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 27×1T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a head at Gold Coast 2yo Mdn-Sw June 27 over 1200m in soft going defeating Vital Impact carrying 58kg at $2.50. Previously second-up ran last of 7 at this track 2yo Hcp on February 21 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Martist with 58kg at $7.50. Back in better shape and from gate one another big run is on the cards. | |||
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 (5) J: Mark Du Plessis 55kg 61622T: R J Macrae | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd in a small field at Ipswich 3yo Bm60 on July 3 over 1690m, on a slow track; head behind Swing State carrying 60kg at $3.20. The run before that sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Gold Coast 3yo Bm65 on June 20 over 1708m, slow going nose behind Lyneham with 57kg at $4.80. Racing well and is expected to be in the finish again. | |||
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 (2) J: Courtney Bellamy 63kg 25974T: William Kropp | |||
| Last start eased back early on 4th in a small field at Eagle Farm in the G3 Tatt’s Cup on June 27 over 2400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Asterix carrying 55kg at $26. Before that got back early 7th of 12 at Ipswich in the LR Ipswich Cup on June 20 over 2150m, slow going 5 len behind Kaluakoi with 53kg at $6. Making headway. Sure to be in the thick of things again. | |||
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 40×11T: Kevin Kemp | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by a head at Ipswich Cl1 May 30 over 1700m in the wet defeating Cansort with 57.5kg at $4.80. Second run from a spell won by a nose at this track Bm70 June 17 over 1650m on a soft track defeating All Kinds Of Folk carrying 57kg at $31. In the mix. | |||
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 11455T: Corey & Kylie Geran | |||
| Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Last start 5th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Lightning Hcp on June 6 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Monte Supreme carrying 53kg at $10. The run before that 5th of 13 at Scone Bm78 on May 16 over 1100m, 2 len behind Wanaruah with 59.5kg at $14. Honest four-year-old who looks hard to beat this time. | |||
PEREILLE (6) has not won for just under a year, but this race presents an excellent opportunity given he is pitchforked in under the set-weight conditions with 10 rating points more than his nearest rival.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was last seen finishing strongly in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes to run just over a half-length third.
His most recent win came in this class, where he ran down his rivals over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
There looks to be plenty of speed engaged, which should see Ben Thompson settle off the tempo before producing him in the straight.
| 6. Pereille (6) Scratched: | |||
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 (5) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg 81×13T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming settled well back; won by a long-neck at Ipswich F&M Cl2-Sw June 4 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Seismic Boom with 60kg at $3.80. Second-up 3rd of 10 at Ipswich Cl3 on June 20 over 1350m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Zoustrology carrying 57.5kg at $6. Going well this prep for the new stable and is clearly the testing material. | |||
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 (8) J: Ben Thompson 53kg x1131T: Mack Griffith | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by a neck at Rosehill Highway-C3 June 27 over 1500m on a rain affected track defeating Whateley carrying 56.5kg at $7.50. The race before that set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 11 at Newcastle Cg&E Bm64 on June 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Tanglewood Jimmy carrying 61kg at $2.70. Close to flawless this time in work and can score again. | |||
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 (9) J: Jai Williams 59.5kg 05960T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Last start got back early 10th of 13 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Wj Healy on June 27 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Yellow Brick carrying 54.5kg at $31. The start before that 6th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Hinkler on June 13 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Midnight In Tokyo with 56kg at $26. Top three prospects. | |||