Doomben Tips & Preview – Saturday, July 27

Doomben Tips & Preview – Saturday, July 27

Another nine-race program is set to take place at Doomben Racecourse this Saturday, July 27.

The track is currently rated a Soft 5 with the rail out 2.5m across the circuit.

Race 1 - 12:03PM MOUNT FRANKLIN QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350 METRES)
No. 2 Savour The Dream

Savour The Dream hasn’t put a foot wrong in three starts for Bevan Laming and looks poised to strike again fourth-up.

The colt by Super Seth quickened smartly to win his maiden two back over 1200m, and was only denied a second straight win up to this distance range a fortnight ago by the barest of margins behind Enterprise Defence.

If he wasn’t squeezed between a pair that day I’m confident he goes on to win, but facing a similar contest this time with James Orman in the saddle, there’s nothing to suggest he can’t make amends if the pair settle a little closer to the speed.

Race 2 - 12:38PM THE GIBSON Class 3 Plate (1615 METRES)
No. 8 Madame Odette

She’s got the wide gate to overcome, but it doesn’t get much more winnable than this for Madame Odette.

This daughter of Churchill has burned punters over the last couple months, simply finding one better in her last two starts at Ipswich and here at Doomben.

Excuses were on offer when she was held up heading towards the final furlong last time out, but this is basically a must-win race for her back to Class 3 and in quite well at the weights.

She’s got enough early speed to offset the gate and settle back in the run, and if she does just that, she should be winning.

Race 3 - 1:13PM SKY RACING BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1350 METRES)
No. 7 Set To Shine

Set To Shine has scope for improvement with three runs under her belt now.

Tony Gollan’s lightly-raced four-year-old was back in the winner’s circle three weeks ago at Eagle Farm over a similar trip, settling up on the speed and finding the front a long way from home where she clung on narrowly through the line.

That was her first run back off a four-week break, so she should have a bit left in the tank from a much better draw on this occasion.

A little sting out of the track won’t hurt and she’ll likely settle forward again and look to make her own luck.

each way
Race 4 - 1:48PM MEKKA RACEDAY 17 AUGUST BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (2020 METRES)
No. 11 Artful Girl

We know Artful Girl is up to this distance range with two wins and as many placings to her name.

She was beaten a long way behind Princess Rhaenys two back at Eagle Farm in the Gold Crown, form that has held up nicely with Deny Knowledge coming out and winning the Grafton Cup last week.

Her next effort on the Sunshine Coast was much-improved, just missing out on a place after giving away a big start on a very wet day.

Back on firmer footing, drawn well and in with just 54kg, she rates well in a very open contest.

Race 5 - 2:23PM COUNTRY MUSIC RACEDAY ON SALE NOW OPEN Handicap (1350 METRES)
No. 5 Devastate

Devastate has to be taken seriously in a rather thin race on paper.

The Kiwi import under the care of Tony Gollan flashed real promise in his first start for the stable a fortnight ago, beaten 2.5 lengths in the Rockhampton Cup where he tried his guts out in the finish.

A Group 3 winner across the ditch, he looks well-suited dropping back from the mile and is likely to go well if there’s still a little juice left in the track.

Race 6 - 3:02PM BECOME A BRC MEMBER BENCHMARK 90 Handicap (2020 METRES)
No. 10 Rogue Bear

Rogue Bear has gone up a very nice price for a six-year-old that looks ready to peak in his third run back.

Kris Lees sent his Irish import around at Doomben a couple weeks ago over the mile, a trip that was well short of his best despite the fact he just missed out on a place when beaten 1.5 lengths by Cinque Torri.

A quicker getaway and he probably would have featured in the money that day, but everything about that run suggested he’s wanting further with his best efforts typically coming third-up.

Race 7 - 3:42PM LADBROKE IT! QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 1 Invincible Shield

Hard to go bet against the in-form Invincible Shield, who steps out in search of his fourth win on the trot since changing hands to Tony Gollan.

The I Am Invincible colt was nothing but class here a couple of weeks ago over slightly shorter, racing a little keen in the middle stages but really knuckling down to get the job done by 1.8 lengths in the end.

He’ll carry 59kg this time in an easier contest, but looks likely to roll straight to the front and make every post a winner with fitness on his side.

Race 8 - 4:18PM XXXX QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 3 Avone

Avone resumes from a seven-week let-up with the blinkers on for the first time under James Orman.

The Sears-trained filly by Spirit Of Boom was last seen finishing midfield in the Queensland Day Stakes at Eagle Farm last month, a run that offered plenty of excuses from out wide.

This is an easier assignment for her back against her own sex and she does tend to do her best racing on the fresh side.

Drawn an ideal barrier and likely to appreciate some sting out of the track, this sets up nicely for a bounce back win.

Race 9 - 4:50PM LADBROKES BLACKBOOK No Metro Wins Handicap (1200 METRES)
No. 16 Beau Witness

Beau Witness is winless in five starts here at Doomben, but he does have each-way claims based on two recent wins on the country tracks leading in.

The gelding by Star Witness led them into the straight along the rail at Toowoomba last month, finding top gear a long way from home to draw clear and win by seven lengths.

He should be in peak condition third-up and is carrying just 54kg thanks to the claim of Stacey Callow. Just needs early luck from the gate to play a part.