A monster 10-race midweek program will be hosted by the Brisbane Racing Club at Doomben this Wednesday.
Wet weather has been an issue in Brisbane in recent weeks and the effects of that can still be seen with the track rated in the soft range.
We’ve taken a close look at the form and provided our top selections in each race below.
Race 1 - 12:52pm AEDT
Maiden Handicap (1650 METRES)
Rashford (1) was unlucky not to win when resuming over 1350m here last start.
The Chris Munce-trained three-year-old gelding was held up in the straight and then bumped with 150m to go, yet still found the line strongly to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and did run well for third over a similar distance at Gatton when second-up last preparation.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor should be able to settle midfield or better.
1 Unit Each Way – Rashford (1)
Race 2 - 1:27pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1650 METRES)
Transatlantic (2) stepped up to 1500m at Eagle Farm last start for the first time and handled it superbly.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Snitzel settled handy before putting a gap in them in the straight to win by 3.3 lengths.
The rise to a mile looks ideal third-up and his breeding suggests he’ll love the sting out of the ground.
He’s drawn to get a beautiful run for Jimmy Orman.
2 Units – Transatlantic
Race 3 - 2:03pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
About To Explode (1) was very good on debut over this course and distance and will have taken considerable improvement since then.
The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old gelding was restrained to settle towards the back after drawing an outside barrier but despite that, he ran on strongly to finish 1.8 lengths to Metalart.
That horse has since won again in a much stronger race to frank the form.
He draws barrier 8 here so I would suggest that Jimmy Orman will try to be positive and settle in a more forward position.
1 Unit – About To Explode (1)
Race 4 - 2:38pm AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Kamariya (4) is on debut for the Rob Heathcote stable and looks ready for a bold showing.
The Denman filly warmed up for this first-up assignment with a nice trial where she was taken to the back after drawing wide before rocketing to the line under her own steam to finish a head second.
That was on a Soft 6 so she will have no problem with the sting out of the track.
She’s drawn well for Bailey Wheeler who claims 2kg.
1 Unit Each Way – Kamariya (4)
Race 5 - 3:13pm AEDT
Class 1 Plate (1110 METRES)
Polarising (11) has come back this preparation in fine form.
The O’Dea Hoysted-trained four-year-old mare resumed with a strong win at the Sunshine Coast when enjoying the heavy conditions.
Last start she led over 1175m at Grafton and gave a big sight, only to be run down in the shadows of the post to finish a nose second.
Boris Thornton, who was aboard first-up, climbs back in the saddle here and can give her a lovely run from barrier 3.
1 Unit Each Way – Polarising (11)
Race 6 - 3:48pm AEDT
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1650 METRES)
Cool Encounter (1) hasn’t been far away in his two runs this preparation in stronger races.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding went within a neck of winning first-up at Ipswich before getting back and running on strongly to finish third by 1.3 lengths over 1350m here last start.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should appreciate the rise in distance from the nice draw.
With Marnu Potgieter’s 3kg claim, he gets in well at the weights.
1 Unit Each Way – Cool Encounter (1)
Race 7 - 4:23pm AEDT
Class 2 Plate (1350 METRES)
Valantino Roc (5) resumed in the best possible way last start with a win over this course and distance.
The Brian Smith-trained son of Rip Van Winkle settled second before finding the front entering the straight and dashing clear for an easy 1.36 length win.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and won over this course and distance when having his second run back last preparation.
He maps to get a similar run to what he did last start for 3kg claiming apprentice Marnu Potgieter.
1 Unit Each Way – Valantino Roc (5)
Race 8 - 4:58pm AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)
Astero (2) ventures north following a strong win first-up at Kembla Grange.
The Matthew Smith-trained son of Zoustar settled handy before coming with a powerful finishing burst to win the 1200m contest by a head.
He’ll have come on since that run and has won second-up before.
Bailey Wheeler, who claims 2kg, should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Astero (2)
Race 9 - 5:33pm AEDT
Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Helikedempretty (5) returned in great order over 1110m here two starts ago.
The Rob Heathcote-trained Pariah mare was given a great ride by Mark Du Plessis who after being three-wide early from a wide gate, landed third the fence before powering along the rail to win by a long neck.
Last start over this course and distance she wanted to overrace but still fought bravely to finish a length second.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and if ridden quietly she can give this a big shake.
1 Unit – Helikedempretty (5)
Race 10 - 6:10pm AEDT
Colts, Geldings & Entires BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Pole Position (2) ran well in his first start for Annabel Neasham after previously racing with Joe Pride in Sydney.
The Astern gelding worked to the line well first-up over this course and distance to finish 1.4 lengths third.
He will appreciate the drop in class and won in a similar strength race when second-up two preparations ago.
He maps to enjoy a nice run.
1 Unit – Pole Position (2)