Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview

RACE 1

Going with some value in this opening race with one of the MISHANI clan MISHANI EXPRESS. I’ve liked her last couple hitting the line strongly & you’d have to think the step up 200m is in her favour. Stablemate MISHANI ALOHA has the right form lines & kicked on strongly to win here over this distance last start. HEAD HONCHO in the mix, the well fancied VALOROUS PERFORMER is very short, too short for my liking off a Rocky win where they went very slow early on.

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: MISHANI EXPRESS EACH-WAY.


RACE 2

Many of these met at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight back over 1600m, all runners go to 2000m for the first time. Thought ENCODER was the best run that day closing from last early in the straight, he looks the most likely to appreciate the longer trip. FELIX THE SCAT now with Tony Gollan should be getting close third run for the yard. MORE TROUBLE won that Sunshine Coast race & has to be included as does the very consistent RED DEFCON.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet: ENCODER TO WIN.


RACE 3

The first of our Country Series Finals races of which both are raffles! I’ll lean to MISS HOFF who has been super consistent since coming to Queensland suffering only the one defeat within her 5 outings. No weight however a bad gate, she’ll need luck. AHWAHNEECHEE always puts in a good account of himself when coming to town, he won’t be far away. Plenty will side with the speedy I AM FEARLESS who will give a sight, could be looking for an Uber late though.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 6 – 14

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

Keen on the second-up DEFIANT SPIRIT who will appreciate 1200m. Surprisingly he was ridden on speed first up leading in a race which looked to be solidly run on paper & was, in a tight finish he & his on paced rivals were run down by late swooper Outweighed. Expect a quieter ride today & for him to be the one closing off. MISHANI RENEGADE can improve sharply, wasn’t far away in the same race & strips fitter, better gate also helps. DEEP RESPECT is the unknown at this level however is doing nothing wrong. Should we race on very wet ground ACRES AWAY is the one with the exposed form in damp going.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet: DEFIANT SPIRIT TO WIN


RACE 5

The second of the races for the out of towners produce another big field. FIRE KING is a model of consistency this prep having won or placed at each of his 5 starts & with the good gate today should score the right run & prove hard to beat. ART BY CONCORDE won the Bush race at Eagle Farm in June & remained undefeated since, not such a good draw however can’t overlook. OFFICE JIM & ECHO POINT chances.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 6

With KNIGHT’S CHICE electing to go around in the 2000m race later in the day I’ve settled on the consistent mare OCEAN TREATY. I was keen on her at the Sunshine Coast last start & she ran well however the early work she had to do from a wide gate early on dulled her finishing burst. Doubt she’ll do much work from a much better draw this afternoon. DUNE FORTY FIVE won that race & is flying as he usually does at the beginning of his preps. ACQUITTED an improver second up whilst JETTY was also very good in the Sunshine Coast race working hard midrace & sticking on very well.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: OCEAN TREATY EACH-WAY


RACE 7

Keen on the chances of ABOUNDING who has been kept very fresh since winning with plenty of authority here in late October. Again drawn poorly Martin Harley produced some magic to get her over one x one & from there it was ‘game over’ as she cruised clear of her rivals in the straight. With the better draw today she can win again. PARTY FOR TWO & TIGER SHARK were both terrific efforts at the Sunshine Coast after sitting wide whilst I’m not underestimating the Waterhouse/Bott visitor TAORMINA however she will need luck from a car park alley.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet: ABOUNDING TO WIN.


RACE 8

Terrific race featuring ROTHFIRE, ZOUSTYLE & co. I’m taking the safe way out & going with ROTHFIRE’s stablemate THE BIG GOODBYE on an each-way basis. Terrific return run at the Sunshine Coast making late ground after being held up, he’ll roll forward in a race where he can lob in the first few. NETTUNO was terrific first up & has to be highly rated again as does ROTHFIRE who has the big weight however at his best would blow these away.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet: THE BIG GOODBYE EACH-WAY


RACE 9

Thought KNIGHT’S CHOICE was very good in the Mooloolaba Cup when not having the clearest of runs down the straight. He was doing his best work late & although on trial out to this longer trip I’ll take the punt he handles it. GREAT HOUSE comes out of the same race, he will give away a start however the 2000m is what he’s now after, he’ll be very strong late. Stablemate HEAD OF STATE goes in whilst QUALITY TIME may be the best of the on-pacers.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 9 – 4

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 10

THE DROVER & THE FACE were both impressive winners at their latest runs & can go right on with the good form in this final race. Drawn the better gate I’ll lean to the former who is very versatile being able to race both forward & back with success, he should be open to improvement still being only third up this afternoon. THE FACE gave nothing else a chance last start going straight to the front, little bit more on paced opposition this time around. DRIVE A DEEL could be a decent improver if we race on heavy ground.

Numbers: 9 – 13 – 10 – 3

Suggested Bet: THE DROVER & THE FACE TO WIN

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