A strong midweek meeting at Doomben on Wednesday with some extremely well-bred horses out to show their worth.
Those with Saturday credentials have been the ones to follow on recent cards and I’ll be sticking with that winning formula where possible.
BEST BET:
ARGYLE PINK (Race 8 No 14)
NEXT BEST:
MADAM DU GAST (Race 5 No 8)
VALUE BET:
EVERLAST (Race 3 No 2)
Quaddie numbers are:
Race 5 – 2,3,6,8
Race 6 – 1,6
Race 7 – 1,3,9
Race 8 – 7,14
48 combinations
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Race 1 – Maiden Plate (1050m)
Behaviour will be the issue with EMPEROR (3) which was coltish and a beaten favourite at his last start in a Sydney midweek. His trials have been better than that and he placed in a Breeders Plate on debut. By I Am Invincible out of a high-class racemare and producer he has a pedigree to live up to and a Brisbane midweek is a good place to start.
SIMONE LOUISE (5) is a four-year-old mare now with Annabel Neasham after one start with John O’Shea where she placed at Gosford. By Snitzel out of a Lightning Stakes winner and with Jim Orman she should have the speed to trouble these.
The Meagher’s can produce one fresh and there was a lot to like about MYSTIC MAC (4)’s trial. Two-year-olds can be competitive against older horses at this time of year and with a 3kg claim and a good gate he is worth watching.
Blinkers come off BLUE SPINEL (8) which has shown speed but not a lot of stamina in four starts to date. Her best effort came when fresh and she can give a sight for Angela Jones.
Verdict – If EMPEROR (3) focuses on racing he wins.
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Race 2 – 2YO Maiden Handicap (1350m)
She has a big pedigree and MIRACLE OF LOVE (7) showed promise on debut when despite being a tad field-shy was narrowly beaten at Listed level over 1100m at Scone. By a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner there is much more to come but this distance suits at this stage and class will carry her a long way.
VERY SEWREEL (13) was green and had a torrid run on debut at Ipswich but only just missed. She steps up in trip but drops 2kg and from gate one will get all the favours with Ben Thompson.
BANGETTA (10) finished on terms with VERY SEWREEL (13) at Ipswich but was slowly away and had trouble getting clear. The trip won’t worry her and a more positive ride from Andrew Mallyon can have her in the frame.
ET TU BRUTE (4) ran on from well back to place on debut at Pakenham and will relish this extra distance. He would prefer a bigger track but will hit the line for Ryan Maloney.
Verdict – Some talented ones but I am on MIRACLE OF LOVE (7).
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Race 3 – Maiden Handicap (1350m)
Chris Munce has rung the gear changes with EVERLAST (2) which has seven placings in ten starts but did win his most recent trial in authoritative fashion. If he has worked out that is what you are supposed to do Justin Huxtable can steer him home.
LANDSBOROUGH LAD (1) has placed at eight of nine starts and was a beaten favourite when resuming. Ryan Maloney has had four tries previously at trying to get him over line and from a good gate will give him every chance.
The betting on the Tony Gollan first starter SUSPICIOUS TIME (3) bares close watching. He’s been gelded since his previous campaign.
Verdict – After scratchings EVERLAST (2) is worth the gamble.
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Race 4 – Class 3 Handicap (2040m)
The new kid on the block is the import FAWKNER PARK (1) which has had only four outings winning twice the most recent at his Australian debut over 1500m at Kembla Grange where he came from well back and swallowed them up late. This longer journey will be right up his alley and Ryan Maloney will have him close enough to get the job done.
CARBONETTI (5) got shuffled back on the home turn at Ipswich last start and may not have enjoyed the tight track. He wasn’t beaten far at his only previous start here, Jim Orman stays on and he will be well-placed throughout.
INUWASHI (4) got too far back at Sunshine Coast and will appreciate a return to midweek company. He wasn’t far away in Saturday grade here three starts back and from a better gate Ben Thompson can ride positively. Fitter for four outings this preparation he is ready to strike.
CORDYCEPS MIRACLE (7) went a long time between drinks but has discovered form on the polytrack. This is harder but he drops 2.5kg and can give a sight with Andrew Mallyon.
Verdict – FAWKNER PARK (1) is the one with upside.
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Race 5 – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1650m)
Time for MADAME DU GAST (8) which has put in strong efforts at both outings since joining Chris Munce. A return to midweek company suits and she just missed over 1700m in Saturday grade at Flemington last preparation. If she brings that here she will be hard to beat.
SECURITY ADVISOR (6) hasn’t put in a bad one this preparation and last start showed he knows what winning is about. He has been freshened, drops 1.5kg and will get the gun run with Craig Williams.
Tony Gollan has a great record at improving these Southern horses and while SAUCEY HORSEY (2) didn’t give a yelp in Saturday grade last start his win at Toowoomba when having his first start for the stable keeps him under notice. Angela Jones gets back on and with her 1.5kg claim that might be enough.
SHOPPING ESPRIT (3) has had a few trainers during his career but has a good record of five wins from 13 starts and is now with Chris Waller. Three of his wins have come when first-up and with a trial under his belt will get every chance with Jim Orman.
Verdict – MADAM DU GAST (8) is ready to win.
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Race 6 – Class 1 Handicap (1650m)
The trip is a question with many of these but class is with BROOKHAVEN (1) which found the Rough Habit beyond him last start but wasn’t far away in the Queensland Guineas and Daybreak Lover. He has only won once in eleven starts but finds far easier company here and if there is a will Damien Thornton will find a way.
VEANDERCHANCE (6) found trouble and was outclassed in the Bracelet at the Sunshine Coast but led from a wide gate and just missed the placings in the Princess Stakes here two starts back. From the inside gate Brodie Loy can go forward and give a sight.
SARDEGNA (5) worked too hard on a heavy track at Ipswich last start and was found out late. He is up in journey but Jim Orman stays on and from a better gate can box seat throughout
PURVEYOR (10) is a two-year-old which has shown plenty and fought on well despite a wide run at the Sunshine Coast. The extra distance poses questions but a good gate helps and Michael Cahill will have him near the speed.
Verdict – BROOKHAVEN (1) but won’t be taking short odds.
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Race 7 – Class 4 Handicap (1200m)
Can’t ignore the class of ENTERPRISE POMME (1) which is resuming and goes well fresh. All four wins have been at this trip and with Cejay Graham’s 3kg she gets some weight relief. She won a Saturday Class 3 when last off a freshen-up and will be hard to beat here.
ROLL UP (9) controlled the race and was too good when resuming at Ipswich. He is poorly drawn but is a promising type and won back-to-back last preparation. Jim Orman stays on and will be near the speed throughout.
STORMY ROCK (3) has been racing well in stronger Saturday grade and won a Class 3 Plate here three starts back. He is deep in his preparation and will give them a start but will hit the line for Angela Jones.
MORETON BAY (12) worked to hard from a wide gate at Ipswich and was found out late. She will get a softer run here, drops 1.5kg and will be hard to pass.
Verdict – ENTERPRISE POMME (1) goes best when fresh.
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Race 8 – Benchmark 75 Handicap (1350m)
A return to midweek company will help ARGYLE PINK (14) which hasn’t put in a bad one this preparation and cost herself dearly by being too keen and knuckling over at the start last outing. Jim Orman replaces Angela Jones and with a strong rider she will be hard to pass.
SUNFALL (7) sat wide but was only found out late in Saturday grade last start. The better gate works in his favour and comeback rider Martin Harley will be anxious to make an impression,
STICK TO YOUR GUNS (9) was too keen at Ipswich last start but is fitter for two outings and will get every chance with Ryan Maloney from a good gate.
SOUTH PARADE (5) wasn’t far away in Saturday grade when having his first start for Mark Currie and subsequently franked the form at Toowoomba. He is poorly drawn but Jake Molloy knows what to do and can take luck out of the equation.
Verdict – ARGYLE PINK (14) to hold them off.