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Doomben race-by-race preview - 18th May 2024

3 minute read

Racing And Sports form analyst Brenton Le Grand provides his selections for a bumper nine-race card at the Doomben this Saturday, brought to you by tab.com.au

Bella Nipotina and Craig Williams present some value in the Doomben 10,000
Bella Nipotina and Craig Williams present some value in the Doomben 10,000 Picture: Steve Hart

Group 1 racing returns to the sunshine state this weekend with the running of the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 along with a very competitive undercard. 

We've landed on a bonnie mare at each-way odds in the time-honoured feature and round out the card banking on the ATC Australian Oaks winner to get us home in the get-out stakes, all thanks to tab.com.au

Race 1 - U&U Recruitment Class 6 Handicap (1600m) @ 11.48am

Looks a wide open affair to kick off the card. Miracle Spin (4) has been plying his trade in harder contests down south and will appreciate the slight drop back in grade here. Gets the services of Rawiller to navigate from the sticky draw and steps back up to the mile now. Should be hitting the line with gusto. Rising Pacific (6) has gotten better with each run this time in and will be near his peak now fourth-up from the break. Boasts a win over this track and trip and looms as the main danger. Brookhaven (5) has a win and a second from two attempts at this course and distance and gets an upgrade with Clark in the irons. Top-three credentials. Bettcha The Crown (2) doesn't know how to run a bad race and is one for the exotics. The well-named Tenzing (9) saves his best form for this journey and cannot be discounted.

Tip: Backing Miracle Spin @ $6 with TAB

Race 2 - The Star Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m) @ 12.23pm 

The consistent Weigall Tiger (9) didn't measure up in the 3YO Guineas at the Goldy before the spell but that has been his only failure in nine outings to date. Returned in good order with a close-up third at Eagle Farm and again gets the benefit of Graham's 1.5kg claim. Looks the runner in this field with the most upside and should be in this for a long way. Sunfall (2) grows a leg over this course and distance with two wins and a second from just four attempts and is drawn to get a cushy run in transit from gate two. Ready to run well. The well-related Warby (7) (half to G1 winner and stallion Captivant) went down by the narrowest of margins when resuming and will have taken benefit from that hit-out. Only needs luck from the draw. Space Tracker (6) is yet to miss a drum in three second-up attempts and may earn some minor money. Selous (19) best of the rest.

Tip: Going with Weigall Tiger @ $3 with TAB 

Race 3 - Moreton Hire 3YO Plate (1350m) @ 12.58pm 

The Instructor (2) bounced back to a semblance of form last time out when leading all the way at Canterbury and will have taken a bunch of confidence from that victory. Hippo stays on board following that win and strips fitter now third-up from the five month spell. Can go right on with the job. Mchale (10) hit the line strongly to place in the Hawkesbury Guineas at the latest effort and has been racing very honestly this preparation. Inside stall for J Mac and rates a serious contender. Razors (5) has hit the frame in all four starts this campaign and is knocking on the door of another win. Has to be included. Miraval Rose (16) was a touch plain first-up but the form prior was good enough to feature in this. Respect from the Begg camp. Chrysaor (1) is the class runner of the field and may make his presence felt if he brings his best.

Tip: The Instructor for ours @ $4.60 with TAB 

THE INSTRUCTOR winning the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Ladbrokes Park Hillside in Springvale, Australia.
THE INSTRUCTOR winning the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Ladbrokes Park Hillside in Springvale, Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

Race 4 - JRA Chariman's Handicap (2000m) @ 1.33pm 

The $200,000 Group 3 JRA Chairman's Handicap. Deny Knowledge (6) wasn't disgraced when trying to lead all the way in the Mornington Cup last time out and the drop back to the 2000m here looks ideal. Winning hoop Kah gets back in the hot seat and should be rock-hard fit now fourth run from the break. Sure to give backers a sight. Spirit Ridge (2) just missed the placings when resuming in the Wagga Cup and will have taken plenty out of that hit-out. Drawn to get a suck run for McDonald from the inside marble and should prove very tough to hold out. New Endeavour (5) is up to the 2000m for the first time and goes well third-up from the spell. Keep safe. Regal Lion (11) has returned to form at the past couple and cannot be underestimated. Knights Order (1) next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.

Tip: Siding with Deny Knowledge @ $4 with TAB 

Race 5 - Sky Racing Members' Handicap (1600m) - 2.08pm 

Looks a race in three. It's hard to go past the form of Gringotts (11) who has only missed a drum once in 12 career outings and has earned his shot at Listed level now. Resumed with a strong BM88 win at Rosehill before an impressive victory in the Tamworth Cup last time out. Racing with a lot of confidence and can play a major role once again. Territory Express (4) has hit a purple patch of form placing in the Group 2 Ajax before taking out the Provincial Midway Championships at Randwick. The extra furlong here looks ideal and looms as the main danger. Sibaaq (3) will strip fitter second-up from the break and rarely puts in a poor one. Top-three candidate. Knight's Choice (6) is two from two around this circuit and could run a race while fresh. Luncies (1) gets Shinn back on top and may earn a cheque.

Tip: Thinking Gringotts @ $2.30 with TAB

Race 6 - Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) - 2.43pm 

The $300,000 Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic for the babies. There's some well-related gallopers amongst this lot. Angel Capital (5) (half to G2 winner Berkeley Square) couldn't have been more impressive winning at Cranbourne on debut and Kah stays on board. Looks to have plenty of upside and will prove very hard to toss. El Morzillo (11) just missed the placings in the G2 Percy Sykes and appears to be improving with racing. Should hit the line hard. Bittercreek (3) (half to G3 winners Bull Point and Siege Of Quebec) has been right there in both Listed efforts down south and is a genuine top-three commodity. President (7) gets the deadly Waller/J Mac combo and cannot be ignored. Bosustow (4) (half to G1 winner Amelia's Jewel) next best from the inside alley.

Tip: Angel Capital @ $3.50 with TAB

Angel Capital won impressively on debut.
Angel Capital won impressively on debut. Picture: Racing Photos

Race 7 - Magic Millions Bright Shadow (1110m) @ 3.22pm 

Parisal (1) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Cylinder) and showed she has come back in good order with a strong Listed win in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush. Is yet to taste defeat in four attempts at the trip and gets J Mac on top from a low draw. Could be in for a nice preparation. Chinny Boom (5) goes well for Stanley who has three wins and two placings from just five steers and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Capable of testing her rivals. The well-related Typhoon Taavi (14) (half to G1 winner and stallion The Mission) has put three wins together on the bounce now and only needs some luck from the car park draw to feature in the outcome. Party For Two (12) and Bubble Rock (2) round out the selections in a deep contest.

Tip: Backing Parisal @ $3 with TAB

Race 8 - Doomben 10,000 (1200m) @ 4.02pm 

The feature race on the card, the $1.5 million Group 1 Doomben 10,000. Not a massive field but one packed with quality. The well-traveled Bella Nipotina (5) doesn't know how to run a bad race. Probably should have won the TJ Smith two back before having no luck in the Quokka but still being right there at the finish. Should get a nice sit from the gate and will have race fitness over a few of these. Williams knows her well and can break through for a well-deserved victory. There's no doubting the ability of I Wish I Win (1) but the inside draw might prove a bit sticky here. Trusting McDonald to navigate that and sure to be right there at the business end. Private Eye (2) put in a much better one in the All Aged last time out and may take plenty of catching. Espiona (7) will appreciate the smaller field and Chain Of Lightning (6) cannot be ignored on recent form.

Tip: Confident with Bella Nipotina each-way @ $7.50 and $2 with TAB

Race 9 - Seven Rough Habit Plate (2000m) - 4.38pm

The $250,000 Group 3 Rough Habit Plate for 3YO's wraps up the nine-race card. Autumn Angel (15) looked classy winning the ATC Oaks and has since been given a bit of a freshen up to drop back to the 2000m here. Gets Kah on board for the first time to pilot from gate 14 and hails from a very astute barn. Rates the testing material. Tannhauser (3) doesn't win out of turn but has been very competitive at a high level and looks ready to peak now. No surprise to see him get the job done. The well-related Kintyre (1) (half to 2xG1 winner Fireburn) has finally had a bit of luck with the barrier draws of late and does so again here. Confidence should be sky high now. Port Lockroy (8) will relish the step up to the 2000m and has strong top-three prospects. Gold Bullion (4) best of the rest in a cracking contest.

Tip: ATC Oaks winner Autumn Angel @ $2.60 with TAB

DOOMBEN BEST BETS

Bet of the day: Race 9 #15 Autumn Angel at $2.60 with TAB.com.au*

Each-way play: Race 8 #5 Bella Nipotina at $7.50 and $2 with TAB.com.au*

*All odds correct at 2.30pm, 16/5/24


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