Midweek racing heads to Doomben this week where unfortunately we’re faced with another wet track.
As was the case on Saturday, the rail is out 3m the entire course and the track is rated a Heavy 10 but with some fine weather we should see some improvement.
My best bet is a talented mare in race 8 that was set to race at Saturday’s abandoned meeting.
I’ve cast my eyes over the form and provided my best mudder tips in Wednesday’s Doomben preview.
Race 1 - 12:00PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Editing (2) looks hard to beat in the opening race at Doomben.
The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Written Tycoon found the line powerfully to finish a head second to subsequent winner Raikkonen over 1200m Canterbury on debut.
She was sent for a break after that and resumes here on the back of a strong trial on a heavy Newcastle where she worked well to the line.
Ryan Maloney is a key booking and should be able to stalk what looks a decent speed.
1 Unit – Editing (2)
Race 2 - 12:35PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Paro (8) was very good in his first start for Barry Lockwood after previously racing with the Moody & Coleman stable in Victoria.
The son of Alabama Express found the line well despite never being on the track when finishing 1.5 lengths second over 1400m at Beaudesert.
He’s since been back to the trials where he produced a super piece of work to steam home for a two-length win.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and should be aided by a strong tempo.
1 Unit Each Way – Paro (8)
Race 3 - 1:11PM AEST
QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Find Me (5) will have taken improvement from his debut performance over 1110m here last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Camelot had to work early to find the front and that took its toll late when he weakened to finish 1.3 lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and his breeding suggests he’ll appreciate the rise in distance.
Angela Jones will look to either lead or settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Find Me (5)
Race 4 - 1:46PM AEST
RATINGS BAND 0 - 65 Handicap (1110 METRES)
Lantau Island (4) can be forgiven for finishing near the tail last start over 1200m here given he was never on the track.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was very good the start prior where he sat outside the lead before letting down nicely to win by 1.1 lengths over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
He’s at peak fitness now and has senior jockey Ryan Maloney in the saddle.
The drop in distance won’t harm his chances and he looks the likely leader.
1 Unit – Lantau Island (4)
Race 5 - 2:21PM AEST
BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (2020 METRES)
Sign Of Peace (9) brought solid New South Wales form from stronger races with her when competing over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained was no match for Dillian in the closing stages but easily accounted for the rest to finish 2.3 lengths second.
She’s at peak fitness and will have no problem with a wet track.
Emily Lang, who claims 1.5kg, can give her mount an economical run.
1 Unit Each Way – Sign Of Peace (9)
Race 6 - 2:56PM AEST
NATIONAL APPRENTICE RACE SERIES QTIS C,G&E Class 1 Plate (1350 METRES)
Cho Oyu (1) was excellent when having his first start for Barry Lockwood over 1200m at Eagle Farm two starts ago.
The Territories gelding produced a huge finishing burst to just miss the win by half a length.
Unfortunately, he was held up badly last start when having a lot to offer over 1200m here yet still finished just 2.5 lengths behind the winner.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and gets top apprentice Cody Collis who will give him every chance from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Cho Oyu (1)
Race 7 - 3:31PM AEST
NATIONAL APPRENTICE RACE SERIES QTIS F&M Class 1 Plate (1350 METRES)
Caxton Lass (7) rarely runs a bad race but tends to find one better.
However, the Rob Heathcote-trained mare gets her chance here given she grows a leg in the wet.
This was never more evident when she resumed over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on a bog track and charged through the going to win.
Bailey Wheeler was aboard that day and it’s an advantage having the stable jockey on in this NARS heat.
1 Unit – Caxton Lass (7)
Race 8 - 4:06PM AEST
QTIS 3YO QUALITY FILLIES Handicap (1350 METRES)
Autumngirl (8) is a lightly raced and beautifully bred filly that has an abundance of potential.
The Kelly Schweida-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun kicked off last preparation with a strong maiden win at Ipswich where she looked a class above before suffering from heat stress and poor recovery at her next start.
She was sent for a spell and returns here on the back of a nice piece of trial work where she found the line powerfully under her own steam.
Cejay Graham should enjoy a nice run just off the speed and I’m happy to make her the best bet in my Doomben preview.
2 Units – Autumngirl (8)
Race 9 - 4:41PM AEST
Open Quality Handicap (1350 METRES)
Set To Shine (12) offers good each way value in what is a tough way to end the day at Doomben.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare gave a good sight over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start before being run down by stablemate Warby to finish a half-length second.
That followed a strong Eagle Farm win when she let down powerfully to win narrowly.
She’s at peak fitness and she’ll enjoy returning to Doomben where she has won twice and placed once from three races over the distance.
Emily Lang can give her a great run from an inside barrier and with just 52kg on her back, she may prove hard to catch.
1 Unit Each Way – Set To Shine (12)