While Melbourne celebrates Victoria Derby Day, the Ladbrokes Spring Racing Carnival continues at Doomben with a 10-race card. Our Doomben tips assess the key chances and betting angles.
The track was rated a Heavy 10 on Wednesday, but improving weather could bring it closer to the Soft range by race time. It may still be sticky, and the rail is out 3m.
Let’s get into the form and see if we can find some winners!
GHOST GUM (1) is back quickly after making his debut over 1000m at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Liam Birchley-trained gelding was last after beginning slowly, but made strong late ground. He clocked the fastest final 400m and 200m of the day before finishing third, beaten three-quarters of a length.
He tired late in the heavy conditions, but the experience should bring him on and he can strip fitter second-up.
Ben Thompson sticks with him. From a good draw, he should be able to settle closer to the speed.
| 1. Ghost Gum (2) 59kg3 | |||
| Made a strong impression on debut at Eagle Farm, settling back before picking up sharply to finish third, beaten just over half a length by Iconic Scenes on heavy ground. The one-week back-up and 59kg are the points to consider, but he has already handled wet conditions and draws to get a better platform. The quick back-up is the query, but he brings the best exposed form. | |||
YOUR ATTITUDE (2) makes the trip north from Sydney after racing on wet ground and looks to have found a suitable race.
The Chris Waller-trained colt handled the Hawkesbury conditions last start, winning over a mile by a neck.
He hit the line well enough to suggest the extra distance will suit, with his staying credentials a plus over 2020m.
Taylor Marshall will want to keep him out of trouble and give him room to stretch out in the small field. Do that, and he should be in the finish.
| 2. Your Attitude (4) 60kg84×51 | |||
| Broke through at Hawkesbury last start, winning a Mdn over 1600m by a long neck as favourite after finding strongly late. That followed a better-than-it-looks fifth at Rosehill, where he began slowly and was beaten only two lengths by Low Key at big odds. New trip is the query, but the upside is clear. | |||
A number of runners have to prove they can cope with the conditions, while AWAYGOESTHEBUNNY (6) has already shown he can handle a testing surface.
The David McColm-trained gelding had a good run over 1800m at the Gold Coast on a Soft 7 last start, then finished strongly to win by 1.3 lengths.
Bella Youngberry takes the ride, and her claim leaves him with 53kg.
The outside barrier makes things tricky, but he has enough early pace to cross and find a position before the first bend.
| 6. Awaygoesthebunny (9) 52kg54431 | |||
| Comes off a Gold Coast Open win on soft ground, beating Out Of Luck by just over a length as favourite, though he did race keenly early. His previous Gold Coast Poly third in BM70 grade was fair without being dominant. The class drop helps, but he has not raced at around 2020m before and the wide draw adds enough doubt to frame him more as a place hope. Not without his chance. | |||
CARDONETTE (11) suffered her first defeat this preparation last start, finishing strongly from well back for second over 1110m here, beaten 1.73 lengths.
Before that, the Tony Gollan-trained mare had put together consecutive wins. First-up at the Gold Coast, she started a $1.35 favourite, rounded up the field on the turn and powered clear hands and heels to score by just over a length.
Two starts ago, she settled back from a wide barrier over 1110m here before charging down the outside to win comfortably by just under two lengths.
She has been finishing off well, and the extra distance looks a good fit.
| 11. Cardonette (4) 58kg2×112 | |||
| Continued her consistent campaign when second at this track last start, beaten just under two lengths by No Fooling after being bumped at the start, covering ground and charging home. She had won a Class 1 here the run before, beating Bent Bridge by just under two lengths as favourite. Had excuses last time and looks the one to beat. | |||
GROENING (7) arrives in town chasing a third straight win.
The David Vandyke-trained gelding was impressive over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast last start, letting down with a sharp turn of foot to put the field away and win by just under three lengths.
He looked to have plenty left in the tank, which bodes well for the step up in distance.
Ben Thompson can make use of the inside draw and push forward. Carrying just 52kg, Groening could be tough to catch.
| 7. Groening (1) 52.5kg0611 | |||
| Has won his past two and took a clear step forward at Sunshine Coast, winning a BM58 by just under three lengths as favourite on soft ground. That followed a Rockhampton Mdn win over 1100m, so he arrives in winning form and handles wet tracks. The first go at 1350m is the query. | |||
SCHEHERAZADE (6) returns off a pleasing trial win, where she worked strongly down the outside.
The Stephen McLean-trained mare is reliable fresh, having won her past two first-up starts. Her latest first-up victory came over this distance at the Gold Coast last preparation.
She has also performed well at Doomben, winning her maiden over this course and distance and going close in a head-bobbing finish at her most recent start here.
There looks to be a fair bit of speed, which should give Dylan Turner the chance to settle midfield and make his move in the straight.
| 6. Scheherazade (8) 56.5kg1126x | |||
| Returns from a five-month break with a Gold Coast trial win to support her readiness. She was last seen finishing sixth in a BM85 at Eagle Farm, beaten just under two lengths as favourite after interference, and had been beaten a nose at this track the start before. Looks a serious fresh threat. | |||
SHE MOVES TOO (5) made an impression in a trial, then posted the race’s quickest final 400m when resuming over 1350m here.
The Chris Waller-trained mare had little luck two starts ago, finishing fourth, beaten 1.38 lengths, after being badly held up in the straight with more to give.
She was again unlucky last start over this course and distance. She struggled to find clear running in the straight and went down in a head-bobbing finish.
The daughter of Zousain is at peak fitness, and Ryan Maloney’s return to the saddle is a welcome boost.
| 5. She Moves Too (3)SCRATCHED: | |||
ATMOSPHERE (3) has found a new lease on life since stepping up to a mile.
The Jack Bruce-trained gelding led over 1600m at Eagle Farm two starts ago and gave a sight, but the month between runs caught up with him and he finished second.
He relished the heavy conditions last start, leading for a long way before Twisted Queen got past him. He finished just under a length away in second, with third another six lengths behind.
He’s back quickly, and the only other time he raced on a short turnaround, he went within a head of winning.
The old boy likes to roll along in front. If Ronnie Stewart can control the tempo, he could take plenty of catching.
| 3. Atmosphere (3) 58.5kg30422 | |||
| Backs up quickly after another strong Eagle Farm second, beaten just under a length in a BM78 on heavy ground after being in front and only collared late. He had also been run down late on soft ground the start prior, so the current form is genuine. Comes through a BM78 and looks ready to break through. | |||
ABOUT TO EXPLODE (2) makes her return after finishing fifth, beaten 1.25 lengths, in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes during Stradbroke Season.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare is yet to win first-up in four attempts, but her stylish recent trial win points to a strong return.
Wet ground is no concern based on her record. In two heavy-track starts, she finished a nose second over 1200m at Eagle Farm and a neck third in the Listed Hinkler Handicap.
Ben Thompson should be able to settle just off what looks like a decent speed.
| 2. About To Explode (7) 56kg2735x | |||
| Returns from a lengthy spell with a Doomben trial win to support his readiness. He ended last campaign with a fifth in the G3 WJ Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm, beaten just over a length after jumping awkwardly and finishing strongly. Before that he was third in the Listed Hinkler Quality on heavy ground, beaten a long neck. Handles wet ground and looks a major player. | |||
TEN DEEP (7) looked ready to make a bold first-up showing after two slick trial wins, but a wide run proved costly.
The Tony Gollan-trained mare was caught three-deep throughout over 1200m at Eagle Farm and boxed on to finish seventh, beaten 3.56 lengths.
She was better suited stepping up to this course and distance last start, chasing Just Precious home for a close second. That rival has since made it three consecutive wins.
Ten Deep should be fitter now and has won two of her three third-up starts. Bella Youngberry claims 2kg and can stalk her mount’s stablemate Hell before giving Ten Deep her chance.
| 7. Ten Deep (5) 55.5kg17×72 | |||
| Lifted nicely second-up when second in a Class 6 at this track, beaten just under a length by Just Precious despite being hampered mid-race before finishing strongly. She now reaches the right stage of the campaign, has a strong distance record and is one win and two placings from three starts at this venue. Brings the right profile to win. | |||