Doomben hosts a 10-race card this Saturday, with the track rated a Soft 5 and fine weather forecast.
The rail is out 2m, which should give punters a reasonable surface to work with. The early races will still provide the best guide to how the track conditions are playing.
That rail position puts extra focus on the speed map and early positioning, especially for runners that can hold a spot around the bends.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the program.
Let’s get stuck into the Doomben card and find a few winners.
WRIGLEY FIELD (1) has been crying out for a rise in distance and gets that here, stepping up to a mile.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding rises in weight but will appreciate the significant drop in class after finding the line strongly from well off the lead over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start to finish fourth, beaten 1.25 lengths.
He is at peak fitness now and gets the services of Ryan Maloney.
With the speed drawn out, he should be able to use the inside barrier to advantage and settle in a more forward position.
| 1. Wrigley Field (1) 60kg4×254 |
SHELSTEIN (9) gave a good sight over 1350m here last start, where he was run down late to finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding will strip fitter third-up and should appreciate dropping back to 1200m, which is his preferred distance and the trip over which all his wins have come.
With increased fitness, solid New South Wales form and just 54kg, he has several things in his favour.
There looks to be plenty of speed in the race, which should see Daniel Moor enjoy a nice run just behind it from the good gate.
| 9. Shelstein (4) 54kg22×62 |
BLAZING HARRY (1) will appreciate not running into Braveheart here and gets a welcome drop in class.
The Kristy Clark-Peoples-trained gelding stormed home to just miss running down Braveheart when resuming over 1200m here two starts ago.
Unfortunately, he saw the back of Tony Gollan’s gelding again last start, but to his credit, he found the line well to finish second, beaten 3.41 lengths.
He is on the quick back-up, and the rise in distance should suit given the way he went through the line.
Bella Youngberry claims 3kg and can stalk the speed from a favourable draw.
| 1. Blazing Harry (3) 59kg14922 |
CORMAC T (6) comes up with the outside barrier but he has the early speed to cross and find a forward position easily.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding rises in class after putting away his rivals by just under a length over this course and distance last start.
Prior to that he had been mixing his form but place several times in Sydney including a half-length second over 2000m at Rosehill just three starts ago.
Jace McMurray retains the ride and his claim is a plus.
| 6. Cormac T (9) 56.5kg30291 |
PETIT ARTISTE (16) resumes here and steps out for the first time with new trainer Tony Gollan.
Formerly based in Victoria, the four-year-old mare has not won for 70 weeks. However, that victory came in the Listed Without Fear Stakes at Morphettville, where she romped in by 3.46 lengths.
Perhaps she was placed in races beyond her ability in recent preparations, but she should find this contest more suitable.
She looked good in a recent trial, cruising around in good time to finish a close third.
She has drawn well for Emily Lang.
| 16. Petit Artiste (5) 57kgx367x |
LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (6) began awkwardly from a wide barrier, and things did not go right in the run last start over this course and distance.
However, the Corey & Kylie Geran-trained son of I Am Invincible showed he does not have to go forward every time, producing a devastating turn of foot to storm home from near the tail and finish fourth, beaten a neck.
Gary “5G” Geran is back in the saddle and rode him two starts ago when the gelding led all the way to win by 3.3 lengths.
Moulin Miss should lead from the inside barrier, but this guy should be able to land right on her hammer and enjoy a sweet run.
| 6. Let’Sfacethemusic (5) 57kg45514 |
LAND BANK (14) rises in class but drops to just 53.5kg.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding produced an excellent performance over 1350m here last start, letting down strongly to charge past his rivals and win by just under a length.
The way he hit the line suggests the rise to a mile for the first time will suit, particularly with increased fitness.
Daniel Moor just needs a touch of luck from the potentially sticky gate.
| 14. Land Bank (10) 53.5kg16×31 |
MARIA CLARA (8) produced an eye-catching performance at Eagle Farm last start.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained filly settled near the tail, was impeded and shuffled back on the turn before being held up badly in the straight.
Despite that, she stormed home once clear to finish third, beaten just under a length.
Two starts back, she led into the straight at the Gold Coast before driving clear to win her Maiden by 1.39 lengths.
Mark Du Plessis replaces the apprentice, and she will still carry just 52kg.
| 8. Maria Clara (8) 52kg313 |
SER JOH (6) burned plenty of petrol firing across from the outside barrier to lead over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start.
Despite that, the Rob Heathcote-trained gelding fought on well to finish second, beaten 2.16 lengths, behind Surprise Honey, who enjoyed the run of the race.
He also ran well first-up at Eagle Farm when finishing second by a long neck.
He will strip fitter and won third-up last preparation at this track.
He maps to enjoy a great run on speed for Taylor Marshall.
| 6. Ser Joh (2) 58kg55×22 |
ANEMACORE (1) finally took advantage of drawing a good gate last start, settling closer in the run before letting down strongly to get up in the shadows of the post.
The Shaun Dwyer-trained gelding drew the outside barrier at Eagle Farm two starts ago and found himself a long last before storming home to finish second, beaten just under a length.
That followed a neck third in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, so he is primed for another big performance.
He steps up to a mile for the first time since finishing second by a neck over this course and distance in March.
He is clearly the best horse in the race but has to carry 61kg. Michael Rodd should give him another excellent steer from a good draw.
| 1. Anemacore (2) 61kg25321 |