Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview

RACE 1

Plenty of weight for the third-up JEMELDI however the claim for Cejay Graham does help offset some of that bringing him back down to 61.5kg, it’s a race where all bar the bottom two carry no less than 58kg. Two good runs this prep draws a good gate today & this is his pet distance range. Big watch on the Gollan newcomer GET UP GIRL who is unbeaten fresh with both being on soft ground, pattern is to get back when in the previous yard. BOOM TORQUE was in great form before the break, expect to be running on.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 2

Interesting race for the youngsters with some looking to gain that all important prizemoney boost & get into the Magic Millions in a fortnight. I can punch holes in the lot of them & have come up with a real throw at the stumps! SHEZA CHIQUITITA may well go around the extreme outsider? I’d suggest she’s the one runner we can be sure is looking for 1200m, I just can’t say the same for the others. WOLFGANG was tiring at the end of 1000m last start, DEFIANT BOOM & SPIRIRTED both on debut, both trialled well, 1200m though?

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet: SHEZA CHIQUITITA (small bet).


RACE 3

I’ll reserve my final bet when track conditions are well known however should we race on something in the high soft range DRIVE A DEEL will be well suited from the inside gate, there were issues at the start her latest when unable to lead, that’s not likely here. AUSSIE NUGGET was narrowly beaten second up, fitter now hard to beat from the good alley. MOB BUSTER has caught the eye at a couple of recent runs, not without a top 4 chance at likely good odds.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.


RACE 4

Very keen on the chances of EMPEROR in this race. Dominant putting away his rivals in just a few strides first up at Randwick he then drew wide at the same track & went back before running into all sorts of trouble down the straight. He can make amends here. Surely SITUATION ROOM improves, he’s just lost his way a little of late however this is an easier race & Angela Jones can make full use of the inside gate. Can SMART IMAGE repeat the long-odds last start win? Not sure, he can place though.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet: EMPEROR TO WIN.


RACE 5

MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO is down to run both here & at Randwick. Obviously, that’s not going to happen however I’m convinced she’s a strong winning chance wherever she may turn up. Her run in The Gateway was a good beating all bar the dominant winner, this race looks ideal dropping back 50m. I’ll have a saver on PACIFIC ATLANTIC who has been running some sneaky good races of late, step up in distance is a plus, will just want the ground to dry out a little more. Expect improvement from SO COUNTRY.

Numbers: 4 – 10 – 3 – 11

Suggested Bet: MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO TO WIN.


RACE 6

PRINCESS RHAENYS is hardly the punters favourite however this looks her chance to break through for an overdue win. She drops plenty in weight & stretches out to the longer trip which are both definite positives, with her track record though I’d prefer to back each-way. Should NAVAL COLLEGE turn up here & not Randwick he’s right in it although he may take one more run? Plenty of other chances however they do tend to mix their form…

Numbers: 11 – 10 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: PRINCESS RHAENYS EACH-WAY.


RACE 7

The Vo Rogue Plate is always an important Magic Millions 3yo Guineas lead-up race. The run of SHOW ME MERCY in the Gold Edition at Eagle Farm a fortnight back was a real eye-catcher closing strongly against the race tempo. He’s got a ton of upside & the step up to 1350m looks made to order. Respecting the Waterhouse/Bott visitor ZOUPHORIA who overcame difficulties to win last start, promising filly who will roll forward. CHRYSAOR scratched out of Gosford on Thursday goes into this fresh & with strong claims.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 2 – 11

Suggested Bet: SHOW ME MERCY TO WIN.


RACE 8

Going to stick with the class runner & the winning form in COMRADE ROSA who is very well placed under the conditions of the race, she’d be carrying plenty more in a handicap. Strong winner second up she stays at the same trip off a month’s break suggesting she’s nice & fresh for another sharp performance. PARISAL also fresh can run well, expect her to roll forward & look for a spot from the get-go. BETTER GET SET might be decent odds for exotics players, better placed dropping back to 1200m.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet: COMRADE ROSA TO WIN.


RACE 9

Absolutely no surprise to anyone I’m tipping the very consistent IRISH SONGS on an each-way basis once again. He’ll go around here at big odds & there’s no reason he can’t run into the placings as was the case last start. He’ll settle around midfield before finishing strongly in the straight. ELEVEN ELEVEN is also big odds however should he run up to his second-up performance there’s no reason he won’t figure in the placings. ZOUSTYLE out to 1350m is an unknown however he’s too classy to suggest he won’t see it out.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet: IRISH SONGS EACH-WAY.


RACE 10

I’ll lean to HATCHET in this final race of the afternoon however I will be swayed by the market as although his first up record is solid, it’s nowhere near as impressive as his second up figures. Nice trial win here recently plus the good draw both suggest he’ll run very well though. GOLDEN POINT faces his acid test however it’s hard to knock what he’s been doing down south, good draw & a good visiting jockey to steer. ARENTEE can improve second up from the favourable draw.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet: HATCHET EACH-WAY.

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