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.
The track is now rated a Heavy 8 and, while a cloudy day may allow for some slight improvement, conditions are still expected to remain testing. That should place added emphasis on horses that enjoy getting their hooves into the ground 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.
APEX PREDATOR (2), like many in this two-year-old Fillies Maiden Plate, is on debut.
The Matt Hoysted-trained daughter of Tiger Of Malay has won both trials, leading all the way on both occasions.
Her most recent trial over 1000m here produced a nice piece of work where she crossed comfortably from a wide barrier to lead and pull away in the straight to win by 2.31 lengths.
Jag Guthmann-Chester will need to adopt similar tactics from an outside draw.
| 2. Apex Predator (7) 58kg |
Just like the opening race, most of this field of two-year-old boys is on debut.
I’m with one of them in the Jason Edwards-trained PUNISHMENT DAY (11).
The So You Think colt worked to the line nicely beside two-time winner Itchintogo in his most recent trial at Deagon on heavy going to finish second.
That was the third trial he’s had, so he’ll be primed for a bold showing first-up.
| 11. Punishment Day (7) 58kg |
CANYA BERICH (7) worked home strongly from well back on debut to finish 2.27 lengths third over 1110m here.
Unfortunately, not much has gone to plan for the four-year-old mare as she’s had several setbacks that now sees her having just her second race start nearly two years later.
Now in the care of Jarred Coetzee, she looked good in a recent trial over 1000m here here where she worked powerfully under her own steam to finish a close second.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Mark Du Plessis settle off it before launching in the straight.
| 7. Canya Berich (5) 56.5kg3x |
FLYING SHELLY (6) resumed for new trainer Sally Taylor in style at Coffs Harbour last start with a win.
The Flying Artie mare let down nicely in the heavy conditions to claim the 1218m contest by just over a half-length.
She has shown a liking for rain-affected tracks and has been out of the quinella just once in six second-up races.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but it’s a small field and Kyle Wilson-Taylor should be able to cross and find a position.
| 6. Flying Shelly (7) 55.5kg298×1 |
MOSHULU SPIRIT (13) 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.
| 13. Moshulu Spirit (4) 57.5kg7×1 |
BONUS SEASON (7) was considered talented enough to bring to Queensland for the Winter Carnival but unfortunately things didn’t pan out, but she looks better placed dropping massively in class.
The Grahame Begg-trained filly worked early to find a forward position in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet last start but weakened out of it to finish 7.13 lengths tenth.
Her prior Victorian form was very good with two close seconds and a strong win over 1400m at Sandown just two starts ago where she let down powerfully.
She’ll carry just 1kg more despite dropping from a Listed race to a Class 1 Plate.
With even luck from the awkward barrier, she should be fighting out the finish.
| 7. Bonus Season (9) 57.5kgx2210 |
ALL KINDS OF FOLK (9) 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 this course and distance before working home well for a 2.04 length fourth.
He’s at peak fitness and has been racing well this preparation that includes a dominant first-up win in similar conditions to what he faces here.
They should roll along which will aid his cause.
| 9. All Kinds Of Folk (4) 58.5kg5×105 |
FORT WILLIAM (5) was unlucky not to challenge for the win last start at Ipswich over this distance.
The Kevin Kemp-trained gelding was caught wide early and then was held up badly in the straight, but stormed home through the heavy going once clear to finish 1.77 length third.
The start prior he proved too strong when winning over 1300m at Toowoomba.
He drops 3kg from last start with Chelsea Baker able to use her claim and should enjoy a nice run on speed.
| 5. Fort William (6) 60kgx7213 |