The Brisbane Racing Club will host their annual Mekka Raceday at Doomben this Saturday.
While the forecast is for a mostly sunny day on Saturday, inclement weather throughout the week will ensure that that the track remains rain affected.
A massive crowd is expected to party on course and enjoy the nine-race card.
We’ve provided our own ultimate bangers playlist for the meeting below.
Race 1 - 12:18PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Handicap (1110 METRES)
Defiant Boom (1) returned in great order with a win over this course and distance last start.
The Stu Kendrick-trained son of Spirit Of Boom made full use of the inside barrier to lead and go all the way for a length victory.
He’ll strip fitter and finished third in the Gold Nugget at the Gold Coast in his only other second-up race.
He’s untested on a wet track but has won and looked comfortable on Soft tracks.
Bailey Wheeler’s claim places him very well at the weights.
1 Unit – Defiant Boom (1)
Race 2 - 12:53PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Handicap (1110 METRES)
Barbie’s Sister (1) didn’t have a lot of luck when resuming over 1100m at Randwick last start.
The bog track was also attributed to the Tony Gollan-trained filly’s failure, but I’m prepared to forgive her given she bolted in by seven lengths in a Doomben trial in heavy conditions prior to going to Sydney.
Her form last preparation was very good and included a strong win in the Listed Calaway Gal at Eagle Farm.
Emily Lang’s 3kg claim is a big plus and she should be able to lead this field and give them something to catch.
1 Unit – Barbie’s Sister (1)
Race 3 - 1:28PM AEST
BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Redwood Shadow (6) caught the eye last start when storming home to finish second over this course and distance.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained son of Redwood was unsuited by the slow tempo but still managed to register the quickest closing splits of the race as he found the line powerfully from the back to finish a half-length second.
He was rising 600m so there was plenty of merit in the run and he’ll be better prepared the second time he takes on 2200m.
While he’s never won on a heavy track, he has finished in the placings in five of six wet races.
1 Unit – Redwood Shadow (6)
Race 4 - 2:03PM AEST
Class 3 Plate (1350 METRES)
I See You Coming (1) proved too strong when winning a No Metro Win race last start and looks capable of a lot more.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding settled handy over 1200m here before letting down strongly to put his rivals away with ease and win by just under a length.
He hasn’t run a bad race since joining Gollan’s stable and the rise to 1350m looks ideal now he’s at peak fitness.
Emily Lang, who claims 3kg, can give him a beautiful run from barrier 4.
2 Units – I See You Coming (1)
Race 5 - 2:38PM AEST
Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Sistine Explorer (6) has taken to life in John Smerdon’s stable like a duck to water.
The daughter of Brazen Beau gave a good sight over 1200m in heavy conditions first-up to finish a length second before being run down late to finish a head second on the Gold Coast Poly track second-up.
She controlled the race last start over this course and distance and was able to break through for a much-deserved win, albeit by just a nose.
She’s at peak fitness now and will carry just 55kg thanks to gun apprentice Bailey Wheeler’s claim.
1 Unit – Sistine Explorer (6)
Race 6 - 3:17PM AEST
Colts, Geldings and Entires BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Brereton (1) is undefeated since joining the Tony Gollan stable after previously racing in Victoria with Moody & Coleman.
The Zoustar gelding let down strongly to win over 1110m here first-up before returning to the same course and distance last start where he was made to work for it, lifting himself over the line with 60.5kg to win by a nose.
He will again carry a large impost and he’s untested on a heavy track, but his breeding suggests he should handle it.
Emily Lang can give him a lovely run in the second pair.
1 Unit – Brereton (1)
Race 7 - 3:53PM AEST
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Hatchet (2) is on the quick back-up after storming home to finish a neck third over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding jumps to 1350m, but he did have three runs over 1200m before that, including a third in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes three starts back.
I’m treating last Saturday’s top run as a barrier trial that will have topped him off nicely for this.
Cody Collis, who claims 3kg, can give his mount a lovely run from barrier 4.
1 Unit – Hatchet (2)
Race 8 - 4:28PM AEST
Class 6 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Thesecondatportsea (11) returned in superb order at Ipswich two starts back over 1666m where despite being held up, she hit the line hard to finish a nose second.
The Jack Bruce-trained Churchill mare settled a long way back last start at the Sunshine Coast and then found herself in the inferior going on the inside, but to her credit she fought gamely to finish 0.6L fourth.
She’s on the quick back-up, will strip fitter third-up and remains down in the weights with just 52.5kg on her back.
That light weight will come in handy on a wet track and she is a previous winner in heavy going.
1 Unit – Thesecondatportsea (11)
Race 9 - 4:59PM AEST
OPEN Handicap (1110 METRES)
John Smerdon will have been licking his lips all week with all the rain falling in Brisbane as his gelding Hardware Lane (3) grows a leg in the wet.
The son of Scissor Kick boasts an impressive record of five wins from eight starts on a heavy track.
One of those wins came just five starts ago when he ploughed through the mud to win the Bat Out Of Hell at the Sunshine Coast.
Since then he has finished second to Nettuno on a heavy track two starts back and chased home Vodka Martini over 1050m here last start.
There looks to be strong speed in the race which should see him enjoy a lovely run just off it.
2 Units – Hardware Lane (3)