Doomben race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday

Good sized fields equates to depth in races with many chance across a competitive card of racing at Doomben on Saturday.

Miracle Spin is Graeme's best value play on Saturday. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Good sized fields equates to depth in races with many chance across a competitive card of racing at Doomben on Saturday.

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BEST BET:

SCARLET PRINCE (Race 7 No 11)

NEXT BEST:

THANKYOU HENRY (Race 6 No 5)

VALUE BET:

MIRACLE SPIN (Race 8 No 4)

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Quaddie numbers are:

Race 7: 5,11

Race 8: 4,7,12

Race 9: 1,4,12

Race 10: 4,8,9,15

$72 = 100 per cent of the dividend

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Race 1 – Class 1 Plate (1200m)

Recent Barry Lockwood stable acquisition BOOM BOOM RAY (1) brings Victorian form, won his maiden first-up on a heavy (10) and trialled soundly recently. Out of a Listed winning mare that has thrown two Group winners, he gets some positive gear changes, has relatively few convictions and if he gets the right conditions will be hard to beat.

The stablemate CHO OYU (2) showed promise last preparation and hit the line better than any behind Antonito when resuming in similar class to this. He rises 2.5kg but from the good gate gets all the favours and will be near the speed for a long way.

KING POTTER (9) won his maiden in dominant fashion first-up last preparation and then finished a length off the talented Give Me Space before spelling. The gate tests but he looked good at a recent trial and Jag Guthmann-Chester can take luck out of the equation.

Blinkers come off the resuming KEENAN (4) which is now with Billy Healey and brings Sydney Saturday form. He is well treated under Plate conditions, has been readied by two trials and when last in Queensland led them up in a Magic Millions Rising Stars at the Sunshine Coast. With that form he will be prominent for a long way.

Verdict – Watch market but with the Lockwood runners.

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Race 2 – 3YO Handicap (2000m)

This trip should be right up the Tarzino gelding HE’S A SAINT (2)’s alley. He found trouble and only battled over 1600m last start but his previous maiden win over 1700m suggested the longer the better. He trialled this week, Andrew Adkins replaces Jaden Lloyd and will give hm every chance.

HENLEY ROOM (5) is a maiden but races as though this trip will suit. His dam was a tough race mare which won up to 2200m and Ron Stewart will find out if the pedigree runs true.

PRINCE LEVI (1) struggled at Eagle Farm last outing but has a much better record here. The journey poses questions but he rarely runs poorly, and Angela Jones will have him close enough if good enough.

Chris Waller has brought the former Kiwi LIBERTY PARK (3) up from Sydney after he failed to flatter at his only Australian start. He has trialled since, gets to a suitable trip and his only win was on a heavy track in New Zealand. With conditions to suit, improvement is on the cards.

Verdict – HE’S A SAINT (2) to realise his potential.

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Race 3 – F & M Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m)

Cobi Vitler’s 3kg claim helps ADIELLA (2) which did everything but win at the Gold Coast last start. She was beaten less than a length here two starts back in this Benchmark, appreciates this trip and heavy ground doesn’t bother her. Against her own sex will be hard to hold out.

HEYOKA (3) has won three of four since resuming at midweeks and provincials. This is harder but Cody Collis stays on and she will be prominent for a long way.

The stablemate BUCKS FIZZ (8) found HEYOKA (8) too good last start but spaced the rest. The ace draw helps and with Damien Thornton replacing brother Boris draws to do no work.

SISTINE EXPLORER (1) has struggled since resuming but a drop in grade and Courtney Bellamy’s 3kg claim see her better placed. She has won two three starts here, loves the heavy and is ready to improve.

Verdict – ADIELLA (2) gets the favours.

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Race 4 – C, G & E Benchmark 70 Handicap (1350m)

Form is with the consistent RIMBAUD (1) which worked too hard and was only found out late in a similar Benchmark last start. Dan McGillvray stays on, the extra distance is no concern, he will be well-placed throughout and can get it done.

JONNY DA WOLF (11) has done a good job since coming North and joining the Munces. He was far from disgraced in similar class two starts back, gets a good gate and was dominant over this trip at Ipswich. He drops 2kg and will be prominent for Georgina Cartwright.

Now with Matt Dunn, BOY’S NIGHT OUT (8) brings Victorian form and has been readied by two trials. He won three of seven starts last preparation, is well treated with Cobi Vitler’s 3kg claim and can make his presence felt.

GOOD LIEUTENANT (6) is resuming and has put in two good trials. While his best form is on the poly, a heavy track works in his favour and with Cejay Graham can surprise fresh

Verdict – RIMBAUD (1) is the one to beat.

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Race 5 – Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m)

Tony Gollan has chosen this race for dual acceptor VORACIOUS (12) which takes on Saturday grade after being dominant at both outings since resuming. He outclassed a Class 3 Plate field last start; the extra distance holds no terrors and Angela Jones can control the race.

UNTIL VALHALLA (9) was never in it from a wide gate last start but was close-up at her two previous outing and will appreciate a better gate. She has won on heavy ground and a positive ride by Emily Lang will make a difference.

Second-up syndrome struck MORE TROUBLE (4) again as he failed as favourite last start but wasn’t beaten far. He is backing up quickly, has won third-up previously and a senior rider in Martin Harley will help.

If it pelts down, BOLD BOURBON (2) hasn’t won for a long time but revels in heavy ground, improves second-up and will find this easier than Class 6. He could be worth a ticket in the first four.

Verdict – VORACIOUS (12) to eat up Saturday grade.

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Race 6 – No Metro Wins Handicap (1200m)

A couple of useful ones with upside. THANKYOU HENRY (5) is fitter for two outings and wasn’t beaten far by CERTAINLYCAN (6) last start. He meets her 1.5kg worse but is yet to run a bad race and has won on heavy ground. Ryan Maloney stays on and with conditions in his favour will be hard to beat.

CERTAINLYCAN (6) is a mare in form and is well-treated vis-a-vis THANKYOU HENRY (5). Her wet track record doesn’t inspire but Emily Lang can take full advantage of the inside draw.

The enigmatic JOHN RAMBO (4) resumes with a trial under his belt. He has a good first up record, draws to do no work and ridden with cover Martin Harley can test them late.

MEAN APPROACH (12) has come back in good order since a change of stables and hit the line better than any last start. He drops 3kg, Bubba Tilley replaces Boris Thornton and will be strong late.

Verdict – Conditions favour THANKYOU HENRY (5).

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Race 7 – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m)

Recent form is with SCARLET PRINCE (11) which beat all but Waltham last start and has an excellent record on soft or heavy ground. He rises 4kg but will find this easier and Boris Thornton can make his own luck.

YET HE MOVES (5) is fitter for three outings, gets on to his preferred soft ground and likes this track. This trip suits and while he will give them a start, Emily Lang will have him strong late.

The stablemate NAVAL SEAL (10) finds it hard to win but almost got it done last start and will appreciate a soft track. This trip is his limit, but Ryan Maloney will keep him at it.

WAPITI (1) was never in the hunt last start but will find this easier. He beat all but the in-form Diablo Bolt here two starts back, Cody Collis stays on and a positive ride makes a difference.

Verdict – SCARLET PRINCE (11) gets conditions to suit.

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Race 8 – Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m)

Matt Smith has been having a great run with his horses in Queensland and MIRACLE SPIN (4) gets conditions to suit here. Fitter for a recent outing at Newcastle, he finds a suitable trip and his Saturday form in Sydney and Melbourne last preparation is up to this level. He gives a start, but Kyle Wilson-Taylor will be mowing them down late.

RED DEFCON (12) has found how to win and is staring at a hat-trick. She also gets back but Cejay Graham has the key and knows when to start the motor.

TOESONTHENOSE (7) is backing up after getting it done at the Gold Coast last week. This is harder but he is improving with racing and will appreciate the extra distance. Martin Harley replaces the apprentice Jace McMurray and will be in the finish.

MISSISSIPPI PRINCE (3) has won both outings on heavy ground and will be improved by his first-up outing at the Gold Coast. Samantha Collett stays on and from the good gate can give a sight.

Verdict – Open race but MIRACLE SPIN (4) can get it done.

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Race 9 – 3YO Handicap (1350m)

Hard to go past GOODLUCKTOME (1) which was dominant in similar company last start. He rises 1.5kg but with Ryan Maloney that may not be enough to stop him. By Written Tycoon out of Amelia’s Dream he has the pedigree and class tells.

Several backing up from the Jewel and the best of those is MR BUBBALUSKI (4) which boxed on well behind all-the-way winner Hearts Are Better. This extra distance suits and with a positive ride can be in the finish.

MARAGICAL (12) was unwanted in the market, ran accordingly and returned with veterinary issues when resuming at the Sunshine Coast. She showed promise when going back-to-back here last preparation over this trip and has benefited from a recent trial. With Emily Lang she can bounce back.

YABBY PUMP (5) showed promise at his first preparation and resumed with a Class 1 win at Hawkesbury. This is harder, the crossover noseband comes off and he will get every chance with Andrew Adkins.

Verdict – GOODLUCKTOME (1) too classy.

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Race 10 – Open Handicap (1350m)

A moderate Open Handicap and class is with KERCHAK (4) which is resuming after winning three of eight starts last preparation and progressing through the grades. He goes well fresh, has won both Doomben outings and appreciates heavy ground. With Jag Guthmann-Chester he will be testing them late.

CORFE CASTLE (8) is racing honestly but found 1400m under 59.5kg beyond him last start. He won’t want it heavy but likes this track, drops 6.5kg, will get the gun run and with Andrew Adkins.

HATCHET (9) finds it hard to win but hit the line at the Gold Coast last start and five of his six wins have been here. He gives a start, but Robbie Dolan will be cutting them down late.

SHA OF GOMER (15) failed to beat a runner home when resuming but was beaten only two lengths. He improves second-up, has won twice here previously and with only 52kg can make his presence felt.

Verdict – Having something on KERCHAK (4).

Originally published as Doomben race-by-race preview and tips for Saturday