While the big guns are out in Sydney and Melbourne chasing Group 1 glory, there’s still plenty happening at Doomben for punters who know where to look.
A $4 winner is a $4 winner whether it’s in the Epsom Handicap, Turnbull Stakes or a Class 3 Plate and the Brisbane card offers a stack of betting opportunities across a competitive nine-race program.
Let’s dive into the Doomben form and find a few worth following.
SO YOU ARE (6) returns to Brisbane following an unlucky but strong run in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup.
The Stirling Osland-trained gelding was held up for a large portion of the straight but found the line late to finish 2.17 lengths fifth to Soul Of Spain who is favourite in the Group 1 The Metropolitan.
He enjoys this course and distance having placed on both occasions he’s raced here including just two starts ago when 1.63 lengths third.
He’s rock hard fit and looks well placed here with just 55.5kg.
| 6. So You Are (4) 55.5kg82335 |
ONE BEAT NO BEAT (10) looks ready to break through now that she’s at peak fitness.
The David Vandyke-trained mare gave a big sight over this course and distance two starts back when finding the line well, only to be picked off late to finish a neck second.
She was a month between runs so will have come on nicely since last start where she was doing her best work late here to finish 2.58 lengths fourth.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Emily Lang settle in the first two or three pairs from the good draw.
| 10. One Beat No Beat (3) 53kgx4524 |
VICTORY WIN (6) returned in great order over 1300m at the Gold Coast last start.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding settled a long way back on a day when it was a disadvantage to do so before finding the line powerfully to finish 1.2 lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter and boasts an impressive record of three wins from four starts when second-up.
The son of Santos will appreciate the rise to a mile given he’s won three of five races over this course and distance.
| 6. Victory Win (6) 56.5kg585×4 |
PHAROAH’S PROPHECY (10) returns from a short let-up after finishing 2.3 lengths third over 1640 here last start.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding had been low flying before that with three consecutive wins.
One of those wins came over this course and distance first-up where he overcame the outside barrier to lead all the way for a 3.5 length win.
He’s drawn well and should land in a forward position for Daniel Moor.
| 10. Pharoah’s Prophecy (4) 60kg2×113 |
There was plenty of merit about the run of PROFOUNDLY (2) at the Gold Coast last start.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly raced three-deep and on speed the trip but never shirked the task over 1300m to fight out the finish for a neck third.
She was a month between runs so will strip fitter third-up and the rise to a mile looks suitable.
Jace McMurray, who claims 3kg, should be able to find a prominent position a lot easier given there doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race.
| 2. Profoundly (6) 60kg13×63 |
MARGOT’S DEEL (15) was ultra impressive last start when winning a 0MW race as a maidener over 1350m here.
The Jason Edwards-trained mare had trialled well prior to her last start, where she made a mess of a decent field, rounding them up on the home turn before storming home for a 1.5-length win.
Given the way she hit the line, the rise to a mile with increased fitness looks ideal.
She looks to have serious ability and top horseman Edwards will have her in cherry ripe condition to overcome the less that helpful race shape.
| 15. Margot’s Deel (9) 55kg65×31 |
CHIEF WITNESS (5) looks ready to win third-up following two good runs to start this preparation.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding got too far back when just over a half-length at Ipswich first-up before surging to the line last start over 1300m at the Gold Coast to finish a length third.
Damien Thornton replacing the 3kg apprentice is a massive positive.
On paper there is good speed which should see Thornton enjoy a stalking role from slightly better than midfield.
| 5. Chief Witness (6) 57.5kg27×43 |
COSMO CENTAURUS (6) returns to the races for the first time since finishing third over 1350m here in May.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding flies fresh having won both his first-up races.
He kicked off last preparation with a strong first-up win over 1000m at the Sunshine in a Saturday metropolitan race at the Sunshine Coast before going on to finish fourth in the Listed Daybreak Lover.
Two slick trials will have him ready to fire and he maps to get a glorious run for Daniel Moor.
| 6. Cosmo Centaurus (1) 60kg9463x |
NAVYONTHEHIGHWAY (7) was last seen finishing 2.44 lengths seventh in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic where she was forced to work overtime in front.
This is a step down in class from what the Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare faced last preparation and looks a great starting point for her this campaign.
She races well fresh with a first-up record of two wins from three starts and one of those victories coming over this course and distance.
Regular rider Tahlia Fenlon, who claims 2kg, has a good relationship with the daughter of Merchant Navy and should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 7. Navyonthehighway (5) 59.5kg6407x |