We’re back to Doomben this Saturday, September 12th where ten races make up another quality metro program.
The track is rated in the Soft (5) range at publish, while the rail will be set out four metres around the entire course.
I’ve run the rule over the card, and you can find all of my Doomben best bets below.
SLIPSAIN (6) has been racing consistently this preparation, placing in each of his last five starts and finishing a close third over a mile at Eagle Farm most recently.
He draws barrier six for this assignment and gets a useful 2kg claim for Jai Williams, leaving him with just 56kg to carry.
With that recent consistency and a favourable setup, Slipsain looks ready to return to winning form.
| 11. Slipsain (6) 56kg33223 |
DIAMOND SHOW (2) has been in excellent form this preparation, finishing runner-up at her three starts prior to breaking through with back-to-back victories.
She draws nicely in barrier two and gets in extremely well after Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim, giving her an attractive setup despite stepping up in grade.
In peak order, she gets plenty of ticks and can fight out the finish again.
| 9. Diamond Show (2) 50kg22211 |
BARBRAY (7) has turned his preparation around with consecutive wins at Sunshine Coast over 1600m and Eagle Farm over 1815m, the latter coming in a strong BM70.
He did finish fourth at his latest start over 1600m in a BM85, but was beaten only 1.44 lengths and now looks well placed back in this grade.
Barbray looks capable of bouncing back strongly here and gets the nod on top.
| 11. Barbray (5) 56.5kg54114 |
EXPRESS PAYMENT (3) has been racing in excellent form, winning the 1400m BM85 at the Sunshine Coast before going close in two strong handicap contests at Doomben and Eagle Farm.
He then produced a determined victory over 1600m at Doomben last start and continues to hold his strong and consistent form.
In peak order and from the low draw, he can fight out the finish again.
| 1. Express Payment (3) 60kg21221 |
FACUNDO (4) resumed with an impressive win over this route before finishing a solid third in a stronger Class 6 at Eagle Farm last start.
Gram has won each of his last five starts progressing through the grades, while Stanislaus also arrives off a placing and has shown enough to be competitive at this level.
Facundo should take improvement from his latest effort and looks well placed to return to the winner’s list.
| 3. Facundo (4) 58.5kg48×13 |
CINDERSEA (6) returns from a spell after a strong and consistent last preparation, enjoying three wins and four minor placings from her eight starts.
She’s had the benefit of a trial ahead of this suitable campaign launchpad, and she has won two of three previous fresh attempts.
Dominant Darcy also resumes and was excellent last time in, winning four of his last five starts, while Bonfire Spark has also been racing consistently and arrives in strong and consistent form.
| 2. Cindersea (5) 56.5kg1123x |
This looms as a wide-open affair with plenty of key chances engaged, including a couple of horses that are yet to gain a start.
All things considered, I thought that a fit HOPPER (10) looked a key chance once more.
Hopper returned from a break with a solid fourth in a strong BM70 at Eagle Farm before winning impressively over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.
He was then fourth again in a BM85 at Eagle Farm last start, beaten just over three lengths, and should appreciate the drop back in grade here.
| 1. Hopper (10)SCRATCHED: | |||
Having stripped fitter for four runs back from a break, ZOUPER FUND (2) looks well placed to strike this weekend at Doomben, in my opinion.
Zouper Fund has been building nicely this preparation, improving from ninth over 1100m at Caulfield to a close fifth over 1300m at Randwick before finishing a strong second over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start.
He was beaten less than a length by Larrikin Rogue on that occasion and a repeat of that performance would see him right in the finish again.
| 8. Zouper Fund (2) 56kgx4952 |
Another wide-open affair sees a capacity field step out over the 1110m including COMPEL (3), who puts an unbeaten record on the line.
While she has only made one appearance at the races so far, Compel showed ability at the trials prior to her sole start and put the writing on the wall with an easy win in maiden company here.
She does face an obvious rise in class, but she’s clearly good ability and upside, and she has drawn nice and low with Ryan Maloney retaining the ride.
| 6. Compel (3) 54kg1 |
POLYGLOT (1) finds another perfect race this week in my opinion.
Polyglot has mixed his recent form but has twice shown his best with dominant wins over 1100m at Rosehill, including a BM78 victory last month.
He then stepped into handicap company at Eagle Farm and worked home solidly for third over 1000m, beaten just 1.63 lengths by Town Crier.
In peak order and with options from the rails draw, he’s ideally placed again.
| 6. Polyglot (1) 54kg71813 |