Midweek racing heads to Doomben this Wednesday with a competitive nine-race card set to unfold under what’s shaping up to be ideal winter conditions.
The track is currently rated a Soft 6, with the rail out 6 metres the entire circuit, setting the stage for a fair day of racing with opportunities for both on-pacers and swoopers.
With the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara looming this Saturday at Eagle Farm, Wednesday’s meeting offers punters a perfect warm-up, featuring a mix of promising maidens, progressive types, and a few seasoned campaigners looking to strike form.
We’ve done the form and found a few runners worth following, so whether you’re chasing value or looking to build your bank for the weekend, let’s dive into the Doomben action.
Cool Moon (12) raced well in her initial preparation when finishing a length second in both her races including on debut over this course and distance.
The Edmonds & McLean-trained filly was a notable drifter when resuming last start over 1200m here and ran to the market expectations, finishing 3.1 lengths fourth.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and I don’t mind the slight drop in distance.
She’s drawn to get a beautiful run for Angela Jones.
1 Unit – Cool Moon (12)
Pharoah’s Prophecy (4) returns to the races for the first time since finishing 1.3 lengths second over 1660m here in December.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding raced well last preparation with two placings and a close fourth over this course and distance.
He’s warmed up for this first-up assignment with two trials and has looked good working to the line in both of them.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but unlike most of his rivals he has good early speed and can cross.
1 Unit – Pharoah’s Prophecy (4)
Chief In Charge (1) competed well in his first preparation and returned over 1200m here last start in good order.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding settled in the second half of the field before finishing off nicely for a 2.3 length second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and is crying out for this longer trip.
He drops 1kg from last start and should be finding the line strongly.
1 Unit – Chief In Charge (1)
Jillaroo (4) gave a big sight over 1500m at Caulfield Heath two starts ago only to be run down late to finish 1.5 lengths second.
Ciaron Maher brought his American import north to compete over this course and distance where she crossed from an outside to lead all the way for an easy 1.5 length win.
She’ll strip fitter and finished second in her only previous third-up race which was over a similar distance at Gulfstream.
I expect her to use the inside barrier to advantage and jump straight to the front.
2 Units – Jillaroo (4)
Zoology (4) improved significantly in his second start for Peter & Will Hulbert at the Sunshine Coast.
The former Ciaron Maher-trained gelding fought bravely in front over 1800m but his stablemate Felix The Scat got the better of him late to finish half-length second.
Felix The Scat has franked the form by going down by a neck in Saturday’s Listed Ipswich Cup.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and maps to get an economical run for Mark Du Plessis at Doomben.
1 Unit – Zoology (4)
Lights Of Paradise (5) was very good last start when stepping out for the first time for Eagle Farm trainer Barry Lockwood.
The I Am Invincible mare enjoyed the heavy conditions at Ipswich where she let down powerfully to win by just under a length over 1200m.
She’ll strip fitter and has placed in each of her previous second-up races including last preparation when finishing a length second over this distance on the Beaumont track.
Cody Collis, who claims 2kg, can drive forward and give some cheek in front.
1 Unit – Lights Of Paradise (5)
Victory Command (2) returned in great order last start in a stronger race at the Gold Coast.
The Barry Lockwood-trained gelding found the line strongly to finish a length third over 1400m.
While he’ll be better over further, he’s been kept fresh for this and will appreciate the drop in class.
They should roll along which will help him to find the line and hopefully over the top of them.
1 Unit – Victory Command (2)
Gin A Tonic (1) is racing in great form with two wins from his past three starts.
The Bevan Laming-trained gelding proved to be a powerhouse last start over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast when having the audacity to find the line strongly after racing wide throughout to win by just under a length.
After winning three starts ago, he finished two lengths third to Mister Bianco which is good form given that horse won the TL Cooney on Saturday at Ipswich.
He’s drawn to get a great run on speed at Doomben.
1 Unit – Gin A Tonic (1)
Ellibaby (11) resumes here looking to continue her excellent first-up record of two wins from three resumptions.
The David Vandyke-trained mare has had two trials leading into this first-up assignment and looked particularly good in her most recent piece of work to win.
Pacifiers go on and I’d expect Jag Guthmann-Chester settling in a prominent position from barrier 4.
1 Unit – Ellibaby (11)