Doomben takes centre stage in Queensland this Saturday, with a 10-race card set to keep punters busy.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, although the forecast 11mm of rain across Thursday and Friday could see conditions deteriorate before race day.
With plenty of action also taking place down south on Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington, check out our full form analysis and betting strategy ahead of Saturday’s Doomben meeting below.
Tricky race to start with SLIPSAIN (11) presenting the most likable case.
The son to Zousain has gone close on a number of occasions without winning, returning a place in each of his last five assignments.
He’s been up for a while but continues to race well and gets in nicely here at the weights with the 2kg claim. Maps to get back around midfield and save something for the finish.
| 11. Slipsain (6) J: Jai Williams 56kg 33223 T: Peter & Will Hulbert | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Last start 3rd of 9 in a Cl3-Sw at Eagle Farm on August 29 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Pure Alpha carrying 57kg at $8.50. The start before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 11 in a Bm70 at this track on August 15 over 1600m, 0.6 len behind In Society with 55kg at $5.50. Knocking on the door and gets his chance to break through. | |||
LIVALITTLE (3) gets out to his preferred trip now coming off a handy win over the mile at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.
The gelding to The Autumn Sun left it until late to work through the gears, arriving in the nick of time to go half a length clear ahead of North Pole.
He’s rock-hard fit with four runs under his belt and made a mess of his rivals over a similar distance here at Doomben in late January, winning by over six lengths. Providing he finds cover early from the wide gate, he’ll be very hard to hold out.
| 3. Livalittle (8) J: Bella Youngberry 56.5kg x2131 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck in a Bm85 at Eagle Farm on August 29 over 1600m on a soft track defeating North Pole with 57.5kg at $2.70. The start before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 10 in a Bm78 at Eagle Farm on August 8 over 1600m, 0.8 len behind Golden Cross with 58kg at $4.80. Consistent gelding that’s sure to take a strong account. | |||
BARBRAY (11) gets in nicely at the weights given he’s dropping back slightly in grade.
Chris Waller’s gelding will carry 56.5kg on Saturday, which is handy for a gelding that has been ultra consistent right through this prep.
The son to Zoustar won back to back starts on the bounce before a wide run cost him at Eagle Farm last time out over the mile. If he jumps cleanly this time and gets right back off the speed, he’ll be strong in the finish.
| 11. Barbray (5) J: Jake Bayliss 56.5kg 54114 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 10 in a Bm85 at Eagle Farm on August 29 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Livalittle carrying 53kg at $6.50. The start before that settled well back; won by a head in a Bm70 at Eagle Farm on August 8 over 1815m defeating I Am The Empire carrying 58.5kg at $3.70. Encouraging effort last start. Airborne since heading north and finds another suitable race. | |||
NAILS MURPHY (7) is up sharply in trip coming off a run over 1350m here at Doomben a few weeks ago.
He was gifted a nice sit off the speed and really gave nice chase in the run home, suggesting he’s looking for longer in the process.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding has recorded three dominant victories over this trip previously and is also suited by the added chance of a wet track on Saturday.
| 7. Nails Murphy (4) J: Bella Youngberry 53kg 235×4 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 8 in a Bm85 at this track on August 22 over 1350m, 2.5 len behind Brindavan with 58kg at $13. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field in a Bm78 at Rosehill on October 29 over 1500m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Seven’s with 57.5kg at $21. Fitter for that run and expected to be charging hard. | |||
GRAM (5) is tackling 1100m for just the third time in his career, but there’s no reason to doubt him coming off five straight wins on the trot.
The son to Exceed and Excel has gone to another level recently for Tony Gollan, demolishing his rivals two back at Eagle Farm, before leading all the way two weeks ago to hold on narrowly ahead of Bonfire Spark.
He’s well-weighted here thanks to the 3kg claim and maps to test his luck on the speed again with a wet track also suiting.
| 5. Gram (7) J: Bella Youngberry 57kg 11111 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| On a five run winning streak. Most recently favourite; won by a head in a Bm78 at Eagle Farm on August 29 over 1000m defeating Bonfire Spark with 54.5kg at $2.80. The race before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in a Cl3-Sw at Eagle Farm on August 12 over 1000m defeating Rose Noir with 57kg at $2.45. Will need to raise the bar again but is going far too good not to take seriously. | |||
DOMINANT DARCY (3) was the beaten favourite here over 100m further in late March when she failed to run on despite having nothing but daylight in front of her.
The daughter to Zousain won three straight races prior, and was also a comfortable three-length winner first-up under Emily Lang.
The pair reunite here from a nice soft gate and look one of the main chances with two nice trials leading in.
| 3. Dominant Darcy (5) J: Emily Lang 59.5kg 1114x T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign fourth of 10 at this track F&M Bm78 March 28 over 1200m, 1.4 len behind Cindersea carrying 59.5kg at $2.30. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2.75 len this track Mdn-Sw December 12 over 1200m slow track defeating Hello Captain carrying 56.5kg at $2.90. Consistent mare that is sure to take a strong account. | |||
MELDUBIOUS (6) finds a nice race to make amends.
The Archibald five-year-old lost no admirers over the track/trip just over a month ago, overcoming a three-wide sit in transit to finish within a length of the winner Lockyer.
Before that, he won by a similar margin at Eagle Farm ahead of Gambino, who franked the form by going on to win his next start.
A true wet track might test him, but Michael Rodd has experience in the saddle and plenty of options from barrier 7.
| 6. Meldubious (7) J: Michael Rodd 59kg x2512 T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 in a Cg&E Cl3-Sw at this track on August 15 over 1350m, 0.7 len behind Lockyer carrying 60kg at $4.60. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.1 len in a Bm70 at Eagle Farm on July 29 over 1400m defeating Gambino carrying 57kg at $4.60. Is doing plenty right and shapes as one of the key chances. | |||
TORNADO EXPRESS (12) has earned another chance with close to a month between runs.
She failed to produce her usual late speed over 1200m here at Doomben last time out, settling for fourth in the end after doing plenty of work out wide in the early stages.
Her previous efforts saw her go close without winning over this track/trip, but a wet track on Saturday could really prove the key to her chances with some good soft form to her name.
| 12. Tornado Express (4) J: Cejay Graham 52kg 31324 T: Brent Gray | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 4th of 7 in a F&M Bm78 at this track on August 15 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Grinzinger Champ with 58kg at $7.50. The start before that came from midfield; 2nd of 9 in a Bm85 at this track on August 1 over 1350m, neck behind Noble Conqueror with 52kg at $4.60. Doesn’t need to improve much. | |||
COMPEL (6) is an intriguing runner coming off a brilliant win on debut here last month.
The Spirit Of Boom filly left nothing to chance, rolling straight to the front to lead all the way and dash clear by 1.5 lengths.
She really put her foot down when it mattered down the straight, which came as no surprise based on her trials leading in.
From the inside alley with only 54kg on her back, she looks ready to take the next step off a bit of a break between runs.
| 6. Compel (3) J: Tahlia Fenlon 54kg 1 T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Getting off the mark on debut; won by 1.5 len in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at this track on August 26 over 1200m defeating Metric with 58kg at $8. Better for that experience and can make it back-to-back wins. | |||
POLYGLOT (6) looks well-suited by the chance of a wet track.
The son to Lonhro can be hit and miss at times, but we’ve seen him win two solid BM78 contests down in Sydney this prep, before venturing up to Eagle Farm in late August where he tried hard late to grab third.
Another inside gate with Taylor Marshall taking over in the saddle helps, and there’s no question he’ll see out 1100m with a stack of fitness on his side.
| 6. Polyglot (1) J: Taylor Marshall 54kg 71813 T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start made ground from midfield; 3rd of 11 in a Hcp at Eagle Farm on August 29 over 1000m, 1.5 len behind Town Crier carrying 53kg at $2.45. The race before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck in a Bm78 at Rosehill on August 15 over 1100m on a rain affected track defeating Off The Press with 60kg at $6. Is in this up to his ears on best form but he needs to find it. | |||