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 (8) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg 94T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Raced twice to date. At long odds at debut, ran second last of 10 at Randwick 2yo Hcp on April 25 over 1100m, 5 len behind Bangkok Hottie carrying 56.5kg at $31. Second-up 4th of 9 at Canterbury 2yo C&G Mdn-Sw on June 8 over 1250m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind The Machine Gun carrying 56kg at $9. Only needs to raise the bar a little to open his account. | |||
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) J: Boris Thornton 58kg x2342T: Marcus Wilson | |||
| Last start 2nd of 10 at Gold Coast Mdn-Sw on June 13 over 2200m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind She Can Soar with 58kg at $2.10. Before that 4th of 12 at Ipswich 3yo Hcp on May 21 over 2180m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Norty Forty carrying 52kg at $21. Ready to break through. | |||
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) J: Leah Martyn 60kg 21232T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Full-brother to Group 2 winner King Of Sparta. Last start gave a sight but was run down late 2nd in a small field at Ipswich Cg&E Cl2-Sw on June 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Fire Bomber with 58kg at $4.40. The race before that eased back early on 3rd in a small field at Gold Coast C4-Sw on May 22 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Sunrise carrying 57kg at $3.70. Tough to beat. | |||
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) J: Leah Martyn 59kg x3721T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Most recently favourite; won by 1.0 len at this track Bm70 June 17 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Gagnante Enchere carrying 56kg at $3.40. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Sunshine Coast Cl3 on June 7 over 1200m, slow going 0.8 len behind Zoufani with 56kg at $8.50. In the mix. | |||
LOVE REBEL (10) should have finished closer first-up over 1100m at the Gold Coast after being held up but admittedly she settled too far back.
The Matt Hoysted-trained filly improved second-up at the Sunshine Coast where she let down nicely despite racing wide to finish a head second.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise in distance.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed so Jake Bayliss may settle closer in the run.
| 10. Love Rebel (4) J: Jake Bayliss 56kg 25×72T: Matthew Hoysted | |||
| Third-up today. First-up from last on the turn 7th of 10 at Gold Coast Mdn on May 22 over 1100m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Fortysecondstreet with 58kg at $21. Second-up came from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Sunshine Coast Mdn on June 7 over 1200m, slow going head behind Ardie Three with 57kg at $13. Definite threat. | |||
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 (5) J: Benjamin Osmond 60.5kg 116×8T: David Vandyke | |||
| Second-up. First-up after eight months ran second last of 9 at this track Bm78 on May 27 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Shot Of Whiskey carrying 54.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 at Ipswich Bm65 on August 20 over 1350m, slow going 1.5 len behind Great Aspirations with 58kg at $2.70. Rates highly on best form and looks a strong winning hope. | |||
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 (2) J: Jace Mcmurray 58kg 7×432T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Comes off a 39 day let-up. Last start 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 carrying 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. | |||
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) J: Ryan Maloney 60kg 428×8T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months raced behind the speed prior to fading 8th of 11 at this track Cl2 on May 27 over 1350m, on heavy track; 15 len behind State Opera with 57.5kg at $3.90. Previously second-up 4th of 10 at Rosehill Bm72 on November 12 over 1500m, 2 len behind Ivan’s Hero with 56kg at $2.90. Will benefit from that run and is definitely worth including. | |||