went on to finish a neck third here before breaking through at his third start in comprehensive style at Ipswich.
I think we’ll see Ryan Maloney take advantage of the inside gate and settle closer in the run.
1 Unit – Mannerheim (8)
Race 8 - 6:10pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Typhoon Taavi (11) resumes here on the back of a nice trial win where she sat outside the lead before working strongly to the line under a hold.
The Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old mare started last preparation in scintillating style with an all the way five-length win over this course and distance.
She went on to compete at Listed level so looks well placed against this field.
She’s drawn a touch sticky but has the early speed to cross and find a prominent position.
1 Unit – Typhoon Taavi (11)