Saturday racing returns to Doomben this weekend for the first time since George Moore Stakes Day on November 30.
Ten races are scheduled for decision with the rail in the true position and the possibility of showers on the day threatening to see the track rated in the Soft range.
We’re pumped to sink our teeth into a Saturday Doomben meeting again so let’s stop wasting time and get into the business of finding some winners!
Race 1 - 1:13PM AEDT
QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Boomshanka (6) is on debut for Tony Gollan following a nice 1000m trial.
The daughter of Spirit Of Boom was a touch slow away but mustered speed quickly to settle second before working strongly to the line to win.
Top jockey Jimmy Orman takes the ride and should give the filly every chance from barrier 4.
1 Unit – Boomshanka (6)
Race 2 - 1:48PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Iverson (1) has hit his straps and can register another win here.
The Rob Heathcote-trained son of So You Think was able to win two starts back at Eagle Farm over 1830m despite being badly held up.
He followed that top win up with a great effort over this distance at Eagle Farm where he found the line strongly from well back to finish 2.3 lengths second.
That was his first attempt at the trip, so he’ll be much better for the experience, and he maps to enjoy a nice run.
1 Unit – Iverson (1)
Race 3 - 2:23PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Haysiri (9) had been in good form with three placings in a row so it should not have come as a surprise when she broke through for a well-deserved win last start at Gatton over this distance.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding bombed the started badly and found himself at the tail of the field, but he proved to be a class above as he circled the field on the turn and let down powerfully to win by 2.3 lengths.
He’s at peak fitness and in form jockey Justin Huxtable sticks.
He relished a hot tempo last start and there looks to be good speed in this race to help his cause.
1 Unit Each Way – Haysiri (9)
Race 4 - 2:58PM AEDT
Class 6 Handicap (1600 METRES)
Torabella (2) is a mare in form with four wins from her past five races and as the saying goes, stick with a mare in form.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of Toronado easily won over 1300m at Eagle Farm two starts ago before proving strong over a mile at Headquarters last start where she powered home to win by 1.3 lengths despite being caught wide early in the run.
She’s rock hard fit and won her only previous race over this course and distance which was four races ago.
Emily Lang, who claims 2kg, can dicate the speed from the good draw.
2 Units – Torabella (2)
Race 5 - 3:33PM AEDT
No Metro Wins Handicap (1110 METRES)
The Fixer (5) has been well placed by Jack Bruce this preparation.
The five-year-old gelding overcame a wide run to win first-up at the Sunshine Coast before placing in his next two starts.
He returned to the winner’s stall two starts back when comfortably winning as a $1.40 favourite at Ipswich before going within a head of making it back-to-back victories last start.
He’s drawn beautifully for Jake Bayliss who will lead or take up the box seat.
1 Unit – The Fixer (5)
Race 6 - 4:08PM AEDT
Class 2 Plate (1350 METRES)
Fukubana (3) is extremely well placed here under the set weight conditions of the race.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding returned with a pleasing effort last start over 1200m at Eagle Farm where he worked home in the wrong part of the track to finish 1.6 lengths third.
He’ll have taken benefit from the run and did win over 1200m here last preparation when second-up.
If Andrew Mallyon can get him off the fence upon straightening, he’ll be hard to hold out.
2 Units – Fukubana (3)
Race 7 - 4:47PM AEDT
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Kingdom Undersiege (7) didn’t do a lot in three starts for Peter Snowden, but a spell and a change of stable has done him the world of good.
Now with Matt Dunn, the I Am Invincible gelding was heavily backed first-up at Ballina and didn’t let his supporters down, cruising to a 4.7 length victory.
He was shut down a long way out so the margin could have been anything, so I expect him to aim up at this level.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and maps to get a great run on speed for Andrew Mallyon.
1 Unit – Kingdom Undersiege (7)
Race 8 - 5:27PM AEDT
BENCHMARK 85 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Slippin’ Jimmy (5) resumed in great order last start in the Magic Millions Country Cup.
The David Vandyke-trained son of Pariah jumped straight to the front and controlled proceedings to win the 1200m contest by just under a length.
He’s won six of 10 starts including once over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast and he went within a whisker of winning his only previous start over this course and distance.
Emily Lang, who claims 2kg, will go forward and give them something to catch.
2 Units – Slippin’ Jimmy (5)
Race 9 - 6:10PM AEDT
OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)
Hatchet (9) can kick on from his excellent first-up performance over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding was held up but let down nicely producing the fastest final 200m of the race to finish two lengths second.
He generally improves second-up and boasts a super record over this course and distance with five wins and three runner-up finishes from nine starts.
Hopefully Nikita Beriman can give him a great ride as he maps to get all the favours.
1 Unit Each Way – Hatchet (9)
Race 10 - 6:50PM AEDT
Class 4 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Mintaka Lad (5) was unlucky not to win when resuming over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start.
The David Vandyke-trained Deep Field gelding saved ground on the turn and let down strongly in the inferior going to finish a head second.
He’s drawn wide but has overcome wide barriers over this course and distance before, most notably three starts back when winning after drawing the outside barrier.
Top jockey Jimmy Orman is a key booking.
1 Unit – Mintaka Lad (5)