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Doomben will be buzzing this Friday for the Brisbane Racing Club’s annual Twilight Races meeting. Thousands of racegoers will be on track celebrating Christmas parties and enjoying an eight-race card.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
We've done the hard work for you and provided our top selections for each race below.
RACE 1 - 2:59PM: Maiden Plate (1640 METRES)United Front (5) has been a frustrating conveyance recently with placings in his past four races.
The Kelly Schweida-trained gelding has been racing well, just running into a better Chris Waller runner each time.
He was narrowly beaten when his manners cost him at Eagle Farm two starts ago before running on strongly at Ipswich for second.
Waller doesn't have a horse in this race and he's drawn well for Jimmy Orman so he gets his chance to finally break through.
1 Unit – United Front (5)
RACE 2 - 3:34PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1110 METRES)Cartwheels (8) is on debut for the O'Dea Hoysted stable following three trials.
The daughter of Trapeze Artist looked good in her most recent trial over 1050m at Doomben.
She sat wide in the run before unwinding with a strong sprint without exerting herself.
Justin Huxtable can give her a great run from the inside gate and start her career on the right note.
1 Unit Each Way – Cartwheels (8)
RACE 3 - 4:14PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1110 METRES)Big Demeanor (1) is having his first start for Tony Gollan after previously racing with Annabel Neasham.
The I Am Invincible gelding led over 1200m at Ipswich first-up but ran out of steam in the final 100m and was swamped, finishing fourth by just under a length.
He'll strip fitter second-up and has since been back to the trials where he looked very good.
The slight drop in distance will suit and Ryan Maloney should give him a great run on speed from the inside gate.
1 Unit Each Way – Big Demeanor (1)
RACE 4 - 4:54PM: Class 3 Plate (1350 METRES)Blakmax (1) has settled in nicely at Tony Gollan's Eagle Farm stable since moving north from Victoria.
Four starts back, the four-year-old gelding overcame a wide gate to win a similar class race over 1300m at Eagle Farm easily.
His past two starts have seen him go close over this course and distance with the most recent resulting in a heartbreaking nose second after leading all the way.
He's drawn a touch sticky but has the early speed to find a prominent position for Ryan Maloney.
2 Units – Blakmax (1)
RACE 5 - 5:34PM: Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)Impendor (2) looks close to a win after finishing second in both his starts this preparation.
The Matt Dunn-trained gelding got too far back on debut over 1000m at Eagle Farm before running on well for a 2.8 length second.
Last start, despite racing wide throughout, he ran on strongly over this course and distance to miss the win by a head.
He'll strip fitter third-up and has a fitness edge on his rivals.
2 Units – Impendor (2)
RACE 6 - 6:10PM: Class 2 Handicap (1640 METRES)Sacred Mission (3) will appreciate the rise in distance second-up after a solid effort when resuming.
The David Vandyke-trained Sacred Falls gelding led over 1350m at Ipswich last start and fought gamely but was run down by Bullion Boy in the shadows of the post to finish a head second.
That was always going to be too short for him but he still performed well.
Ryan Maloney can settle in a handy position and should be in the firing line when it counts.
1 Unit – Sacred Mission (3)
RACE 7 - 6:40PM: BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)Bezique (12) could not have been more impressive when resuming over 1050m here last start.
The Tony Gollan-trained regally bred mare made easy work of the heavy conditions to lead all the way for a three-length win.
She competed in black-type races last preparation so obviously has an abundance of ability.
She'll strip fitter second-up and maps to get a great run for Ben Thompson.
2 Units – Bezique (12)
RACE 8 - 7:10PM: QTIS Class 1 Handicap (1200 METRES)Rephrase (8) looks a promising mare from the Toby and Trent Edmonds stable.
The daughter of Sebring was strong on debut when running down her rivals on the Gold Coast Poly track to win by just under a length.
She then came to town and picked up strongly in the final 100m to finish second to Veandechance over this course and distance.
Veandechance is a quality horse who is well in the market at Randwick on Saturday.
Rephrase will be close to peak fitness and looks well placed to give this a shake.
1 Unit – Rephrase (8)
