Doomben races on a Soft 6 track, with showers forecast through the day, so wet-track form matters. Two scratchings stand out. Another Cashie is out of Race 4, and one of the top fancies in Race 3 has also been withdrawn. Check the final fields before betting.
This preview starts from Race 2, as the first race had already been run when prices were captured.
Our best bet is Cardonette in Race 4. Kickup Rocky in Race 5 and Toro Strike in Race 7 are the other strong plays.
Race 2 - Three-Year-Old Handicap (2020m)
Selection: Win Star Current odds: $1.80
Win Star led all the way to win at Doomben last start on a soft track and has won twice from six runs this campaign at metro level. He handles the conditions and should get his own way in front. Your Attitude broke his maiden at Hawkesbury and is the main danger. May The Force and So Fortunate, who wears blinkers for the first time, are the exotics chances.
Selections:
- Win Star - $1.80
- Your Attitude - $3.50
- May The Force - $6.00
- So Fortunate - $11.00
Race 3 - Benchmark 85 Handicap (2020m)
Selection: Awaygoesthebunny Current odds: $5.00
Awaygoesthebunny won well at the Gold Coast last start and has been improving with every run. He should be strong late over 2020m. The race has been weakened by a key scratching. Thinkhardandfast ran fourth at the Gold Coast and has drawn well enough to save ground. Prince Levi drops to his easiest race in a while.
Selections:
- Awaygoesthebunny - $5.00
- Thinkhardandfast - $4.80
- Prince Levi - $5.50
- Our Anchorage - $9.00
Race 4 - Ratings Band 0-65 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Cardonette Current odds: $2.15
Cardonette has won twice and placed in her other runs this campaign, and she keeps improving. She was beaten last start when the race did not suit her, but she still ran well. The scratching of Another Cashie removes her main rival. Il Fratello won at Grafton on a heavy track, and Daiane is a likely leader who has won her last two at Toowoomba.
Selections:
- Cardonette - $2.15
- Il Fratello - $5.00
- Millennium Blade - $8.50
- Daiane - $23.00
Race 5 - Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Kickup Rocky Current odds: $2.80
Kickup Rocky won first up at Eagle Farm on a soft track and has won two of his four starts on soft ground. He has 60.5kg, but he is the best horse in the race and showed last start he can race handy. Groening has won twice in a row in lesser grades and gets a big weight pull. Duke Of Albemarle has drawn well and is more of a place chance.
Selections:
- Kickup Rocky - $2.80
- Groening - $3.50
- Duke Of Albemarle - $4.20
- Ever So Ready - $15.00
Race 6 - No Metro Wins Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Scheherazade Current odds: $3.60
Scheherazade has an excellent record and has won twice on rain-affected tracks. She returns from an 18-week spell, but a recent trial suggests she is ready. With a solid pace expected, she should get a nice run midfield. True Amor led all the way to win at the Gold Coast but has a very wide draw. Abender is a three-time Doomben winner and the other main danger.
Selections:
- Scheherazade - $3.60
- True Amor - $3.70
- Abender - $6.00
- Midnight Spirit - $9.50
Race 7 - Benchmark 70 Handicap (1615m)
Selection: Toro Strike Current odds: $3.20
Toro Strike has won at Doomben this preparation and is in very good form. He meets last start’s dead-heat rival 4kg better off and goes well on wet ground. The wide draw means he needs a good ride. Duke Of Camden was just beaten as a well-backed runner at Eagle Farm and should race on the speed. Tempranillo is a backmarker who looks a good each-way roughie if the pace is genuine.
Selections:
- Toro Strike - $3.20
- Duke Of Camden - $3.90
- Tempranillo - $5.00
- Headhunter - $7.00
Race 8 - Class 6 Handicap (1615m)
Selection: Last Command Current odds: $5.00
Last Command should have won as favourite at Eagle Farm last start but lost focus late. He gets a stronger rider here and has the ability to win this. It is a weak race, so keep stakes modest. Fabulantes has won at Doomben before and is fourth-up, which should suit. Bluepinot has two wins this campaign, and Atmosphere can run well on the speed.
Selections:
- Last Command - $5.00
- Fabulantes - $4.80
- Atmosphere - $3.90
- Bluepinot - $5.50
Race 9 - Open Handicap (1110m)
Selection: Fleetwood Current odds: $6.00
Fleetwood has placed four times from five runs this preparation, including a narrow defeat as favourite at Eagle Farm last start. He has been very consistent and looks better value than the favourite. Flying Destiny has won both his starts over this track and trip and is third-up, so he is a good each-way chance. Now Is The Hour is the class runner fresh, but he looks short enough.
Selections:
- Fleetwood - $6.00
- Flying Destiny - $16.00
- Zoubaby - $6.50
- Now Is The Hour - $3.00
Race 10 - Benchmark 85 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Ten Deep Current odds: $2.50
Ten Deep finished close behind the winner at Doomben last start and has improved with every run this preparation. The Tony Gollan and Bella Youngberry combination has been in great form. The price is short, so this is not a bet we would chase. Facundo came from the same race, was held up late and loves the track and trip, so he is our each-way alternative at a big price.
Selections:
- Ten Deep - $2.50
- Facundo - $14.00
- Ser Joh - $9.50
- Hell - $8.00
