Wednesday racing heads to Doomben for an eight-race program, with the track rated a Soft 5 and sunny weather forecast.
Given we are still in winter, it is hard to see the track conditions improving too much, so we should be working around that Soft 5 range throughout the afternoon. The rail is out 9.5m, which is always worth noting at Doomben, as that set-up has traditionally favoured on-pace runners.
With that in mind, the speed map and early positioning look important across the card. Horses with tactical speed should get every chance if they are good enough, and that will be a key part of the race analysis when assessing the main winning chances and betting opportunities.
Let’s try to find some winners.
URBAN PRINCESS (7) gets her chance to break through in what is not the most engaging race to start the day.
The Brent Gray-trained mare caught the eye two starts back over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast when making good ground through the ruck to finish 2.37 lengths third.
She gave a great account of herself last start when stepping up to 1700m at the Gold Coast, where she settled handy before pairing off with Coccinella. She was overpowered late but still finished 1.59 lengths second, with 3.46 lengths back to third.
She is rock-hard fit and gets the services of Michael Rodd.
| 7. Urban Princess (6) J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg 53832T: Brent Gray | |||
| Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Gold Coast Mdn-Sw on July 25 over 1700m, slow going 1.5 len behind Coccinella carrying 56kg at $1.95. The run before that 3rd of 13 at Sunshine Coast Mdn-Sw on July 12 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Cambridge Bay with 56kg at $5.50. One of the leading chances. | |||
RAGING RAIDER (8) should appreciate dropping back to this level after looming and just not having the finish to go with them late when finishing 3.19 lengths sixth in a Saturday race at Eagle Farm.
The Paul Butterworth-trained filly was very good the start prior over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast when charging late to miss the win by a head.
She will strip fitter third-up and gets last season’s top Brisbane jockey, Ben Thompson, in the saddle.
Experience and fitness should give her an advantage, and I would expect her to be reasonably handy in the run given there does not look to be a great deal of speed.
| 8. Raging Raider (5) J: Ben Thompson 56kg 34×36T: Paul Butterworth | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 11 at Sunshine Coast 2yo Mdn on July 12 over 1200m, slow going head behind Quick Release carrying 57kg at $3.40. Second-up 6th of 8 at Eagle Farm 2yo Hcp on July 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Misato carrying 56kg at $11. Major player. | |||
EDGE OF INFINITY (8) did not see out 1700m at Grafton last start in a Super Maiden and looks better suited dropping back to this distance.
That has proven to be a good form race, with three subsequent winners coming from it.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was very good two starts back over 1300m at Eagle Farm when working strongly to the line to finish 2.89 lengths second to Dust Cloud, easily defeating Moscow Mule in the process.
She maps to get a nice run just behind the speed.
| 8. Edge Of Infinity (4) J: Jake Bayliss 56.5kg x4325T: Chris Waller | |||
| Half-sister to Group 2 winner and dual-Group 1 placed Osipenko. At the latest run 5th of 12 at Grafton Super Mdn-Sw on July 15 over 1700m, 2 len behind Aurora Effect with 57kg at $4.80. The run before that 2nd of 8 at Eagle Farm Mdn on July 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Dust Cloud carrying 57kg at $4.80. Worth including. | |||
WOUNDER (8) has won just once in 18 starts but should find this race a lot easier than what she has been contesting in Sydney.
The Chris Waller-trained mare ran well last start in a Benchmark 72 Handicap at Warwick Farm where, despite suffering a puncture wound to her foot, she fought gamely to finish 2.2 lengths fourth to subsequent Saturday metropolitan winner Satono Jasmine.
Prior to that, she had finished close-up fourths at Canterbury and Hawkesbury, with a length third at Canterbury in between.
She is deep into her preparation and gets in with just 54.5kg.
| 8. Wounder (6) J: Emily Lang 54.5kg 44344T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start 4th of 10 at Warwick Farm F&M Bm72 on July 15 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Satono Jasmine with 54kg at $16. The start before that 4th of 12 at Hawkesbury Cl1-Sw on June 23 over 1800m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind The Iron Star with 57kg at $6. Honest galloper who is a live chance. | |||
SARAH’S SONNET (8) has displayed good staying potential in her young career.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained mare opened this preparation with back-to-back placings, going down by just a nose second-up over 1800m at the Gold Coast.
She stepped up to 2233m last start and handled it with aplomb, easily putting her rivals away by 1.33 lengths with the jockey riding hands and heels.
In her only previous fourth-up run, she proved too strong over a similar distance at Lismore.
Mark Du Plessis taking the ride is a positive.
| 8. Sarah’s Sonnets (8) J: Mark Du Plessis 54.5kg 1×321T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| Most recently won by 1.75 len at Gold Coast Bm68 July 25 over 2233m on a rain affected track defeating Southby carrying 54kg at $4.80. Before that 2nd of 8 at Gold Coast Bm68 on July 11 over 1800m, nose behind Old Song carrying 54.5kg at $3.30. Going well and rates highly. | |||
ZALIQUE (9) looks to have come back this preparation a more furnished horse.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding looked super when winning two trials and took that form to the races when winning in dominant fashion at Grafton after sitting second in the run.
This is only his second campaign, so he has upside.
He has drawn well for Daniel Moor, which should see him stalking likely leader La Profecia.
| 9. Zalique (3) J: Daniel Moor 57.5kg 64×1T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len at Grafton Big Maiden July 16 over 1175m defeating Parker’s Paradise carrying 59kg at $1.50. Previously second-up 4th of 7 at Lismore Mdn-Sw on January 4 over 1120m, 2 len behind All Too Foxy carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Genuine top-three candidate. | |||
STEIN (11) was a touch unlucky last start when held up before finishing 4.74 lengths sixth over this course and distance in a Saturday three-year-old race won by the red-hot Grinzinger Champ.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare looks better suited dropping back to this Class 1 Fillies and Mares Handicap.
Two starts back in a similar class to this, she caught the eye working home in the quickest final 400m and 200m splits of the race when finishing 1.25 lengths third over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
The blinkers come off for the first time, and she should race on speed.
| 11. Stein (7) J: Tahlia Fenlon 57.5kg 3×636T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Most recently 6th of 12 at this track 3yo F Hcp on July 18 over 1200m, slow going 4.5 len behind Grinzinger Champ with 52.5kg at $7. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 at Eagle Farm Cl1 on July 1 over 1200m, slow going 1.3 len behind Siesta with 56.5kg at $2.60. Sure to measure up here. | |||
FLAXLANDS (13) is racing in great form and looks well placed to go back-to-back.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was ridden further forward last start over this course and distance, and the tactic paid dividends as she won easily by 1.2 lengths.
That followed a 1.3 length third at Ipswich where she was beaten by the outside barrier but did rocket home in the fastest closing sectionals.
Given how well the tactics worked last start, Jake Bayliss will likely look to be positive again.
| 13. Flaxlands (7) J: Jake Bayliss 54.5kg x1431T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.2 len at this track F&M Bm65 July 22 over 1350m in soft going defeating Siesta with 57kg at $2.20. The race before that 3rd of 10 at Ipswich Bm65 on July 8 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Petite Palace carrying 55kg at $4.60. Worth including. | |||
