Saturday’s Doomben preview features a nine-race card, with conditions set to be a key factor across the afternoon.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, but with showers forecast through to the weekend, there’s every chance it stays in that range or gets a touch softer.
The rail is out 2.5m, which should provide a fair set-up and give every runner their chance.
There’s plenty to assess across the Doomben card, so let’s work through the program and find a few winners.
TENGUN TOMMY (1) has returned in fine style this preparation with back-to-back wins.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding produced the best final 600m of the race when finding the line strongly at the Sunshine Coast last start to salute by just over half a length.
He encountered an outside barrier first-up, just as he does here, but that wasn’t enough to stop him from running on strongly to win by a half-length over 1100m at this track.
The rise to 1200m looks ideal third-up, and the extra distance to the turn will come in handy as Ben Thompson looks to navigate the wide draw.
| 1. Tengun Tommy (9) 59.5kg6×11 |
MOONAN QUARTZ (6) has been dominant in two runs back from a spell.
The Mick Lakey-trained gelding kicked off this campaign over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast, where he settled a few lengths off the leader in second before letting down powerfully to win comfortably by just under three lengths.
He then came to town last start and schooled his rivals over 1400m at Eagle Farm, leading all the way to record a 2.29 length victory.
Jace McMurray, who claims 2kg, should be able to cross and settle in a prominent position, or possibly lead.
| 6. Moonan Quartz (8) 59kg43×11 |
MOSHULU SPIRIT (2) looks well placed to continue his unbeaten run this preparation.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding returned with an excellent performance at the Sunshine Coast last start, settling handy before letting down powerfully to gap his rivals by 4.64 lengths.
Earlier this preparation, he let down strongly to win over this course and distance before proving too good at Ipswich over the same trip, taking his record to three wins from four starts.
He’s at peak fitness, and with top jockey Ben Thompson aboard, he should enjoy a great run on speed.
| 2. Moshulu Spirit (7) 59kg7×111 |
TECHNA (16) impressed over 1800m at Eagle Farm last start and looks ready to handle the rise to Saturday grade.
Following a first-up third at the Sunshine Coast, the Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare brained her rivals, dashing clear in the final furlong to win by 4.04 lengths.
Given the way she powered through the line, the rise in distance looks suitable third-up with added fitness.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which should aid her cause, with Robbie Dolan likely to settle around midfield from the good draw.
| 16. Techna (2) 55.5kg35×31 |
STEIN (14) caught the eye at Eagle Farm last start, working home in the quickest final 400m and 200m splits of the race when finishing 1.25 lengths third over 1200m.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained filly will strip fitter third-up and won her only previous third-up run, which came over this course and distance.
On that occasion, she started a $1.35 favourite and led all the way before putting her rivals away easily.
Mark Du Plessis can use the good gate to advantage and drive forward, and with just 52.5kg on her back, she may prove hard to run down.
| 14. Stein (2) 52.5kg13×63 |
While he has 60kg to deal with, JOHN RAMBO (1) gets in well due to the set weight conditions of the race and his superior rating.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was last seen working home well in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap to finish 2.41 lengths seventh despite racing wide and back after drawing a putrid barrier.
This is an easier assignment than what he has been facing, and he races well at Doomben, boasting a 3.97 length win here last year.
He has his quirks, but if he jumps well for Cejay Graham, he should be able to stalk the speed before launching in the straight.
| 1. John Rambo (2) 60kg21×57 |
TALTARNI FIELDS (1) will appreciate dropping in class after a luckless first-up run at the Sunshine Coast.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare was squeezed prior to the turn and spat out the back, which put paid to any hope she had, but to her credit, she found the line well to finish 4.16 lengths from the winner.
She’ll strip fitter and has won two from four second-up races, with one of those victories coming over this course and distance.
She’s drawn well for 2kg claimer Jace McMurray, which should see her enjoy a nice run just off the lead.
| 1. Taltarni Fields (3) 61kg915×0 |
THE INFLICTOR (1) will appreciate dropping out of black-type and feature racing for the first time in a year.
The Craig Cousins-trained gelding was last seen finishing 4.07 lengths 11th in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, and prior to that produced a competitive effort when finishing 2.71 lengths sixth in the Group 2 Moreton Cup.
His last win came in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile over this distance at Eagle Farm just over a year ago.
This race is shaped in a similar fashion, with Corey Sutherland, who claims 2kg, able to dictate in what looks a race devoid of speed.
If he can get away with cheap sectionals, he may prove hard to run down.
| 1. The Inflictor (2) 60kg45660 |
DAGGERS (4) rises to a mile for just the second time since finishing fifth in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes nearly two years ago.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was last seen finishing 1.26 lengths third over 1350m on Ipswich Cup Day, where he had to work from the outside barrier.
He has been a model of consistency since joining the Eagle Farm stable, recording four placings and a win from five starts.
He maps to get a sweet run for Ben Thompson and should be awfully hard to beat.
| 4. Daggers (2) 59kg23133 |