Doomben hosts an eight-race card on Wednesday, with the surface rated a Soft 5 and sunny conditions expected.
At this time of year, it would be no surprise if the track remains in that Soft 5 range throughout the afternoon. The rail is out 9.5m, which is a key factor at Doomben, as that position has often given an advantage to horses able to race handy and control their spot.
That makes the speed map, race shape and early positioning important parts of the assessment. Runners with tactical speed should get their opportunity, and those factors will help shape the main winning chances and betting opportunities across the meeting.
Let’s try to find some winners.
URBAN PRINCESS (7) looks ready to give this maiden a genuine shake.
The Brent Gray-trained mare has put together two encouraging runs leading into this. She was strong through the line over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast two starts ago, making ground through traffic to finish 2.37 lengths third.
She then stepped out to 1700m at the Gold Coast and ran another solid race. After settling closer to the speed, she moved up with Coccinella before being edged out late and finishing 1.59 lengths second. There was a further 3.46 lengths back to third, which adds merit to the performance.
With fitness on her side and Michael Rodd booked, she gets a good chance to break through.
| 7. Urban Princess (6) J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg 53832T: Brent Gray | |||
| Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Gold Coast Mdn-Sw on July 25 over 1700m, slow going 1.5 len behind Coccinella carrying 56kg at $1.95. The run before that 3rd of 13 at Sunshine Coast Mdn-Sw on July 12 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Cambridge Bay with 56kg at $5.50. One of the leading chances. | |||
RAGING RAIDER (8) should find this more suitable after tackling a stronger Saturday race at Eagle Farm last start.
The Paul Butterworth-trained filly travelled into that race well enough but could not quicken with them late, finishing 3.19 lengths sixth.
Her run prior at the Sunshine Coast reads well for this level. She finished powerfully over 1200m and was beaten by only a head, suggesting she has the ability to win a maiden like this.
She should be fitter again third-up, and Ben Thompson taking the ride is an obvious positive. With limited speed engaged, she may be able to settle closer and use her race fitness late.
| 8. Raging Raider (5) J: Ben Thompson 56kg 34×36T: Paul Butterworth | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming 3rd of 11 at Sunshine Coast 2yo Mdn on July 12 over 1200m, slow going head behind Quick Release carrying 57kg at $3.40. Second-up 6th of 8 at Eagle Farm 2yo Hcp on July 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Misato carrying 56kg at $11. Major player. | |||
EDGE OF INFINITY (8) looks better suited back in trip after being tested over 1700m at Grafton last start.
The Chris Waller-trained mare did not quite run out the distance in that Super Maiden, but the form from that race has been strong, with three subsequent winners coming through it.
Her previous effort over 1300m at Eagle Farm is the run that appeals here. She closed off strongly to finish 2.89 lengths second behind Dust Cloud and had Moscow Mule well covered.
Back to 1350m, and with a likely run just behind the speed, she looks one of the key chances.
| 8. Edge Of Infinity (4) J: Jake Bayliss 56.5kg x4325T: Chris Waller | |||
| Half-sister to Group 2 winner and dual-Group 1 placed Osipenko. At the latest run 5th of 12 at Grafton Super Mdn-Sw on July 15 over 1700m, 2 len behind Aurora Effect with 57kg at $4.80. The run before that 2nd of 8 at Eagle Farm Mdn on July 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Dust Cloud carrying 57kg at $4.80. Worth including. | |||
WOUNDER (8) brings consistent Sydney form into a more suitable Queensland assignment.
The Chris Waller-trained mare has only won once from 18 starts, but she has been holding her form in stronger races than this. Last start at Warwick Farm, she finished 2.2 lengths fourth in a Benchmark 72 Handicap despite suffering a puncture wound to her foot.
That form has since been boosted, with winner Satono Jasmine going on to score at Saturday metropolitan level.
Before that, she was close up at Canterbury and Hawkesbury, with another placing at Canterbury in between. Deep into the preparation and down to 54.5kg, she gets her chance.
| 8. Wounder (6) J: Emily Lang 54.5kg 44344T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start 4th of 10 at Warwick Farm F&M Bm72 on July 15 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Satono Jasmine with 54kg at $16. The start before that 4th of 12 at Hawkesbury Cl1-Sw on June 23 over 1800m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind The Iron Star with 57kg at $6. Honest galloper who is a live chance. | |||
SARAH’S SONNET (8) has made a positive impression as a staying mare and looks suited again over this distance range.
The Tony & Maddy Sears-trained mare began this campaign with two placings, including a narrow nose defeat over 1800m at the Gold Coast second-up.
She then rose to 2233m last start and handled the distance strongly, putting the race away by 1.33 lengths with the jockey riding hands and heels.
Her only previous fourth-up run also resulted in a win over a similar trip at Lismore, which is a good sign for this stage of the preparation. Mark Du Plessis taking the ride adds to her appeal.
| 8. Sarah’s Sonnets (8) J: Mark Du Plessis 54.5kg 1×321T: Tony & Maddysen Sears | |||
| Most recently won by 1.75 len at Gold Coast Bm68 July 25 over 2233m on a rain affected track defeating Southby carrying 54kg at $4.80. Before that 2nd of 8 at Gold Coast Bm68 on July 11 over 1800m, nose behind Old Song carrying 54.5kg at $3.30. Going well and rates highly. | |||
ZALIQUE (9) appears to have returned a better horse this preparation.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding looked sharp in two trial wins before producing the same level of improvement at Grafton first-up. He settled second in the run and put the race away impressively.
There should still be more to come, given this is only his second racing campaign.
From a favourable draw, Daniel Moor should be able to give him an economical run stalking likely leader La Profecia. If he repeats his fresh performance, he should be hard to beat.
| 9. Zalique (3) J: Daniel Moor 57.5kg 64×1T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len at Grafton Big Maiden July 16 over 1175m defeating Parker’s Paradise carrying 59kg at $1.50. Previously second-up 4th of 7 at Lismore Mdn-Sw on January 4 over 1120m, 2 len behind All Too Foxy carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Genuine top-three candidate. | |||
STEIN (11) can improve sharply back to a more suitable Class 1 Fillies and Mares race.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare had little go her way last start over this course and distance. She was held up before finishing 4.74 lengths sixth in a Saturday three-year-old race won by the in-form Grinzinger Champ.
Her run two starts ago is a better guide for this. In a race similar to this level, she finished 1.25 lengths third over 1200m at Eagle Farm and produced the quickest final 400m and 200m sectionals of the race.
With the blinkers coming off for the first time, she should be able to race on speed and be given every chance.
| 11. Stein (7) J: Tahlia Fenlon 57.5kg 3×636T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Most recently 6th of 12 at this track 3yo F Hcp on July 18 over 1200m, slow going 4.5 len behind Grinzinger Champ with 52.5kg at $7. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 at Eagle Farm Cl1 on July 1 over 1200m, slow going 1.3 len behind Siesta with 56.5kg at $2.60. Sure to measure up here. | |||
FLAXLANDS (13) is racing consistently and looks well placed to win again.
The Chris Waller-trained mare was ridden more positively over this course and distance last start, and the change in tactics worked perfectly. She settled closer and finished too well, scoring by 1.2 lengths.
That followed a strong third at Ipswich, where the outside barrier made things difficult, but she still produced the fastest closing sectionals of the race.
Given how effective the forward ride was last time, Jake Bayliss is likely to be positive again. If she can land in a similar spot, she should be right in the finish.
| 13. Flaxlands (7) J: Jake Bayliss 54.5kg x1431T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.2 len at this track F&M Bm65 July 22 over 1350m in soft going defeating Siesta with 57kg at $2.20. The race before that 3rd of 10 at Ipswich Bm65 on July 8 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Petite Palace carrying 55kg at $4.60. Worth including. | |||