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Midweek racing returns to Doomben this Wednesday where eight races are scheduled to be run and won.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail is out a massive 9.5m so on-pace runners will generally be advantaged on what looks likely to be Soft rated track.We've taken a close look at the form and provided our top selections for each race.
Race 1 - 12:33PM: Maiden Plate (1110 METRES)
Sultry Siren (7) resumes here and is having her first start for Rob Heathcote.
The daughter of Snitzel brings good Victorian form to Queensland with three placings from her five starts.
She warmed up for this first-up assignment with a very nice trial win where she cruised around in front for a 1.5 length win.
Martin Harley will be positive from the inside barrier and give her a great run on speed.
1 Unit Each Way – Sultry Siren (7)
Race 2 - 1:08PM: BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (1650 METRES)
Free Carry (2) was pressured in front last start over 1615m here and understandably capitulated in the straight.
Prior to that, the Tony Gollan-trained gelding won back-to-back races including two starts back over this course and distance by just under a length when able to control the speed in front.
That again looks a likely scenario with none of his rivals able to match his early speed.
Emily Lang's 3kg claim is beneficial and will see him carry just 56.5kg.
2 Units – Free Carry (2)
Race 3 - 1:43PM: Maiden Plate (1650 METRES)
Shabooh Shalaa (3) drew an outside gate over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast last start and never really got on the track, but to his credit he fought on well to finish third by 0.7L.
That followed back-to-back close fourth place finishes for the David Vandyke-trained gelding at Doomben and the Sunshine Coast so he's been building throughout this preparation and is now at peak fitness.
The addition of blinkers for the first time will have a positive effect and should see Ryan Maloney settle in a prominent position from barrier 4.
Maloney and Vandyke combine well together and boast a 32% winning strike-rate.
1 Unit – Shabooh Shalaa (3)
Race 4 - 2:18PM: Class 1 Plate (1650 METRES)
Lietuva (3) broke through in impressive fashion over 1540m on the Gold Coast Poly track last start.
The Desleigh Forster-trained four-year-old went straight to the front and was never headed, running his rivals into the ground for a 4.8 length win with third a further 5.8 lengths away.
While that was on a synthetic surface, he ran well despite being held up the start prior at Ipswich when finishing two lengths fourth.
Ryan Maloney can make full use of the inside barrier and settle handy.
1 Unit – Lietuva (3)
Race 5 - 2:53PM: QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350 METRES)
Just Precious (10) debuted in a Saturday three-year-old race at Doomben and gave a good account of herself.
Sunshine Coast trainer Stu Kendrick gave a vote of confidence in his filly by scratching her from an easier maiden the day before at Ipswich and he came close to being justified when she led and gave a good sight over 1350m for a 1.1 length third.
She'll be better for the experience and will appreciate dropping back to her right class.
Jimmy Orman being booked to ride is a good pointer to her perceived chance of winning by the stable.
1 Unit – Just Precious (10)
Race 6 - 3:28PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1110 METRES)
Rich Minx (6) weakened to finish third over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast first-up but bounced back in a big way second-up.
The Matt Hoysted-trained daughter of Rich Enuff led easily over 1150m on the Gold Coast Poly track before gapping her rivals in the run home for a 9.3 length demolition job win.
She'll strip fitter third-up and is only lightly raced so has plenty of upside.
From the inside barrier, Ryan Maloney will drive forward and give them something to catch.
2 Units – Rich Minx (6)
Race 7 - 4:03PM: Class 4 Handicap (1350 METRES)
Tijuana Two Step (9) blew the start and that put pay to her chances last start over 1200m here in a Saturday race.
To the Donald Baker-trained mare's credit, she found the line strongly in a race where the leaders were advantaged to finish third by two lengths.
She'll appreciate the rise in distance given she has won two of three starts over the trip including three starts back at Toowoomba.
She's drawn well and gets in with just 54.5kg following Malea Castle's claim.
1 Unit – Tijuana Two Step (9)
Race 8 - 4:38PM: BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1350 METRES)
He's For The Girls (6) returned from a bleed in excellent fashion over the unsuitable 1100m trip at Ipswich last start.
The Jason Edwards-trained Rothesay gelding settled a long way back before charging down the outside to finish 3.4 lengths seventh.
He'll appreciate the rise to 1350m and racing at Doomben where he has won two of three starts including a Saturday Class 1 Handicap last preparation.
If they run along in front, he'll be powering home for Taylor Marshall.
1 Unit Each Way – He's For The Girls (6)
