Toowoomba tips are in focus this Saturday, with 10 races scheduled for Weetwood Day.
The track is rated a Good 4, and the rail is in the true position. The early races should provide a useful guide to the track conditions and how the meeting is playing.
The Weetwood, Toowoomba Cup and Toowoomba Guineas headline the program.
Our race analysis looks at the speed map, key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card.
THATS ARCHIES GIRL (6) returns to her home track after several strong efforts this preparation.
The Nick Keal-trained mare settled well back from an outside barrier at the Gold Coast last start, then closed well to finish fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length. Her effort was notable given the race pattern did not suit her.
She had also recorded the fastest final sectionals when finishing fourth in a stronger Doomben race three starts ago. She followed that with a strong closing run to place at Eagle Farm.
Blinkers go on for the first time, and Kelsey Lenton’s 3kg claim is a useful advantage.
| 6. Thats Archies Girl (10) J: Kelsey Lenton 55.5kg 23434 T: Nick Keal | |||
| Finished strongly from well back at Gold Coast last week when fourth, beaten just under a length by Exceed Perfection on good ground. That backed up her Eagle Farm third on soft ground, where she charged home from a long way back as the well-supported favourite. Blinkers go on and she looks ready to put it all together. | |||
BARBRAY (11) has produced consistent form since moving to Queensland, including consecutive wins at the Sunshine Coast and Eagle Farm.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding then closed well to finish fourth, beaten 1.44 lengths, at Eagle Farm.
His latest run over a mile at Doomben was better than the fifth placing suggests. He loomed as a winning chance in the straight but was held up behind tiring runners and went to the line with more to give, finishing 1.33 lengths from the winner.
Taylor Marshall replaces Jake Bayliss and should be able to give him an economical run from the inside barrier.
| 11. Barbray (1) J: Taylor Marshall 53.5kg 41145 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Had genuine excuses when fifth to Liberty Park in a Doomben Benchmark 78, beaten a length and a half after missing the start and being held up in the straight as favourite. His previous Eagle Farm fourth behind Livalittle was also sound, closing from well back on soft ground. Easier grade and light weight make him the benchmark. | |||
MADALSA (11) has a strong record over this course and distance and can improve on her last-start third.
The Pat Webster-trained mare was held up at a key stage after looming before the straight, then finished on to be beaten just under two lengths.
Her track-and-trip record stands at three wins and four placings from 12 starts. She won by 4.19 lengths here three starts ago.
She has had five weeks between runs but has shown she can perform well fresh.
Les “Bubba” Tilley takes over from the apprentice and should be able to settle her in a forward position.
| 11. Madalsa (6) J: Les Tilley 57.5kg 24123 T: Pat Webster | |||
| Returns from a five-week freshening after a luckless Benchmark 58 third at Toowoomba, where she was favourite, raced keenly and was held up twice before finishing under two lengths away. She had earlier chased The Louvre here and is proven over this track and distance. Track-and-trip record helps, but this is stronger. | |||
YOWERI (7) arrives in Queensland in good form after moving to Tony Gollan’s stable from O’Shea & Charlton in Sydney.
The son of I Am Invincible has won four of his past eight starts. He added to that record last start at Ipswich, leading over 1100m and holding on to win by a neck.
The drop in distance is suitable, and he has already won over this trip at Ballina.
Emily Pozman’s 3kg claim is beneficial, while the inside draw should allow him to settle in a favourable position.
| 7. Yoweri (1) J: Emily Pozman 57kg 13131 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Arrives in consistent form, winning at Ipswich last start by half a length from Meet George after racing just off the lead. Two back he was beaten just under a length in a Benchmark 65 over 800m, with the stewards noting he had difficulty getting clear near the 400m. First Toowoomba run is the main unknown. | |||
IRAMA (5) arrives on the back of a strong win over 1200m at Toowoomba and has an excellent record at the track.
The Nick Keal-trained gelding raced wide throughout last start but still made a sustained move around the turn and won by just under two lengths.
His Toowoomba record is three wins and two seconds from six starts.
Gary “5G” Geran retains the ride and should be able to settle just behind the speed before asking him to build into the race.
| 5. Irama (7) J: Gary Geran 60kg x1821 T: Nick Keal | |||
| Put the race away well here last start, beating Kingsland by two lengths despite jumping awkwardly and racing wide. That backed up a solid second at this track when sent out favourite and beaten just under a length by Miss De Medici. Honest track profile keeps him in the minors. | |||
MEAN APPROACH (1) returns to 1200m after finishing second behind Gram over 1110m at Doomben.
The Pat Webster-trained gelding was also narrowly beaten by Shelstein over this distance two starts ago and now meets that rival slightly better at the weights.
He has won two metropolitan races this preparation and remains unbeaten in two starts over this course and distance.
He was scratched from the Weetwood in favour of this race.
Jace McMurray takes the ride and should be able to position him close to the expected speed.
| 1. Mean Approach (8) J: Jace Mcmurray 60kg 11722 T: Pat Webster | |||
| Has been holding form well, finishing second at Doomben last start after settling back and keeping on, beaten two and a half lengths by Gram in Saturday company. The run prior reads strongly enough too, beaten a nose by Shelstein in an NMW on soft ground. Wide draw is the query, but he has the profile to run well again. | |||
ESPERANZA (7) resumes after finishing seventh, beaten 2.8 lengths, in the Spirit Of Boom Classic during the Queensland Racing Carnival.
The Rex Lipp-trained filly won her Doomben debut over 1110m before finishing second in both the QTIS Jewel 2YO Fillies Prelude and the QTIS Jewel.
She has prepared for her return with two trials. Her latest was particularly strong, as she led throughout and won by 11 lengths.
A solid tempo is expected, which should allow Angela Jones to settle her just off the leaders.
| 7. Esperanza (5) J: Angela Jones 55kg 2267x T: Rex Lipp | |||
| Returns from a five-month break after finishing seventh in the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben, beaten just under three lengths by Vantorix after beginning awkwardly, being hampered and covering ground from the back. She was also favourite in the Listed Calaway Gal Plate two back but raced keenly on heavy ground. Clear danger if sharp enough at 1200m. | |||
LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (8) has continued to improve since joining Corey & Kylie Geran and brings strong recent form into the Weetwood.
The son of I Am Invincible was pressured in front over 1110m at Doomben last start but still found plenty when asked, clearing away to win by 1.28 lengths.
He has already won over 1200m this preparation, scoring by 3.05 lengths when second-up at Doomben.
His racing pattern gives Gary “5G” Geran options, as he can lead or settle just behind the speed.
| 8. Let’Sfacethemusic (9) J: Gary Geran 54kg 55141 T: Corey & Kylie Geran | |||
| Returns from a five-week freshening after beating Fukubana by just over a length in a Doomben Class 6 as an odds-on favourite, travelling well before proving too good. His prior fourth to Epic Proportions in Open grade was better than it looked, having begun awkwardly, raced keenly and covered ground. Listed record is the knock, but he is in the mix. | |||
Chris & Corey Munce have a strong record in the Toowoomba Cup, having won the feature with Walsh Bay last year and Military Gambler in 2023.
Their representative this year is DIAMOND SHOW (12), who comes into the race in good form.
The daughter of Almanzor finished second by a head over this distance at Doomben last start after being impeded and closing strongly behind Livalittle, who has won three of his past four starts.
She had previously won back-to-back races over 2060m and 2200m at Doomben.
With 52kg and Cejay Graham taking over from the apprentice, she looks well placed.
| 12. Diamond Show (9) J: Cejay Graham 52kg 22112 T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Went within a neck of Livalittle in a Benchmark 85 at Doomben, with that second placing coming after minor interference and confirming her strong current form. She had won a Benchmark 80 over 2200m there two back, beating Fernao by a long neck. Airborne and only needs to hold her form to be right there again. | |||
OFF THE PRESS (8) makes the trip from Canberra with encouraging Sydney form and a light weight.
The Todd Smart-trained gelding closed strongly over 1100m at Rosehill first-up to finish second by a neck. He then finished third, beaten 3.16 lengths, over six furlongs at Randwick.
He should be nearing peak fitness third-up, and Anna Roper’s claim leaves him with 53kg.
The rise to Toowoomba is the main variable, but he should be able to settle on speed and receive a favourable run.
| 8. Off The Press (4) J: Anna Roper 53kg 65×23 T: Todd Smart | |||
| Brings solid Sydney form into this after finishing third in a 3yo+ Benchmark 78 at Randwick, beaten just over three lengths by Decorum after being bumped at the start. He had charged home for second to Polyglot at Rosehill over 1100m the run prior. Third-up and drawn well, he looks the one they have to beat. | |||