Doomben betting tips are on the table this Saturday, with nine races to work through.
The track is rated a Soft 5, and a possible shower is forecast. The rail returns to the true position, which adds another layer to the meeting.
It has not been closer than 2.5m for the past month. That should leave a decent patch of ground near the inside.
Even so, punters need to watch the early races. The track conditions and any pattern could shape how the card plays.
The speed map and early positioning look important at Doomben. Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities.
Here are our Doomben betting tips for Saturday.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (4) gets a suitable class drop after sticking on well at Eagle Farm last start.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained mare had to work early from the outside barrier over 1400m before finding a forward position and fighting on to finish fourth, beaten 1.55 lengths.
She had no luck the start prior over this course and distance, where she was badly held up on the fence until late before finishing fifth, beaten 2.3 lengths.
She is at peak fitness and looks well treated under the set weights conditions.
There does not appear to be much early pressure here, so Jimmy Orman can roll forward and put her right into the race.
| 4. Trafalgar Square (5) J: James Orman 60kg x1354T: Chris & Corey Munce | |||
| Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 at Eagle Farm on July 25 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Golden Cross with 52kg at $21. Before that 5th of 12 at this track on July 11 over 1350m, 2.25 len behind Hellova Nature carrying 56.5kg at $2.70. Shapes as a strong top-three chance. | |||
EXCEED THE SALE (5) looks ready to keep improving after an impressive win at Eagle Farm last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained filly had to go back on debut to avoid being posted wide, but she still made good late ground to finish third.
She settled a touch closer over 1200m last start and showed a sharp turn of foot to win by 1.53 lengths.
The rise to 1350m looks ideal now that she is third-up.
Chelsea Baker claims 3kg and should be able to settle handy in a race where the speed only looks moderate.
| 5. Exceed The Sale (4) J: Chelsea Baker 58kg 31T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Raced twice to date. At debut, 3rd of 10 at Eagle Farm on July 15 over 1000m, 3.5 len behind Boonie Boom carrying 55kg at $7.50. Second-up won by 1.5 len at Eagle Farm on July 29 over 1200m defeating Iskenderun with 53kg at $3.10. Progressing well and is the leading contender. | |||
FERNAO (4) looks ready for the rise to 2200m after flashing home over 2030m here last start.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding was not suited by the walking tempo, but he still closed off strongly to finish second, beaten just over half a length, behind Cavalry Man.
He meets that runner better at the weights this time and should take improvement after being seven weeks between runs.
The extra distance looks a plus, and Mark Du Plessis can give him the right run from the inside barrier.
| 4. Fernao (1) J: Mark Du Plessis 57.5kg x0062T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 9 at this track on August 1 over 2030m, 0.6 len behind Cavalry Man carrying 54.5kg at $11. The start before that 6th of 9 in the LR Winter Cup at Rosehill on June 13 over 2400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Thebudgiesmugla with 53kg at $71. Heading the right way and should be at his peak after four runs back. | |||
ROBRICK (10) looks very well placed under the Class 3 Plate conditions.
The Gary Doughty-trained gelding is at least 13 ratings points higher than every runner in the race outside of Razors, which gives him a strong profile for this.
He was last seen in a Class 6 Plate over this course and distance, where he found the line well to finish a head fifth in a blanket finish.
Two starts back, he savaged the line at Ipswich and put his rivals away by just under two lengths.
From barrier 2, Ryan Maloney should be able to land in the right spot.
| 10. Robrick (2) J: Ryan Maloney 60kg 83615T: Gary Doughty | |||
| At the latest run 5th of 8 at this track on July 18 over 1350m, slow going long-neck behind Dirty Dancing carrying 56kg at $3.50. The start before that came from midfield and won by 2 len at Ipswich on July 8 over 1350m on a rain affected track defeating Aldolfito with 57kg at $5.50. Capable of taking this out. | |||
JUST FLYING (2) gets the class drop and looks ready to peak.
The Rob Heathcote-trained gelding closed off well over this course and distance last start, finishing third and beaten just under a length.
He was also strong first-up, finding the line with gusto and missing by only a head.
With that fitness base now under him, he should be close to his top.
Ben Thompson takes the ride and should be able to settle him in a handy position.
| 2. Just Flying (5) J: Ben Thompson 57.5kg 23733T: Robert Heathcote | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. At the latest run 3rd of 8 at this track on August 1 over 1630m, 0.8 len behind Cunnamulla Fella with 55.5kg at $6.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 at this track on July 18 over 1350m, slow going head behind Dirty Dancing with 58.5kg at $41. Racing in great heart and must win one sooner or later. | |||
ROGUERY (8) is worth another chance after having little go right first-up for Tony Gollan.
The six-year-old gelding settled well back at Eagle Farm and ran into traffic several times. When he finally got clear, he hit the line hard, but the race was already gone and he finished sixth, beaten 3.9 lengths.
He will strip fitter second-up and has already shown he can handle this trip, having finished third, beaten just over half a length, at The Valley in his only previous start over 1600m.
Jimmy Orman going on is a positive.
| 8. Roguery (4) J: James Orman 59kg 960×6T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. First-up after seven months eased back early on 6th of 11 at Eagle Farm on July 29 over 1400m, 4 len behind Meldubious carrying 59kg at $21. Previously second-up ran second last of 10 at Caulfield Heath on December 3 over 1500m, 8 len behind Storm Season with 60kg at $12. Might need another run. | |||
BLAZING HARRY (8) gets a weight swing on Braveheart and can turn the tables second-up.
Now with Kristy Clark-Peoples, the gelding stormed home to just miss over this course and distance when resuming.
He meets the winner 3kg better at the weights and should take natural improvement from that first-up run.
His second-up record is strong, including a win at Ipswich last preparation.
There looks to be good speed engaged, which suits, but from the inside barrier Jace McMurray may be able to settle him closer than last start.
| 8. Blazing Harry (1) J: Jace Mcmurray 59kg 41492T: Kristie Clark-Peoples | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track on August 1 over 1200m, nose behind Braveheart carrying 60kg at $15. The start before that sat behind the speed prior to fading 9th of 11 at this track on June 3 over 1640m, 4 len behind Addition with 57kg at $4.20. Expected to be very competitive. | |||
GRINZINGER CHAMP (6) has taken a clear step forward since joining Jack Bruce.
The Wootton Bassett mare came across from Danny O’Brien’s Victorian stable and worked home well first-up at Eagle Farm to finish fourth, beaten 3.29 lengths.
She then stormed home over this course and distance to win by 1.23 lengths before backing that up last start, charging home with 60kg to score by just over half a length.
This is her toughest test so far, but she is in great form and looks capable of measuring up.
| 6. Grinzinger Champ (9) J: Ben Thompson 58kg 5×411T: Jack Bruce | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.7 len at this track on August 1 over 1200m defeating Spirit Of Barty with 60kg at $1.90. Before that favourite; won by 1.2 len at this track on July 18 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Spirit Of Barty with 54.5kg at $4.20. Laboured a bit under the big weight last time but showed fight – sure to be in the finish again. | |||
PEREILLE (3) looks well placed back from black-type company.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding returns from a short let-up after a terrific run in the Listed Ramornie Handicap, where he drew wide, settled a long way back and charged home once clear to finish second, beaten 1.19 lengths.
Every race he has contested this preparation has been at black-type level, so he should appreciate the move back to Open grade.
Jimmy Orman is a strong booking, and the abundance of speed in this race should give him the right setup to finish over the top.
| 3. Pereille (5) J: James Orman 59.5kg 63832T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Comes off a 31 day let-up. At the latest run took up a position near the tail 2nd of 15 in the LR Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on July 15 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Band Of Brothers carrying 55.5kg at $9. Before that 3rd of 13 in the G3 WJ Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 27 over 1200m, slow going 0.6 len behind Yellow Brick carrying 54.5kg at $10. That stakes form will stack up nicely here. | |||