Doomben rolls out George Moore Stakes Day this Saturday as the Queensland Summer Carnival begins to gather real pace.
The headline act is the George Moore Stakes, backed by a strong ten-race program that shapes as a genuinely competitive and appealing betting card.
Country racing again plays a major role with both the Country Cups Challenge Final and the Country Stampede taking their place on the stage.
A warm and dry lead-in should leave the surface in excellent order for race day.
It’s a quality meeting from top to bottom, and here’s how I’m lining them up.
GALIFIANAKIS (3) was excellent in the Mooloolaba Cup last start and now looks primed to peak fourth-up.
He was held up at a crucial stage at the Sunshine Coast but still closed off strongly to finish 1.25 lengths from the winner.
His fourth-up record is a real asset and includes a win over this track and distance.
Damien Thornton should be able to give him a cosy run from the draw.
Selections: 3-2-7-6
| 3. Galifianakis (3) J: Damien Thornton 58.5kg 1×456T: Jack Bruce |
ALECTRONA (16) gets a dream weight swing here, dropping sharply from 60kg down to just 53.5kg, and she should absolutely relish it.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare has been knocking on the door for some time, finishing second at her past five outings.
She’s well suited at this track and trip and was excellent here last start, doing plenty of early work from the wide draw yet still finishing runner-up to Ready To Schipp, who enjoyed a much softer run from the pole.
She meets that horse 6.5kg better this time and is sure to improve again after being five weeks between runs going into her latest effort.
From a soft barrier, Tahlia Fenlon looks set to give her the perfect run.
Selections: 16-7-8-9
| 16. Alectrona (3) J: Tahlia Fenlon 55.5kg 22222T: Chris & Corey Munce |
UNDER THE LIMIT (6) secured his Stampede Final berth by sitting outside the lead and proving too tough last start at Innisfail.
He was strong late over the 1200m and pulled away to score by 1.41 lengths.
He now returns to Brisbane for the first time since going within a whisker of winning the Battle Of The Bush Final in June.
Justin Huxtable’s booking is a significant positive.
Selections: 6-8-5-11
| 6. Under The Limit (8) J: Justin Huxtable 58kg 24371T: Tom Button |
YET HE MOVES (1) cops a big weight rise but finds a far more suitable race than what he has been contesting recently.
He hit the line strongly in the Mooloolaba Cup and was beaten only a head by the in-form Walsh Bay.
His record at this course and distance is sound, highlighted by a win four starts ago and a narrow third two runs after that.
Corey Sutherland’s valuable 3kg claim helps and should allow him to settle in a handy position.
Selections: 1-4-2-10
| 1. Yet He Moves (4) J: Corey Sutherland 62kg 41532T: Chris Waller |
SKYFORGER (1) returns to Doomben aiming to defend his Country Cups Challenge title after last year’s thumping win.
He was dominant in the 2023 edition, racing away to score by an extraordinary 6.66 lengths.
He arrives this year in similar form after storming home to win the Roma Cup.
Pat Webster and Bubba Tilley have an outstanding strike rate in these finals and combine once again.
The weight won’t bother him, having carried 64.5kg to victory in the Tara Cup four starts ago.
From the draw, Tilley should be able to position him on the speed.
Selections: 1-2-11-7
| 1. Skyforger (3) J: Les Tilley 62.5kg 31661T: Pat Webster |
ITCHINTOGO (1) will take significant improvement from his debut effort over 1200m.
He looked sharp winning a trial beforehand and showed good professionalism when leading on debut before just tiring late to run second by 1.57 lengths.
Second-up fitness and a slight drop in trip look ideal for him.
Ryan Maloney retains the ride and is likely to roll forward again.
Selections: 1-11-6-8
| 1. Itchintogo (6) J: Ryan Maloney 57kg 2T: Tony Gollan |
GRAFTERBURNERS (1) returned in terrific order with a dominant first-up win over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
He surprisingly led on that occasion and then sprinted away to put the race beyond doubt by 2.89 lengths.
He will be fitter now and has proven himself a capable second-up performer.
With good speed engaged, Cejay Graham can take a sit and stalk the leaders.
Selections: 1-3-2-6
| 1. Grafterburners (6) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 366×1T: Kelly Schweida |
EPIC PROPORTIONS (10) continues to thrive since joining the Brisbane stable four starts back.
His last-start Keith Noud win was dominant as he controlled the race from in front and scored by 1.35 lengths.
He is unbeaten at this track and distance and has repeatedly shown he can break races open from the front.
Tahlia Fenlon knows him well and will aim to lead and run them along again.
Selections: 10-5-1-2
| 10. Epic Proportions (3) J: Tahlia Fenlon 54.5kg 64121T: Ciaron Maher |
FOREIGN PRESS (2) resumed with a strong run at the Sunshine Coast where he finished a close third despite an awkward barrier.
He closed off nicely over 1000m and should take good improvement from that outing.
His only previous second-up run was a win here over 1110m.
The inside draw gives Cejay Graham every chance to secure a soft run.
Selections: 2-13-10-7
| 2. Foreign Press (2) J: Cejay Graham 56.5kg 12123T: Tony Gollan |
JOHN DORY (1) arrives from Sydney in the right form after two strong runs to begin his career.
He found the line well on debut at Newcastle and finished just over a half-length from the winner.
He then stepped to 1500m at Canterbury and let down impressively to score by just under a length.
Third-up at the mile looks perfect for him and Tommy Berry should get a favourable run from the draw.
Selections: 1-2-5-14
| 1. John Dory (3) J: Tommy Berry 60kg 21T: Chris Waller |