The Everest and Caulfield Cup may be drawing the spotlight, but there’s plenty of Saturday racing to enjoy at Doomben. Our Doomben Tips cover 10 races as the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival rolls on in Brisbane.
The track is rated a Soft 5, the rail is out 1m and showers are forecast during the week. We’ve worked through the speed maps and key runners to find the main chances and betting angles across the card.
Let’s get this bread!
APOSTLE (1) has been right in the finish at his past two starts and looks ready to break through again.
He was on the quick back-up two Saturdays ago and fought hard over 1500m at Eagle Farm, only for Murkado to nab him on the line.
That followed an equally strong effort in the Toowoomba Guineas.
From an outside gate, he settled near the rear, swept into the race and powered home before Ashkirk caught him late.
He also won two races in a row during his first preparation, including a 1300m victory at Eagle Farm.
The mile looks a good fit, and the lack of speed could help him settle closer.
| 1. Apostle (4) J: Jace Mcmurray 58.5kg 1×922 T: Pat Webster | |||
| Fought hard after pressing forward from a wide draw at Eagle Farm last start, beaten a nose by Murkado as favourite on soft ground. That followed another close second at Toowoomba when pipped late by Ashkirk, so the recent form reads strongly. He does carry the top weight, but the 1.5kg claim helps and his wet-track record is a solid asset. Claim helps with 60kg and his wet-track record gives him the clearest winning profile. | |||
KENMARE BAY (2) has been holding his form in Sydney and looks to have found a suitable race up north.
He was too strong over 2400m at Rosehill last start, letting down well to win by just under a length.
Third place was another 3.24 lengths away.
That win came after back-to-back placings, including a close third to Aethelwulf over 2000m at Rosehill.
Aethelwulf has since run second in the Newcastle Cup and The Metropolitan, giving that form another boost.
Kenmare Bay is rock-hard fit, and Anna Roper’s 1.5kg claim is a handy bonus.
| 2. Kenmare Bay (4) J: Anna Roper 58.5kg 55321 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Made it two strong Rosehill 2400m efforts in a row, following a second to Appeared with a win over Golden Century despite being held up, racing tight and copping interference near the 300m. Only has to hold his form to prove very tough to beat. | |||
SHE MOVES TOO (15) is worth another look after an unlucky first-up run over 1350m here.
The Chris Waller-trained mare recorded the quickest final 400m of the race but was held up badly in the straight, finishing fourth, beaten 1.38 lengths.
She had already given a positive sign in a trial before returning, and should take improvement from that run.
The mile third-up looks ideal, especially as she has been runner-up over the trip at black-type level.
She’ll likely settle back from the wide gate, so Andrew Mallyon will want to keep her close enough to strike. If he can, she’ll be flying late.
| 15. She Moves Too (7) J: Andrew Mallyon 56.5kg 28×94 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Lifted third-up prospects with a strong fourth in a BM78 at this track, making solid inroads from well back to finish a length and a half from Lockyer. Her first-up ninth in a BM72 at this venue was plain but not beaten far. Prior 1600m placing and winning rider back give her a strong chance. | |||
EASY LOVE (3) couldn’t have been much more impressive on her return, winning over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
The David Vandyke-trained mare was slow away and then held up in the straight, but once she switched to the inside, she let down hard and put the field away with ease.
She’ll be fitter second-up and should appreciate the extra distance.
There doesn’t look to be much speed, which could let Bella Youngberry use her 2kg claim to settle the mare handy.
| 3. Easy Love (5) J: Bella Youngberry 56.5kg 432×1 T: David Vandyke | |||
| Made a strong second-up statement at Eagle Farm, winning a Class 3 over 1400m by just over a length after beginning slowly and still overcoming interference near the 200m. She has already won at this track and at this track and trip, and her overall record says she usually holds form. Proven at this track and trip, she looks the one to beat. | |||
CARDONETTE (9) is building momentum after winning her past two starts.
She broke through for her maiden at the Gold Coast first-up, justifying $1.35 favouritism by rounding up the field and winning by just over a length.
She was impressive again over this course and distance last start.
Settling back from a wide draw, she charged down the outside and put her rivals away by just under two lengths.
The draw is tricky again, but Ben Thompson gets the chance to work things out from there.
| 9. Cardonette (9) J: Ben Thompson 58kg x2x11 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Arrives in winning form after sweeping home from well back to win a Class 1 at this venue by just under two lengths as favourite. That followed a determined Mdn win at Gold Coast, where she overcame interference to beat Tszinsi. Has come back in great order and can bring up the hat-trick. | |||
READY FOR AIMEE (11) is in the form to go back-to-back after winning over this course and distance last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare had to wait for room early in the straight, but once clear she finished strongly to score by just under a length.
She has two wins and a second from four starts this preparation, and her record over the track and trip is also solid, with close seconds in her other two attempts.
Bella Youngberry can use the good draw and the mare’s early speed to put her in the right spot.
| 11. Ready For Aimee (4) J: Bella Youngberry 56kg 01241 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Won with authority at this track last start, beating Maquisa by a length as a well-supported favourite after overcoming a hold-up on the home turn. That followed a beaten-favourite fourth in an FM BM65 at Eagle Farm, but she responded in the right style and returns to a proven setup. Proven track-and-trip profile makes her the one to beat. | |||
SPIETHTACULAR (7) broke through for a well-earned win over this course and distance last start.
She opened her preparation with two straight seconds, then took the lead into the straight and kicked away to score by just under a length.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare is at peak fitness and has been a model of consistency, making the quinella in 11 of her 14 starts.
Angela Jones has an inside draw and can look to lead or take the box seat.
If she gets that run, she’ll be tough to run down.
| 7. Spiethtacular (2) J: Angela Jones 59kg 4×221 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Put the right form on the board when winning a Class 3 at this track last start, beating Southern Heiress by just under a length after being sent out favourite. The start prior she was beaten a neck by Just Precious after being steadied and having difficulty getting clear. Strong course-and-distance profile makes her a key winning chance. | |||
PROPAGANDA (12) has made a sharp start to his career, with four wins and two seconds from six runs.
The Troy Pascoe-trained gelding resumed with a strong Toowoomba win, then turned on the afterburners late at the Gold Coast to score by two lengths.
This is easily his toughest test, but he moves well and looks ready for the step up to six furlongs.
Anthony Allen has a low draw to work with and should be able to give him a lovely run.
| 12. Propaganda (3) J: Anthony Allen 57kg 12×11 T: Troy Pascoe | |||
| Has returned in excellent order with consecutive wins, most recently taking a Class 4 at Gold Coast by two lengths as an odds-on favourite. He also won a BM65 at Toowoomba first-up, kicking strongly after sitting just off the lead. Harder race now, but the profile is progressive and he has winning claims. | |||
TEN DEEP (12) looked primed to run well fresh after two sharp trials, but she had a difficult task at Eagle Farm.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare was caught three-deep for the entire 1200m and finished seventh, beaten 3.56 lengths.
She should be better for the run and gets to a more suitable distance, with three of her five career wins coming over 1350m.
The inside barrier is a big improvement, and Emily Lang should be able to settle her on speed.
| 12. Ten Deep (1) J: Emily Lang 56.5kg 217×7 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Resumed with a seventh behind Just Precious in a BM85 at Eagle Farm, beaten three and a half lengths after racing wide and working home nicely from back in the field. Her previous run was a Listed Silk Stocking seventh at Gold Coast, beaten just over three lengths in a well-regarded market line. Improvement second-up puts her in the place mix. | |||
GOLDEN STRAAND (4) brings a fresh win to Doomben and looks well placed in this Open Handicap.
The Matthew Smith-trained entire resumed over 1100m at Randwick, found a split and surged through to win by a neck.
He’s since tuned up with a trial third, finishing close despite covering ground and being kept under double wraps.
He’s an emergency for The Everest Consolation, the race officially known as the Sydney Stakes, so this looks a very suitable option.
He’s unbeaten second-up and can keep that record intact with even luck.
| 4. Golden Straand (5) J: Ryan Maloney 58.5kg 113×1 T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Made a winning return at Randwick in BM88 grade, beating She’s An Artist by a long neck after finding plenty late. That followed a Listed Ortensia Stakes third at Scone where he was favourite and had early trouble, so the form has real substance. Clearly the horse to beat. | |||
