The Queensland Racing Carnival may be done for another year, but racing in the Sunshine State keeps rolling with a competitive nine-race card at Doomben this Saturday.
At time of publish, the track is rated a Soft 5, with the rail out 0.5m. There is the chance of a few showers through the week, but with a sunny day forecast for race day, the surface should get every opportunity to race fairly if conditions continue to improve.
With the major carnival features now behind us, Saturday’s meeting looks a nice platform for progressive types, off-season performers and winter horses looking to build on recent form.
As always at Doomben, map and tempo will be important, particularly with the rail close to the true position. The early races should give punters a guide as to whether runners are able to make ground or if those on speed hold the advantage.
Let’s get stuck into the card and try to find a few winners.
HIGH AUTHORITY (1) disappointed in his first preparation, but a spell and being gelded look to have made a big difference.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Lucky Vega returned at the Gold Coast last start, where he showed an impressive turn of foot to run down his rivals and win by a head.
He’ll take improvement second-up and, given the way he attacked the line, the rise to 1350m looks a real positive.
With the speed in the race drawn to the outside, Cejay Graham should be able to use the inside barrier to advantage and settle him in a stalking role.
| 1. High Authority (1) J: Cejay Graham 59kg 27×1T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a head at Gold Coast 2yo Mdn-Sw June 27 over 1200m in soft going defeating Vital Impact carrying 58kg at $2.50. Previously second-up ran last of 7 at this track 2yo Hcp on February 21 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Martist with 58kg at $7.50. Back in better shape and from gate one another big run is on the cards. | |||
KRUMAC (12) rises in class, but he looks very close to another win after two excellent performances.
The Ron Macrae-trained three-year-old gelding stormed home over 1690m at Ipswich last start to finish a head second.
Two starts ago at the Gold Coast, he fought bravely over this distance and was only nailed right on the line, missing by a head.
Mark Du Plessis, who rode him to victory four starts ago, is back in the saddle following a South African trip and can settle handy in a race that doesn’t look to have a great deal of speed.
| 12. Krumac (5) J: Mark Du Plessis 55kg 61622T: R J Macrae | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd in a small field at Ipswich 3yo Bm60 on July 3 over 1690m, on a slow track; head behind Swing State carrying 60kg at $3.20. The run before that sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Gold Coast 3yo Bm65 on June 20 over 1708m, slow going nose behind Lyneham with 57kg at $4.80. Racing well and is expected to be in the finish again. | |||
PRINCE LEVI (1) has a big impost to carry, but this looks a winnable drop in class after taking on black-type races recently.
The William Kropp-trained gelding worked home well from the tail to finish seventh in the Listed Ipswich Cup two starts ago before weakening over 2400m in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup last start.
He is already a winner over this course and distance, and that came in a similar class race to this.
Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim is a big help, and from the low draw, the apprentice should be able to give him an economical run.
| 1. Prince Levi (2) J: Courtney Bellamy 63kg 25974T: William Kropp | |||
| Last start eased back early on 4th in a small field at Eagle Farm in the G3 Tatt’s Cup on June 27 over 2400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Asterix carrying 55kg at $26. Before that got back early 7th of 12 at Ipswich in the LR Ipswich Cup on June 20 over 2150m, slow going 5 len behind Kaluakoi with 53kg at $6. Making headway. Sure to be in the thick of things again. | |||
JEMOMA ALPILAGE (12) has come back in terrific order this preparation and arrives chasing three straight wins.
The Kevin Kemp-trained mare overcame an outside barrier and heavy conditions when resuming with a head victory over 1700m at Ipswich.
She took a big step up in class last start and was still too strong over this course and distance.
The daughter of Lean Mean Machine has a good record third-up, including a win and a nose second over this distance against Nails Murphy last preparation.
Taylor Marshall retains the ride.
| 12. Jemoma Alpilage (10) J: Taylor Marshall 55kg 40×11T: Kevin Kemp | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by a head at Ipswich Cl1 May 30 over 1700m in the wet defeating Cansort with 57.5kg at $4.80. Second run from a spell won by a nose at this track Bm70 June 17 over 1650m on a soft track defeating All Kinds Of Folk carrying 57kg at $31. In the mix. | |||
LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (4) has been freshened since finding the line well for fifth, beaten 2.29 lengths, in the Listed Lightning Handicap.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding should appreciate coming back to this class, given just four starts ago he brained his rivals over this course and distance by 3.05 lengths when leading all the way.
While he has 60kg to carry, he gets in well against these opponents under the set-weight conditions of the race.
Gary ‘5G’ Geran can use barrier 1 to advantage and drive forward to take up a prominent position.
| 4. Let’Sfacethemusic (1) J: Gary Geran 60kg 11455T: Corey & Kylie Geran | |||
| Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Last start 5th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Lightning Hcp on June 6 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Monte Supreme carrying 53kg at $10. The run before that 5th of 13 at Scone Bm78 on May 16 over 1100m, 2 len behind Wanaruah with 59.5kg at $14. Honest four-year-old who looks hard to beat this time. | |||
PEREILLE (6) hasn’t won for just under a year, but he gets a great chance here under the set-weight conditions of the race with 10 rating points more than his nearest rival.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was last seen finding the line powerfully in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes to finish just over a half-length third.
His last win came in this class, where he ran down his rivals over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
There looks to be an abundance of speed in the race, which should allow Ben Thompson to settle off it before launching in the straight.
| 6. Pereille (6) Scratched: | |||
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (10) was excellent when resuming for new trainers Chris & Corey Munce two starts ago.
The Churchill mare was forced to settle back over 1200m at Ipswich after drawing wide and was held up entering the straight, but once clear, she let down powerfully to win by a neck.
Unfortunately, a wide barrier last start over this distance on Ipswich Cup Day put paid to her chances, but she still found the line strongly from well back to finish 1.44 lengths third.
Early in her career she raced in Group company in Sydney, so she’s always had ability and is also a third-up winner.
Brisbane’s leading jockey Ben Thompson should give her every chance.
| 10. Trafalgar Square (5) J: Ben Thompson 56.5kg 81×13T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming settled well back; won by a long-neck at Ipswich F&M Cl2-Sw June 4 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Seismic Boom with 60kg at $3.80. Second-up 3rd of 10 at Ipswich Cl3 on June 20 over 1350m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Zoustrology carrying 57.5kg at $6. Going well this prep for the new stable and is clearly the testing material. | |||
PORTOFINO (9) has thrived since moving to the country New South Wales stable of Mack Griffith after previously racing in Sydney with Chris Waller.
The I Am Invincible gelding has won three of four starts this preparation, with his only loss being a 1.38 length third at Newcastle.
He was excellent last start in a Highway Handicap over 1500m at Rosehill, where he showed good grit to lead all the way for a narrow win.
In a telling move, top Brisbane jockey Ben Thompson has been booked, and with just 53kg, he should give a good sight.
| 9. Portofino (8) J: Ben Thompson 53kg x1131T: Mack Griffith | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by a neck at Rosehill Highway-C3 June 27 over 1500m on a rain affected track defeating Whateley carrying 56.5kg at $7.50. The race before that set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 11 at Newcastle Cg&E Bm64 on June 6 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Tanglewood Jimmy carrying 61kg at $2.70. Close to flawless this time in work and can score again. | |||
HATCHET (2) will appreciate the drop in class after competing in black-type races throughout Stradbroke Season.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding got too far back last start in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes before working home well, passing a few stragglers, to finish 3.5 lengths tenth.
Earlier this year, he won back-to-back races in this class, including once over this course and distance when suited by a hot speed.
That again looks the case here, which should see 2kg claimer Jai Williams let them go hard in front before swamping them late.
| 2. Hatchet (9) J: Jai Williams 59.5kg 05960T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Last start got back early 10th of 13 at Eagle Farm in the G3 Wj Healy on June 27 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Yellow Brick carrying 54.5kg at $31. The start before that 6th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Hinkler on June 13 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Midnight In Tokyo with 56kg at $26. Top three prospects. | |||