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We return to Doomben for another midweek metropolitan meeting this Wednesday where nine races are scheduled to be run and won.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail is out 9m the entire course with racing taking place on a rain-affected surface.
Continue reading for our top selections in each race.
RACE 1 - 1:28PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1110 METRES)
Zouna (9) is on debut for Lawrie Mayfield-Smith and looks ready for a bold showing.
The Zousain colt warmed up for this first-up assignment with a nice piece of work where he sat outside the lead before dashing clear under his own steam to win an Eagle Farm 800m trial by 2.8 lengths.
The time was comparable to what Prince Of Boom recorded on the same day.
Adin Thompson will likely be positive when the gates open.
RACE 2 - 2:03PM: Maiden Handicap (1350 METRES)
Skywriter (6) has been brought north looking for that elusive win after placing in five of her seven starts in Melbourne.
The Chris Waller-trained mare brings a good level of fitness and form after finishing a nose second at Mornington first-up and third at Bendigo last start.
She looked very good in a recent Gold Coast trial where she worked to the line strongly under her own steam to win by 1.5 lengths.
Jimmy Orman can settle in a forward position which should give her every chance to breakthrough.
RACE 3 - 2:38PM: Class 3 Handicap (1650 METRES)
Smooth Torque (7) faced her stiffest test last start at Doomben over 1600m and handled herself well.
The Matt Dunn-trained mare was only beaten by 1.1 lengths and was unlucky not to finish closer given she was cramped for room late.
When rising to this distance two starts ago, she allowed things to unfold in front before letting down powerfully to win by just under a length with something in hand.
With a light weight she should be fighting out the finish.
RACE 4 - 3:13PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Metalart (8) is making his debut after two impressive trial wins.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Better Than Ready won his first trial in September before being spelled and gelded.
He returned recently and looked super as he powered to the line to win a 1000m Doomben trial in slick time.
He's drawn well in barrier 4 for Michael Rodd.
RACE 5 - 3:48PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Caxton Lass (3) finally draws a decent barrier so we will hopefully get to see her true capabilities.
The Rob Heathcote-trained daughter of Capitalist has been caught wide in two of her three races this preparation so can be forgiven for those.
Two starts back she worked to the line strongly despite racing greenly and finding trouble to finish just under a length second over 1050m here.
From barrier 1, Kyle Wilson-Taylor will look to lead and give them something to catch.
RACE 6 - 4:23PM: Class 5 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Bubba's Bay (2) ventured north from Kris Lees' Sydney stable last start and gave a good account of herself over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
The four-year-old mare settled handy but just couldn't compete with Blue Spinel and Black On Beauty late when finishing a length third.
She'll appreciate the drop in class and a return to the midweeks.
Bailey Wheeler, who claims 2kg, can lead this field and give them something to catch.
RACE 7 - 4:58PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1110 METRES)
Press Link (8) resumes here for his second preparation after starting his career on the right note in November.
The Rob Heathcote-trained three-year-old gelding worked home strongly over 1200m at Doomben to claim victory by a head.
He was doing his best work late in a recent trial that should have him in good order for this first-up assignment.
Michael Rodd will more than likely be positive early to make full use of the inside gate.
RACE 8 - 5:32PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1110 METRES)
La Petite Maison (8) broke through for his first win when having his first start three week ago.
The Tony Gollan-trained son of Spirit Of Boom led before pulling out plenty to win over this course and distance by a neck with third 3.3 lengths away.
While this is a considerable rise in class, he will strip fitter third-up.
He maps to get the run of the race for Jimmy Orman.
2 Units – La Petite Maison (8)
RACE 9 - 6:10PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Zakiyya (11) was a class above when winning last start at Ipswich over 1350m.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old mare drew wide and never got closer than three-wide, but still ran on strongly to win by a length.
She'll strip fitter third-up and did win her at Newcastle two preparations ago when having her third run back.
She maps to get a nice run for Ryan Maloney.
1 Unit Each Way – Zakiyya (11)
