Blue Diamond and Silver Slipper Day might dominate southern Australia, but Doomben still presents a competitive program for Brisbane racing fans.
It’s not stacked with elite-level features, but it’s an even meeting with genuine betting depth. The track sits at a Soft 6 and with fine weather predicted, improvement looks likely across the day.
Race pattern and speed maps will be crucial as always at this circuit.
Here’s how I see the meeting unfolding.
MARTIST (6) debuts for the powerful Tony Gollan stable and has shown ability at the trials.
The Trapeze Artist colt won both his September and October heats before being given time to mature.
He’s returned in good order and finished strongly in a recent piece of work.
The booking of top jockey Ryan Maloney suggests he’s ready to run well.
Selections: 6-1-3-2
| 6. Martist (3) 58kg |
ENTERPRISE PRIVATE (3) comes here in top form looking to make it four in a row.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding defeated Prince Levi over this trip at the Sunshine Coast before a short break. Prince Levi has since won again.
He meets him better at the weights and has beaten him at his past two starts.
Prior to that he charged home to win comfortably at Murwillumbah before defeating a similar field over this course and distance last start, letting down strongly to score by 1.1 lengths.
Barrier 1 should see him enjoy an economical run.
Selections: 3-1-2-4
| 3. Enterprise Private (1) 57.5kg29111 |
BEREZKA (2) finds a much more suitable assignment after racing in stronger company in Sydney.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare worked home well for a 1.69 length third over 1250m at Canterbury last start and the run had merit.
At the end of her previous preparation she placed in three straight races in Brisbane, and those were stronger contests than this.
The step up to 1350m suits and she looks ready to peak third-up.
Selections: 2-5-1-10
| 2. Berezka (11) 60kg23×53 |
THE WHEELBARROW (11) showed last start that the mile is exactly what he wants.
Two runs back, the Kelly Schweida-trained gelding went back from the outside barrier and produced the fastest closing sectionals of the race when finishing 1.47 lengths third. That effort pointed to 1600m being ideal.
He confirmed that when circling the field on the home turn and drawing clear to win by just over two lengths.
He’s at peak fitness now and draws far better.
Selections: 11-9-5-8
| 11. The Wheelbarrow (4) 57kg1×431 |
CAPITAL CHORD (9) was ultra-impressive winning on debut over 1200m here.
The David Vandyke-trained filly settled towards the back before charging home along the inside to score by 1.59 lengths.
She’ll improve off that run and the rise in distance looks suitable, especially with Autumn Carnival races like the Group 1 Australian Oaks already on the radar.
With 52.5kg and Angela Jones aboard, she should be strong through the line again.
Selections: 9-1-4-2
| 9. Capital Chord (8) 52.5kg1 |
TIME OF MY LIFE (12) has settled in well with Tony Gollan after previously racing in Melbourne with Moody & Coleman.
After nearly a year off, the half-sister to mighty mare Winx returned to winning form third-up over 1200m here, controlling the race from the front and scoring by two lengths.
The rise to 1350m suits and she gets in with a very light weight.
Angela Jones can take advantage of that and keep her in the right spot.
Selections: 12-1-3-4
| 12. Time Of My Life (4) 52kg7×321 |
SCRIPTED (14) won her first two starts before spending over a year in the paddock.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare has been racing in stronger company this time in and now finds a more suitable race.
Last start she was forced back from a wide barrier in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race but worked home strongly to finish 2.73 lengths eighth.
She had finished runner-up at her three previous starts.
A genuine tempo would suit and she should get the right run stalking the speed.
Selections: 14-3-6-12
| 14. Scripted (4) 56.5kgx2227 |
CHIEF IN CHARGE (8) was scratched from a winnable race on Wednesday in preference for this and that should be respected.
The Matt Hoysted-trained gelding proved too strong for the flying Dominant Darcy two starts ago before finishing hard to get up in the final strides.
Both recent wins were over this course and distance and his record now reads three wins and a second from five starts.
He’s rock hard fit and drawn to enjoy a soft run.
Selections: 8-15-7-4
| 8. Chief In Charge (2) 55kg3×311 |
BENGAL DIAMOND (7) was crying out for a mile and delivered when she stepped up to the distance last start.
The Adam Campton-trained mare settled handy before letting down strongly to score by 3.58 lengths.
That was her second win from her past three starts and she’s racing in very good form.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed, so she should settle midfield or better with Jake Bayliss aboard.
Selections: 7-5-15-3
| 7. Bengal Diamond (8) 57kg58161 |
ZOUBABY (13) has been racing well since joining the Tony Gollan stable this preparation.
The Zoustar mare was beaten a head first-up at Eagle Farm before getting too far back from a wide barrier on Magic Millions Day.
Last start she let down powerfully over this course and distance to win by 1.73 lengths, with over three lengths back to third.
She’s at peak fitness now, gets in well under the conditions of the race and the strong speed on paper suits.
Selections: 13-1-4-3
| 13. Zoubaby (5) 55kg02271 |