Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview Posted on February 20, 2025February 20, 2025 | Posted by Chris Nelson RACE 1 Racing at Doomben on Saturday should take place on a Good rated surface, a few showers are possible here & there however nothing major. Wouldn’t be taking short odds about anything in this opening race, HOOT ‘N’ HOLLER is a decent price & resumes with a solid fresh record, trial was sound & if not a noted market drifter can run a forward race. CERTAINLYCAN broke through for the win last start & a dominant one it was, she’s just tended to mix her form however if in the right frame of mind could repeat the dose without any surprise. Nothing wrong with THANKYOU HENRY’s record, in fact it’s terrific yet to finish further back than second at 6 starts, must include fresh. Numbers: 9 – 13 – 5 – 1 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. RACE 2 DIABLO BOLT has gone up favourite here which on form this prep is more than fair however he is 4 weeks between runs & was a scratching last Saturday, has he missed some work, is all ok? That’s my concern re taking a short price about him. BEDFORD SQUARE doesn’t win too often however she races best when down in the weights which is the case here, should the track have ‘give’ in it, that will suit her down to the ground. WALTHAM a chance should he go around here & not at Rosehill. Numbers: 9 – 6 – 3 – 7 Suggested Bet: BEDFORD SQUARE EACH-WAY (small bet). RACE 3 Interesting race as three of the debutantes have all shown good ability at the trials winning their recent heats PENROD, THEE CREEK & TORO CHASE, all in convincing fashion. At least two of those runners (6 & 8) have been done no favours at the barriers & may end up posted wide. The race experienced BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME strips fitter for the first up run which was his first defeat, he maps very well & can be strong late. Confident those three first starters are in in with a chance, luck may need to be on their side though. Numbers: 1 – 6 – 7 – 8 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. RACE 4 Should there be market support around for the first starter CARBONARA I’m following it in as I liked her recent trial win. She chased a hot speed before taking control half-way down the straight before clearing out, the time was very good for a 2yo heat. No knock SUNRAYS bar the wide draw, just not sure where she’ll end up in the run from out there, should she slot in she’ll prove very hard to beat. ALL GLASS is another to have looked good at the trials. Numbers: 7 – 1 – 6 – 3 Suggested Bet: CARBONARA (looking for market support). RACE 5 SHADOW POWER is only lightly raced & caught the eye closing off solidly here a fortnight back. By Dundeel there’s every chance he’s now looking for further however he’s got a lot more upside than most here & if there’s each-way available that’s where I’m heading. WINSOME STAR goes from 1200 to 1600m, although unplaced all 4 attempts at the trip I’m inclined to give him another chance. TAKE A PICTURE in the mix whilst last start winner JONNY DA WOLF was impressive winning at Ipswich however this is tougher & he’s not drawn well. Numbers: 15 – 10 – 13 – 12 Suggested Bet: SHADOW POWER EACH-WAY. RACE 6 Surely this is the race for the very consistent MINTAKA LAD who comes up with a perfect draw. Narrowly beaten when hitting the line strongly fresh at Eagle Farm he was then caught deep last start, still looking the winner until very late he was nailed by a late swooper upsetting the party. DAYTONA holds a good fresh record, HURTS SO GOOD is race fit & consistent, both will be chasing hard down the straight, hopefully into the placings only. Numbers: 6 – 4 – 5 – 10 Suggested Bet: MINTAKA LAD TO WIN. RACE 7 Jewel Prelude for the 3yo’s brings together a strong line-up. The unbeaten COSMO CENTAURUS creates most interest, both wins have been fresh & at the Sunshine Coast, drawn poorly here how will he handle the tighter turning Doomben track? We’ll know that answer after the race however I’m going to stick, he just might be good enough to overcome a wide run if that’s the way it pans out. SURPRISE HONEY was impressive here a fortnight back & ran time, won’t get the same cosy trip though, not from that gate. ASTAPOR fresh up can run well, PETTICOAT back to 1110m better placed. Numbers: 7 – 6 – 1 – 5 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. RACE 8 I’m with the Gollan pair here KING KAPA & ROCKRIBBED with a leaning to the former who has the better gate & race fitness edge. Nailed late here last start he gave it everything, expect similar here although hopefully with a slightly better result. He’s a good fresh horse ROCKRIBBED & his recent trial says he ready to go, Emily Lang will be looking to quickly slide across & offset the wide draw. Giving TECTONIC PLATE a chance, she’s been tardy from the gates of late however if able to jump cleanly here could find herself in a good spot & we know she has the ability. Numbers: 3 – 4 – 14 – 8 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. RACE 9 Wide open market which is no great surprise. LOST IN TRANSIT has come back in good order this prep yet to turn in a sub-par performance, he was sound last start when just not seeing all that much daylight up the straight. CORFE CASTLE has won 2 of his past 4 & the set-ups have been similar drawing a good gate & leading or box seating, this race sets up similarly once again however keep in mind he’s only fallen in to win on each occasion. SPACE TRACKER almost ran him down last start, meets him 3kg better for the narrow defeat. Numbers: 4 – 1 – 8 – 7 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. RACE 10 FLYING TRAPEZE looks close to a win & at well over the each-way quote looks good value in this race. Couldn’t quite get to the winner DUNE FORTY FIVE (also engaged here) last start however there’s a 2kg weight swing in his favour this time around which is enough to turn the tables. He’s silly odds in opening markets DUNE FORTY FIVE, he ran super time to win that race leading all the way breaking the track record, why the long price today? JUNIPAL wasn’t far away last start & should get the right run from a good draw. Don’t rule out ANEMACORE. Numbers: 5 – 2 – 1 – 7 Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics. Market Market
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