While Flemington hosts the race that stops the nation, Brisbane punters have a strong 10-race card at Doomben to enjoy this Melbourne Cup Day.
The Cup has plenty of Queensland interest, with Robbie Dolan back aboard Knight’s Choice for a third tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
I’ve worked through the form for my Doomben Tips, finding the key runners and best betting angles.
Let’s get stuck into the card and make the most of Cup Day.
SPIRIT OF TORQUE (7) remains a maiden after nine starts, but this looks a strong opportunity for her to break through.
The Stu & Bayley Kendrick-trained filly recorded the race’s quickest final 400m when finishing third to Win Star, just under three lengths away, over this course and distance last start.
She is fit and has placed in four of her nine starts. Her rivals have managed just two placings between them.
A decent tempo would suit her.
| 7. Spirit Of Torque (7) 56kgx7243 | |||
| Brings the clearest recent form, having finished third in an Open at this track last start after beginning slowly and working home evenly, beaten just under three lengths behind Win Star in Saturday company. She had also been solid fourth at this venue when near the top of betting after covering ground. Proven enough in the wet and clearly the horse to beat. | |||
SWANFELS (5) stepped up to this distance for the first time at Ipswich last start and handled the challenge well.
The Desleigh Forster-trained mare settled second, joined the leader on straightening and proved too strong late, scoring by just over half a length.
She has finished outside the top three only three times in nine starts, showing good consistency.
The outside draw is a concern, although Daniel Moor may press forward early. She was inclined to over-race when settling back two starts ago.
| 5. Swanfels (8) 59kgx3361 | |||
| Rebounded strongly in a BM65 at Ipswich last start, winning as favourite and beating Cryption’s Desire by just over half a length after travelling well into the race. Her previous Class 1 sixth at Eagle Farm came with a catalogue of excuses, including an awkward start, keenness and being held up. | |||
DRAW ATTENTION (3) is chasing a third successive win and shapes as a leading contender.
Two starts ago, the Tony Gollan-trained mare finished strongly over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast and got up in the final strides.
She then stepped up to this distance at the Gold Coast and dominated, racing on speed before pulling clear to win by 8.18 lengths.
There appears to be limited speed in the field, which could allow Ben Thompson to dictate the race from the front.
| 3. Draw Attention (2) 58kgx4311 | |||
| Dominant at Gold Coast last start, winning a BM62 by just over eight lengths as favourite on soft ground, and that followed a BM60 win at Sunshine Coast when odds-on. The rise to BM70 is the obvious next test, but she is race fit, proven at the distance and one from one on wet tracks. | |||
MALAMAGIC (5) had trialled well ahead of his Eagle Farm debut over 1000m, where he had the misfortune of meeting a smart rival.
The Tony Gollan-trained colt had a comfortable run but could not match Dragon Link, who sprinted clear to win by 3.85 lengths. Malamagic finished well clear of the rest, with third three lengths behind him.
Dragon Link has since franked the form, leading throughout to win at Ipswich as a $1.40 favourite on Friday.
Malamagic should improve second-up and looks suited to another on-speed run for Daniel Moor.
| 5. Malamagic (4) 58kg2 | |||
| Placed on debut at Eagle Farm over 1000m, finishing second to Dragon Link and beaten just under four lengths after jumping awkwardly. He was near the top of betting, handled soft ground and kept fighting once presented, which is a sound platform for improvement. | |||
HOLY TERROR (3) returned with a close second over 1000m at Eagle Farm last start.
The Stu & Bayley Kendrick-trained gelding took the lead in the straight but was caught late on the outside, going down by a head.
He should take benefit from that first-up run, and the wet track is unlikely to be an issue. His last-start race was on a Soft 7, while he also ran second on debut on an Ipswich Heavy 10.
Ryan Maloney can use his early speed to offset the wide draw.
| 3. Holy Terror (11) 58kg28×2 | |||
| Resumed with a strong second at Eagle Farm over 1000m on soft ground, beaten a head by Moonlit Aura after being bumped at the start and still picking up impressively. His start prior was an Open at this track where he led and faded, so this Mdn assignment looks more suitable. | |||
MYSTICAL (15) resumes after a short let-up, now under the care of new trainer Todd Pollard.
The Exceed And Excel filly’s latest run came in a Warwick Farm Super Maiden, where she worked hard to finish fifth behind Chuchichaschtli. That winner has since taken out the Listed Tapp-Craig.
Pollard has a record of improving horses, and Mystical could be a suitable candidate. She finished second to Paradoxium in the Wyong Magic Million 2YO last year.
The draw presents a challenge, but Ben Thompson takes the ride.
| 15. Mystical (10)SCRATCHED: | |||
FLEETING BOOM (3) showed plenty of determination on debut despite being caught wide throughout, finishing 2.91 lengths away in fourth.
Four subsequent winners have come from that Eagle Farm race, giving the form some depth.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly improved second-up over this course and distance, leading all the way to win by three-quarters of a length.
She has drawn to settle in a favourable on-speed position for Ben Thompson.
| 3. Fleeting Boom (2) 58.5kg41 | |||
| Lightly raced filly who took the right step at her second start, winning a Mdn at this track as favourite and holding off Duchess Difficult by just under a length. Her debut fourth at Eagle Farm had merit after covering ground at long odds, so the improvement was genuine. | |||
CLIMB THE LADDER (1) returns for new trainer Tony Gollan after a 90-week gap between wins.
The five-year-old gelding has raced over this distance since finishing a close second on debut at Mornington. He has also contested much longer trips in stronger company.
A recent trial provided a positive sign for his return to sprinting, as he showed good speed and led throughout.
Bella Youngberry’s 2kg claim could help her settle just behind what is expected to be a strong tempo.
| 1. Climb The Ladder (6) 58kg2622x | |||
| Returns from a lengthy spell after finishing his last campaign with two solid Sydney placings, including second in a BM64 at Warwick Farm when beaten just under a length after being bumped on jumping. His BM72 second at Randwick-Kensington two back also gives the form some depth. | |||
LA ROJA (13) resumes for new trainer Jack Bruce and appears well suited by the set-weight conditions.
The I Am Invincible mare was last seen during the Queensland Winter Carnival, finishing a neck second in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes after charging home from the back.
She has not won for just over a year, but has finished runner-up in six of her last seven starts during that period.
A good barrier and a significantly easier assignment give her an opportunity to return to the winner’s list.
| 13. La Roja (3) 56.5kgx422x | |||
| Returns from a five-month break with the strongest form reference in the race, having run second in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich when beaten a long neck by Soothsayer at long odds. Her Randwick second to Declichy Boulevard the run prior was also sound, and a Doomben trial supports her fresh return. | |||
HE’S TRU BLUE (2) has improved with each run this preparation and looks ready to peak third-up.
The Tony Gollan-trained entire finished a half-length second to stablemate Lebanese over this course and distance last start, after giving that rival 3kg and a fitness advantage.
He should be fitter again and has won his only previous third-up start.
Ben Thompson faces a task from the wide draw, but the first-time blinkers could assist.
| 2. He’s Tru Blue (13) 60.5kg63×42 | |||
| Went within half a length of Lebanese at this track last start, travelling well behind the leaders before being pipped late as favourite. His Eagle Farm fourth over 1200m on soft ground before that was also sound, and he is set to peak third-up with first-time blinkers applied. | |||