Doomben races eight times on Monday, with the first race at 1:46pm (Sydney and Melbourne time). The track was rated a Soft 5 on Sunday night. The first half of the card is maidens and the back half is a run of very even handicaps. Prices below were taken on Sunday evening and will move.
Tony Gollan is the trainer in form. He has had 55 winners this season at a strike rate above 23 per cent, so his runners are worth a second look all day. Toro Strike in Race 7 is the runner we trust most, and No Fooling in Race 8 is our value play.
Race 1 - Gallopers Sports Club Maiden Plate (1660m)
Selection: Ancestral Current odds: $2.40
Ancestral looks the best horse in the race. She has been settling back and finishing strongly, and the blinkers go on with Ben Thompson riding, which could sharpen her up. Ignore her fourth at Kembla Grange last time. Deals is from a strong stable and should improve on a debut-run sixth. Bacetti was third over this track last time and gets a good gate, while Dual Mastery will be on the speed and has placed at both runs this campaign.
Selections:
- Ancestral - $2.40
- Deals - $3.20
- Bacetti - $4.80
- Dual Mastery - $6.00
Race 2 - Become A BRC Member Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1660m)
Selection: Great Times Ahead Current odds: $1.50
Great Times Ahead is a well-bred Chris Waller colt and was only beaten a neck at Eagle Farm last start. He draws barrier one and this race looks no harder, so he should win. The price is very short though, so he suits multis and exotics more than a big win bet. Spirit Of Torque was second at the Sunshine Coast, backs up quickly and gets weight relief from Bella Youngberry, so he is the main danger. Hells Rein is from a stable in good form.
Selections:
- Great Times Ahead - $1.50
- Spirit Of Torque - $4.80
- Hells Rein - $8.50
- Enuff Torque - $13.00
Race 3 - Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% In October Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Hell Or Heaven Current odds: $3.40
Hell Or Heaven was second at Eagle Farm first up and ran one of the best closing sections of that race. The drop to 1200m suits, and the only worry is a wide gate. Fleeting Boom is the main danger. He was caught three wide with no cover on debut and still fought on, so he should be much better for that run. The Aviator won his latest trial and is worth including at a price, and Aristocratic Girl is consistent enough for exotics.
Selections:
- Hell Or Heaven - $3.40
- Fleeting Boom - $3.20
- The Aviator - $7.00
- Aristocratic Girl - $8.00
Race 4 - Spring Racing Carnival Book Now Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Esnaad Current odds: $3.60
Esnaad has placed in all three of her starts and was strong late at Newcastle last time. Ben Thompson rides for Michael Freedman, a strong combination, and if the pace is on she will be finishing fast. Budda Bar is the favourite after a promising second on debut at Eagle Farm and will improve, so he is the clear danger. Astern Effort has plenty of placings and won his latest trials, while Stellagracia is a Gollan debutant to watch in the market.
Selections:
- Esnaad - $3.60
- Budda Bar - $2.00
- Astern Effort - $4.00
- Stellagracia - $8.50
Race 5 - XXXX Gold BM68 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Smoke On The Water Current odds: $3.80
This is an open race. Smoke On The Water won well first up for his new stable, sitting off the leaders and finishing strongly, and Michael Rodd stays on. Gaultier is the favourite from barrier one and is still improving after a narrow loss at Eagle Farm. Kokatahi was second when resuming and draws well. Barrelling goes well at Doomben and can lead, so he is worth including too.
Selections:
- Smoke On The Water - $3.80
- Gaultier - $3.60
- Kokatahi - $4.40
- Barrelling - $4.20
Race 6 - Drinkwise Fillies And Mares BM68 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Ready For Aimee Current odds: $3.50
Ready For Aimee is at her best over this trip and gets a good gate, with Bella Youngberry’s 3kg claim for Tony Gollan. She has beaten Lebanese before, and she should be on the speed. Lebanese won at Ipswich last start and is the main danger if she leads. Don’t Doubt Missy was narrowly beaten at the Sunshine Coast but has drawn wide, and Maquisa was only half a length away at Eagle Farm but has only won once in 21 starts.
Selections:
- Ready For Aimee - $3.50
- Lebanese - $6.50
- Don’t Doubt Missy - $6.00
- Maquisa - $7.50
Race 7 - Sky Racing Class 2 Handicap (1660m)
Selection: Toro Strike Current odds: $2.15
Toro Strike is our most reliable runner at Doomben. He has changed stables and has been very solid since, including a narrow second here last start, and Ben Thompson stays on. Wounder is consistent and will be close again, but has struggled to finish off a win. Cantarito comes back in trip and should be closing late, and Bingi drops in class and draws well after a poor run at the Gold Coast.
Selections:
- Toro Strike - $2.15
- Wounder - $7.00
- Cantarito - $6.00
- Bingi - $6.50
Race 8 - More From Tote With Ladbrokes 0-65 Handicap (1110m)
Selection: No Fooling Current odds: $4.20
This is our value play. No Fooling was only just behind Boss Mode last start and was strong to the line, he gets a soft run from barrier one and his apprentice claims 2kg. He placed second up last preparation as well. Boss Mode won fresh for Gollan and is the main danger. Sort Cha Mess has won or placed in all six starts, and Millennium Blade is worth watching in the market. Discreet Point has been scratched.
Selections:
- No Fooling - $4.20
- Boss Mode - $3.50
- Sort Cha Mess - $5.00
- Millennium Blade - $6.00
