Wednesday racing heads to Doomben for a competitive seven-race card, with conditions set to play a key role throughout the program.
The rail is pushed out 5 metres, and with the track rated a Soft 5 and showers in the forecast, expect the surface to stay in that range or potentially edge further into the soft range as the day unfolds.
That should place a premium on runners proven in the ground, while barrier draws and early positioning could prove crucial around the tight Doomben circuit.
It shapes as a meeting where adaptability and race fitness will count, particularly in the later races if conditions deteriorate.
Less yapping, more action. Let’s try to find some Doomben winners!
WOODROW (9) looks well placed to break his maiden here.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding brought strong Sydney form north last start over this course and distance where he raced on speed after drawing wide to fight on well to finish 1.31 lengths second.
He’ll have come on nicely since that run given he was five weeks between races.
Andrew Mallyon should give him a great run on speed from barrier 2.
Selections: 9-12-13-4
| 9. Woodrow (2) 57.5kg34×42 |
DIVAKARA (5) resumes here on the back of a pleasing trial where he worked strongly to the line from the back.
The Stu Kendrick-trained gelding races well fresh and was only beaten by a head when resuming over a similar distance at Eagle Farm last preparation.
He’s down in the weights and gets the services of Ben Thompson.
The gun hoop will make use of an inside draw and settle handy.
Selections: 5-1-6-3
| 5. Divakara (2) 55.5kg5520x |
I AM LOUIE (1) was stiff not to challenge for the win when debuting over 1400m at Eagle Farm two starts ago.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was slow away so settled a long way back and then when he was finding the line, he was held up.
He was very good last start over this course and distance when running on well, only to be run down late to finish a head second.
Blinkers go on for the first time which should see Ben Thompson use the inside barrier to advantage and roll forward with the lack of speed in the race.
Selections: 1-8-3-4
| 1. I Am Louie (1) 58kg52 |
DIVINE SOURCE (7) steps up to a mile for the first time but looks more than capable of running it out strongly.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare has been racing in top form with two wins from her past three starts.
She impressed here over 1350m last start when leading all the way for a 3.08 length victory.
If she can dictate the speed and the map suggests she can, then she could prove hard to hold out.
Selections: 7-4-5-8
| 7. Divine Source (5) 56.5kg44141 |
HOT MAJESTY (4) was becoming an expensive conveyance for backers before breaking through for his first win in Queensland.
After joining the Tony Gollan stable from the Hayes Team in Victoria, the son of Too Darn Hot started favourite in four consecutive races but could only manage placings.
That changed last start over 2050m at the Gold Coast where he set sail for the line on the turn before dashing clear to win by 1.9 lengths.
This race looks no hard and he’ll carry just 0.5kg more with top apprentice Jace McMurray piloting.
Selections: 4-8-14-9
| 4. Hot Majesty (7) 60kg32221 |
TAKE ACHANCE ON ME (14) returned in great order at Ipswich last start.
The Chris Waller-trained mare settled in the second half of the field before producing an impressive turn of foot to put her rivals away by just over a length.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and given how she found the line, will appreciate the rise in distance.
Andrew Mallyon can push up from the inside barrier to settle in the second or third pair in running.
Selections: 14-12-13-8
| 14. Take Achance On Me (1) 55kg316×1 |
CLIMACTIC (2) will have come on nicely since last start after returning from an 80-week spell.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding fought gamely over 1200m here but was knocked late and finished 1.41 lengths third.
He won his only previous second-up race which resulted in a two-length victory over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.
Corey Sutherland, who claims 3kg, should land in a prominent position from the inside gate.
Selections: 2-5-1-10
| 2. Climactic (1) 60kgx31x3 |