Doomben takes centre stage in Brisbane this Saturday, September 13th, with a nine-race card that’s brimming with betting intrigue and tasty form lines.
The rail is out 4.5 metres for the entire circuit and at time of publish, we’re working with a Soft 5 surface.
From lightly raced three-year-olds chasing QTIS riches to seasoned sprinters eyeing off the Open Handicap, this program has depth, variety, and a few hidden gems for those willing to dig through the form.
I’ve done the homework, crunched the numbers, and locked in my top Doomben plays for Saturday.
Let’s find a winner or three!
ALECTRONA (3) looks ready to break through this preparation following two excellent performances.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare found the line well from the back two starts ago when finishing 2.34 lengths second over 1200m here.
It was a similar scenario last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm where she worked home strongly despite the race shape not suiting her to finish 2.06 lengths second to Magnatear with third nearly two lengths away.
She’s at peak fitness and looks well placed in this field.
| 3. Alectrona (7) 58kg5×522 |
MISTERKIPCHOGE (2) doesn’t like to win out of turn as shown by his record of two wins and nine placings from 24 starts.
However, the Chris Waller-trained gelding gets his best chance in a long time to win with a trip north to Brisbane after competing in significantly stronger Sydney races.
He was last seen finding the line strongly from the back to finish 1.2 lengths third over 1800m on a heavy deck at Kensington.
Four starts back he chased strongly over 1800m at Rosehill to claim an overdue victory.
While he hasn’t won over 2000m in four starts, he gives every indication that he’s ready for it now against these easier opponents.
| 2. Misterkipchoge (2) 60kg41663 |
FOREIGN PRESS (6) tasted defeat last start for the first time this preparation but can bounce.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly broke through for her maiden victory three starts ago when proving too strong over 800m at Ipswich.
She then impressed when coming to town and letting down powerfully to win by a length over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
Unfortunately, she suffered from slow recovery last start when rising to 1200m at Eagle Farm but to her credit she fought bravely to go down by a nose.
She’s at peak fitness and should enjoy a nice run stalking the speed.
| 6. Foreign Press (3) 55kg6×112 |
SHE’S EXOTIC (14) boasts an impressive record of four wins from five starts.
The daughter of Pride Of Dubai gapped her rivals in her first three starts before tasting defeat for the only time in a Highway Handicap where she finished a gallant 1.3 length fourth.
She spent nearly a year in the paddock before resuming for new trainer Matt Dunn last start over 1100m at Ipswich where she stylishly won by 1.3 lengths.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and if Andrew Mallyon can find a spot from a potentially tricky draw, then she can fight out the finish.
| 14. She’s Exotic (9) 58.5kg1x4x1 |
OUROBOROS (12) was stiff not to win when resuming in a strong Class 3 Plate over 1200m at Doomben.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding led and kicked clear in the straight only to be nailed on the line by Spywire.
As was expected by strong market support, he bounced back in a big way last start when leading all the way over 1200m at Eagle Farm for a 2.3 length win.
He looked to have plenty in the tank and will race on speed for Damien Thornton.
| 12. Ouroboros (6) 55.5kg1qx21 |
PANNIER (5) could not have been more impressive when returning from a 64-week spell at Toowoomba last start.
Apprentice jockey Shania Willis quietly sat near the back in the small field before producing her mount in the straight at which point he dashed clear to bolt in by 9.3 lengths.
Given he spent so much time in the paddock, he’ll strip a lot fitter second-up and he’ll enjoy the rise in distance after winning up to a mile when last in work.
He’s drawn to get the run of the race for Bailey Wheeler.
| 5. Pannier (1) 56kg411×1 |
HURTS SO GOOD (9) returns to the races for the first time since winning over 1000m at Eagle Farm in April.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding looked good in a recent trial where he chased home Rothfire under his own steam to finish third.
He’s raced well fresh in the past including last preparation where he kicked off his campaign with an impressive win over 1000m where he overcame 61.5kg and an outside barrier.
Angela Jones can stalk what looks like a strong speed with just 54kg.
| 9. Hurts So Good (4) 54kg0511x |
DUCASSE (1) was stiff not to win when resuming over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding settled a long way back after drawing wide, but found the line strongly with a winding run to finish just over a half-length fourth to Bullion Boy.
It was hard to miss him charging through the line so the rise to a mile looks ideal second-up.
He meets Bullion Boy 5kg better at the weights and should enjoy a much better run from an inside draw.
| 1. Ducasse (2) 60kg340×4 |
FREE CARRY (3) returned in magnificent order two starts ago over 1400m at Eagle Farm with an impressive win.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding had trialed up a storm and took that to the races when letting down powerfully to win by 2.35 lengths.
Unfortunately, he found the Good 3 track last start too firm, and he failed let down after leading over this distance at Eagle Farm.
He’s won two of three third-up races, and he maps to control the race for Emily Lang who claims 1.5kg.
| 1. Free Carry (4) 61kg53×15 |