3 minute read
Metropolitan midweek racing in Queensland this week comes to us from Doomben where 10 races are scheduled to be run and won.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
At time of publication, the track was rated a Soft 5 while the rail is out 10m the entire course which should give those racing on speed an advantage.
We've cast our eye over the form guide and provided our thoughts on each race.
RACE 1 - 11:27AM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1110 METRES)
Provance (3) looks ready to make a bold statement on debut following a nice trial win at the Sunshine Coast.
The David Vandyke-trained Star Witness colt mustered speed early to lead the 1000m trial before cruising around for a 1.8 length win with plenty in hand.
Top jockey Ryan Maloney takes the ride and boasts an impressive 32% winning strike-rate when teaming up with 'DVD'.
1 Unit – Provance (3)
RACE 2 - 12:00PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1110 METRES)
Taltarni Fields (1) was brave when resuming over 1200m here last start.
The Kelly Schweida-trained son of Deep Field was forced to burn a lot of gas to cross and lead from an outside barrier but to his credit, he fought on bravely when not entitled to and finished just under a length second.
He will strip fitter second-up and draws to get a much better run from barrier 3.
Cejay Graham's 1.5kg claim comes in very handy.
1 Unit – Taltarni Fields (1)
RACE 3 - 12:33PM: Maiden Plate (2000 METRES)
Yarra Princess (9) steps out to 2000m for the first time but gives the indication she will handle it.
The Dwayne Schmidt-trained mare went awfully close to winning two starts back over 1700m at Grafton before returning to that course and distance last start where she got too far back before running on strongly for third.
This is the penultimate heat of the National Apprentice Race Series so I'm happy that Queensland's leading apprentice Cejay Graham is in the saddle and knows Doomben well.
Graham, who claims 1.5kg, can give her mount an economical run from barrier 4.
1 Unit – Yarra Princess (9)
RACE 4 - 1:08PM: QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350 METRES)
Italian Riviera (1) looks well placed to add another win to his resume.
The Stu Kendrick-trained son of Shalaa proved too strong when winning by a length over 1000m on the Sunshine Coast Poly track.
He then worked home strongly after settling back from a wide gate to finish 3.1 lengths fourth over 1200m in a Saturday two-year-old race at Eagle Farm.
The rise to 1350m looks ideal third-up and he should enjoy a nice run for Michael Rodd.
2 Units – Italian Riviera (1)
RACE 5 - 1:43PM: Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
Boom In The Dark (4) improved significantly from his disappointing debut performance to his second race start and can continue that upward trajectory.
The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old gelding settled handy last start over this course and distance and worked to the line well to finish third by 1.8 lengths.
We'll get a guide on his chances earlier in the day as Taltarni Fields was a length ahead of him last start and he goes around in the second race.
Damien Thornton should be able to settle in a prominent position from the good gate in a race that doesn't look to have a great deal of speed.
1 Unit – Boom In The Dark (4)
RACE 6 - 2:18PM: Class 1 Plate (1200 METRES)
This is the final heat of the National Apprentice Races Series and I'm again with Cejay Graham to give the Queenslanders maximum points.
Graham will partner the Tony Gollan-trained Pivotal Lad (7) who heads to the races for the first time since his impressive debut win in January.
The son of Sidestep picked up strongly in the final furlong to win over 1200m at Eagle Farm by a length.
He draws beautifully here in barrier 1 which should see him enjoy a great run and get his chance.
1 Unit – Pivotal Lad (7)
RACE 7 - 2:53PM: BENCHMARK 75 Handicap (1660 METRES)
Goldeeluck (3) impressed two starts back when rounding them up with ease on the turn at Toowoomba before dashing clear to win eased down by 2.5 lengths with a further 2.5 lengths to third.
The Tony and Maddy Sears-trained gelding was well supported last start over 1400m at Eagle Farm but got too far back before running on strongly for a 1.9 length third.
Given the way he ran through the line, the rise in distance will suit.
He's at peak fitness and will appreciate the drop in class with gun apprentice Bailey Wheeler riding.
1 Unit – Goldeeluck (3)
RACE 8 - 3:28PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Velozes (13) ran well on debut over 1200m here to finish second after starting from a terrible gate.
The Tony Gollan-trained daughter of I Am Invincible settled back from barrier 13 and it cost her any chance of victory as she got too far back but to her credit she found the line strongly to finish 1.5 lengths second.
Her last start over this course and distance can only be described as sickening as she blew the start and then was held up in the straight yet still ran on once clear to finish 1.8 lengths second.
She'll strip fitter third-up and leading jockey Jimmy Orman takes the ride.
1 Unit – Velozes (13)
RACE 9 - 4:03PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Skywriter (10) was a vastly improved horse last start when winning her maiden over this course and distance.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old mare was friendless in the market, drifting from $4.80 to $8.50, but despite that she charged home to win by 1.8 lengths.
That was just her second run since joining Waller's Gold Coast stable so she'll be better again now that she's acclimatised.
From barrier 3, Ryan Maloney should be able to give her a lovely run in a race that looks like it's lacking speed.
2 Unit – Skywriter (10)
RACE 10 - 4:38PM: BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
This is a really competitive race and a fitting way to end the card.
Typhoon Taavi (6) produced a display of sustained speed last start when winning over this course and distance.
Tahlia Fenlon, who claims 3kg, countered the wide gate by going to the front and running her rivals into the ground for a 1.5 length win.
She will need to employ similar tactics here, but her mount will strip fitter third-up.
1 Unit – Typhoon Taavi (6)
