Doomben Review: Nathan Exelby talks with the winners and losers from Saturday’s Brisbane meeting

THE Courier Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby reviews Saturday’s Doomben meeting, with comments from the beaten division and the big winners.

THE Courier Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby reviews Saturday’s Doomben meeting, with comments from the beaten division and the big winners.

RACE 1

Lady Jetsetter justified a sustained betting move throughout the week to land the prize in the opener running 60.52 and home in 33.9 for the 1050m.

“She has a good pattern for this track when she jumps with them,” trainer Liam Birchley said. “The barrier makes a big difference. She loves this track and distance, especially with some sting out of the ground.”

THE JOCKEY

“That was a very easy win. They just gave it to her. After she swapped over strides when we got into the straight, I knew she would keep kicking,” Matt McGillivray said.

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UBET BETTING

Worst result for the book would have been the Ben Currie trained Testatime, who was backed at 17-1.

RACE 2

Groundhog day. John Zielke wins another two-year-old race in Brisbane. Spot The Diff is headed up the range for the Dalrello Stakes at Toowoomba in a fortnight after making it three on end.

“We’re having a sensational run at the moment,” Zielke said. “I was concerned at the 600m when she was in a pocket with nowhere to go.”

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THE EYE CATCHER

Crack Me Up took a while to wind up. “He’s just looking for further. He’s a big track horse and he’s definitely got a future,” trainer Liam Birchley said.

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GOOD EFFORT

Love Spy is likely to clash again with Spot The Diff at Toowoomba after only being gunned down late.

“I’ve got no doubt the fence is the place to be, but unfortunately she just wanted to stargaze a bit and the winner got up inside me,” jockey Jim Byrne said.

Luke Dittman after another super performance on Spot The Diff.

THE BETTING

Spot The Diff opened $3.20 earlier in the week and kept firming all the way through to $2.25. Bets with UBET were headed by $3000.

Mishani El Lobo $1000x$3000 at $31/$8.50.

Best result for the book would have been Double Superlative, who was unwanted.

Worst Result was the Grafton visitor Charlee Bear ($9-$6), who tracked the speed, but didn’t finish off.

RACE 3

Rob Heathcote took aim at those tipsters and punters who had derided his consistent stayer Kaiser Franz in the wake of his overdue win on Saturday.

“That one’s for all the tipsters who have been potting the horse,” Heathcote said. “He should have won his last three. If he gets out last start he wins for sure and today he tried to get out four times but Browney was able to wait and the run finally came.”

For his part, Damian Browne said he could “feel Rob’s arms around my neck at the 600m.”

It got a bit tight for a bit,” he said.

THE EYE CATCHER

Collateral never got a crack at them and it’s hard to determine how close he may have finished.

Lord Coconuts however was a ripper effort at first middle distance attempt this time in. Drew out on Nudgee Road, went right around the field and kept coming. He will win one of these soon.

THE BETTING

UBET had five times as much money on Kaiser Franz than any other horse, but the worst result would have been Collateral, who attracted the most individual bets in the race at around the $12 mark.

RACE 4

Casual Choice (rails) delivered with a solid performance. Picture: Trackside Photography

Tony Gollan is desperate to win the Weetwood for the first time and Casual Choice is set to be his number one seed in the race — on one proviso.

“He’s a barrier horse. So he needs to draw a gate. I would love to win the Weetwood, I’ve never won one, but if he doesn’t draw a gate he won’t run,” Gollan said.

THE FAVOURITE

“He got in behind them and just got a bit lost. He will go to Caloundra now for a 1000m race,” trainer Chris Munce said of Wicked Intent.

Pinch River was an easing second pick and trial spies who weren’t impressed with his recent hit out were spot on, as he weakened out of the race from the home turn.

THE BETTING

Casual Choice was $5.50 to $8.70 but still the worst way for the UBET book.

Race 5

The Peter and Paul Snowden rolled on in Brisbane with El Sasso and Damian Browne is keen to keep his slot as their number one go-to man in Brisbane.

“Not much went right for us in the run, but when you are riding their horses you just have so much confidence because you know they are always going to be spot on,” Browne said.

THE RUNNER-UP

Barry Lockwood was pleased with the return of Cashing Up, but lamented a missed opportunity to return a winner.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t run him the other day. He would have been a good thing in a Class 2,” Lockwood said.

THE BETTING

El Sasso was another blowout for UBET, being clearly the worst result, backed from $4 to $3.30.

Race 6

Punters continued on their merry way when Fiery Heights was rewarded for his recent consistency, fending off Havasay.

“It wouldn’t have wanted to be any further, but (runner-up) Havasay is a smart horse and I think the form will be strong out of the race,” winning trainer Toby Edmonds said.

Jeff Lloyd said the softer tempo of the 1350m played into Fiery Heights’ hands.

“The boys feel the 1200m is a bit sharp for him but stepping up to this trip he was able to get into a better rhythm,” Lloyd said. “He can get fierce at 1200m when you give him a dig.

“He settled better today and when Havasay came up to him he gave it everything.”

JUST MISSED

“I was going to get it easily, but the winner just kicked,” jockey Ryan Wiggins said of Havasay.

THE BETTING

Fiery Heights had twice as much money wagered as any other runner.

Planet America was backed from $21 into $11.

Race 7

Stewart Mackinnon is now tempted to tackle a listed race on his home track at Caloundra this month with the veteran My Quilter, who received a beautifully judged ride from Sarah Eilbeck.

“I thought there was still some improvement but with 51kg, I told Sarah to take her time getting there and hopefully get a couple of cheap sectionals,” Mackinnon said.

My Quilter (Sarah Eilbeck) winning at Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

THE PLACEGETTERS

Jim Byrne declared Honey Toast spot on for the Toowoomba Cup after his grinding second.

“I knew at the 700m I needed to get going because even from that far out I knew the leader was going to take some running down,” Byrne said.

Brian Smith says Lock’s Legend will go the Tails Stakes, the same race as My Quilter, and he will try a tongue tie, as he believes the explanation for the horse not finishing off was him not getting enough air.

THE BETTING

Honey Toast and Lock’s Legend accounted for 72 per cent of the UBET book and bookies finally got one back after My Quilter gave them the big split.

Race 8

Damian Browne rounded out a memorable welcome back to Australia after his success in Dubai with a winning treble, landing Lucky Black in the last for Chris Munce.

“It’s great to come home and ride a few winners and hopefully I can continue to find some nice rides as we head into the carnival,” Browne said.

THE BETTING

Zedfast and Kraftwerk would have been the best result.

UBET reported a late rally by the book, but overall it was a 5-3 win to punters on the day.

Originally published as Doomben Review: Nathan Exelby talks with the winners and losers from Saturday’s Brisbane meeting