Doomben hosts a competitive nine-race program this Wednesday under mostly sunny skies, with the track rated a Soft 5.
The rail is out 7 metres, placing added importance on early positioning and barrier draws, with runners settling handy to the speed expected to be well suited.
With conditions possibly improving, it shapes as a perfect surface for punters to assess across what looks like an even and engaging midweek card.
Read on as I look to uncover the best winning chances.
Tricky way to start the day with a wide-open two-year-old Maiden.
The Chris & Corey Munce team have a strong hand in this race and I’m with one of theirs in SAXON SPIRIT (11).
The daughter of Saxon Warrior debuts here and looked slick in a recent trial win over 840m here where she worked to the line well under her own steam to run down the leaders and win.
She’ll carry just 53kg with Courtney Bellamy’s claim.
Selections: 11-5-1-2
| 11. Saxon Spirit (8) 56kg |
VIVIKA (2) returned in great order last start over 1000m at Eagle Farm and looks set for a decent campaign.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was slow away and that proved costly as she found the line powerfully to miss the win by a nose.
This is a drop in class and the winner has since won again to frank the form.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and has a good record over this distance having finished a head second to Sunrays on debut as well as winning at Murwillumbah to end last preparation.
Ben Thompson should be able to settle handy in the run.
Selections: 2-4-1-5
| 2. Vivika (5) 58.5kg141×2 |
EMPRESS ASPEN (10) had done very little in three races this preparation prior to stepping out over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly certainly turned things around with the increase in distance, letting down strongly from the back to finish just under a length second.
Given the way she ran through the line, the further step up in trip will suit.
She looks to have a lot more upside than most of her rivals.
Selections: 10-9-11-7
| 10. Empress Aspen (5) 55.5kg0772 |
GOOD BANTER (5) ventures north from Sydney and will find this race a lot easier than what she has been contesting.
The Tom Charlton-trained mare was last seen finding the line after being held up to finish seventh in the Group 3 Epona Stakes at Randwick.
Prior to that she had been competing in Group races with her last win coming in July last year in a Benchmark 78 Handicap over this distance at Rosehill.
With just 53kg and Ben Thompson riding, she’ll be right in this.
Selections: 5-1-7-4
| 5. Good Banter (7) 53kg78×07 |
VALENCIA ROC (4) returns to the races for the first time since bleeding for new trainer Todd Pollard.
The four-year-old mare finished in the placings in all five of her races and was unlucky not to win a couple of those races after being help up.
She’s raced well fresh in the past, including first-up last preparation when running on strongly to finish a half-length second over this course and distance.
We don’t have a public trial as guide but a good pointer towards her chances is that Ben Thompson has been booked to ride.
A strong speed will aid her cause.
Selections: 4-6-1-8
| 4. Valencia Roc (3) 59kg2332x |
LARIDAE (9) is a model of consistency and should be hard to hold out with just 52kg.
The Danny Bougoure-trained gelding chased home impressive Saturday winner Eclair Awesome last start over this course and distance to finish just under two lengths third.
Two starts back, again over this course and distance, she let down powerfully to salute in the shadows of the post.
From the inside barrier, apprentice Chelsea Baker should give her mount a sweet run.
Selections: 9-1-5-4
| 9. Laridae (1) 54.5kg64213 |
MERCURIAL LADY (5) was a sick watch for backers when resuming over this course and distance for new trainer Desleigh Forster last start.
The daughter of So You Think bombed the start hopelessly and found herself a long last but to her credit, she stormed home to finish third by 1.3 lengths.
She’ll appreciate the drop in class and won several stronger races in Victoria when with the Moody & Coleman stable.
From the good draw and a decent jump, she should enjoy a nice run on speed.
Selections: 5-11-1-10
| 5. Mercurial Lady (2) 60kg417×3 |
DARK ARTS (7) is low key flying this preparation.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding opened his campaign with a third placing when resuming here before getting within a half-length of subsequent Saturday winner Sir Winnie two starts ago.
He capitalised on that good form last start over this distance at Eagle Farm where he stormed home to win by 2.18 lengths after coming out of the machine stone motherless last.
He’s rock hard fit and is drawn well.
Selections: 7-6-13-9
| 7. Dark Arts (2) 58.5kg76321 |
KINROSE LANE (11) caught the eye when resuming over 1200m here last start.
The Billy Healey-trained mare settled well back after drawing wide, but rocketed home to finish just over a half-length third.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and given the way she finished the race off, the rise in distance will suit.
Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, should be able to settle closer from the inside gate.
Selections: 11-12-16-10
| 11. Kinross Lane (1) 57.5kg556×3 |