Doomben has a ten-race card on Saturday. The track was rated a Soft 5 at acceptances, but fine weather is forecast and the rail is out only one metre, so it could improve during the day. Several horses here appreciate some cut in the ground, so the final rating matters.
Kenmare Bay in Race 2 is our best bet. Golden Straand looks hard to beat in the last, and Southern Heiress is a good play in Race 7 now that Ben Thompson rides her.
Race 1 - Become A BRC Member QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Apostle Current odds: $2.00
Apostle has been narrowly beaten in his last two starts by good horses at Eagle Farm and races on speed. The apprentice’s claim helps, and he looks the clear top pick. Win Star won at Eagle Farm and has placed three times this campaign. Pearl Pendant is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Taree and Coffs Harbour but steps up in class. May The Force placed at Tamworth and prefers some give in the ground. Misato is talented but has never raced a mile and has no official trials, so we are leaving her out.
Selections:
- Apostle - $2.00
- Win Star - $2.60
- Pearl Pendant - $6.50
- May The Force - $9.50
Race 2 - Gallopers Sports Club Benchmark 80 Handicap (2200m)
Selection: Kenmare Bay Current odds: $2.90
Kenmare Bay is our best bet of the day. He has won two of seven runs this campaign and was held up last start at Rosehill but still won easily. He travels well in his races, and the apprentice’s claim brings his weight down. Taravia keeps improving with blinkers and meets Captain Maverick 1.5kg better after being beaten 0.3 lengths. He will be on speed and is the main danger. Captain Maverick won on a soft track at Eagle Farm but carries 60kg. Barazin ran on for fifth at Eagle Farm and is the best of the longer prices.
Selections:
- Kenmare Bay - $2.90
- Taravia - $2.90
- Captain Maverick - $3.30
- Barazin - $13.00
Race 3 - XXXX Class 3 Plate (1600m)
Selection: Scripted Current odds: $1.90
Scripted has plenty of ability but keeps finding one too good. She was second as favourite at Eagle Farm last time. She draws barrier 3, carries only 53.5kg and should get her chance here. Toro Strike is in career-best form after winning here last start and handles any ground, but this race is harder. She Moves Too is now third-up and stepping up to a mile, which suits her. Rock Them Jools has a good barrier and is worth a small bet at the odds.
Selections:
- Scripted - $1.90
- Toro Strike - $5.00
- She Moves Too - $6.00
- Rock Them Jools - $16.00
Race 4 - DrinkWise One Metro Win Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Easy Love Current odds: $3.10
Easy Love won first-up at Eagle Farm after settling midfield and finishing strongly. Bella Youngberry rides again, and he goes up only 1.5kg second-up. All Kinds Of Folk drops in grade, has Ben Thompson riding and will appreciate a soft track. Rochedale Hero has placed in all three runs this preparation and draws to get a soft run. The Louvre won easily at Toowoomba and also likes rain-affected ground.
Selections:
- Easy Love - $3.10
- All Kinds Of Folk - $5.00
- Rochedale Hero - $6.00
- The Louvre - $6.00
Race 5 - Canadian Club Ratings Band 0-65 Handicap (1110m)
Selection: Cardonette Current odds: $3.70
Cardonette is two from two this preparation and finished well to win here last start. She will settle back and run on, which should suit with plenty of speed in a big field. Hellarious resumes after 15 weeks but won a trial, draws barrier 1 and has a big claim. Podium Star gets blinkers for the first time, third-up. No Fooling is from the Gollan stable and can improve on his last run.
Selections:
- Cardonette - $3.70
- Hellarious - $6.50
- Podium Star - $7.00
- No Fooling - $9.00
Race 6 - Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Ready For Aimee Current odds: $3.70
This full field is very open. Ready For Aimee won here last start, has a good barrier and has a 2kg claim for the Gollan stable, so she is the logical pick. Headhunter has placed in three of four runs this preparation, including third here last start, but barrier 18 is a big problem. Cutepi always finishes fast and was second here last time, though 60kg is a lot. Tempranillo has been beaten on very wet tracks recently. She is worth a small each-way bet at $17 if she begins well.
Selections:
- Ready For Aimee - $3.70
- Headhunter - $9.00
- Cutepi - $9.50
- Tempranillo - $17.00
Race 7 - Higgins Coatings Fillies and Mares Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Southern Heiress Current odds: $4.00
Southern Heiress was second here first-up despite a very quiet ride. Ben Thompson takes over, and she looks a mare who will win races in Brisbane. Spiethtacular led and won here last start and will lead again, so she is the clear danger. Amuseantes has a strong record at Doomben and a big finishing burst if she jumps well. Dominant Darcy should race right behind the leader.
Selections:
- Southern Heiress - $4.00
- Spiethtacular - $3.30
- Amuseantes - $10.00
- Dominant Darcy - $3.60
Race 8 - Century Pools Colts, Geldings and Entires Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Off The Press Current odds: $6.00
Off The Press has won or placed in 13 of 21 starts and has placed in all three runs this preparation. He just missed at Toowoomba, is now fourth-up and wears blinkers for the first time, so he is good value. Propaganda is the favourite after winning at Gold Coast and Toowoomba and has an excellent record. He can lead from barrier 3, but this is a big step up in class. Bold Comic returns from a short let-up with the inside barrier and likes rain-affected ground. Tonneofgrit has run second in his last two starts and looks overpriced.
Selections:
- Off The Press - $6.00
- Propaganda - $2.00
- Bold Comic - $17.00
- Tonneofgrit - $21.00
Race 9 - Sky Racing Class 6 Plate (1350m)
Selection: Just Precious Current odds: $4.00
Just Precious has won her last two at Eagle Farm and Doomben, loves this track and should get a good run from barrier 3. Ten Deep was only a run fresh last time and should be fitter. He can use barrier 1 to get a good position. Lockyer has won five of six starts at this track and trip, so he must be included even though he is up in grade. Fabulantes is fitter after two runs and has won twice at Doomben.
Selections:
- Just Precious - $4.00
- Ten Deep - $5.00
- Lockyer - $7.50
- Fabulantes - $6.00
Race 10 - More From Tote With Ladbrokes Open Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Golden Straand Current odds: $1.60
Golden Straand looks better than these. He won impressively first-up at Randwick and has placed in a trial since. A good barrier and Ryan Maloney riding make him very hard to beat, even at a short price. Restonica has won all three of his starts at Doomben and is the danger. Epic Proportions has an inconsistent record but has won three times here and gets a 2kg claim. Flying Destiny was wide first-up and should improve on that run.
Selections:
- Golden Straand - $1.60
- Restonica - $6.00
- Epic Proportions - $8.00
- Flying Destiny - $15.00
