Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview

Posted on May 11, 2023May 11, 2023 | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Tough way to kick off the day. SELF INDULGENT likely goes up favourite, no weight after the claim however I cannot catch her. Not really an ARENTEE fan either which takes the two favourites out of play! ASTERO each-way may be the way to go, super consistent & draws to just about box seat. I could be very wrong here, tread warily!

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 11 – 7

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

---

RACE 2

EKATERINA & ATMOSPHERE the two for me here with a leaning to the former who is racing very well. Not sure she can make any use of the inside draw & she’ll likely need luck however the 4kg weight drop off her latest run coupled with an additional 50m suits. ATMOSPHERE brings the stronger Sydney formlines running into a smart looking type last start who we will likely see up here later in the carnival, hard to run down with a softish lead. COUNT DA BEANS not out of it, back in grade from The Archer last start.

Numbers: 11 – 2 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet: BACKING TOP TWO SELECTIONS TO WIN

---

RACE 3

NATIONAL CHOICE lands a good gate here & if able to run up to the last start third behind the very smart Antino at Eagle Farm should prove very hard to beat. He really has found his mark here in Queensland winning twice & yet to finish out of the placings in 4 attempts. MERITABLE is an interesting runner, off the scene for almost a year he’s been very competitive in better races, market moves will be all important. CONSTANT FLIGHT should be getting close.

Numbers: 14 – 2 – 1 – 12

Suggested Bet: BACKING NATIONAL CHOICE EACH-WAY

---

RACE 4

Found this a very tough race to sort out. ALCYONE gets to it third up & should be hitting peak fitness, I like him stepping up in distance & getting back to a drier surface than the heavy (9) he faced at his last start. SUNSHINE RISING drops back in trip, form is in stronger races, definite chance if sharp enough to handle the mile. No luck for SANTERO last start, model of consistency down on the limit weight.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 13 – 4

Suggested Bet: BACKING ALCYONE EACH-WAY (small)

---

RACE 5

Good field of youngsters to go around here with the locals going up against some quality Sydney performers. I’m siding with the southern runners putting DUCASSE on top, he was a real eye-catcher first up on a very soggy Rosehill track a fortnight back. Fitter, wiser & with an additional 100m will prove hard to hold out. ARMED FORCES went around in the same race, didn’t go a yard on the heavy, trials suggest he’s a lot better than that. APPIN GIRL has done nothing wrong, acid test today.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet: BACKING DUCASSE TO WIN, SAVER ARMED FORCES

---

RACE 6

No speed on the map makes this difficult & likely very tactical. I’ve sided with CEPHEUS & KALAPOUR with a leaning to the former as he will likely push forward (mad if didn’t). He’s won up to 2500m suggesting he’ll have no issues running out the trip! KALAPOUR draws wide, will give a start however is fit & racing well. Found it even tougher once we get away from those two…

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics

---

RACE 7

Can’t see how they beat KOVALICA here. He did his Derby credentials no harm with a dominant win in the Queensland Guineas sitting wide the entire trip, they all had their chance to beat him & couldn’t. He’s still yet to run a bad race, has won here over the trip, just looks a class above. Did like THE VOWELS’ closing effort to run 3^rd behind KOVALICA in the same race, he had the softer run though. STROKE OF LUCK best of the rest.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet: BACKING KOVALICA TO WIN

---

RACE 8

The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 appears GIGA KICK’s to lose. He looks head & shoulders above the opposition coming through the T.J. Smith when run down late by a very smart sprinter who is likely a topliner. He then accounted for Zaaki in the All Aged & we saw Zaaki come out & make it a trio of Hollindale’s last week. VILANA was good fresh & will be further improved, can run the exacta. MAZU’s chances will be aided by some rain (which is possible).

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet: BACKING GIGA KICK TO WIN

---

RACE 9

Looking for some market support around the resuming HELLFEST who trialled nicely recently just cruising down the outside to score. She’s been nominated without accepting a couple of times recently which could be a good or bad sign? At her best she’s a big chance. EXTREMIST is a favourite of mine, front running mare who gives plenty when it counts. A VERY FINE RED was impressive last start kicking on well after a tough run, hard to beat on that.

Numbers: 5 – 9 – 3 – 14

Suggested Bet: BACKING HELLFEST EACH-WAY

Market Market