Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview

Posted on | Posted by Ethan Roth

Race 1

Racing at Doomben in Brisbane on Saturday. As I type the track is rated a heavy (8) after a decent storm on Wednesday night. Further storms are predicted every day with plenty of rain forecast on race day itself, it’ll be wet, just how wet who knows! The 2yo’s get us underway & it’s an interesting race at this stage with no scratchings. (2) LA BELLA QUEEN has the race experience & winning experience at that; she led throughout to score here on a soft (6) deck on debut off the back of a tidy trial win. BIG respect for a couple of newcomers, the Waller trained (10) MISS VERSTAK was highly impressive winning her Gold Coast trial, led throughout & raced away to score under a good hold. (11) VELVET HUSTLE won hers impressively also, both come up with good draws on paper.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 11 – 6

Suggested Bet: Market leads/conditions all important.

Race 2

Found this race very tough as only 2 of the 8 acceptors have been to the 1600m range, the rest, well they’re all on trial. (4) SPIRIT OF TORQUE has ticked the box winning convincingly here last start, she beat little however did make a mess of them down the straight winning by almost 4 lengths. Placed 2 of 4 soft, unplaced only heavy run so not getting carried away. (1) THE GREY ONE finished strongly to win at the Gold Coast at only start number two. He too beat nothing however has upside. (2) AMOURETTE concerns me out to the longer trip however does bring stronger form lines.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 3

(11) HEADHUNTER let down with a big dash in the straight when winning here last start, only problem was he layed in on top of (4) TORO STRIKE taking that one’s running & he ended up losing the race in the stewards room. Now, on a track the better side of soft he can gain revenge however that’s not looking likely so I’ll lean to (4) TORO STRIKE as he handles all types of going & very well. If we dry out though it’s back to (11) HEADHUNTER! (15) TEMPRANILLO handles the wet, never got into the race last start after an encouraging effort prior, may want further?

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 15 – 9

Suggested Bet: TORO STRIKE/HEADHUNTER track condition dependant.

Race 4

Winning form is the best form & the up & coming (9) DRAW ATTENTION has plenty of that scoring at his past three starts, the last couple have seen 8.2 & 6 length victories. Yes, he’s taking on stronger opposition this time around however with a little weight relief to help he can measure up. (2) CIGAR MAN has hit his straps winning 3 of his past 6, Jett Newman’s claim takes 3kg off which is a tidy 3.5kg weight drop on his last start Eagle Farm victory. No luck for (1) PRINCE LEVI his latest when trapped wide throughout, expect improvement with a more economical run today.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 1 – 13

Suggested Bet: DRAW ATTENTION to win, box up 1, 2 & 13 to run top 4 in exotics.

Race 5 (Best Bet)

Drawn wide will the Gollan team send the flying (9) CARDONETTE around here or wait for another day? Well as it stands she’s in the field & there was plenty to like about her win here last start when letting down with a big sprint to overhaul her rivals in a race not run to suit at all. Yet to see heavy however she’s handled soft just fine & I cannot tip against her should she start. (13) DESANTO shows good promise & was impressive at the Sunshine Coast first up, both wins on soft ground (5,7) & although beaten only heavy track outing she pulled up with a vet issue. Include the consistent (11) STRADA VARENNA who won on a heavy (9) deck last start.

Numbers: 9 – 13 – 11 – 4

Suggested Bet: CARDONETTE TO WIN.

Race 6

Tipping (13) EXTREME SPIRIT however not in a big way as he does have to deal with a decent rise in class having won a 58 at the Gold Coast last start. It’s more about the manner of the win than anything else, missing the start badly he steamed down the outside to win running away, now the bad starts have been a regular thing of late which is worrying. (1) SMOKE ON THE WATER won here with 60kg two back, good at Eagle Farm since is right in this if the track isn’t too wet. (4) DIVINE JUSTICE & (5) DUKE OF CAMDEN in the mix also.

Numbers: 13 – 1 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 7

Last start winner (1) READY FOR AIMEE ran over the top of (4) SHREDDED to land the money on a heavy Eagle Farm track. They do battle once again here with a 2kg weight favouring the Matt Dunn trained gelding & I’m with him to turn the tables although I don’t see a great deal between the pair. (13) SAXON SPIRIT is an interesting runner, only lightly raced she resumes having run some tidy races at her initial 4 start campaign which included a soft (5) win & heavy (9) placing, trialled well, market?

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 13 – 3

Suggested Bet: SHREDDED EACH-WAY – Beaten by Ready For Aimee last start however fares better at the weights & was a bit of a sitting shot. Good chance to turn the tables.

Race 8

The Listed Keith Noud is our highlight race of the day over 1200m. (7) NOW IS THE HOUR returned in impressive fashion winning here a fortnight ago. Very heavily backed he did 300m of work before finding the front & once into the straight he bounded clear of his rivals. Soft form sound, yet to see anything worse, I’m in his corner. (3) RESTONICA is a tough customer who sat widest of the three leaders here last start yet was too strong late, big performance that & won’t be wide this time. (1) ENRICHED is capable on his day & does drop heavily in class, market might be our best guide there.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: NOW IS THE HOUR TO WIN.

Race 9

Keen to see (8) BALANCE THE BOOKS make her return to the track here. Very promising she really looked the goods winning her final two outings last prep particularly the latest at the Sunshine Coast when rounding up her rivals in a matter of 100 metres! Trialled up well & will be very strong late. The lack of tempo may work against her & should that be the case stablemate (9) SPEITHTACULAR will prove hard to run down. (6) DAGGERS resumes & can run a race fresh. (11) KOHLER KID hit the line strongly first up, above average type who may want further now, does have solid wet track form.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 6 – 11

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

Race 10 (Best Bet)

Very keen on the chances of (9) ALL KINDS OF FOLK who excels on heavy ground. He’s also accepted at Newcastle & rates a good chance wherever he heads however if connections are favouring a wet track, then this is where they should be running. His recent form is very good for a race such as this & leading jockey Ben Thompson will ride. (1) ATMOSPHERE dictated in front last time & sprinted home hard to beat off any challengers; he’ll be looking to do similar here. (2) DEMON DARB on the improve should be getting close.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet: ALL KINDS OF FOLK TO WIN.




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