While Melbourne focuses on Victoria Derby Day, the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival continues at Doomben with a 10-race card. Our Doomben Tips cover a meeting with testing conditions in prospect.
Wednesday’s rating put the track at Heavy 10. Improving weather could bring it closer to the Soft range by race time, but it may still feel sticky. The rail sits 3m out, so early positioning could matter.
Our race analysis covers the key runners, main winning chances and betting opportunities. Let’s work through the card and find some winners!
GHOST GUM (1) backs up after making his debut over 1000m at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Liam Birchley-trained gelding settled at the tail after a slow start, then finished strongly. He recorded the quickest final 400m and 200m closing times of the day and finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length.
He tired late in the heavy conditions, but should benefit from the experience and strip fitter for his second start.
Ben Thompson stays aboard. From a good draw, he should be able to settle in a prominent position.
| 1. Ghost Gum (2) 59kg3 |
YOUR ATTITUDE (2) heads north from Sydney after racing on wet ground and appears suited to this assignment.
The Chris Waller-trained colt handled the conditions at Hawkesbury last start, winning over a mile by a neck.
His finish suggested the extra distance should suit, and he looks a genuine stayer.
Taylor Marshall will need to give him room to build momentum in the small field. If he gets that opportunity, he should be in the finish.
| 2. Your Attitude (4) 60kg84×51 |
Several runners have to prove they can cope with testing conditions, but AWAYGOESTHEBUNNY (6) has shown he can handle them.
The David McColm-trained gelding enjoyed a comfortable run over 1800m at the Gold Coast on a Soft 7 last start. He then finished strongly to win by 1.3 lengths.
Bella Youngberry takes the ride, and her claim reduces his weight to 53kg.
The outside draw presents a challenge, but he has enough early speed to cross and find a position before the first bend.
| 6. Awaygoesthebunny (9) 52kg54431 |
CARDONETTE (11) was beaten for the first time this preparation last start, finishing strongly from well back to run second over 1110m here, beaten 1.73 lengths.
Before that, the Tony Gollan-trained mare had won two in a row. She scored first-up at the Gold Coast as a $1.35 favourite, rounding up the field on the turn and drawing clear hands and heels to win by just over a length.
Two starts ago, she settled back from a wide barrier over 1110m here before charging down the outside to win comfortably by just under two lengths.
She has been finishing her races well, and the step up in distance looks suitable.
| 11. Cardonette (4) 58kg2×112 |
GROENING (7) is aiming for a third consecutive win after an impressive performance at the Sunshine Coast.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding produced a sharp turn of foot over 1200m last start, putting his rivals away to win by just under three lengths.
The way he finished suggests he should handle the extra distance.
Ben Thompson can use the inside draw to press forward. With 52kg to carry, Groening may be difficult to run down.
| 7. Groening (1) 52.5kg0611 |
SCHEHERAZADE (6) resumes after a pleasing trial win, where she worked strongly down the outside.
The Stephen McLean-trained mare has a good fresh record, winning her past two first-up starts. Her latest first-up win came over this distance at the Gold Coast last preparation.
She has also performed well over this course and distance, winning her maiden here and finishing just short in a head-bobbing finish on her most recent Doomben start.
There appears to be good speed in the race. Dylan Turner should be able to settle midfield before making his move in the straight.
| 6. Scheherazade (8) 56.5kg1126x |
SHE MOVES TOO (5) caught the eye in a trial before recording the quickest final 400m of the race when resuming over 1350m here.
The Chris Waller-trained mare had little luck two starts ago. She was held up badly in the straight and finished fourth, beaten 1.38 lengths, despite appearing to have more to offer.
She was again unlucky last start over this course and distance. After struggling to find clear running in the straight, she went down in a head-bobbing finish.
The daughter of Zousain is at peak fitness, and Ryan Maloney’s return to the saddle is a positive.
| 5. She Moves Too (3)SCRATCHED: | |||
ATMOSPHERE (3) has improved since stepping up to a mile.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding led over 1600m at Eagle Farm two starts ago and gave a good account of himself, but the month between runs took its toll and he finished second.
He handled the heavy conditions well last start, leading for much of the way before Twisted Queen ran him down. He finished just under a length away in second, with third a further six lengths back.
He is on the quick back-up. The only other time he raced again at short notice, he finished within a head of winning.
He likes to roll along in front. If Ronnie Stewart can control the tempo, he could be hard to catch.
| 3. Atmosphere (3) 58.5kg30422 |
ABOUT TO EXPLODE (2) returns after finishing fifth, beaten 1.25 lengths, in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes during Stradbroke Season.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare has yet to win first-up in four attempts, but her recent trial win was encouraging.
Wet ground should not be a concern. In her two heavy-track starts, she finished a nose second over 1200m at Eagle Farm and a neck third in the Listed Hinkler Handicap.
Ben Thompson should be able to settle just off what looks like a decent speed.
| 2. About To Explode (7) 56kg2735x |
TEN DEEP (7) had looked ready to perform well first-up after two slick trial wins, but a wide run worked against her.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare was caught three-deep throughout over 1200m at Eagle Farm and boxed on to finish seventh, beaten 3.56 lengths.
She was better suited by the return to this course and distance last start, finishing a close second behind Just Precious, who made it three consecutive wins.
Ten Deep should strip fitter and has won two of her three third-up starts.
Bella Youngberry claims 2kg and can settle behind her mount’s stablemate Hell, giving Ten Deep the chance to finish off.
| 7. Ten Deep (4) 55.5kg17×72 |