Doomben runs a ten-race card on Melbourne Cup Day. The track was rated a Soft 7 in the lead-up, so wet-track form matters, and the rating could change before the first race at 11:53am. Prices were captured the day before the meeting, so check scratchings on race morning.
Our best bet is He’s Tru Blue in the last. Another Cashie in Race 8 is the other strong play. Several of the maidens and the Race 6 maiden plate are hard to assess, so we would keep stakes small in those.
Race 1 - Sky Racing 3YO QTIS Maiden Plate (1615m)
Selection: Spirit Of Torque Current odds: $2.25
Spirit Of Torque placed third at Doomben on a soft track last start and has placed twice in four runs this preparation at metro level. On a wet track, that is the best form in the race. Just Say Vale (Tony Gollan) is equal favourite after one run at Eagle Farm and draws the rail. Notes Of Autumn returns to town from a strong stable. Tisani James is the roughie.
Selections:
- Spirit Of Torque - $2.25
- Just Say Vale - $2.25
- Notes Of Autumn - $6.50
- Tisani James - $18.00
Race 2 - Ladbrokes Hosted Pots 3YO and 4YO BM68 Handicap (1615m)
Selection: Sorrenti Current odds: $5.00
Sorrenti has placed three times this preparation and finished strongly for third at the Gold Coast last start, when the race was not run to suit him. He handles all track conditions and gets weight relief from his apprentice’s claim. Swanfels won at Ipswich and handles a wet track. Cryption’s Desire should improve third-up. Paciera has won two in a row and maps well again.
Selections:
- Sorrenti - $5.00
- Swanfels - $4.20
- Cryption’s Desire - $4.40
- Paciera - $8.50
Race 3 - Drinkwise BM70 Handicap (2200m)
Selection: Castello Grande Current odds: $3.70
Castello Grande was just beaten at Eagle Farm on a heavy track last start and now gets the staying trip that suits him. His win record is poor, which is the risk, but he is improving and draws well. Draw Attention won by more than eight lengths at the Gold Coast and is a short-priced favourite, though this is a tougher race than the one she won. Hot Majesty won well in front at Ipswich and will lead again. Whatjeudoin’ has some city form and is the outsider.
Selections:
- Castello Grande - $3.70
- Draw Attention - $1.90
- Hot Majesty - $4.60
- Whatjeudoin’ - $11.00
Race 4 - Happy Retirement Rothfire QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Malamagic Current odds: $2.30
Malamagic was a clear second on debut at Eagle Farm on a soft track and should improve with that run. Tony Gollan’s stable is in good form. Zoucoup is a Zoustar first starter who draws barrier one. Overabundant showed plenty on debut. Vital Impact resumes after just missing at the Gold Coast.
Selections:
- Malamagic - $2.30
- Zoucoup - $7.00
- Overabundant - $9.50
- Vital Impact - $7.00
Race 5 - Intro Recruitment Cup QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Volcanic Rush Current odds: $3.10
Volcanic Rush finished faster than anything else over the last 200m on debut at Eagle Farm and should be strong late again with that run behind him. Holy Terror was just run down first-up and has enough speed to overcome a wide gate, so he is the clear danger. Cavalluna (Chris and Corey Munce) should improve with fitness. Too Darn Right was green on debut and could improve sharply.
Selections:
- Volcanic Rush - $3.10
- Holy Terror - $3.30
- Cavalluna - $8.50
- Too Darn Right - $10.00
Race 6 - Moreton Hire Maiden Plate (1350m)
Selection: Veomas Current odds: $3.20
This is a weak maiden, so keep stakes small. Veomas was just beaten as favourite at Ipswich, has early speed, and draws well, which is enough to make him the pick. Mystical has run in stronger races and has Ben Thompson aboard after a let-up. Xami is a Chris Waller first starter who has trialled well. Hard Knox resumes and is the long shot.
Selections:
- Veomas - $3.20
- Mystical - $4.40
- Xami - $3.50
- Hard Knox - $19.00
Race 7 - Canadian Club Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Fleeting Boom Current odds: $4.20
Fleeting Boom led all the way to break her maiden at Doomben and won easily. She draws barrier two and keeps Thompson for Gollan, so she should improve again in this grade. Olivoni is the favourite and drops sharply in class, but she has not always run to her price. Trinity State has placed in both of her starts. Raging Raider returns from a let-up and could be strong late.
Selections:
- Fleeting Boom - $4.20
- Olivoni - $2.40
- Trinity State - $5.50
- Raging Raider - $15.00
Race 8 - Century Pools Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Another Cashie Current odds: $4.40
Another Cashie has the most ability in this field. He ran the fastest closing sectionals of his meeting first-up on this track before a plain run at Eagle Farm. He was scratched from a Saturday race to run here and only needs to repeat his best. Podium Star has been consistent this preparation without winning. Pinot Pirate won by almost five lengths on debut at Gatton and will be on the speed. Climb The Ladder resumes off a second at Warwick Farm.
Selections:
- Another Cashie - $4.40
- Podium Star - $4.40
- Pinot Pirate - $4.80
- Climb The Ladder - $6.00
Race 9 - Higgins Coatings Class 3 Plate (1110m)
Selection: No Fooling Current odds: $5.50
No Fooling won well at Doomben on a soft track last start and draws barrier two. If he repeats that form, he is the one to beat at a good price. La Roja is the favourite after a narrow loss in a Listed race at Ipswich, but she has only two wins from 16 starts and has been off for 19 weeks. Noble Decree loves this track and draws the rail. Tasman Bay has won three of four this preparation and is the each-way roughie.
Selections:
- No Fooling - $5.50
- La Roja - $2.50
- Noble Decree - $8.50
- Tasman Bay - $15.00
Race 10 - Ladbrokes Turn On Flex Multi BM68 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: He’s Tru Blue Current odds: $3.10
This is our best bet at Doomben. He’s Tru Blue ran well first-up, then was narrowly beaten here second-up after being solidly backed. He now gets the blinkers for the first time, and Ben Thompson stays aboard. He needs a good ride from an awkward gate. Col Burn won well on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast but has a wide barrier to overcome. Lebanese is at her best when leading and should find the front. Don’t Doubt Missy also has the blinkers on for the first time.
Selections:
- He’s Tru Blue - $3.10
- Col Burn - $7.50
- Lebanese - $6.50
- Don’t Doubt Missy - $8.50
