While the national spotlight falls on Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield and Silver Slipper Day at Rosehill, there’s still plenty for Queensland punters to sink their teeth into at Doomben this Saturday.
The Brisbane card might not carry the same Group 1 headline acts as its southern counterparts, but it shapes as a competitive and betting-friendly program in its own right. The track is currently rated a Soft 6, though with fine weather forecast, conditions should improve as the day goes on and give every runner their chance.
As is usual with Doomben, race shape, tempo and positioning are likely to prove crucial.
I’ve worked through the form race by race, assessed the likely tempo and pinpointed the runners best placed to take advantage of the conditions.
Let’s dive in and enjoy my Doomben best bets.
MARTIST (6) debuts here for the powerful Tony Gollan stable.
The Trapeze Artist colt is in his second preparation after easily winning both his trials in September and October.
He’s been given time to mature, and that has worked in his favour based on how well and strong he worked through the line to finish a close second in a recent piece of work.
In a stronger pointer to his ability, top jockey Ryan Maloney is booked to ride.
Selections: 6-1-3-2
| 6. Martist (3) 58kg |
ENTERPRISE PRIVATE (3) is racing in sublime form and is looking for his fourth win in a row.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding returns from a short let-up after running down subsequent winner Prince Levi over this distance at the Sunshine Coast.
He meets Prince Levi better at the weights who he has beaten in both his past two starts.
Prior to that he impressed three starts ago at big odds when charging home at Murwillumbah to win comfortably before defeating a similar field to this last start over this course and distance where he let down powerfully to salute by 1.1 lengths.
Barrier 1 should see him enjoy an economic run.
Selections: 3-1-2-4
| 3. Enterprise Private (1) 57.5kg29111 |
BEREZKA (2) will appreciate the drop in class after contesting considerably stronger Sydney races.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare ran well last start over 1250m at Canterbury where she worked nicely to the line for a 1.69 length third.
She’s no stranger to Brisbane having finished in the placings in three consecutive races at the end of last preparation, again in much stronger races than this.
The rise in distance suits and she looks set to peak third-up.
Selections: 2-5-1-10
| 2. Berezka (11) 60kg23×53 |
THE WHEELBARROW (11) stepped up to this distance for the first time last start and absolutely loved it.
Two starts ago, the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding went back from the outside barrier before finding the line strongly in the quickest closing sectionals of the race to finish 1.47 lengths third.
That suggested a mile would be ideal for him, and he proved that thought by circling the field from the tail on the home turn before driving clear to win by just over two lengths.
He’s at peak fitness and draws much better than he has been.
Selections: 11-9-5-8
| 11. The Wheelbarrow (4) 57kg1×431 |
CAPITAL CHORD (9) was ultra-impressive when winning on debut over 1200m here.
The David Vandyke-trained filly settled towards the back before storming home along the inside to win by 1.59 lengths.
She’ll have come on since that run and given Vandyke has nominated for her Autumn Carnival races like the Group 1 Australian Oaks, she should appreciate the rise in distance.
With just 52.5kg on her back, she should be hitting the line hard with Angela Jones on board.
Selections: 9-1-4-2
| 9. Capital Chord (8) 52.5kg1 |
TIME OF MY LIFE (12) has settled in well at Tony Gollan’s stable after previously racing in Melbourne with Moody & Coleman.
Following nearly a year off the scene, the half-sister to mighty mare Winx returned to the winner’s stall third-up over 1200m here where she controlled the race from start to finish to win salute by two lengths.
The rise in distance suits and she gets in with a postage stamp weight.
Angela Jones can use the light weight to her advantage and race on speed.
Selections: 12-1-3-4
| 12. Time Of My Life (4) 52kg7×321 |
SCRIPTED (14) won her first two races before spending over a year in the paddock.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare gets her chance to return the winner’s stall here following four races in stronger company.
She was forced to go back from a car park draw last start in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race but worked home strongly to finish 2.73 lengths eighth.
Prior to that she finished runner-up in three consecutive races.
They should set a decent speed which should enjoy a nice run stalking the pace.
Selections: 14-3-6-12
| 14. Scripted (4) 56.5kgx2227 |
CHIEF IN CHARGE (8) was scratched from a winnable race on Wednesday in preference of this and that needs to be respected.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding proved too strong for the flying Dominant Darcy two starts ago before letting down powerfully to get up in final strides.
Both races were over this course and distance and took his record to three wins and a second from five starts.
He’s rock hard fit and is drawn to get a soft run.
Selections: 8-15-7-4
| 8. Chief In Charge (2) 55kg3×311 |
BENGAL DIAMOND (7) was crying out for a mile and could not have been more impressive when she stepped out over the distance last start.
The Adam Campton-trained mare was able to settle handy before unleashing a powerful finish to put her rivals away easily for a 3.58 length victory.
That was her second win from her past three starts, so she’s racing in top form.
There doesn’t look to be many go forward horses in the race which should see Jake Bayliss settle midfield or better.
Selections: 7-5-15-3
| 7. Bengal Diamond (8) 57kg58161 |
ZOUBABY (13) has raced well since joining the Tony Gollan stable this preparation.
The Zoustar mare was beaten by a head first-up at Eagle Farm before getting too far back from a wide barrier on Magic Millions Day.
She proved too strong for Yoyo Yeezy last start over this course and distance where she let down powerfully to win by 1.73 lengths with over three lengths to third.
She’s at peak fitness, gets in well under the conditions of the race and the hot speed plays into her hands.
Selections: 13-1-4-3
| 13. Zoubaby (5) 55kg02271 |