Doomben is the focus on Saturday, with nine races to sort through and conditions likely to keep punters on their toes.
The Doomben track is currently rated a Soft 5, and with showers forecast through to the weekend, it would be no shock to see it stay there or get a touch softer.
With the rail out 2.5m, the set-up looks fair enough and should give every runner its chance.
There’s a stack to get through, so let’s dive into the Doomben card and find a few winners.
TENGUN TOMMY (1) is two from two this prep and can keep the picket fence going.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was strong late at the Sunshine Coast last start, clocking the best final 600m of the race and getting home by just over half a length.
He had to overcome an outside alley first-up, and he faces the same task again here, but that day he still rounded them up to win by a half-length over 1100m at Doomben.
Now third-up, the rise to 1200m looks right in his sweet spot, and the extra run to the first turn gives Ben Thompson more time to work across from the wide draw.
| 1. Tengun Tommy (12) J: Ben Thompson 59.5kg 6×11T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.6 len at this track 2yo Hcp June 3 over 1110m defeating Invincible Chase carrying 57.5kg at $2.70. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.7 len at Sunshine Coast 2yo Hcp July 4 over 1000m in soft going defeating Areprice with 57kg at $2.30. Racing well. No tougher this time so another win looks on the cards. | |||
MOONAN QUARTZ (6) has returned in ripping order and brings winning form to town again.
The Mick Lakey-trained gelding resumed over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast, camped a few lengths off the leader in second, then let rip late to win comfortably by just under three lengths.
He backed that up over 1400m at Eagle Farm last start, taking control in front and never giving his rivals a look-in on his way to a 2.29 length victory.
With Jace McMurray taking 2kg off, he should have the early speed to cross and either lead or settle right on the bunny.
| 6. Moonan Quartz (8) J: Jace Mcmurray 59kg 43×11T: Michael Lakey | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 3 len at Sunshine Coast Bm58 June 21 over 1200m in soft going defeating Custo with 59kg at $4.60. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 2.25 len at Eagle Farm Cl3 July 1 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Diamond Show with 54kg at $2.30. Can extend the winning streak. | |||
MOSHULU SPIRIT (2) is flying this campaign and looks a serious chance to stay unbeaten this time in.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding made a mess of them at the Sunshine Coast last start, settling handy before putting his rivals away by 4.64 lengths.
He had already shown plenty earlier this preparation, letting down strongly to win over this course and distance before proving too good again over this trip at Ipswich, taking his overall record to three wins from four starts.
Rock-hard fit and with Ben Thompson steering, he should land on speed and take plenty of beating.
| 2. Moshulu Spirit (7) J: Ben Thompson 59kg 7×111T: Jack Bruce | |||
| On a three run winning streak. Most recently favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.7 len at Ipswich 3&4yo Hcp July 8 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Warrior Bae with 54.5kg at $2. The start before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.6 len at this track 3yo Bm65 June 17 over 1200m in soft going defeating Statement Of Truth carrying 57.5kg at $2.45. Airborne and can win again despite the class rise. | |||
TECHNA (16) absolutely put them away at Eagle Farm last start and looks ready to measure up on a Saturday.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare resumed with a third at the Sunshine Coast, then came out second-up over 1800m at Eagle Farm and brained her rivals, charging clear in the final furlong to win by 4.04 lengths.
She hit the line like a horse looking for further, so the rise to 2020m third-up looks ideal with that added fitness under the belt.
There should be enough tempo to bring her into it, and Robbie Dolan can have her midfield with cover from the good draw.
| 16. Techna (2) J: Robbie Dolan 55.5kg 35×31T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up got back early 3rd in a small field at Sunshine Coast Cl2 on June 14 over 1400m, on a wet track; 2 len behind Zouslayer carrying 54kg at $5. Second-up won by 4 len at Eagle Farm Bm68 July 1 over 1800m on a rain affected track defeating Valorous Power with 54.5kg at $26. One of the major players. | |||
SWORD OF LEGACY (1) got back to the right level last start and cashed in, winning over 1200m at Eagle Farm after finally drawing a good gate.
The Matt Dunn-trained filly was well backed and justified the support, savaging the line to record a strong win.
Her Listed Queensland Day Stakes run two starts ago is easy enough to forgive given she raced keenly and was posted wide, while she also drew the car park in the Darby McCarthy three starts ago before going back, finding trouble, and charging late to finish just under a length third.
This is no tougher than last start, and with Jace McMurray’s claim meaning she carries only half a kilogram more, she gets another great set-up.
| 1. Sword Of Legacy (5) J: Jace Mcmurray 60kg 21301T: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run favourite; won by 0.7 len at Eagle Farm 3yo Qlty June 27 over 1200m in soft going defeating Propaganda carrying 57.5kg at $2.20. The start before that 14th of 17 at Eagle Farm in the LR Qld Day on June 6 over 1200m, 5 len behind Earn To Burn with 55kg at $26. In great form and is likely to feature. | |||
JOHN RAMBO (1) has to lump 60kg, but under the set weight conditions, he is still well treated given his superior rating.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding comes back from the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, where he worked home well to finish 2.41 lengths seventh despite being dragged wide and back from a putrid gate.
This is a clear drop from what he has been contesting, and he has shown he enjoys Doomben, having won here by 3.97 lengths last year.
He can do a few things wrong, but if Cejay Graham gets him away cleanly, he can park behind the speed and be produced late.
| 1. John Rambo (2) J: Cejay Graham 60kg 21×57T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 5th of 16 at Ipswich in the LR Eye Liner on June 20 over 1350m, slow going 2 len behind Soothsayer carrying 53kg at $4.80. Last start 7th of 17 at Sunshine Coast in the LR Glasshouse Hcp on July 4 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Arabian Rose carrying 53kg at $11. Profiles nicely. Has the ability and is among the leading hopes. | |||
TALTARNI FIELDS (1) gets a much better set-up here after having no luck first-up at the Sunshine Coast.
The Kelly Schweida-trained mare was squeezed before the turn and spat out the back, which effectively ended her winning hope, but she still picked herself up and found the line to finish 4.16 lengths from the winner.
She should come on from that run, and her second-up record reads well with two wins from four attempts, including one over this course and distance.
From the good draw, 2kg claimer Jace McMurray should be able to have her stalking the speed and ready to pounce.
| 1. Taltarni Fields (3) J: Jace Mcmurray 61kg 915×0T: Kelly Schweida | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months eased back early on 11th of 16 at Sunshine Coast 3yo&Up Swp on July 4 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Steady Ready with 56kg at $20. Previously second-up 3rd of 15 at Gold Coast Cl6-Sw on January 17 over 1200m, 4 len behind Hawker Hall carrying 60kg at $12. Expecting him to kick on in this easier race with that first run out of the way. | |||
THE INFLICTOR (1) finally gets away from black-type and feature company, and this is the easiest race he has seen in a long time.
The Craig Cousins-trained gelding was last seen finishing 4.07 lengths 11th in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap, after previously running well enough when 2.71 lengths sixth in the Group 2 Moreton Cup.
His last win was over this distance in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile at Eagle Farm just over a year ago, so the set-up has a familiar look.
With the race lacking speed, Corey Sutherland’s 2kg claim could prove important if he is able to dictate in front.
If he gets away with soft sectionals, they may have a task running him down.
| 1. The Inflictor (2) J: Corey Sutherland 60kg 45660T: Craig Cousins | |||
| Last start 11th of 17 at Sunshine Coast in the LR Glasshouse Hcp on July 4 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Arabian Rose carrying 57.5kg at $31. The start before that 6th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the G2 Moreton Cup Swp on June 6 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Uncommon James carrying 55.5kg at $12. Not great last start but this is easier. | |||
DAGGERS (4) gets back to a mile for just the second time since finishing fifth in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes nearly two years ago.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding was solid on Ipswich Cup Day last start, finishing 1.26 lengths third over 1350m after having to do work from the outside barrier.
Since arriving at the Eagle Farm stable, he has barely put a foot wrong, building a record of four placings and a win from five starts.
He looks set to get a perfect run for Ben Thompson and should be awfully hard to beat.
| 4. Daggers (2) J: Ben Thompson 59kg 23133T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 11 at Ipswich Cl6 on June 20 over 1350m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Quothquan carrying 58kg at $2.35. The race before that 3rd of 13 at Eagle Farm Bm85 on May 30 over 1400m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Bengal Diamond with 58kg at $3. Nicely drawn and should prove hard to beat. | |||
Doomben Big Bets
Where’s the money going at Doomben this Saturday?