We take a look at the feature race meeting in Queensland on Saturday which is at the Doomben where the Doomben 10,000 headlines the card. View our race meeting preview and tips.
Race 1 – VENUE MODE CLASS 6 HANDICAP (1110M) – 11:38AM
This is a drop in class for Beau Ideal and I’m happy to pop him on top.
The Godolphin import has had two starts back from a spell this time, dusting off the cobwebs when fourth in BM88 company at Canterbury before a luckless effort for seventh behind Lost And Running at Randwick last time.
Fitter third-up and in Queensland, I think this looks a lovely Saturday race for him.
Race 2 – LISTED TRHA MEMBERS’ HANDICAP (1600M) – 12:13PM
We don’t have to wait long until the first black type of the day, and a classy field of seven will contest this mile race.
Fabric enters the race in winning form after taking out the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes at Morphettville, and I think that she can win again.
The Ocean Park mare has been a great horse for the Danny O’Brien stable throughout her career, but she looks to have gone to another level this prep, and is ready to peak third-up under Bossy.
Race 3 – ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS 3YO PLATE (1350M) – 12:48PM
You’d be forgiven for thinking that this race will be contested under black type conditions, so is the quality of the field.
With a case to be made for several, I’m going to have something on the third-up Aim, who has a fitness edge over a few of his key rivals.
Aim went to the paddock after winning the Magic Millions Guineas in January, and while he needed his first run to tune up when resuming last month, there was a lot more to like about his recent effort for sixth, beaten a little over two lengths in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
He’s drawn to receive a nice run off the pace and will be ridden by James McDonald.
Race 4 – GROUP 3 JRA CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY (2000M) – 1:23PM
If this is any indication, the staying races during the Brisbane Winter Carnival are going to be outstanding. We have several in-form gallopers, a Group 1 winner and plenty of depth engaged in the JRA Chairman’s Trophy.
I am a big fan of the Group 1 winner Warning and I think this looks a nice race for him, but I’ve found it impossible to look past the career-best form of Hangman.
Hangman hasn’t missed placing at his last five appearances, winning three times including the Yarra Valley Cup and the Neds Easter Cup in succession, and he was last seen filling the minors behind Paths Of Glory in the JRA Plate at Randwick.
I’m not concerned about topweight and I think that Hangman’s class will take him a long way towards winning.
Race 5 – GROUP 2 SPIRIT OF BOOM CLASSIC (1200M) – 2:02PM
The traditional path towards the JJ Atkins enters the serious stuff on Saturday and a quality field has been taken for the Spirit Of Boom Classic (formerly the Champagne Classic).
He has mixed his form a little this time, but Tiger Of Malay clearly has ability, and I’m going to give him another chance in what will be his Brisbane debut.
Tiger Of Malay has so-far recorded a win and a second placing from his four career starts, and found form around some good ones in the Pago Pago Stakes.
He’s been back to the trials since his last-start seventh in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ and this is obviously a decent drop in class from that race.
At around the $7.50 mark, we can have an each-way play.
Race 6 – GROUP 3 ROUGH HABIT PLATE (2000M) – 2:42PM
Senor Toba was an impressive winner of the Frank Packer Plate last time out, and that is typically a better 2000m race than the Rough Habit Plate.
The Toronado gelding was flat first-up behind Kiku at Randwick-Kensington, but was outstanding last time and beat home some good gallopers.
I’m anticipating that he’ll only improve for that run and in my opinion, he is quite clearly the one to beat here.
Race 7 – GROUP 1 DOOMBEN 10,000 (1200M) – 3:22PM
The Doomben 10,000 is a fitting way to kick of Group 1 racing in Brisbane this year and some of our best sprinters are engaged.
Race 8 – LISTED BRIGHT SHADOW QUALITY (1200M) – 4:02PM
Athiri didn’t come close to living up to expectations when she resumed in the Hawkesbury Crown, but I have little doubt she’ll take big improvement for the hit-out, and I’m going to give her another chance.
The Lonhro mare has been a strong and consistent performer for Godolphin throughout her career, and she has typically made races like this one her bread and butter.
She’s drawn to receive every chance from barrier 4 under Kerrin McEvoy and anything close to her best would be good enough to beat these.
Race 9 – MITTYS BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1350M) – 4:38PM
This is a terrific race, brimming with black type talent, and while there is a case for many, I think that Superium is ready to win.
Superium has stripped fitter via a couple of nice efforts for third and second respectively in sprints at Caulfield, and he takes a decent amount of weight from plenty of his leading rivals this week.
He’ll need some luck after drawing barrier 14, but I think that Ryan Maloney is the right jockey for him.
