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 (10) J: Jag Guthmann-Chester 58kg T: Matthew Hoysted | |||
| Filly by Tiger Of Malay on debut. Half-sister to two-time winner and Listed placed Brave Danza. Dam was a winner of one race. Trial form indicates she’s up to a solid debut. Won a trial at Doomben over 1000m on June 2. Looks all set to run well. | |||
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 (8) J: Michael Rodd 58kg T: Jason Edwards | |||
| Two-year-old colt by leading sire So You Think out of Koala Bear who was bought for AUD $80,000 (Inglis 2025 2025 Premier Yearling Sale). Half-brother to ten-time winner and Listed placed Street Cry Success. Dam was a Listed winner and Group 2 performed. He has three recent trials prior to his debut today. Was runner-up in a trial at Deagon on June 9 over 1050m. Don’t rule him out. | |||
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) J: Mark Du Plessis 56.5kg 3xT: Jarred Coetzee | |||
| Resuming from a lengthy break. Only one run when 3rd of 11 at this track 3yo F Mdn-Sw on September 18 2024 over 1110m, 2.25 len behind Bollinger Miss carrying 58kg at $4.50. Will improve on whatever she does in this. | |||
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) J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 55.5kg 298×1T: Sally Taylor | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.7 len at Coffs Harbour Bm66 June 3 over 1218m in heavy going defeating Love Rat with 55kg at $3.70. Previously second-up 2nd of 8 at Ipswich Cl4 on January 3 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Super Quick carrying 54.5kg at $19. Maybe a place. | |||
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) J: Ben Thompson 57.5kg 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 carrying 58kg at $18. Went for a break before returning favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 4.5 len at Sunshine Coast Mdn May 24 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Jolly Japes carrying 55kg at $2.10. Worth including. | |||
GOLDEN EYES (8) stepped up to this distance for the first time last start at the Sunshine Coast and produced the best performance of his young career.
Formerly with the Moody & Coleman stable in Victoria, the Jack Bruce-trained gelding settled handy before dashing clear in the straight to win by 3.36 lengths.
He’s at peak fitness and has plenty of upside given he’s only had six starts.
The barrier is a touch sticky but he gets the services of gun jockey Ben Thompson to navigate.
| 8. Golden Eyes (10) J: Ben Thompson 57.5kg 3×441T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Most recently favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Sunshine Coast 3yo Mdn June 7 over 1600m in soft going defeating Enterprise Giselle with 55.5kg at $1.60. Before that 4th of 12 at Sunshine Coast 3yo Mdn on May 24 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Queen Jeddah with 56kg at $2.50. Cherry-ripe and is a genuine chance again. | |||
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 (9) 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 with 54.5kg at $3.10. Before that got back early 12th of 15 at this track Bm85 on May 16 over 1600m, slow going 5 len behind Kaluakoi carrying 52kg at $7. Capable of sharp improvement. | |||
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) J: Chelsea Baker 60kg x7213T: Kevin Kemp | |||
| At the latest run 3rd of 9 at Ipswich Bm65 on May 30 over 1350m, in the wet; 1.75 len behind Canpikapony with 60kg at $14. Before that won by a neck at Toowoomba Bm62 May 9 over 1300m defeating Rubaahy carrying 58kg at $3.90. Tough to beat on best form. | |||
