Keith Noud Day at Doomben offers a timely warm-up for the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival, with a 10-race program this Saturday.
The Listed Keith Noud Quality headlines the meeting, and the 1200m feature has seen the Doomben track record broken by past winners Jonker and Holyfield.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, but storms and showers are forecast throughout the week, so conditions could change by race day.
I’ve worked through the form and found my top selections across the card.
MISS VERSTAK (10) debuts here and looks set to make a bold impression after an impressive trial win.
The Chris Waller-trained filly showed good speed to lead a recent Gold Coast trial, then dashed clear under her own steam to win comfortably by 2.92 lengths.
She draws the prized inside barrier, which should allow Andrew Mallyon to use it to advantage and settle her on speed.
| 10. Miss Verstak (1) 57kg | |||
| Debuts for Chris Waller as a $300,000 yearling and draws the inside barrier, giving her a strong platform for a first start. The family adds depth, with Tupakara placed in the G1 MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES and several other Group performances listed in the pedigree. The debut profile is strong enough to win. | |||
THE GREY ONE (1) was very good on debut over 1200m at the Gold Coast, where he settled back and wide before finding the line well for a 1.75-length second.
The Michael Freedman-trained gelding appreciated the rise to 1400m last start on Melbourne Cup Day, breaking his maiden in fine style with a 1.36-length victory.
The way he ran through the line suggests a third-up tilt at the mile will suit.
He has drawn well in the small field for Ben Thompson.
| 1. The Grey One (3) 59kg21 | |||
| Won a 1400m Mdn at Gold Coast last start, picking up impressively on soft ground to score by a length and a half as a dominant favourite. His debut second behind Wainai also had merit after he raced wide throughout and still charged home. Untried at 1600m, but third-up with clear upside and rates on top. | |||
TORO STRIKE (4) has been racing in great form since joining the Jack Bruce stable.
The son of Toronado was beaten by just under half a length last start over this course and distance, but was awarded the race in the stewards’ room after being badly impeded in the run home with plenty to offer.
He has shown a liking for the Doomben mile, going down by just a neck two starts ago under a big impost and winning three starts back after storming home.
Ben Thompson retains the ride and should be able to give him an economical run from the low draw.
| 4. Toro Strike (2) 60kg52131 | |||
| Produced a strong late finish to win at this track last start, beating Headhunter by half a length after beginning slowly and coming from well back. That followed a close third in Class 3 company at this venue, also after an awkward start. His track-and-distance record is very solid, and Ben Thompson has two wins and two placings from four rides on him. Strong chance to repeat. | |||
DRAW ATTENTION (9) is looking to win her fourth consecutive race and will be hard to beat.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare worked strongly to the line three starts ago over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast, getting up in the final strides.
She stepped up to this distance at the Gold Coast last start and put on a clinic, racing on speed before dashing clear to beat her rivals by 8.18 lengths.
It was a similar story last start over this course and distance, where she led all the way for a six-length win without getting out of second gear.
She is in red-hot form and once again draws to get all the favours with Ben Thompson in the saddle.
| 9. Draw Attention (2) 55.5kg43111 | |||
| Has won three in a row and was dominant in a BM70 at this track last start, beating Castello Grande by six lengths after being heavily supported into very short odds-on territory. She had also won by just over eight lengths at Gold Coast two back. Class rise is there, but the winning case is strong. | |||
Blinkers did STRADA VARENNA (11) the world of good last start over this distance at Eagle Farm, where she gave her rivals nothing else to chase in a 1.75-length victory.
The Street Boss mare has been racing in great form this preparation since joining the Tony Gollan yard.
Four starts ago she won at Eagle Farm, then went down by the barest of margins at the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm.
Any rain will boost her chances, as it did last start, and she gets in with just 55kg following Jett Newman’s claim.
| 11. Strada Varenna (8) 55kg71221 | |||
| Arrives in the right form, winning at Eagle Farm last start as a short odds-on favourite and beating Kohler Kid by just under two lengths on heavy ground. She had missed by only a nose in a BM70 the run prior after beginning awkwardly, so the campaign reads consistently. Is airborne and gets a good chance to continue on her merry way. | |||
SMOKE ON THE WATER (1) has settled in nicely at James Healy’s Sunshine Coast stable.
The Jukebox gelding opened this preparation with a 1400m win at the Sunshine Coast before racing on speed and proving too strong late over this course and distance.
The outside barrier saw him settle a long way back over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start, but he worked home well to finish 1.9 lengths third in a similar-class race.
He is rock-hard fit and has won previously when fourth-up.
Michael Rodd should be able to settle him in a prominent position, given there don’t appear to be many runners looking to go forward.
| 1. Smoke On The Water (6) 60kg5×113 | |||
| Closed strongly for third at Eagle Farm last start, beaten just under two lengths on heavy ground after having difficulty getting a clear run in the straight. That followed a determined CG BM68 win at this track, where he beat Kokatahi as favourite. Proven at the trip and Rodd back aboard are major positives. | |||
LEBANESE (3) has been racing well this preparation and could have a better record than two wins and three placings from seven starts if luck had gone her way.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare gets on well with Emily Lang, and the talented young hoop is aboard again.
Last start, she dictated proceedings over this course and distance before proving too strong in the run home to score by half a length.
Three starts ago at Ipswich over this trip, she held off the late challenge of Bluish Hue, who has since won two Highway Handicaps in Sydney.
She should race on speed and give this a shake.
| 3. Lebanese (7) 58kg32151 | |||
| Backs up a strong local profile after leading throughout to win at this track by half a length last start, holding He’s Tru Blue in a tight finish. Two back she was only fifth behind Ready For Aimee but raced wide and was beaten two and a half lengths. Has to turn around the Ready For Aimee line, but the case is solid. | |||
NOW IS THE HOUR (7) returned last start over 1110m here and gave his rivals a galloping lesson.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding drove forward from the sticky gate to lead, then booted clear to win by 2.31 lengths in slick time.
He should be better for the experience and has a good record over this course and distance.
With just 54kg on his back, Angela Jones can make full use of the inside barrier and give them something to catch.
| 7. Now Is The Hour (1) 54kg207×1 | |||
| Made a strong statement first-up at this track, winning by two and a half lengths as favourite after leading and opening right up on Zoubaby. He beat About To Explode in the process and had been competitive in BM85 grade at Eagle Farm before the break. The one they have to catch. | |||
BALANCE THE BOOKS (8) returns to the races for the first time since producing a dazzling turn of foot to put her rivals away at the Sunshine Coast by 4.31 lengths.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare races well fresh, having won two of her three first-up starts. Her only failure came when she suffered a slow recovery.
She looked good in a recent trial, cruising outside Daggers to finish second with seemingly plenty in hand over her stablemate.
She has drawn a touch awkwardly for Ben Thompson, but a decent speed should help the leading jockey find a suitable position.
| 8. Balance The Books (10) 56.5kg2311x | |||
| Returns from a five-month break with a close second in her latest trial at Doomben, and her race record gives her a strong case. She signed off with a dominant BM80 win at Sunshine Coast, beating Electric Arrow by four and a half lengths after covering ground, and had won a BM78 at Ipswich the start prior. Clear winning claims. | |||
ALL KINDS OF FOLK (9) looks an excellent chance to end the day on a high, with conditions to suit.
The Todd Pollard-trained mare hit the line with gusto two starts ago to win over this course and distance with something in hand.
She drops in class after running on strongly in the rain-affected conditions at Eagle Farm last start, where she finished 2.5 lengths second to Brindavan. That runner subsequently finished a good fifth in the Five Diamonds in Sydney last weekend.
She is undefeated on heavy ground, so any rain would boost confidence.
They should roll along in front, giving her the chance to show her turn of foot. I expect her to finish over the top.
| 9. All Kinds Of Folk (2) 56kg1×512 | |||
| Ran second to Brindavan in Open company at Eagle Farm last start, beaten two and a half lengths after working into the race wide as a well-supported favourite. That followed a strong 1 Metro Win success at this track, where she beat Twisted Queen by just under a length after travelling well and finishing over the top. Proven at the mile here and looks the one to beat. | |||