Doomben stages Wednesday’s midweek metropolitan meeting, with the circuit backing up quickly after hosting racing on Saturday.
With the rail pushed out 9.5 metres, the compact Doomben layout is expected to place a premium on tactical speed and early track position. Horses able to find the front or settle close to the lead may prove difficult to reel in, especially if races are run at an uneven tempo.
Below are the runners and key betting plays I want onside across the card.
PAPER DOLL (6) has been a consistent but unlucky mare, finishing second in eight of her 10 career starts and looks overdue to break through.
The Les Kelly-trained runner charged home late when finishing 1.26 lengths second over 1400m at the Gold Coast last time out, mirroring her effort from the run prior.
She resumed from a five-week break last start and should take improvement from that outing. The step up to 1600m looks ideal given how strongly she’s been hitting the line, and it’s surprising she hasn’t been tried at the trip earlier.
With limited early speed engaged, Ben Thompson should be able to settle her in a handy position.
Selections: 6-1-5-2
| 6. Paper Doll (5) 56kg22222 |
ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR (1) has continued to trend in the right direction since being stepped up to the mile.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding sat close to the speed over this distance at the Sunshine Coast two runs back and stuck on well to finish half a length second.
At Eagle Farm last start he was keen early, worked too hard and paid the price late, finishing 1.61 lengths from the winner.
With Corey Sutherland claiming 3kg, he should be able to either control the race in front or take up a prominent position.
Selections: 1-7-3-5
| 1. Artistic Endeavour (3) 60kg32522 |
WILLIAMTHECONQUEROR (1) resumes from a lengthy spell and returns to racing as a gelding.
The Brian Smith-trained four-year-old suggested the procedure has had the desired impact after winning a Deagon trial impressively in November.
Although that trial was some time ago, Smith is renowned for having horses ready fresh, as shown on debut when this runner finished a close second.
From the inside draw he should enjoy a cosy run throughout.
Selections: 1-11-3-7
| 1. Wiliamtheconqueror (1) 58.5kg2x64x |
ARATIRI (9) delivered a dominant performance when scoring at Ipswich last start.
The Scott Morrisey-trained mare crossed from a wide barrier to lead over 1700m before accelerating away to win by just under three lengths.
Her effort the run before was also strong when setting the tempo over the same track and trip and only being run down late to finish narrowly second.
Carrying just 52kg, she is likely to roll forward again for Chelsea Baker and shapes as the one they’ll need to catch.
Selections: 9-2-5-8
| 9. Aratiri (4) 54kg45721 |
HEAVENLY IMPACT (4) appears well placed dropping sharply in grade into a Class 1 Plate.
The Marcus Wilson-trained gelding caught the eye at the Gold Coast last start over 1200m, charging home from near last to finish 4.33 lengths from Hawker Hall.
That finishing burst suggests the rise in distance will be right up his alley at this stage of his campaign.
An inside draw should allow him to enjoy a soft run in transit.
Selections: 4-3-10-8
| 4. Heavenly Impact (1) 60kg7×264 |
TECHNA (11) looks well suited dropping back from Saturday metropolitan grade.
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained mare was forced to make ground from too far back two runs ago over 2150m at Ipswich but still finished strongly in restricted room to place fifth, beaten 1.18 lengths by Lovey Dovey.
She again worked home well last start over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast, finishing just under two lengths third behind the in-form Enterprise Private.
Now rock-hard fit, she maps to enjoy a much more economical run.
Selections: 11-4-12-10
| 11. Techna (3) 55kg15453 |
THE WHEELBARROW (13) will appreciate the rise in distance following a very good effort over 1350m here last start.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding went back from the outside barrier before finding the line strongly in the quickest closing sectionals of the race to finish 1.47 lengths third.
A mile looks ideal with increased fitness third-up.
Scratchings have made his job easier from the wider barrier.
Selections: 13-3-7-4
| 13. The Wheelbarrow (8) 56.5kg81×43 |
SER JOH (3) looks to get conditions to suit and can improve on his last-start effort.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding enjoyed a favourable run at Eagle Farm over 1400m and finished well for second, only colliding with the fast-finishing Battlefield.
He’s racing in solid form and has already proven himself at this venue, winning here five starts ago.
With genuine speed expected, Daniel Moor should be able to settle just behind it before producing him late.
Selections: 3-2-11-5
| 3. Ser Joh (3) 60kg10282 |