Wednesday’s Doomben meeting features an eight-race card where tempo and track pattern should be key factors. With the rail out 11 metres the entire course, those able to roll forward and hold a spot on speed are expected to get their chance.
The track was rated a Soft 6 on Monday, but with fine weather forecast, there is scope for improvement before race day. It should still have some give in it, which keeps soft-track credentials in the mix.
With that setup, runners that map forward look the right profile, and they’ll be the ones worth focusing on as we try to land a few Doomben winners across the card.
DOMINATOR (3) should find this race easier than the two he contested in Sydney despite still being a two-year-old.
The Michael Freedman-trained colt got caught behind the leader on the rail and never saw daylight when debuting over this distance at Randwick.
He showed excellent early speed last start over 1250m at Canterbury to lead but weakened late to finish 1.61 lengths fourth.
The drop in distance suits, he’ll strip fitter third-up and he has the speed to cross from the outside barrier for Ben Thompson.
| 3. Dominator (6) 56.5kg94 |
Tough Maiden Plate over 2070m, where most have had their fair share of chances to break through.
SECRET FENKEL (7) has placed in four of his six races and looked good last start over 2200m at the Gold Coast.
The Marcus Wilson-trained gelding couldn’t cross from the outside barrier and was forced to settle at the tail which ultimately cost him the win given he found the line powerfully from a long way back to finish 2.35 lengths second.
He’s rock hard fit and draws a lot better here so Boris Thornton should settle close in a race with limited speed.
| 7. Secret Fenkel (3) 58kgx2342 |
BRAVEHEART (1) will appreciate the drop in class after a very good effort over 1200m at Ipswich last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding led before being run down late to finish just under a length and defeating subsequent Saturday winner Zoustrology.
He’s at peak fitness and hasn’t been far away in any of his races since winning four starts ago.
The use of Leah Martyn’s 3kg claim is a big plus and the apprentice should be able to give her mount a great run on speed from the inside gate.
| 1. Braveheart (1) 60kg21232 |
NEPRAVDA (2) has been racing well since joining the Rob Heathcote stable from Team Hayes.
The Russian Revolution mare is on the quick back-up after breaking through for the first time in Brisbane when leading all the way over 1200m here for a 1.02 length win.
Despite this being a drop in class, she’ll carry the same weight thanks to the 3kg claim.
Leah Martyn will go forward from the good gate and should prove hard to hold out being rock hard fit.
| 2. Nepravda (3) 59kgx3721 |
CRASH THE PARTY (7) will find this Maiden considerably easier than last start when he finished 4.48 lengths from Earn To Burn in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes.
The Toby Edmonds-trained filly was very good the start prior when resuming over 1200m at the Gold Coast where she found the line strongly to finish a half-length second to Sylph with nearly five lengths to third.
The stable obviously has an opinion of her given she’s been tested in a lot stronger races but back in this company third-up looks like a winning recipe.
She’s drawn well for Daniel Moor.
| 7. Crash The Party (3) 56kg42×20 |
LADY LUCIFER (4) can be forgiven for her first-up flop over 1200m here last start.
The David Vandyke-trained mare drew an outside barrier and raced back and wide, so it was understandable that she played no role in the race.
She can bounce back second-up and easily won her only previous start over this course and distance when leading all the way.
Ben Osmond, who claims 2kg, will make use of the better draw and settle in a prominent position.
| 4. Lady Lucifer (4) 60.5kg116×8 |
EMPRESS OF JAPAN (7) 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 was set to race two weeks ago so is now five weeks between runs, but she would have been kept up to the mark.
Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg and is fresh off a Saturday metropolitan double, can use barrier 2 to advantage.
| 7. Empress Of Japan (1) 58kg7×432 |
AUTOMNE TREE (1) didn’t go a yard in the heavy conditions when resuming over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding will appreciate the drier track and will strip fitter second-up.
He raced in stronger races in Sydney last preparation including a half-length second over 1500m at Rosehill when ridden further forward.
Top jockey Ryan Maloney takes the ride and should give him every chance from the inside barrier.
| 1. Automne Tree (1) 60kg428×8 |