Black type racing returns to Doomben on Saturday afternoon and we are set for an exciting day of Brisbane metropolitan racing.
The rail will be out 2 metres around the entire Doomben course on Saturday afternoon and at the time of publish, the track was rated in the ‘Soft 6’ range.
Race 1 – Sky Racing QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (1200m) – 12:22pm
Nine juveniles will step out in the first race at Doomben on Saturday and barring the field’s sole debutant Desert Knight, each has shown plenty of ability.
Blue Book is seeking a third-consecutive race win and undoubtedly looms as the horse to beat once more on Saturday. The Denmarket gelding has been utterly dominant in his two previous trips to the races and was last seen winning over 1200m at Doomben a fortnight ago. He’s yet to contest a race on a track rated less than a ‘Good 4’, but his class is obvious and is drawn ideally in barrier 4, with Singapore-based hoop Michael Rodd in the saddle.
Fullazaboot was also impressive on debut and looms as the biggest danger. The son of Sepoy has not been seen at the races since October, but beat a notable field by close to four lengths on that occasion and has trialled well in the lead-up to this.
Tip: No. 1 Blue Book ($2.80)
Race 2 – www.BRC.com.au Rating 0-70 (1350m) – 12:57pm
A capacity field has been taken for Race 2 and a case can be made for more than half the confirmed runners finding winning form.
The Robert Heathcote-trained Mehmeto has found strong and consistent form this time and is primed for another big run here. The son of Written Tycoon has been in work for a long time, but continues to find and won the Free Entry December 30th Plate (1200m) on the Gold Coast on November 4th, before placing second behind Revaldor in the Qupex Handicap (1350m) last time out.
Pegapus has returned to racing in similarly smart form this time and is ready to peak third-up on Saturday. The Purrealist mare resumed for a tough third over 1200m at the Gold Coast on November 4th, before returning to winning form at Ipswich on the 22nd. This is a step up in class, but she has good form on soft going and should enjoy a nice run behind the early pace from a central draw.
Stable mate Contralto ($9), Sornja ($6.50) and Night Attire ($8) all command consideration in this market, in current form.
Tip: No. 12 Pegapus – Each Way ($5.50/$2.15)
Race 3 – No Cracks Plumbing QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1600m) – 1:32pm
A competitive field of three-year-olds will step out in Race 3, but it is shaping as a match race between the in-form Magnufighter and consistent filly Boom Boom Epic.
Magnufighter produced several strong performances during his two-year-old campaign; running third in the Listed The Phoenix (1350m) most notably, but also winning a 1000m sprint on the Sunshine Coast. A classy winner of two races over 1200m and 1350m respectively this time, the Magnus colt has been charged with overcoming a race-high 59kgs on Saturday and while not showing at form on the soft, trialled well in heavy conditions in October.
Boom Boom Epic has yet to finish worse than second through her three starts this season, but is another horse that doesn’t have exposed form in the wet. The filly was nosed out by a tough Magnufighter last start and will need to improve if she is to reverse that result on Saturday.
Tip: No. 1 Magnufighter ($3.70)
Race 4 – Happy Birthday Monster Origin Jockey Series Class 2 Plate (1600m) – 2:08pm
The class on show in Race 4 extends far beyond the horses – some of the country’s best jockeys will be in action in this Origin Jockey Series Plate. Several horses with genuine each-way quotes are right in the mix in this race, not only for their recent form but also as a result of the jockey aboard.
Craig Newitt has been booked to ride Expertea in this race and the mare appears ready to peak third-up following a tough run for second over a mile on the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago. The daughter of Al Maher has not finished outside the places in three runs on soft and gets in well at only 55.5kgs. A wide draw is something of a concern, but she is up to the quality of a race like this.
Race favourite Chamalu has not been quite as convincing at his two most-recent starts, but this is probably something of a drop and class and he could return to winning form here.
Tip: No. 14 Expertea – Each Way ($18/$4.80)
Race 5 – Monier ‘Top Cat’ In Roofing No Metro Wins Handicap (1200m) – 2:48pm
A capacity field has been taken for Race 5 and it is another extremely open event from a betting perspective, as a result.
There’s plenty of Brisbane Saturday racing regulars amongst this field, including Plucky Girl ($7.50), Limerick Moon ($9.50) and High Cost ($20); all of whom have their regular each-way claims.
Canberra raider Ruthless Agent is an extremely interesting runner in this race and this could prove to be perfect placing by trainer Kurt Goldman. Ruthless Agent has returned to racing in smart form this time; finishing second in a pair of Sydney sprints over 1200m and 1250m respectively, before returning to winning form at Goulburn on November 5th. The Bullbars gelding was tested at metro grade over 1400m at Rosehill on November 18th and was gallant to the line for fifth behind Redouble. This is a step back in grade and with Tye Angland aboard, Ruthless Agent can return to winning form.
Tip: No. 10 Ruthless Agent – Each Way ($8/$2.70)
Race 6 – Multi Systems Electrical Origin Jockey Series Class 6 Plate (2000m) – 3:28pm
The sixth race is another widely open field and there is a case to be made for more than half the runners set to step out.
Plenty was expected of Singing when he was purchased and transferred to the care of Kris Lees and will the import has failed to live up to expectations, he is probably faced with his best chance of winning in this race. The Singspiel entire finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in autumn, but has so-far placed fifth in the Liston Wyong Cup (2100m) and sixth in the AW Edwards BM95 (1800m) this time. 2000m is ideal and the horse should receive a great ride from Craig Newitt.
The Chris Waller-trained pair of Monasterio ($5) and Kirini ($4.70) are also both well and truly in the hunt in this race. The former returned to winning form after flying home from the rear of the field at Doomben a fortnight ago and could go on with the job here. The latter was a smart winner over 2200m at Doom ben last time out and should not find issue in the drop in distance.
Tip: No. 6 Singing – Each Way ($5.50/$2.15)
Race 7 – Listed Just Now Quality (1350m) – 4:08pm
The day’s first black type race will peg fourteen fillies and mares against each other in the $100,000 Just Now Quality.
Zumbelina has been backed into outright favouritism at the time of publish and there is a serious case to be made for the Chris Waller-trained mare. Zumbelina returned to the races for a smart win in the Fugen BM90 (1200m) at Rosehill on September 9th and has continued to impress through four subsequent starts, including a one-length win over 1200m at Rosehill last month. The quality of this field is pretty similar to those which lined up in her previous races this time and Zumbelina could enjoy the run of the race from barrier 5.
Two mares that are potentially over the odds in this race are the Toby Edmonds-trained pairing of Sylpheed ($7.50) and Inspired Estelle ($15).
Sylpheed has been extremely consistent since transferring to the care of Edmonds at the beginning of the year and is ready to peak third-up, following smart runs for third in both her starts this time, including the Listed Fillies & Mares Plate (1200m) a fortnight ago.
A half-sister to Lankan Rupee, Inspired Estelle was a dominant winner first-up, but was luckless in running when seventh in the Listed race a fortnight ago. She should be forgiven for that run and will be better third-up.
Tips: No. 4 Zumbelina ($3.90)
No. 8 Sylpheed – Each Way ($7.50/$2.60)
Race 8 – Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) – 4:48pm
The day’s feature race has drawn an open field of fifteen milers and four-year-old Crack Me Up is set to start a clear race favourite. Crack Me Up ended a smart winter campaign with consecutive wins in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) and Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m); resuming this time for second in a 1200m race at Doomben before returning to winning form in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) a fortnight ago. The horse is drawn ideally and is undoubtedly the one to beat here.
Cantbuybetter ($8.50) has failed to fire at his two most-recent starts, but has the notable advantage of Jamie Kah in the saddle this weekend and should enjoy a good run in transit from an inside draw.
The value in this race appears to lie with Too Good To Refuse. The Rothesay gelding gives away a big lead in his races, but stepping up to a mile is absolutely ideal and he appears to be peaking in form at the absolute right moment for this. Too Good To Refuse flew home from the rear of the field to finish fourth in the Recognition Stakes and has missed a placing at a mile only twice in seven attempts.
Tip: No. 7 Too Good To Refuse – Each Way ($10/$3.10)
Race 9 – No More Than One Metro Win This Year Handicap (1350m) – 5:25pm
A capacity field has been taken for the final race at Doomben on Saturday and it subsequently figures as a great opportunity for punters to take advantage of some great late value.
Tough veteran Steel Zip ($21) is yet to show much this time, but he is an honest as they come and can never be discounted.
Queen Of Wands ($41) has never won at Doomben, but was competitive first-up up and always takes plenty of improvement into her second-up runs. Weighted well, the mare is a chance at long odds if Ronnie Stewart can find a position just behind a genuine tempo.
Manaya is set to jump race favourite and is primed for a big fourth-up run. The Hinchinbrook mare ran out of track when third over 1200m a fortnight ago and will enjoy the extra distance.
Tip: No. 14 Manaya ($4.50)