Wednesday’s Doomben meeting presents an eight-race card where conditions should give us a solid guide to finding a few winners. With the rail out 9 metres the entire circuit, the pattern is likely to favour runners on speed or those able to settle close enough without covering extra ground.
Showers are forecast and the track, currently a Soft 5, looks set to edge further into the soft range as the day goes on. That should place added emphasis on horses that can handle some give while still maintaining their position in the run.
With that setup, runners that map forward and cope with soft conditions look the right profile, and if the expected pattern plays out, they’ll be the ones worth siding with across the program, hopefully steering us into a few Doomben winners along the way.
KOJAK (2) returned in good order last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm, finding the line nicely to finish 2.88 lengths sixth.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding will appreciate the rise in distance and the rain-affected track.
Last preparation, he produced an excellent performance second-up on a heavy Ipswich deck where despite racing in a more forward position than usual due to the wide gate, he fought on nicely for a close second.
Luke Dempsey should be able to stalk the speed.
| 2. Kojak (7) J: Luke P Dempsey 58.5kg 526×6T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months 6th of 11 at Eagle Farm Mdn-Sw on May 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Swing State with 58.5kg at $61. Previously second-up 2nd of 7 at Ipswich 4yo+ Mdn-Sw on November 26 over 1700m, in the wet; 0.6 len behind Laan carrying 58kg at $4. Rates highly and should improve. | |||
KATIE AINE (7) returns to the races for the first time since suffering from slow recovery over 1650m here in February.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained filly looked super in a recent Doomben 1000m trial win where she raced on speed before moving clear late to salute by 1.59 lengths.
She looks to have furnished in her time off.
She’s draw perfectly for Tahlia Fenlon in the inside barrier and the young hope should enjoy a nice run on speed.
| 7. Katie Aine (1) J: Tahlia Fenlon 56kg 5636xT: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Resuming after a four month break. Finished off last preparation sixth of 9 at this track 3yo Mdn February 11 over 1650m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Battuta with 56kg at $2.80. On debut fifth of 13 at Sunshine Coast 3yo Mdn-Sw December 26 over 1200m, soft track; 3 len behind Hello Captain carrying 56kg at $18. Might be better off following this run. | |||
STEIN (3) resumes here and looks set to produce a strong effort following two trials.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained filly looked slick in her most recent piece of work where she raced handy before drawing clear for a neck win.
She has a good record over this course and distance including her maiden win in impressive fashion two starts back.
Tahlia Fenlon can drive forward early and either lead or settle in the first few pairs.
| 3. Stein (6) J: Tahlia Fenlon 58.5kg 3213xT: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation third of 10 at Eagle Farm Bm65 February 4 over 1200m, 3 len behind Corrupted with 53.5kg at $3.10. On debut third of 9 at this track Mdn-Sw December 12 over 1200m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Dominant Darcy carrying 55.5kg at $2.90. Can run a race while fresh. | |||
MOSHULU SPIRIT (7) was solid on debut in February but a spell following that run has done the gelding a world of good.
The Jack Bruce-trained son of Spirit Of Boom returned with an excellent performance last start at the Sunshine Coast where he settled handy before letting down powerfully to gap his rivals by 4.64 lengths.
The addition of a tongue tie and a soft track worked in his favour and that will be with him again.
Ben Thompson retains the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 7. Moshulu Spirit (5) J: Ben Thompson 58kg 7×1T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Second-up. First start 7th of 12 at Eagle Farm 3yo Mdn-Sw on February 4 over 1200m, 3 len behind Quickzou with 58kg at $18. Went for a break before returning favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 4.5 len win at Sunshine Coast Mdn May 24 over 1200m in soft going defeating Jolly Japes carrying 55kg at $2.10. Can go on with it. Big chance despite the rise in class. | |||
ALL KINDS OF FOLK (6) has been competing well in stronger races and will appreciate the drop in class.
The Todd Pollard-trained gelding gave a start last time out over a mile at Eagle Farm before working home well for a 2.04 length fourth.
He takes on this distance for the first time but is at peak fitness and given how he found the line then it shouldn’t pose a problem.
They should roll along which will aid his cause.
The low draw should see him get every chance to add another win to his CV.
| 6. All Kinds Of Folk (8) J: Ben Thompson 58.5kg 5×105T: Todd Pollard | |||
| At the latest run 5th of 15 at this track Bm78 on May 23 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Express Payment carrying 54.5kg at $3.10. The run before that got back early 12th of 15 at this track Bm85 on May 16 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Kaluakoi with 52kg at $7. Making headway. Finds a nice race and worth another chance. | |||
EMPRESS OF JAPAN (9) brings strong Sydney form and looks well placed here.
The Michael Freedman-trained mare has improved with each race this preparation and produced her best effort last start over 1500m at Kembla Grange where she charged home to finish a nose second.
She’s at peak fitness and should have no issue with a mile for the first time.
This is a drop in class and she’s drawn to advantage for Robbie Dolan.
| 9. Empress Of Japan (4) J: Robbie Dolan 56kg 7×432T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 13 at Kembla Grange Bm64 on May 16 over 1500m, on a slow track; nose behind Hush Hush with 58kg at $9. Before that 3rd of 12 at Kembla Grange Bm64 on April 29 over 1400m, 3 len behind Magical Moments with 58kg at $9. Has ability and is one of the major players. | |||
CINDERSEA (5) cost herself victory when resuming from a let-up last start at the Gold Coast thanks to poor racing manners.
The Michael Freedman-trained mare looked the winner when she strode to the front in the straight but wanted to lay in which required Rachel King to stop riding yet she still was only beaten by a neck.
Prior to that, she had won two races in a row at this track.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, settle off it before making his move.
| 5. Cindersea (6) J: Jace Mcmurray 57.5kg 22112T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Last start 2nd in a small field at Gold Coast C4-Sw on May 22 over 1000m, on a slow track; neck behind Sunrise with 58kg at $3.80. The race before that won by a long-neck at this track F&M Bm78 March 28 over 1200m defeating Savagery Vibe with 56kg at $5. Rates highly here and should go close. | |||
NORTH POLE (5) returns from a 13-week break and looks well placed to pick up where he left off.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding was last seen controlling the race perfectly over 1600m at Eagle Farm to win an Open 3YO Handicap by a whisker.
He ended last preparation with three wins from four starts.
A recent trial will have tuned him up nicely and he loves the sting out of the ground.
| 5. North Pole (5) J: Cejay Graham 59kg 1411xT: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Half-brother to Group 3 winner and Group 2 placed Global Quest. Resuming. Finished off last campaign won by nose Eagle Farm 3yo Hcp March 7 over 1600m slow track defeating Hello Dolly Diva with 58kg at $3.60. First up last campaign second in a small field at this track Cg&E Cl1 October 29 over 1200m, on rain affected going; a neck behind Gorbachev carrying 56.5kg at $2.20. Can run a big race while fresh. | |||