Doomben hosts George Moore Stakes Day this Saturday as the Queensland Summer Carnival picks up pace.
The feature Ladbrokes George Moore Stakes sits atop a solid ten-race card, backed by several appealing support events.
The bush comes to Brisbane as well, with the Country Cups Challenge Final and the Country Stampede once again taking their place on centre stage.
A stretch of fine, warm weather should ensure the track is in excellent order come race day.
Opportunities are everywhere on this card and here’s where I’m landing.
GALIFIANAKIS (3) produced a strong effort in the Mooloolaba Cup last start and looks ready to peak fourth-up.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding was held up in the 1600m Sunshine Coast contest but still managed to work to the line well to finish 1.25 lengths sixth.
He has a strong fourth-up record which includes a win over this course and distance.
He’s drawn to get an economic run for Damien Thornton.
Selections: 3-2-7-6
| 3. Galifianakis (3) J: Damien Thornton 58.5kg 1×456T: Jack Bruce |
ALECTRONA (16) won’t know herself with the massive drop in weight from 60kg to just 53.5kg.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare is overdue for a win following five runner-up finishes in a row.
She has a good record over this course and distance and gave a good account of herself here last start after working early from the outside gate to finish second to Ready To Schipp who had a much easier time of it from the inside barrier.
She meets that horse 6.5kg better at the weights and will strip a lot fitter given she was five weeks between runs last start.
From the low draw, Tahlia Fenlon will give her every chance.
Selections: 16-7-8-9
| 16. Alectrona (3) J: Tahlia Fenlon 55.5kg 22222T: Chris & Corey Munce |
UNDER THE LIMIT (6) qualified for the Country Stampede Final last start when claiming the Innisfail race.
The Tom Button-trained gelding settled outside the lead over 1200m before proving too strong in the run home to salute by 1.41 lengths.
He returns to Brisbane for the first time since going within a whisker of winning the Battle Of The Bush Final in June.
Top local jockey Justin Huxtable is a key booking.
Selections: 6-8-5-11
| 6. Under The Limit (8) J: Justin Huxtable 58kg 24371T: Tom Button |
YET HE MOVES (1) rises massively in the weights but will find this a lot easier than recent races he’s been contesting.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was last seen finding the line strongly in the Mooloolaba Cup where he finished a head second to winning machine Walsh Bay.
He has a good record over this course and distance having won over it four starts back and finishing a half-length third just two starts ago.
The use of Corey Sutherland’s 3kg claim is a plus and the young hoop should be able settle in a prominent position from the good draw.
Selections: 1-4-2-10
| 1. Yet He Moves (4) J: Corey Sutherland 62kg 41532T: Chris Waller |
SKYFORGER (1) returns to Doomben looking to defend his Country Cups Challenge title.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding could not have been more impressive when winning last year when bolting in by 6.66 lengths.
He brings good form into this year’s final having stormed home to win the Roma Cup last start.
Webster and Leslie ‘Bubba’ Tilley are a lethal combination in these country finals and once again team up.
He has 62.5kg to carry but is no stranger to big weights and carried 64.5kg to victory in the Tara Cup four starts ago.
Tilley should be able to land in a prominent position from the good draw.
Selections: 1-2-11-7
| 1. Skyforger (3) J: Les Tilley 62.5kg 31661T: Pat Webster |
ITCHINTOGO (1) will take improvement from his debut performance over 1200m here.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding looked professional in a trial win prior to his first race and just knocked up late after leading to finish second by 1.57 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the slight drop in distance suits.
Ryan Maloney retains the ride and will likely settle in a forward position.
Selections: 1-11-6-8
| 1. Itchintogo (6) J: Ryan Maloney 57kg 2T: Tony Gollan |
GRAFTERBURNERS (1) returned in magnificent order last start with a win over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding uncharacteristically led before giving his rivals the slip in the straight to win by 2.89 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter and is a previous second-up winner.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Cejay Graham take a sit and stalk the leaders.
Selections: 1-3-2-6
| 1. Grafterburners (6) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 366×1T: Kelly Schweida |
EPIC PROPORTIONS (10) has been low flying since coming to Brisbane four starts ago.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding gave his rivals a galloping lesson last start in the Listed Keith Noud when leading all the way for a 1.35 length win.
He’s unbeaten at this course and distance, having bolted in similar fashion three starts ago.
Tahlia Fenlon has a great relationship with the horse and will look to lead and run them into the ground.
Selections: 10-5-1-2
| 10. Epic Proportions (3) J: Tahlia Fenlon 54.5kg 64121T: Ciaron Maher |
FOREIGN PRESS (2) returned to the races last start over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast in fine fettle.
The Tony Gollan-trained Press Statement gelding found the line well despite an outside barrier to finish a neck third.
He’ll have come on nicely since that run and won his only previous second-up race which was here over 1110m.
He’s drawn to get all the favours from the inside barrier for Cejay Graham.
Selections: 2-13-10-7
| 2. Foreign Press (2) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 12123T: Tony Gollan |
JOHN DORY (1) comes north from Sydney for Chris Waller in good form.
The son of Ace High found the line well on debut at Newcastle but just couldn’t get by the leader, finishing just over a half-length second.
He went one better last start when stepping up to 1500m at Canterbury where he let down powerfully to win by just under a length.
The rise to a mile looks ideal third-up and he’s drawn to get a great run for Tommy Berry.
Selections: 1-2-5-14
| 1. John Dory (3) J: Tommy Berry 60kg 21T: Chris Waller |