Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

Race 1

We usher in a brand-new season of racing at Doomben on Saturday with 9 races to get through & a good track likely. I was hoping for a nice soft start to get the season off on a winning note however that’s not the case as we get things going with a tough one. I’ll lean to (10) SLIPSAIN who has placed his past couple & doesn’t look badly weighted, suggest he will be close enough to strike if good enough. (1) LUTON HOO is consistent, the claim helps whilst (2) BLUEPINOT could improve, he needs to though, last couple have been well below his best.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 2

Gold Coaster (1) STRANGLEHOLD has accepted here & his home track plus the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, hopefully connections pick this race as he does look well suited stepping up to 2200m. A strong finishing Ipswich winner two back he surged very late here over a similar trip last start suggesting he could be ready for further & he we are with an additional 200m to travel. (4) BENZINO is in good form & led throughout to beat the top tip last start, meets him 3.5kg worse off for the 2.6 length margin, could be enough to turn it around? (2) CORMAC T always in the mix, still down to run at Randwick also as I type.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet: STRANGLEHOLD EACH-WAY.

Race 3

Suggesting (6) CAVALRY MAN can bounce back into form & go close to winning this open handicap for the stayers. His last couple have been definite forgives, stuck wide two back in the Ipswich Cup he then led here last start which was very unexpected & not his usual pattern, not surprisingly he quickly capitulated in the straight. Ridden more quietly today he can bounce back. (1) YET HE MOVES has form over this longer trip, well up in the weights though. (7) FERNAO an interesting runner, hasn’t fired for some time however this is the easiest race he’s tackled for some time.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet: CAVALRY MAN TO WIN.

Race 4

Fresh off a consecutive 13th training premiership Tony Gollan will send around debut winner (4) BOONIE BOOM at short odds in this race. Straight to the front at Eagle Farm she did it both ends of the race & I’d suggest more of the same is likely here. (6) CASCADING is a filly with ability who ultimately may be looking for further, she can definitely figure in the placings & may end up being the quinella horse. (1) HIGH PROFIT was solid to the line latest, another who should get over further in time.

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet: Box up top 2 selections in exotics.

Race 5

Difficult looking race. (8) SYDNEY BOWLER has struggled since his well-documented injury however he has shown a few glimpses of late & we know he has very good ability. At his first start for the Gollan yard here a fortnight back he made late ground after giving away too much start. He gets an additional 90m today, is that enough? Well, he draws a lot better suggesting he will park closer in the run, something small each-way. The ultra consistent (3) BRAVEHEART is always a chance, not a great draw however map suggests he likely gets across ok. (4) FORMAL is the other on-paced runner, he brings solid Sydney form & must be respected.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 4 – 11

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 6

Couldn’t help but be impressed with the win of (1) GRINZINGER CHAMP here last start when zooming home wide out from the back of the field to score. Tempo was solid on that occasion suggesting she may want further however drawn favourably today she should land in a spot much closer to the lead. I’ll put her on top however with the big weight wouldn’t be launching into a short quote. (8) LOVECATS was strong to the line her latest, drawn right next door to the top tip has definite claims. The Gollan trained pair (10) SPIRIT OF BARTY & (6) EXUBERANCE who made good ground first local start should both run well.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 10 – 6

Suggested Bet: GRINZINGER CHAMP TO WIN ($3.00 or better).

Race 7

Two horse race in my opinion here between (1) DAGGERS & (2) NORTH POLE. I’m suggesting to back both however I have to lean one way for the sake of a tip. The former was super impressive stepping up to this trip last start however he has been up a while whereas (2) NORTH POLE is third up & improving nicely, I’ll lean his way. (3) CUNNAMULLA FELLA looms as the obvious to run third, can’t see him getting near the other pair though.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 9

Suggested Bet: Backing top 2 selections to win.

Race 8

Very competitive open handicap which should be run at a solid tempo should all the on-paced runners turn up. I’m hoping they do as my top selection (13) ZOUBABY will settle off speed & run on strongly which is her normal pattern. She did just that here last start running over the top of the leaders & whilst this is harder she does drop 3kg. (1) HATCHET is big odds for a horse of his ability & record at this track, the concern is the wide gate & likely start he gives away, still worth of including in exotics though. (4) TALTARNI FIELDS maps well, (10) PRE EMINENCE was better last start.

Numbers: 13 – 1 – 4 – 10

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 9

Keen on the chances of the second-up (9) TOO MANY THOUGHTS who is only lightly raced with a good record. Solid to the line first up clocking in third he will appreciate the step up in distance & stays down in the weights, can’t see him too far away in the run from the decent draw. (2) MANOLO BLING wasn’t far away in the Ramornie at Grafton & will find this a great deal easier, the 1350m is the query. (3) OUROBOROS will lead & always gives a good sight, yet to win here however placed all 4 attempts.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet: TOO MANY THOUGHTS TO WIN.

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