Doomben Preview – Wednesday 31st July

Eight races are set to be contested at Doomben on Wednesday, July 31.  

The track is currently rated a Soft 5 with the rail still out 10m across the circuit.  

For thoughts and analysis on every race, check out our betting preview below! 

Lamentum should find this a winnable contest on return for Ciaron Maher. 

The two-year-old by Deep Field made just the two starts during the spring last year, debuting at Randwick over 1000m where he just missed out on a place behind Shangri La Express, before stepping up to tackle the Golden Gift where he had little go right from the wide gate. 

This is a big drop back in class, and based on his recent trials leading in, he’s set to run a big race fresh. 

Draws to do almost no work in the early stages from barrier five and should be doing his best work late with Ryan Maloney engaged. 

1 Unit Lamentum (5) 

Tough to feel confident here with the entire field likely on debut.  

Chilled With Ice has drawn awkwardly but showed real ability in a pair of recent trials, quickening nicely here at Doomben in his latest to finish first past the post.  

Tough to know where he winds up from wider out, but with the hot hand of Andrew Mallyon in the saddle, the pair have each-way claims.  

1 Unit Each-Way Chilled With Ice (3) 

It’s been a while between drinks for Kipling’s Journey but recent form suggests another win could be close.  

The five-year-old by Zoustar has featured in the money in four of his last five starts, leading into the straight here over the track and distance last time out before being grabbed late by Cunnamulla Fella over his final few strides. 

That same horse went on to run well last Saturday in a tougher contest, so the form stacks up nicely.  

Proven over the journey and dropping 3.5kg under Adin Thompson, a similar effort up on the speed would see this boy hard to beat. 

1 Unit Kipling’s Journey (4) 

The unbeaten La Fast Tycoon just has to overcome the wide alley to maintain his winning streak here under James Orman. 

The progressive four-year-old trained by Jack Bruce has really caught the eye since debuting earlier in the month, combining to win his two starts by three lengths. 

He overcame a wide gate to win at Warwick and showed enormous late speed over the final furlong to go on with the job in a Class 1 here at Doomben a fortnight ago. 

This is tougher, but he looks a progressive type that should take beating with even luck. 

1 Unit La Fast Tycoon (9) 

Sistine Explorer looks ready to run a nice race third-up for John Smerdon. 

This mare by Brazen Beau doesn’t win out of turn, but she has returned nicely this prep to finish second in back-to-back runs at Ipswich and on the Gold Coast.  

She dove to the line two weeks ago and just missed out, while I like the fact she has some form around recent Group 3 winner Vagrant down south at Caulfield late last year.  

In well with the claim and likely to appreciate a slightly soft track, she should be one of the hardest to beat. 

1 Unit Sistine Explorer (3) 

Hard to fault the recent form of Battlefield this prep.  

The son of Deep Field was enormous a fortnight earlier at Eagle Farm, getting right back in the run under Robbie Dolan before launching to finish over the top and win by a handy 1.5 length margin. 

Angela Jones takes over in the saddle this time, and I think we’ll see similar tactics from barrier seven. 

That recent win over 1200m should have topped him off nicely for this rise in trip, and with the track improving, I can’t find any recent why he won’t go on and claim his hat-trick. 

1 Unit Battlefield (2) 

American Phireball should be just about at peak fitness now third-up.  

Chris Munce’s four-year-old wasn’t far away at Ipswich a couple of weeks ago, making up big ground from the rear to go within half a length of the winner Crazy Brave despite being held up badly midway down the straight. 

The son of American Pharoah will carry top weight this time under Justin Huxtable, but he does look suited sticking to 1350m with a win and a place to his name here at Doomben. 

If he gets back early again and finds even luck in the run home, he’ll be very hard to hold out.  

1 Unit American Phireball (1) 

Jukebox In Siberia is an intriguing filly racing at good odds for Annabel Neasham third-up. 

The daughter of Russian Revolution appeared in need of the run fresh here at Doomben last month and was clearly unsuited on the poly track on the Gold Coast second-up when finishing down the order, beaten over three lengths. 

She drops 4kg and gets the blinkers on for the first time now, while an improved track and a nice soft gate are two big ticks in the right box. 

Based on her efforts last time in work, an improved showing can be expected. 

1 Unit Each-Way Jukebox In Siberia (12)