Doomben is back in play this Saturday with nine races on the card. The track is rated a Soft 5, and there is a possible shower forecast for Saturday.
The rail returns to the true position, which adds some interest. It has not been closer than 2.5m for the past month, so there should be a reasonable patch of ground near the inside.
Still, punters will need to watch the early races. The track conditions and any pattern could shape how the meeting plays.
Doomben often rewards horses that can hold a spot and travel around the bends. That makes the speed map and early positioning important. Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the card.
Let’s take a closer look at the Doomben program.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (4) drops in class after giving a good account of herself over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare had to work early from the outside barrier to find a forward position, but she fought on gamely to finish fourth, beaten 1.55 lengths.
She was luckless the start prior over this course and distance, where she was held up badly on the fence until late before finishing fifth, beaten 2.3 lengths.
She is at peak fitness and gets in well under the set weights conditions of the race.
There does not look to be a great deal of speed engaged, so Jimmy Orman will likely go forward.
| 4. Trafalgar Square (5) 60kgx1354 |
EXCEED THE SALE (5) was forced to go back on debut to avoid being caught wide, but there was plenty to like about the way she worked home for third at Eagle Farm.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly settled a touch closer last start over 1200m at Eagle Farm before producing an impressive finishing burst to win easily by 1.53 lengths.
She will strip fitter third-up and the rise in distance looks ideal.
Chelsea Baker, who claims 3kg, can settle handy in a race where the speed looks moderate on paper.
| 5. Exceed The Sale (4) 58kg31 |
FERNAO (4) should appreciate the rise to 2200m after catching the eye flashing late over 2030m here last start.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding was not suited by the walking pace but still did well to finish second, beaten just over half a length, behind Cavalry Man, who he meets better at the weights.
He was seven weeks between runs there, so he should have come on from that effort, and the rise in distance suits.
Mark Du Plessis can give him an economical run from the inside barrier.
| 4. Fernao (1) 57.5kgx0062 |
ROBRICK (10) looks well placed in this Class 3 Plate, given he is at least 13 ratings points higher than every other horse in the race besides Razors.
The Gary Doughty-trained gelding was last seen in a Class 6 Plate, where he found the line well to finish a head fifth in a blanket finish over this course and distance.
Two starts back, he savaged the line at Ipswich to comfortably put his rivals away by just under two lengths.
Given most horses in this field look evenly matched for early speed, Ryan Maloney should be able to find a decent position from barrier 2.
| 10. Robrick (2) 60kg83615 |
JUST FLYING (2) gets a drop in class after closing off well over this course and distance last start.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding was strong through the line when finishing third, beaten just under a length.
He should be close to peak fitness now after finding the line with gusto to miss by a head first-up.
Top jockey Ben Thompson takes the ride and should land in a handy position.
| 2. Just Flying (5) 57.5kg23733 |
ROGUERY (8) did not have a great deal go right when resuming for new trainer Tony Gollan at Eagle Farm last start.
The six-year-old gelding settled a long way back and ran into roadblock after roadblock. When he finally got clear air, he hit the line hard, but the race was as good as over, and he finished sixth, beaten 3.9 lengths.
He will strip fitter second-up and finished third, beaten just over half a length, at The Valley in his only previous start over this distance.
Jimmy Orman going on is a positive booking.
| 8. Roguery (4) 59kg960×6 |
BLAZING HARRY (8) stormed home to just miss running down Braveheart when resuming over this course and distance last start.
Now in the care of Kristy Clark-Peoples, the gelding meets the winner 3kg better at the weights.
He will have come on since that run and boasts a very good second-up record, including a win at Ipswich last preparation.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which suits, but from the inside barrier we may see Jace McMurray settle closer in the run.
| 8. Blazing Harry (1) 59kg41492 |
GRINZINGER CHAMP (6) has settled in well at Jack Bruce’s stable following a move from Danny O’Brien’s Victorian operation.
The Wootton Bassett mare worked home well first-up at Eagle Farm to finish fourth, beaten 3.29 lengths, before storming home over this course and distance to win impressively by 1.23 lengths.
She continued her hot form last start when charging home with 60kg to salute by just over half a length.
The lightly raced mare faces her toughest challenge yet, but she looks more than capable of rising to the occasion.
| 6. Grinzinger Champ (7) 58kg5×411 |
PEREILLE (3) returns from a short let-up after producing an outstanding effort in the Listed Ramornie Handicap.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding settled a long way back after drawing wide before charging home once clear to finish second, beaten 1.19 lengths.
Every race he has contested this preparation has been at black-type level, so he should appreciate getting back to Open company.
Jimmy Orman is a positive jockey booking, and the abundance of speed in the race will be to his liking.
| 3. Pereille (5) 59.5kg63832 |