The Queensland Racing Carnival is over for another year, but there is still plenty of racing interest in the Sunshine State with a competitive nine-race card at Doomben this Saturday.
At time of publish, the track is rated a Soft 5, with the rail out 0.5m. There is the chance of a few showers through the week, but with a sunny day forecast for race day, the surface should have every opportunity to race fairly if conditions continue to improve.
With the major carnival features now completed, Saturday’s meeting gives progressive types, off-season performers and winter horses a good chance to build on recent form.
As is often the case at Doomben, map and tempo should be important, particularly with the rail close to the true position. The early races should help punters assess whether runners are making ground or whether those on speed are holding an advantage.
Let’s get stuck into the card and try to find a few winners.
HIGH AUTHORITY (1) did not show his best in his first preparation, but a spell and being gelded appear to have brought him on.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Lucky Vega resumed at the Gold Coast last start and produced an impressive turn of foot to run down his rivals and win by a head.
He should strip fitter second-up, and the way he won suggests the rise to 1350m is suitable.
With the likely speed drawn to the outside, Cejay Graham should be able to make use of the inside barrier and have him positioned just behind the pace.
| 1. High Authority (1) J: Cejay Graham 59kg 27×1 T: Kelly Schweida |
KRUMAC (12) is up in class, but his past two performances indicate he is close to another win.
The Ron Macrae-trained three-year-old gelding finished strongly over 1690m at Ipswich last start to run a head second.
At the Gold Coast two starts ago, he fought on bravely over this distance and was caught right on the line, missing by a head.
Mark Du Plessis, who partnered him to victory four starts ago, returns following a South African trip and can settle handy in a race that does not appear to have a great deal of speed.
| 12. Krumac (3) J: Mark Du Plessis 55kg 61622 T: R J Macrae |
PRINCE LEVI (1) does have a large impost to carry, but he should appreciate dropping back in class after recent black-type assignments.
The William Kropp-trained gelding came from the tail to finish seventh in the Listed Ipswich Cup two starts ago, then weakened over 2400m in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup last start.
He has previously won over this course and distance, and that came in a similar class race to this.
Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim is significant, and from the low draw, she should be able to give him an economical run.
| 1. Prince Levi (1) J: Courtney Bellamy 63kg 25974 T: William Kropp |
JEMOMA ALPILAGE (12) has returned in strong form this preparation with back-to-back wins.
The Kevin Kemp-trained mare resumed over 1700m at Ipswich and overcame both an outside barrier and heavy conditions to win by a head.
She then handled a sizeable rise in class last start when proving too strong over this course and distance.
The daughter of Lean Mean Machine has a good third-up record, including a win and a nose second over this distance against Nails Murphy last preparation.
Taylor Marshall retains the ride.
| 12. Jemoma Alpilage (10) J: Taylor Marshall 55kg 40×11 T: Kevin Kemp |
LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (4) has been freshened since closing well for fifth, beaten 2.29 lengths, in the Listed Lightning Handicap.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding looks suited back in this class, especially as four starts ago he led throughout over this course and distance and beat his rivals by 3.05 lengths.
He has 60kg to contend with, but under the set-weight conditions of the race, he appears well treated compared to his opponents.
Gary ‘5G’ Geran should be able to use barrier 1 to advantage and drive forward into a forward position.
| 4. Let’Sfacethemusic (1) J: Gary Geran 60kg 11455 T: Corey & Kylie Geran |
BOSSED UP (5) can bounce again after producing a much better effort over 1200m at Eagle Farm second-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding travelled in a handy spot, hit the lead with 50m to go and was only denied when Lisztomania surged through along the inside to beat him by a whisker.
There should be more improvement to come third-up, and he won over 1000m at Eagle Farm at the same stage last preparation with Ryan Maloney aboard.
“Pug” gets back on the son of Better Than Ready and should get the perfect trail behind what looks a hot speed.
| 5. Bossed Up (5) J: Ryan Maloney 58.5kg 32×72 T: Tony Gollan |
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (10) made a strong impression when resuming for new trainers Chris & Corey Munce two starts ago.
The Churchill mare drew wide over 1200m at Ipswich and was forced to settle back before being held up entering the straight, but she quickened powerfully once clear to win by a neck.
A wide barrier last start over this distance on Ipswich Cup Day made things difficult, but she still finished off strongly from well back to run 1.44 lengths third.
She raced in Group company in Sydney early in her career, so she has always had ability, and she is also a third-up winner.
Brisbane’s leading jockey Ben Thompson should give her every chance.
| 10. Trafalgar Square (4) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg 81×13 T: Chris & Corey Munce |
PORTOFINO (9) has made good progress since joining the country New South Wales stable of Mack Griffith after previously racing in Sydney with Chris Waller.
The I Am Invincible gelding has won three of four starts this preparation, with his only defeat a 1.38 length third at Newcastle.
He was very good last start in a Highway Handicap over 1500m at Rosehill, showing good grit to lead throughout for a narrow win.
The booking of top Brisbane jockey Ben Thompson is a key push, and with just 53kg, he should give a good sight.
| 9. Portofino (6) J: Ben Thompson 53kg x1131 T: Mack Griffith |
HATCHET (2) should be suited by the drop in class after contesting black-type races throughout Stradbroke Season.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding settled too far back last start in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes before working home well, passing a few stragglers, to finish 3.5 lengths tenth.
Earlier this year, he won back-to-back races in this class, including one over this course and distance when suited by a hot speed.
A similar tempo looks likely here, which should allow 2kg claimer Jai Williams to let them go quickly in front before coming with a late run.
| 2. Hatchet (8) J: Jai Williams 59.5kg 05960 T: Robert Heathcote |