Doomben Preview – Wednesday 14th January 

PROUD MISS (6) stepped up to 1700m for the first time last start and produced a career best. 

The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained mare settled back at Ipswich before working home powerfully in the quickest closing sectional of the race to finish a length second. 

Given how strong through the line she was, a further rise to 2020m looks ideal particularly against a limited field. 

Olivia Webb’s 3kg claim will see the GG Racing commodity carry just 53.5kg. 

Selections: 6-3-4-1 

FORGING AHEAD (2) has been building throughout this preparation and produced his best performance to date last time out at the Gold Coast over 1400m. 

The Kris Lees-trained gelding settled near the tail after drawing a wide gate before charging through the pack to finish a length second. 

He’s rock hard fit and the rise to a mile for the first time looks perfect. 

With limited speed in the race, Andrew Mallyon should settle closer in the run. 

Selections: 2-9-7-6 

BRINDAVAN (2) was thrown in the deep end when having his first Australian start in The Gateway. 

Now with Tony Gollan, the four-year-old gelding settled back before working home well until fitness gave out late to finish five lengths ninth.  

The former UK galloper will strip fitter second-up and brought good form with him including a win over this distance at Kempton. 

He’ll appreciate the drop in class and should enjoy a nice run just off the speed for Ryan Maloney. 

Selections: 2-1-4-5 

RAMP IT UP (2) was beastly unlucky when resuming over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start. 

The Lindsay Gough-trained entire loomed in the straight and was full of running but ran into a dead end going to the line untested for a 1.65 length fifth. 

He’ll strip fitter second-up and is a previous winner at the track, albeit over a mile. 

If Michael Rodd gets him clear air upon straightening, he should take some stopping. 

Selections: 2-1-6-5 

PRINCE LEVI (5) looks ready to take 2200m on for the first time following two excellent runs over 1800m. 

The William Kropp-trained gelding was stiff not to win two starts ago at Eagle Farm when finding the line well to go down by a whisker. 

Mark Du Plessis rode him for the first time last start in a stronger Class 6 Handicap and he caught the eye, charging home in the best final 600m of the race to finish 2.69 lengths sixth. 

He’s at peak fitness and should appreciate the likely strong tempo.  

Selections: 5-2-3-7 

AMUSEANTES (8) returned in super order over this course and distance two starts ago.  

The Rob Heathcote-trained mare defied an aggressive market drift to storm home despite traffic issues to win by a nose.   

She followed that up with an excellent run last start at Eagle Farm where she found the line strongly to finish 1.54 lengths second to the flying Hell.  

Last preparation she won her only previous third-up race which was over this distance. 

Selections: 8-9-3-5 

READY FOR AIMEE (14) was unlucky not to win over this distance at Ipswich last start. 

The Tony Gollan-trained filly enjoyed a sweet run just behind the leader but couldn’t get clear in the straight until it was too late and she finished just under a length second to a swooper. 

She won over this distance first-up before two solid yet unfortunate efforts over slightly further.  

Top jockey Ben Thompson replaces the apprentice and should give his mount every chance at an each way price. 

Selections: 14-10-7-9 

DOMINANT DARCY (7) returned in super order last start over 1200m here.  

The Tony Gollan-trained mare led from the inside barrier and never gave her rivals a chance, dashing clear to win by 2.78 lengths. 

She’s only lightly race so will has an abundance of upside. 

From the low draw, Emily Lang will look to adopt similar tactics to last time. 

Selections: 7-6-1-2