Nine races have been set at Doomben this Saturday, October 5.
With the Queensland Cup ahead next Saturday, Ryan Cook analyses the entire meeting and shares his best bets below.
Race 1 - 12:13PM Officiating at Aquis QTIS Two-Years-Old Plate (1050 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 11 Sequel
We get a good look at the new crop of 2YOs to kick off the day with all 12 runners on debut.
Sequel is a promising filly out of Peter Sinclair’s yard looking to take her impressive trial win with her into her first start.
The daughter of Cool Aza Beel quickened smartly down the outside to reel in the leader and win right on the line, and she’s drawn to adopt similar tactics from the same gate with Kyle Wilson-Taylor on board.
Race 2 - 12:48PM Become a BRC Member BM70 Handicap (1615 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 12 Redford
Happy to stick with the previously unbeaten Redford third-up over the mile.
Whether 1400m was a little on the short side last start was up for debate, but there were excuses on offer given he was forced to make up a stack of ground from the wide gate after overcoming a slow start.
The son of Snitzel has drawn to receive all the favours from barrier two on this occasion, and with the blinkers on now for the first time, we should see him running to his best after scoring by three lengths on the Sunshine Coast first-up.
Race 3 - 1:23PM Sky Racing Handicap (1615 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 7 Iverson
Iverson rates a huge chance over his preferred trip.
Robert Heathcote’s old boy by So You Think has run two strong races since returning to work, overcoming some late traffic problems on the Gold Coast last start to charge clear and find the line for third.
That run should have topped him off nicely as he looks to claim a fifth win over the mile.
Hard fit and proven here at Doomben, he looks the main danger to the favourite.
Race 4 - 1:58PM Spring Carnival Book Now BM78 Handicap (2200 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 6 I Am The Empire
I Am The Empire just needs to find some luck in running from out wide.
This six-year-old son of Camelot tried his guts out up on the speed on the Gold Coast last start, responding well to late pressure and just conceding the win over his final few strides when third to Bak Da Man.
We know he loves this trip and handles all conditions, so if he can push forward and run his usual race on speed, he’ll be hard to catch.
Race 5 - 2:33PM XXXX QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 6 Street Chase
Street Chase looked a class above winning by three lengths off a lengthy break here over shorter.
James Orman rolled forward from the slightly awkward draw and settled on the speed, the pair finding something extra in the finish to draw clear for a soft win on the line.
This is tougher for Stuart Kendrick’s three-year-old, but if he saves something in the tank from the kind gate this time, I’m confident he’ll be strong in the finish again.
Race 6 - 3:08PM RQ Supports Racing Industry Safety Fillies and Mares BM78 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 3 Countyourblessings
She’s a little on the short side, but Countyourblessings does look suited by the extra 100m.
The mare by I Am Invincible has made the trip up from Sydney following two impressive wins at Canterbury, the latest coming over 1200m where she smoked the line with plenty left to spare.
This is her first look at Doomben, but facing her own sex again with a 3kg claim in use, she might be one of the better bets on the program.
Race 7 - 3:43PM U & U Recruitment Colts, Geldings and Entires BM78 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 11 Midori Beauty
Midori Beauty is going great guns for Matthew Dunn since arriving back in Australia.
The Deep Field six-year-old had little luck over in Hong Kong earlier in the year, but he quickly put it all behind him winning first-up on the Gold Coast with a blazing turn of foot.
He was unlucky not to make it a double last start when held up for a run before angling into the clear to run on for third.
Down 4kg now and drawn to get another gun run in transit, his best is more than good enough to win a race that is only slightly tougher.
Race 8 - 4:18PM Ladbrokes Own Spring No Metro Wins Handicap (1110 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 4 Brentwood
Brentwood has each-way claims first-up.
Tony Gollan’s gelding has won twice when returning to the races in the past, while he was also a trustworthy bet last time in work winning here over further in January.
Forgive him on his latest effort at Eagle Farm where he was slow to recover post-race after finishing down the order.
With the right form at this track off a decent leadup trial, he could surprise if he gets the right ride in behind the speed.
Race 9 - 4:56PM Gallopers Sports Club BM85 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Race Starts in: Race Finished
No. 7 Headwall
Headwall has made the journey north after finishing runner-up at Flemington a couple of weeks ago behind the impressive Moby Dick.
Matthew Smith sent him for a trial in which he won well back at Warwick Farm last week, so he should be nice and sharp for this assignment in his return to Queensland.
Getting out to 1200m for the first time looks the right move, especially after making up a stack of late ground from a wide run last start.
Back on a dry track and drawn well, he’ll be one of the hardest to hold out in the late stages.
Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 27/04/2025 04:29:45am AEST and subject to change.